Yesterday, my first response to this challenge was a shot with minimal lines. I particularly liked the way the sun seemed to burn through the brow of the hill. But, although I did crop the original, that effect was overwhelmed by the sky and the foreground. Perhaps, if the original had been a raw image rather than jpeg I’d have been able to edit it to achieve what I had in mind. But that’s an entirely different learning curve – one I’m saving for later.
Today’s photo is of the main street in Muang Ngoi, a village on the banks of the Nam Ou River in Northern Laos. At first glance the exotic and dramatic scenery catches the eye. But there’s a sadder, more sinister note to this photo. Those are bomb casings leaning against the fence line. Relics from, what to me is the recent past, the second Indo-China war or what you may know as the Vietnam war. Muang Ngoi was once the capital of the region but it took a thrashing during the war. So much so the capital was moved downstream to Nong Khiaw. A little known fact: Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history.
Today Muang Ngoi is a picturesque town popular with tourists. We visited twice. We had lunch there during our day trip on the Nam Ou River and we called in again, very briefly, on our way to Muang Khua.
Muang Ngoi
Pommepal from gypsy life: Taking time to see the details invited me to join the Black and White 5 day challenge. Check out Pommepal’s photos from day two. It’s a landscape that responds well to black and white.
There are only two rules for this challenge:
1. On 5 consecutive days, create a post using either a past or recent photo in B&W.
2. Each day invite another blogging friend to join in the fun.
My second nominee is desleyjane over at musingsofafrequentflyingscientist. I met her on the WordPress Photo 101 last year. She’s a scientist and she loves to travel. But most importantly she’s mad keen on photography. I’m learning a lot from her photos. Check them out. Blogging is all about having fun so taking up the challenge is, of course, optional.
Categories: Laos
Jill's Scene 
I love your posts about Laos Jill! Thanks for sharing!
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That’s great to know, Donna. It’s a very beautiful place.
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This is a terrific photo – I love the juxtaposition of the bomb casings (the memory of violence, pain and loss) with the power/phone lines next to the unpaved or partially paved road, and the mountain and trees suggesting peace and tranquility. All of these things can exist in one place at one time. A really great shot.
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Thanks, Autism Mom. Interestingly, I can see more in it now, than when I first selected it. This challenge is teaching me a lot.
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Love this image – strong lines and shapes, great contrasts..well done!
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Thanks, Sue. I’m working on developing the “eye”.
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Great!
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This is a very nice photo and I think it’s even better in black and white – good choice. Most of the people who are my age in the States still question that war, those bombings and the staggering losses. This is a good reminder.
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Hi Dan, Glad you liked the photo! That war was unpopular here, too, which meant the vets didn’t get a good run when they came home, either. Those bomb casings were quite a frequent site in the places we visited, along with UXO offices.
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I think the way the returning vets were treated is the saddest part. I know several and they were really dealt a bad hand during and after that war. For some, medical treatment was denied for years.
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Very similar story here, Dan. Very, very tough on them and their families.
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This one ticks all the boxes Jill. Great photo and definitely more dramatic in b&w, the composition is enhanced with the man in the foreground looking into the photo and leading the eye to the other figures, then up to that forbidding mountain and then back down to the hedges and palm trees giving the tropical look. Well done this is a beauty
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Hi Pommepal, thank-you for the detailed explanation about why this photo works. I looked at the photo again and I could see exactly what you meant. Before that I’d have just said there was movement in the photo without really knowing why! Lots to learn, eh.
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Certainly is Jill, that is why I love photography, never stop trying to get that perfect picture…
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Exactly!
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Hi Jill 😉
This petit has some good lines in it – the path leading away plus the power lines, which I didn’t notice right away. And the stairs as well. Bomb casings?!? Wow, I would not have guessed that….
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I’ve had some issues with spelling/autocorrect lately. Of course petit = photo!!
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Thanks Desleyjane. Those bomb casings are sad, eh. The people there went through absolute hell.
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Yep, I really can’t imagine.
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