Erawan Shrine – black and white or color?

One of the dilemmas photographers face is black and white or color?   In colorful locales such as the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, the vividness of the colors is hard to ignore.  There is a richness that is best conveyed in color.  However, black and white can work provided your composition,  imagery, and richness of detail are compelling.

Photos were taken with a Leica M8 and either a Summicron 90mm f/2 or a Noctilux 50mm f/1 lens.

More photos from Erawan Shrine in Bangkok

Over the years I’ve travelled to many countries and I’ve never found another country as rich in colors as Thailand.  As I’ve mentioned before, you don’t have to travel far in Thailand (or Bangkok) to find a venue where the colors can be breathtaking.

The Erawan Shrine is one of these places.  If you’ve checked out my blog before, you know I’ve posted about this venue before.  There’s a good reason for that.  It’s hard to go there and not find someone or something interesting to photograph.

Photos taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 90mm f/2 lens.

Photos taken at Erawan Shrine in Bangkok – now in color

I posted these photos in black and white a couple of days ago.  Here they are in color.  I think that the images work better in color as the venue is quite spectacular and the color does not detract from the images.

A Leica M8 and Summicron 90mm f/2 lens were used to capture these images.

Roaming Bangkok – people watching at Erawan Shrine, part 2

Vendor outside the shrine

These photos are a continuation of the photos I posted a couple of days ago after spending a couple of hours at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok.  As the scene is colorful, color photos are at their best, however, black and white photos also look pretty good.

There are so many people visiting this locale that there are numerous opportunities to end up with some pretty good photos.  Day and night.

The photos were shot with a Leica M8 and either a Summicron 90mm f/2 or a Noctilux 50mm f/1 lens.

Respectful

Roaming Bangkok with Leica M8 – Erawan Shrine great for people photos

The Erawan Shrine is a very popular destination for locals and tourists alike.  It is well-known throughout Asia and one can find many visitors paying homage to the four-faced Brahma.  Most of the time, photographers will highlight the image itself.  However,  humanity is at its  best at this location and one can find many subjects to photograph.  Aspiring photographers should find a seat on the available benches, take some time observing the scene and fire away.  It is a very satisfying location.

For more information, check out my posting from a couple days past.

Photographs shot with a Leica M8 and Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 lens.

Click or double-click on the image to enlarge the photo.

Roaming Bangkok – Erawan Shrine

The Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection at Rachadamri and Ploenchit roads is near the Hyatt Erawan and Intercontinental Hotels.  Many worshippers visit the shrine to pray for good fortune, prosperity and success in their lives.  If your prayers are fulfilled, one is expected to return to the shrine to pay homage to the shrine.

Many people have the mistaken impression that the statute is a four-faced Buddha when in fact its a depiction of the four-faced Brahma, a deity in Hinduism.  In Thai, the god is referred to as Than Tao Maha Prom.  The shrine was named after the three-headed elephant Erawan.

The Erawan shrine is open 24 hours a day with visitors making offerings to Brahma non-stop.  It is a picturesque location with dancing girls, the scent of incense in the air and garlands of flowers surrounding the statue.  This attraction is a must see when you are in Bangkok.  And pack your camera.