A day out with Pattaya Days reader Kevin saw us heading for the Ancient City. Kevin is a professional wedding photographer so had a bag full of the sort of gear that professional wedding photographers use; leaving my little bag of Micro Four Thirds goodies looked somewhat inadequate in comparison. In a previous life Kevin had worked for the Royal Air Force and his duties had included driving instruction and chauffeuring prime ministers, so I expect my driving seemed somewhat inadequate in comparison to his skills; although I didn’t actually hit anything and he only hid under the dashboard twice.
Still, with me driving, it was quite clear that all navigational skills were the responsibility of Kevin; so when we found ourselves heading in the general direction of Surin rather than the Ancient City, it was definitely his fault. His feeble protestations that I had been to our intended destination before, that he hadn’t actually been told where we were going and anyway he didn’t have his reading glasses, cut no ice with me. This is was an ideal opportunity to mask my gear and driving inadequacies and I took full advantage.
After a massive delay caused by Kevin’s navigational cock-up (estimated at around twenty minutes) we finally arrived at the Ancient City just as it was about to close (estimated at about five hours before it was about to close).
I had pretty much taken all the building shots during my previous visit, so this time I tried to find something different, which usually involved Buddha statues. This was my favourite of the day:
Apart from busloads of schoolkids, the place was quiet and it was most pleasant to just wander around taking the occasional snap. With no opportunities to get us lost, Kevin proved to be an ideal snapping companion; this was to be expected given we both hail from the city of the good and the great (Newcastle).
A fine day out.
All photos: Olympus E-M5 with Panasonic 7-14mm, Summilux 25mm, Olympus 45mm and Olympus 75mm lenses.
Comments 🔗
2013-02-28| BlogDaz saysSo, what was on your mind when you took that last shot ??.
2013-02-28| Grant saysFor Dog’s sake man don’t ask! You won’t like the reply and the rest of us will be sniggering into our gin. He was off the leash for the day with another Geordie, may as well have been on another planet…
2013-02-28| Spike saysI was thinking about the existential relationship between light and shadow, the fundamental dichotomy that permeates the human condition and the quantum nature of ice flows. Most of all I was thinking “Mmm roots, framed by a wall”.
What I wasn’t thinking was “ooh, willy shape”; but now you have pointed it out the image is a disaster.
2013-02-28| Kevin saysAs Spike so kindly pointed out here was a delay on our trip caused solely by my poor navigational skills and lack of reading glasses without which, I found it impossible to read his iPhone satnav.
This was actually just a ploy to allow us to arrive at our destination some twenty minutes later then Spike intended at which time, I’d calculated with all my professional skills the lighting would be far better. As you can see from his great images, I was obviously correct in my thinking. ( this paragraph, is a load of bull but it’s the best defence I can muster )
Have to say I really enjoyed my day out with Spike. Shooting with another photographer was very relaxing and enjoyable. Having spent the first two weeks of this current trip as a tour guide for my brother who’d never visited Thailand before this was the day offI needed.
Can’t thank Spike enough for being so generous with his time and for taking me out for the day which I really enjoyed. The only downside to my day out was realising that this camera system of his really can produce the goods. Having spent another hot sweaty month lugging so much weight around I think it’s time to visit the camera store once I’m home. took some nice street shots in Pattaya and Bangkok but a pro Nikon body with a 70-200 on the front is not exactly discreet. Many shots were missed simply because I was too obvious stood in the street with a bazooka. Just one minor detail remains now, getting over to the wife just how vital purchasing a new system is.
Once again, many thanks Spike for a great day out and by the way I was totally relaxed with you driving. Look forward to meeting up with you next time I’m out. Take care and keep the blogs coming they really make a good read.
2013-02-28| genuinej saysHear, hear!
2013-02-28| The Heavyweight says
2013-02-28| Grant saysYes, but the willy is rooted…
2013-03-02| BlogDaz saysI can’t compete with your mastery of the English language, but I would like to say “disaster” might not be appropriate, “cock up” better describes the image, and your negative reaction.
2013-03-02| BlogDaz says
2013-03-04| Grant saysDo note that it was ‘disaster’ with a small ’d’. The same appellation will be given to his finding that his slippers are in the bedroom and he is in the lounge. Uncle Spike has never had a single negative reaction in his entire life (something of a miracle given his long career with Messrs Shell) with the noted exceptions of that to Scotch Whisky, any camera that does it with smoke and mirrors, and the foreign policy of the Urinated States of Amerika