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Boon Bang Fai - Yasothon - Thailand

S H O O T   W I T H   M E

F I E L D - T R I P S - A S I A

Dates: 09 - 14 May 2024
3 participants Max.
Picture
Boon Bang Fai, Yasothon. ©PB/VII
In May 2024, I will make a pilgrimage to Yasothon in Thailand’s North East for Boon Bang Fai, the earth-shaking rocket festival I first attended back in 1990 with its potent blend of gunpowder, rice whisky and exuberance, played out to remind the Gods, Phaya Thaen and the Naga, to send rain for rice farming.

This wild and compellingly riotous ritual, combining animistic fertility rites with Buddhist merit making, is a priceless insight into the Thai psyche where delightful chaos and human theatre unfolds each day in front of our eyes.

I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate to experience such celebrations of life. It is, in the most literal sense, another world; something that has to be experienced at least once.

In keeping with the philosophy of these field trips, there are three places for photographers to accompany me. The mood will be collegial and you will have the opportunity to watch me working up close in a variety of situations as well as making images of your own. This allows me opportunities to explain things about my own approach and comment and offer advice on your approach in real time.

This scenario allows for the ultimate learning experience; one sees not only the moment images are created but, most importantly, the movement, anticipation and reaction that precedes the click of the shutter; something which, when watching a seasoned practitioner working a scene can be somewhat of a revelation, what I believe is the Holy Grail in terms of knowledge transferal.

Evening mealtimes are for catching our breath and unwinding over plates of the world's greatest cuisine, sharing experiences and discussion.

Our final day will allow us to edit together, analyse our work made over the three days and discuss what we got right, where we missed the boat and why. During the course of our discussions I will invite you to choose an image from my final edit from which I’ll create a pigment ink print, signed with a personal dedication for you as a memento of our collaboration.

I look forward to working with you.
PB


​Schedule below.

S C H E D U L E
.Meeting Point: YASOTHON, Thailand. 09 May 2024

GETTING THERE:
There are many ways to travel to Yasothon.
see GETTING THERE.

CONFIRMATION:​
Once your participation is confirmed, you will receive a welcome letter with advice and suggestions to help you prepare for the trip with confidence.
You will need to book a hotel room in YASOTHON town for the 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 May.

Our five days together breaks down like this: Introductions and Orientation, three days of shooting and a day of editing. Important to remember is that I will always be nearby and ready to advise or encourage.

09 May 2024
Introductions / Orientation
 
We'll meet in town for lunch at 13h00. As well as getting to know each other a little, I'll be able to answer the inevitable questions and we can spend an hour or two getting up to speed, familiarising ourselves with the environs and working scenes that promise interesting images. In the evening, over dinner we will each share examples of our work and discuss our photographic approach for the coming days. This is especially important for me so that I can familiarise myself with your visual language and modus operandi and can be aware of your photographic needs.

10 May 2024
Photographing
After breakfast, we'll take the morning to acclimatize, walk the streets and look for scenes and moments to photograph.  The day starts gently but there is always something going on. Crowds start to gather in the afternoon for cultural performances, singing and dancing and, of course, the evening party. 
Each night, we will find a place to eat and relax and have the chance to discuss and debrief following the day's events.

11 May 2024
Photographing
On the 11th we can expect music (loud), dancing and merriment in the streets with intricately designed rockets being paraded. It is on the peripheries of these 'organised' pageant-style goings on that the life is interesting as order breaks down and gives way to chaos and revelry. It allows us to observe, shoot, rest a little while eating and rehydrating and repeating the process until night falls.

12 May 2024
Photographing
The first unmistakeable roar of a rocket piercing the clouds is our signal to make our may to the Phaya Thaen park to watch the competition and the theatre unfold.
We'll spend as much time as possible following the festivities and photographing. While it's important to remember that we're there to work, we'll still have plenty of time to chat in the field, where I will be able to offer advice in real time, encouraging you and giving you that extra little push should you need it.

13 May 2024
Editing 

Our final day together gives us the chance to sit down comfortably, in a relaxing environment and explore the material we have shot as we endeavour to make sense of it all, reflecting on our experience and considering our approach with hindsight.

You will be able to see to what I have shot as I edit, talking you through what I was hoping to achieve, where I went wrong, where I missed things (and why) and where I nailed things (and why), and of course, I will offer you constructive critiques on not only your work, but, more importantly, your approach and how you might go about improving it for better results.
Hopefully we will have wonderful images to match the shared experience of the three days to celebrate over our last dinner together. 
inne       
14 May 2024

Goodbyes and onward travel.


Please see Terms and Conditions below.
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Interested but not sure about committing?
Please message me here if you have any questions or would like to speak in person. I'll be happy to chat.
Workshop Terms & Conditions
‘Field-Trips-Asia’ places are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Your place is guaranteed on payment of the fee. Completion of the downloadable registration form is necessary before the dates of the 'Field-Trip'.
The ‘Field-Trip’ fee is for tuition only. Travel, accommodation, meals and other expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
Should ‘Field-Trips-Asia’ need to cancel a 'Field-Trip' for reasons of low enrollment, health or accident, your fee will be refunded in full, however, ’Field-Trips-Asia’ will not be liable for any additional costs incurred, including, but not limited to, non-refundable airline tickets and other travel to the workshop destination or accommodations.
You are strongly advised to take out health and trip cancellation/travel insurance. Please check that the trip insurance policy will cover event cancellation.
Please check about visa requirements, which may vary depending on your nationality.

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