Destinations: Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai, Thailand

Destinations: Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai

Thailand
17.0211, 99.7036

This is the first Destinations File that I share where I have been, and would encourage others to go.  The city of Sukhothai, located in central Thailand, is a historical city of the first kingdom of Thailand.  As with most historical ruins, the dwellings of everyday people no longer remain, having long ago been ravaged by the forces of war, climate, and time.  What is left is a beautiful temple complex containing many beautifully restored Buddhist temples, or wats.  Of these, my favorite is Wat Si Chum, and the photography of this post will highlight that particular wat.

Wat Si Chum (The Temple Of The Bodhi Tree) is believed to be dated back to the 13th century. The Buddha statue sits 11 meters high, surrounded by walls that are 15 meters in height, also known as a Mandapa.  The width of the Buddha means that it dominates the small enclosure, and now it is open to the sky, though once there was a roof overhead. 










The temple was re-discovered by the archaeologist Louis Fournereau in 1891. Wat Si Chum is one of the most historically significant temples in Thailand, and is apparently the most studied of any Thai Temple. King Rama VI wrote about Wat Si Chum in a book written while he was the Crown Prince.





The walls are  about 3 meters thick, and conceal a small entry way with stairs to a corridor that rings about the small wat.  Inside the corridor ceiling are more than fifty engraved slate slabs, dating back to the mid 14th century, illustrating scenes from the Jataka tales, stories of the Buddha’s previous lives.  Unfortuantely this passageway is closed to normal tourists, I would have loved to get a peak inside. 

The hands of the Buddha are also covered in gold foil, put there by worshippers as offering to the Buddha.  Youc an see the squares on the hands, though since these photographs were taken on black and white film (pre-digital for me), you'll have to continue to imagine how they would look in real life.  Better yet, go see for yourself!  Enjoy.

Serene Cave

Serene Cave

THAI10D-32

November 23, 2010

On the outskirts of Khao Yai National Park, in Thailand, there is a certain cave under a monastery.  This cave was a refuge for Buddhist priests for centuries, as they would go down into the depths to be removed from the influences of daily life, to sit and meditate in the dark and reflect upon the teachings of the Buddha.  We were able to visit this cave and wander through the caverns for a short while.  The final room was this, where a 8-10' tall statue of the Buddha sat in lotus position, with an opening to the outside world above and to the side.  I like how this image has a luminous quality to it (the only lighting used was that which came from the open sinkhole) and how the Buddha, with his patina'd background, seems to be singularly lit by the light from above.  Enjoy. 

 

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 10 mm

Exposure: 12 sec   f/16 ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Stupas of Bangkok

Stupas of Bangkok

THAI040205

June 12, 2004

Continuing with the Thailand theme this week, another image from my first sojourn to that nation.  In fact, this was probably on the first day of adventure, after landing in the capital.  Wandering through the main tourist areas, the Palace and Wat Po, This stupa struck me.  These are small shrines (though sometimes not so small, you can see it towering over the roof tiles of the palace) where the remains of holy men are kept.  They are intricately designed and decorated, and are beautiful to admire.  I remember looking at this slide when it first came back from the lab, and immediately fell in love with it.  The wide angle approach, the off-center view with the storm clouds in the background (storm clouds are never far away in Thailand in the summer).  All of it spoke to me,  I hope you enjoy it as well. 

 

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon N80
Film: Velvia 50

Lens: Nikon 28-105 mm f/3.5-4.5

Focal length: 28 mm

Exposure: 1/60   f/2.8 ISO50

Post-processing: Scanned on a Nikon Coolscan 5000, toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Down on the Bayou

Down on the Bayou

NOLA09D-163

April 21, 2009

It is easy to visit New Orleans without realizing that it is in the heart of swamp country.  That mighty Mississippi river, having wound its way through thousands of miles, spills into a wide delta that is prone to flooding, and gives us a small sampling of an American jungle.  But just outside the vibrant city is the dense brush and forest, and here you see that legendary landscape that we think of when we think of the bayou.  Here, as we floated by, was a  house that was only accessible by boat.  No roads lead out here, just the barest of essentials, and the hard beating it took from humidity and rain and neglect.  But it is this look that best encapsulates the area.  Enjoy.

