Farmer’s Market near Jatujak Market in Bangkok

Under the roof is an open air market

Across Kamphaeng Phet Road from the Jatujak (or JJ) Market is a terrific farmers market that focuses primarily on all types of Thai food and the ingredients to make Thai food.  In addition to fresh and live seafood, there are large sections of prepared foods for takeaway and fresh vegetables and fruit.  It is know in proper English as the “Marketing Organization for Farmers”  (MOF) Market (but never ask for it by its English name as no one will know what you’re talking about).  It is locally known as the Talat (market) “Or-tor-kor” which derives its name from the Thai initials for MOF.  There is also a sizable food court with most dishes ranging in the 30-50 baht range.

It’s a great place to take photos as the structure itself is tall-roofed with great sightlines.

You can get to the market by crossing Kamphaeng Phet Road from Jatujak.  This can be done above ground or by walking into the MRT Kamphaeng Phet Station and crossing underground and then up on the other side.  I recommend this second option as there is no traffic to be concerned about underground.  This link will show you the location of the market and its proximity to Jatujak Market.

The photos were taken with a Leica M8 and Noctilux 50mm f/1, Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/2.8 and Summilux 75mm f/1.4 lenses.

Fresh seafood

All kinds of Thai food

Part Two – Panasonic Lumix G1 with Voightlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5 lens

Here are more photos taken from Jatujak Market, the weekend market in Bangkok.  Again, I preset the Voightlander at f/4.5 so that everything from around .7 meters to infinity is in focus.  The lens is not razor sharp at this aperture, but it’s quick to use when you don’t have to think about focusing the lens.  Makes it easy to take a quick snapshot without having to mess around with the focus. However, remember that the G1 with its 2x crop factor makes this lens a 28mm, just right for that typical wide shot.  There is some barrel distortion but it’s minimal.

Clothing and bokeh at Jatujak Weekend Market

As I’ve mentioned in other posts, the Jaujak Weekend Market is not only a place to buy many things on the cheap, it is also very colorful.  As a result of the myriad of colors, it is ideal if one is interested in very colorful photos.  From skirts to scarves to accessories, it makes for a very bright weekend.

I am still experimenting with the Leica Noctilux 50mm with its wonderfully narrow depth of field and textural almost impressonist bokeh.

Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1 – Bangkok market, lights and bokeh

I’ve been experimenting with the Noctilux since I purchased it almost two weeks ago.  Today I was at a market near Jatujak and figured that I would spend an hour photographing light fixtures with the Nocti wide open, that is, at f/1.  The bokeh is quite nice with this lens and one has an urge to capture an image more with the bokeh in mind rather than the subject in the frame.   And in the end, of course, the bokeh became the subject and the light source a secondary object.

At the Jatujak Weekend Market in Bangkok with the Panasonic G1

Watchout

I had a chance to visit Jatujak Weekend Market again.  As I’m getting to like the Panasonic Lumix G1 and I’m still testing the capabilities of the little camera, I took it along instead of my Leica gear.  Attached to the G1 was the 45-200mm f/4-5.6 zoom.

I have been really impressed with the color rendition of the sensor and software.  The lens is a little soft at wide-open, however, the images are still pretty good. All photos were taken at or very near wide open.

These photos were processed in Aperture 2.  Mainly, post-processing involved a slight increase in “vibrancy”

What's so funny?

Glossy plastic

Lights on

Bags for sale

The family

Roaming Bangkok – Jatujak Weekend Market in living color

Colors of the rainbow

Of course, a visit to Jatujak Weekend Market can be a highlight of any trip to Bangkok.  Not only is it probably the world’s largest weekend market (flea market) with the largest selection of clothing, home furnishings, and artwork than can be imagined, it can also be a prime destination for budding photographers.  At every turn, it is very colorful as the photographs show.  And since the bargains attract people, one can spend a lot of time photographing customers.

I don’t come to Jatujak strictly to take photographs.  Usually I accompany others who go shopping.   Of course,   i jump at the chance because it is target rich.

Nearly open

A kit for you

Walk on buy

Au naturel

Snapshots from Jatujak Weekend Market in Bangkok

Kodachrome image

There are so many colors and images at Jatujak, one is never quite sure what to photograph.  I like taking photos of people roaming around the weekend market.

Painted shirts

Lavender girl

Family affair

Art for all