What to do on a Sunday in Pattaya?
Well, today you could have attended the second day of the air and boat radio controlled shows, or there was a ladies international petanque competition, if ladies throwing balls is your thing; or you could attend the first day of the ladies open tennis, if ladies hitting balls is your thing. Me, I went to watch the bed race.
Due to conflicting polo photography commitments, I have missed the bed race for the last two years, so it was good to have a chance to go today; although fate decided it would rain for most of the event which was rather unpleasant.
The afternoon started with some general posing around, followed by a parade around town.
The race started at Central Beach and ended at Walking Street. I positioned myself about half way down the course, at which point I hoped most would still be trying. Even so, some never arrived and one or two had lost most of the crew.
In spite of being regularly shooed off the road by the police, I managed a few shots; mainly taken by folding open the screen on the OM-D and putting the camera close to the ground. Seemed to work OK.
I have no idea who won, but given it was a fun event with Thais and foreigners making fools of themselves together to raise money for charity; I would have to say that everyone was the winner. But that sounds a bit trite, so I would give the award to that very nice young Russian lady in the bikini.
* Photos: Olympus OM-D with mainly the Olympus 75mm and a couple with the Summilux 25mm.*
Comments 🔗
2013-01-27| Grant saysYes siree Bob! Dang right! That nice little ole Russian lady would be purrfect for our American cousin… Expect that 2014 will see the participation of the Pattaya Bloggers & Photographers in this prestigious event. Pattaya Days and Pattayadaze on opposite sides at the front steering, BlogDaz and Uncle Stanley on the rear with Nik following up behind. Mr Tony on the bed of course! What a festive and gala occasion that would be! You might even get your photos in the Pattaya Times…
2013-01-28| Clive saysHi Spike… another excellent set of images from the good people of Pattaya. No surprise to see that you have ventured out with your New Toy (TM) to capture these fine pictures. Perhaps more interesting, I note that you took one camera and swapped (prime) lenses as opposed to splitting the work between the Olympus and the GX-1. I’m getting the impression that the verdict is in? GX1 on ebay yet?
I think the Olympus is a stunning camera - and no mistake - to the extent that now it’s only peripheral features (for example good AF on moving targets) that distinguishes it from say my EOS 7D… It’s a shame the parent company seems to be in a bit of a pickle recently… one can’t help think that with a good bit of momentum things could really pick up for them.
2013-01-29| Spike saysGX1 vs OM-D comparison coming up.
I would have thought the OM-D (and the GX1) pretty much destroys the 7D in every category apart from AF on moving targets. They would win on IQ, useability, size/weight, fun.
Olympus seem to be in a mess financially; but if you look at the cameras and lenses they have released over the last year, any money problems do not seem to be hindering their photographic division. May it continue, maybe the Sony money will help.