Laos

Black and White Photography Challenge: Day #2

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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

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

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19 replies »

  2. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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