 

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 50 mm f/1.4

Focal length: 50 mm

Exposure: 1/100   f/11 ISO 100

Post-processing: Slight texture,toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Reclaimed Wat

Reclaimed Wat

THAI040711

June 24, 2004

Jumping around a bit today, as I'm a bit distracted by big upcoming news and plans.  But I didn't want to neglect the post, and offer up a small treat from my first visit to Thailand, many years ago. This Wat, or temple, was found in the jungle near Si Satchanalai, Thailand, which was a major site of clay works and porcelain that was the supreme across the known world as early as the 14th century.  It is beautiful work.  The stupa of this wat had been partially reclaimed by the vegetation. You can see leafy greens growing along the brickwork, and the large bricks that were used back then, with pockmarks of centuries of rain and tropical heat (many of the restoration, more modern bricks were used, and you can see the difference). It gave the whole scene a more adventurous feeling, very Indiana Jones.  Enjoy.

 

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon N80
Film: Fuji Provia 100F

Lens: Nikon 28-105 mm f/3.5-4.5

Focal length: 28 mm

Exposure: 1/200   f/4.5 

Post-processing: Scanned using a Nikon Coolscan 5000, slight texture,toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory

GUAT07D-340_pan

July 8, 2007

While venturing through the sights of Guatemala, my main objective for going there was to see the Mayan ruins.  And they didn't disappoint.  My one hiccup was that they were very touristy.  Now, this is to be expected, as the ruins at places like Tikal are restored and in fantastic shape, and they should be appreciated by all so they can be maintained.  However, there is that part of me, as in most adventurers, who enjoys moving off the beaten track, seeing things out of the way.  And that was what brought us to Yaxha. 
 
This smaller site, located right on the river, is in various stages of decay and repair.  The 90-minute jeep ride through the jungle to reach the site gave you an idea of how isolated, how off the beaten track it was.  And the site did not disappoint.  Ruins fading into the jungle, crumbled by centuries of disuse and steady rain and humidity.  The royal astronomical observatory, which I climbed to take this photo, was in good shape, as were a few other pyramids.  Best of all, these places were without any other visitors; besides us two and our guide, only two archaeologists were at the site, giving it a lonesome, first-discovery feel.  It was fantastic.  I hope you like the panorama I stitched together of the royal palace sitting near the river, with clouds stretching far to the horizon.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3mm

Exposure: 1/500 f/7.1 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Sunrise Over the Ruins

Sunrise Over the Ruins

GUAT07D-234_pan

July 7, 2007

A beautiful and famous landscape, sunrise over the Mayan city of Tikal.  This scene was not only found in Star Wars IV: A New Hope (the home of the secret rebel base), but is the site of one of the greatest cities of the Mayan empire.  I chose this image because it is a good reflection of a new year, full of optimism (so far), and also because the nay-sayers have the Mayans predicting 2012 as the end of the world.  Highly doubtful, I think it is misinterpreted, but oh well.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3 mm

Exposure: 1/13 f/2.8 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Pyramid

The Pyramid

GUAT07D-354

July 8, 2007

A quick post this morning, post-Christmas, to wish you all the very best.  Here's hoping you are secure with friends and family, and that you are off to new adventures, like seeing the main pyramid of Yaxha in Guatemala.  Enjoy!

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3mm

Exposure: 1/800 f/7.1 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Ballcourt

The Ballcourt

HOND07D-78

July 14, 2007

One of my guilty pleasures when watching TV is shows that revolve around conspiracy theories.  Most people have a healthy distrust of things, and a conspiracy theory appeals to everyone.  But the ones I really enjoy hearing are not about politics, who shot JFK, or crashed into 9/11, but the weird theories about ancient aliens that visited civilizations past and helped them develop.  The theoriests have all sorts of wild theories about how the humans could never have developed such sophistocated building technology, astronomic predictions, or cultures at such an early point.  It is usually hokem, but still interesting to listen to.  Last night they were talking about the Mayans and centered on Copan, Honduras, which fits perfectly into the theme of this week.
  This is a ball court from the main part of the city, where competitions were held to honor the gods, and determine superiority of skill.  It seemed a mix of soccer (where no hands were allowed), and basketball (having to get the latex ball through a hoop on one side).  Intricate and difficult, it was a typical Mayan pastime.  And even after the jungle has partially reclaimed it, it still possesses some majesty.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 16.3 mm

Exposure: 1/125 f/11 ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Mayan Jungle

