Pete Souza – Obama’s official White House photographer

Photojournalist Pete Souza has been named Obama’s official White House photographer.  Souza has had an illustrious career as a photographer.  Earlier in his career, he was a White House photographer during Ronald Reagan’s second term.  In 2005, Souza went with Obama’s entourage during Obama’s seven country Africa tour.  Souza’s 2008 book, “The Rise Of Barack Obama” made it to the New York Times bestseller list.  Souza also covered the war in Afghanistan post 9/11.  Check out some of his photo’s at his website.  Quite a treat!

Souza uses Canon 5D cameras and is expected to upgrade to the new 5D Mark II and Leica M8.2 systems.

Casting of bronze Buddhas in northern Thailand

Unfinished bronze Buddha

In the northern Thailand city of Phitsanulok is the Buranathai Buddha Foundry.  This foundry is renown throughout Thailand for its casting of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat style Buddha.  The original is located in the Temple Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat which is also located in Phitsanulok.  This temple dates back to 1357AD.

If you find yourself in Phitsanulok visiting the temple or at nearby Sukhothai, it’s worth your while to visit the foundry.  You are allowed to walk the grounds and watch the artisans at work.  There is staff that will explain (also in English) the different processes, including the lost wax casting technique,  employed in the fabricating of a Buddha.

The main workshop

Even more

Oxide coating

Hard at work

Almost finished