In 2010, I was traveling with the international four-fold Sangha (Plum Village tradition) in Thailand. While visiting the interim Plum Village Thailand practice center we stayed in a hotel outside the city of Pak Chong. One morning, I got up early and went for a walk and came across a small rural monetary and found this representation of Kwan Yen. Like many Buddhist statues in Thailand, it was huge. The sky was a flat gray so I decided to "play" and try to make it more interesting - you be the judge.
Artistic Photo Representation of Red Bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake
I haven't officially publicized my website and I'm getting behind on my weekly post. I think I'll enjoy the blog – it's a good chance for me to add photos that don't fit with the galleries I've chosen to include on the website.
This image started life as a traditional photograph – but I decided to "play" with it. The bridge is mature subject – an iconic bridge in Hanoi.
Searching for An - Peace is Every Step
In the Beginning
I called this blog "Weekly Photo" and my intention is to post one photo each week. I may end up posting more and I'm sure there will be weeks when, for various reasons,I will not be able to post any photos - time will tell. I decided to begin my blog post with a photo that I took in 1965/1966. It was taken with my first camera, a 35 mm Petri 7s, I bought at a PX shortly after arriving in Vietnam.
The galleries I've included are fairly specific and narrow in scope. The blog will allow me to explore other aspects of my photography. I think of myself as a documentary photographer, but I also enjoy genres, especially nature photography. I'm sure from time to time nature photos will show up.
About this Photo
In 1965, I arrived in Vietnam knowing little about life and nothing about the Vietnamese people and culture. One day, while sitting along the road I had a conversation with a young girl. If she told me her name I don't remember it. I've given her the name An, which is Vietnamese for peace. An didn't intend to change my life, but she did. Living in the middle of a war I would not blame her for being angry, but she wasn't. My memory of her is that she was wise, kind, and strong. This was An as I knew her. I don't know how she changed as she grew older and the war intensified. I don't know if she survived the war.
This photo was taken in 1966 - it is not An, but it represents the idea of An. Photo taken near DaNang, Vietnam.