The Mayan Jungle

HOND07D-93

July 14, 2007

The lush jungles of Honduras, as seen from the top of the astronomy tower in the ruins of Copan.  The jungle exists as a carpet across the landscape, an unending forest that is hard to appreciate, its vastness and greenery that are shades we don't see much in the United States.  While this is a straightforward picture, what strikes me is the manicured lawn that lays in front of the ruins.  Intended to keep the area nice for tourists, the straight lines of the mower are in sharp contrast with the wild, untamed jungle that exists in all directions beyond the ruins.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3mm

Exposure: 1/125 f/7.1 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Lost Skulls of the Jungle

Lost Skulls of the Jungle

HOND07D-47

July 14, 2007

Many of the ruins from the Mayan civilization have slowly disappeared into the jungle, being overtaken by time and the ravages of nature.  And, for better or worse, many are still unexplored and un-repaired, as the jungle left them for the last several centuries.  This image is a perfect example of this, with a former head from a pyramid cast down to the jungle floor to stare at passers-by who try to enter the former cities.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 16.3mm

Exposure: 1/50 f/5 ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Aguateca's Canyon

Aguateca's Canyon

GUAT07D-212

June 5, 2007

Continuing on in Guatemala, I figured to double-down to end the week and present this image of the canyon along Aguateca.  This ancient Mayan city used this fissure in the ground as a natural defense point; there were only a couple of places where one could cross, and so it kept the city relatively well-defended from invaders.  By now, however, about twelve centuries after the city was abandoned, the jungle is back in full control, tearing down the bricks that were put up, covering the whole place in a verdant moss.  You can see, in the middle of the picture, the light brown strip is actually the road leading down and out of the canyon on the far side.  Quite an experience to walk among these ruins.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 4.5 sec @ f/16 ISO 200

Post-processing: Tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4

Tropical Fungi Bloom

Tropical Fungi Bloom

GUAT07D-208

June 5, 2007

Back to fungi again today, because they are just such amazing things, and yet so beautiful.  After showing off some fungi growing in my own neighborhood this week, today's image comes from Guatemala, deep in the ruins of a Mayan city, Aguateca.  This lichen-draped ruined city is deep in the jungle of Central America, and is quite isolated, requiring an hour boat ride to get there.  But the ruins represent a great example of how the jungle, and how nature in general, can reclaim the works of man.  This log, covered in moss and lichen, actually has two species growing on it, these beautiful basidiomycetes on their stalks, and the tiny white wood decayers in the background to the left.  Both thriving in the humidity and heat of the jungle, and doing their part to break down the wood and return nutrients to the soil.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  135 mm

Exposure: 3 sec @ f/16 ISO 200

Post-processing: Tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4

Yates' Mill HDR

Yates' Mill HDR

NCAR10D-4_HDR

January 23, 2010

Moving to North Carolina was a new adventure.  I had left Illinois behind, and with it the flatlands and fields.  There was a lot to like about IL, but nature and wilderness were not among them.  Suddenly, I was among trees again, real forests and topography.  It was great.  And a large city like Raleigh had a fair share of parks and greenery for such an urban area.  This shot was taken within the first couple weeks of living in the city, at Yates Mill Historic County Park.  Just a few minutes south of downtown, this old mill has a large spillway, and the angle and the contrast made me interested in trying an HDR shot.  This was really my first HDR shot ever attempted.  It is not perfect, and I realize that, but it was a first stab at this new form of media.  And the rest is history.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6

Focal length:  11.5 mm

Exposure: variable @ f/25, ISO 200

Post-processing: Merge of 5 images (+/- 2EV) in Photomatix.  Tone and shadow adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Ruined Brothel

Ruined Brothel

DEVA07D-55

March 30, 2007

So I got caught up in the spirit of the long weekend (aka doing as little as possible besides lab work), and completely missed the Monday posting.  My apologies.  Today's post comes to us from Death Valley National Park, or rather just outside in the town of Rhyolite.  This ghost town was, like many cities in the West, fueled by mining that didn't last.  Although it once had a population approaching 10,000, today it has a whopping populace of zero.  It is interesting to wander through the town and see the ruined buildings, and ghost towns always make for interesting photography.  This is a shot through the window of a ruined brothel.  Some of the color is still on the walls (surprising, a brothel that is painted red), and as you can see, some of the previous visitors have not been so kind to the walls.  Still, the rich light and contrast made it an interesting scene.  I liked this image, the angle looking through the doorway and window, with the side lighting.  And it did win the Champaign County Camera Club's spring 2009 contest Windows.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-35 f/3.5-4.5

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 1/25 sec @ f/10, ISO 100

Post-processing: Saturation, curves adjustment in PS4 & LR1.4