whereonearth

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Saturday, October 2, 2010 | 5 photos

I visited Thailand and Laos a year ago, and since then I have been waiting for an opportunity to exhibit my photographs. The photos I chose express the natural beauty and unchoreographed essence that make up southeast Asian countries and cultures. The story I tried to convey through my images is one of simplicity and beauty. Throughout my travels I have witnessed many different cultures and lifestyles and experienced many different perspectives on life. Southeast Asia has a very tranquil and serene impression that I wanted to capture with my camera. The image of the child peeking out from behind the wooden door represents, for me, the unassuming innocence that permeates Thai and Laotian peoples. Similarly, the image of the boys jumping off the fallen log into the muddy river also represent innocence, but also freedom and playfulness. The dragonfly on the lotus petal is a very strong image and one of my favorites. The lotus flower is an important symbol in Asian traditions because it symbolizes purity and non-attachment. Also important in Asian religion are the numerous temples and places of worship that dot the countryside and grace every other street corner. Temples are a place to worship God, so their architecture and appearance are often dramatic and elegant, using beauty as an offering to the greater deities. Finally, my last image is of Laotian workers in a field, harvesting their crops for eating and selling at the market. This is a perfect example of the simplicity and beauty that pervades southeast Asian countries and people. The landscape is beautiful - vibrant greens, and blues, and golds - and the people are methodically reaping their crop in an almost meditative way. Together, these images show the natural beauty and serenity of this land and people.