From an aesthetic point of view, Phuket is an endless slideshow of exquisite scenery. Idyllic beaches, tumbling waterfalls and forest-capped karsts are some of the region’s most photographed features.
An image of a dazzling white sandy beach makes an attractive screensaver and is sure to impress colleagues, but by spinning around 190 degrees and recomposing your shot, you may capture a scene which tells so much more about the setting.
For example, a photo of a beachside som tam (papaya salad) vendor, her face deeply creased from a lifetime’s worth of smiles and trials, is a reminder that ‘paradise’ is a wearing workplace for some. The genuine warmth of the local people is also radiated from this single image. In fact, there are enough threads to spin dozens of tales, while the postcard beachscape shot is usually only worth a handful of over-used adjectives.
Early risers will be rewarded; not only does the morning light enhance the warmth of photos, but it is the best time to observe the local culture.
A saffron-robed monk wandering barefoot along an empty street lit by the glow of a rising sun is a peaceful and calming image. As residents offer alms, a close-up of their closed eyes and graceful wai (bowing of head while hands clasped in prayer) frames this religious ritual perfectly.
Fresh markets are busy hives of colour, variety and chatter. Focusing on these three aspects can help convey the lively atmosphere of the market. Resist the temptation to squeeze too much into one shot, often an isolated object, gesture or expression provides more insight about a place than the whole scene.
Displays of fresh produce are colourful and arranged with skilful presentation, while textures and shapes are often quite peculiar, this unlikely marriage makes the perfect subject for close-up photography. Most compact digital cameras have great capacity for taking close-up shots; just set it to macro. If you can’t focus, take a step back and try again.
Downtown Market, Phuket’s longest running market, on Ranong Road, Phuket Town, is the best bet for an early morning shoot as vendors set up shop from 03:00.
Bangkok-based travel photographer, Marc Schultz, is renowned throughout the Kingdom for his outstanding work. His first photo book ‘Thailand – a taste of paradise’ was published in 2008, and he recently collaborated on a travel book which will be on the shelves later this year, entitled ‘To Thailand with Love’.
Marc describes his favourite locations on the island, “One of my favourite places to photograph is the Sino-Portuguese quarter of Phuket Town. The old shophouses are so charming with their beautiful colours and old design. It’s a true gem of a location and an easy subject to photograph.”
Marc has experienced much of Thailand through the lens of his DSLR, he advises on composition, “I think the key is to capture vignettes of a place rather than just a wide angle shot. Tightly cropping and isolating subject matter affords a more intimate take on the culture.”
“Photos should only hint of a place and its people. Think about the aspects that you find most charming about a place, then try to isolate them with a shallow depth of field. It’s also an easy way to shoot in a crowded location where there are many other cameras clicking and angling for the obvious hero shot.”
Temples offer the ideal setting for sharpening your photographic skills. Now the monsoon season has finally blown in, a temple photography tour of Phuket could be the ideal way to spend a rainy day. Try focusing on details such as a resting hand of Buddha or an ornate repeating pattern. Heavy shadows and high contrast lighting accentuate the spirituality of the scene, so have a good look around before you set up your shots.
Daily life in Phuket is an eclectic collage of potentially great shots. We are surrounded by interesting subject matter, but it needs to be composed carefully and economically.
Turning your back on the obvious and trusting you eye to lead you to a more visually arresting composition is a step towards a more captivating image.
Cultural references enrich the contextual information of a picture, so identify the detail that first caught your eye and single it out.
Spending a day or two exploring Phuket through the lens of your camera is sure to be an eye-opening experience.
Shoot beyond the sunset and you will discover that the vibrancy of local culture can be captured just as vividly. If you have never found a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, maybe it’s time to look beyond the sunset.
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