Random Photo Enhancement

I haven't  posted much lately because there hasn't been that much new in my photographic activities.  But I thought you might be interested in seeing ordinary pictures enhanced by the software I use, Lightroom. In traveling around Thailand I often find that the the most interesting photo subjects present themselves at a time when the lighting conditions are less than ideal.  Taking pictures at noon on a smoggy day usually results in boring pictures.  Here's some that have been touched up a bit.

Lamsang Waterfall, Tak Province

My friend Ken cooling off on a hot day.

Ken and his niece

With friends on the Samoeng loop ride out of Chiang Mai.  Recommended to those of you who are moto enthusiasts.

The next four pics were taken at a send-off party.

My name is Wah.  I am eight years old.  I am high on orange soda pop.  I have a loaded water pistol in my hand.  You know how the story ends...

Termite hatch.

The next set were taken by Wah at a food preparation event for a religious ceremony. 

Sohm and myself

Sohm's wife Kim and myself

Wah and his uncle

This picture was taken at a temple I happened to spot while on a road trip.  

Mike and Vic.  We took a ride to the Hmong Village just past Doi Sutep.  It's a very colorful place, but it's also a bit like Disneyland, or Mexico.  Unreal and hawkers everywhere.

Stairway through the village market area

Yes, those are poppies.  We supposed they were being grown as an example of what not to grow in Thailand...?
These pictures were taken around noon on a smoky day.  Lightroom to the rescue.

More Lightroom magic.  

This village is so saturated with tourists that the locals charge you if you want their picture.  I was trying to take a picture of some flowers when this woman and baby walked into view.

Another stolen picture

Carabao

Thursday evening I went to a Carabao concert near my home in Mae Jo. Think of a blend of Santana, The Eagles, and Buckwheat Zydeco and you’ll have an idea of how their music sounds.  We went to the concert in typical Thai style:  eight people on three motor bikes.  There was plenty of food and alcohol available before and during the show.  Drugs are a no-no and will land you in trouble pronto.  It was great fun and the weather was perfect, maybe 60F, with lots of dancing – Thai style – which is much more loosey-goosey than dancing styles in the US.  If you are ever in Thailand and have a chance to attend one of their concerts, do it! 

From Wikipedia:  Carabao are a Thai rock band which is very popular in Thailand and other Asian countries.  The group was formed in 1981 by university students Yuenyong Opakul (Aed) and Kirati Promsaka Na Sakon Nakhon (Keo or Khiao) who met while studying at Mapúa Institute of Technology in the Philippines. The word carabao is Tagalog meaning "buffalo", a symbol of fighting, hard work, and patience.

They are known for their Phleng phuea chiwit or 'songs for life'. This kind of music came to prominence through the protest songs of the 1970s political upheaval in Thailand, especially from the band Caravan. Carabao have blended the acoustic/folk style of 'peua chiwit' with other forms of Thai music, western rock and country music, and various kinds of world music like Latin music and reggae, earning such labels as 'ethnic rockers' and 'Kings of 3Cha.'

Some of our group, including my friend Sohm, his wife, two youngest sons, niece, and myself.

More people from our group.

You can find links to Carabao's music on YouTube.  

Pu Chee Fa

Pu Chee Fa is located in the mountains near the Thailand - Laos border at an elevation of about 4500 feet. I had been there a year ago to take pictures but was thwarted by heavy fog. The road to and from is steep, but in between it's a very easy and scenic drive.  There are plenty of places to stay, with prices ranging from 500 to 1500 baht.  There isn't much to do except relax and enjoy the people and the scenery.

The graph below shows the elevation change from Pu Chee Fa all the way to my home in Chiang Mai.  Strangely, I have mixed units of measure, with feet for elevation and kilometers for distance.  Anyway, you get the picture.  Check out the decent on the left side of the graph - you almost need a parachute to exit Pu Chee Fa.

Sunset on my first night at Pu Chee Fa.  I had fun changing the camera settings, trying to get different effects.

Looking north from Pu Chee Fa toward the Mekong River

High enough for pine trees, but not to high for banana trees.

Once you make the initial climb up the mountain much of the road just meanders pleasantly.

Sunset on the second evening at Doi Pa Thong.

Picture taken from my hotel early in the morning.

I took the long way back home on a road that skirts the Mekong River.  I rested at this sala, looking across the river to Laos.

Mekong River

Long boat, or slow boat on the Mekong River.  These are passenger boats that make stops along the river in both Thailand and Laos.

1. So, what do hill tribe kids do for fun and games? 

   Those are empty beer bottles on the ground. You balance the mouth of one bottle on the mouth of another. But that's child play. Next, you toss tiny pebbles onto the inverted bottom of the bottle. Whoever can place the most pebbles before the bottles topple over wins the game.