For the grand finale of the 2013 Vietnam Explorer Photo Tour we traveled north to photograph at the markets, towns and villages near the Chinese border. Our base of operations, the town of Bac Ha, is nestled among the emerald rice paddies, riots of bamboo, pine, and orchids of Vietnam’s lush northern hills. Bac Ha is host to a Sunday market where we photographed different local hill tribe groups including the Flower Hmong, Dzao, Giay (Nhang), Han (Hoa), Xa Fang, Lachi, Nung, Phula, Thai and Thulao, bargaining for water buffalo, pigs, horses, bottles of local firewater (made from rice, cassava or corn).
From Hanoi, it’s a long, somewhat uncomfortable over-night train trip, but the photography opportunities made the journey worthwhile. Below, I’ll share a selection of 26 images shot at two different local markets and a 2 hour walk around a local village.
Roseanne making friends at the market
Ellen enjoys meeting a local girl at the morning market in Bac Ha
Wow!
Hi Karl,
Thank you for your hard work and dedication. The latest piece like all others is filled with remarkable images and once again you’ve taken us places whilst sitting on our Tuchas. The colour the faces, the realism, all striking. This is just another reason you’re one of the very best at what you do.
Thanks again,
Cheers – Bill Shirley
Oh, Karl, these photos bring back how beautiful this trip was, how much I learned and still have to go! You are the best!
cheers,
Nancy
Dear Karl,
I came across your website few weeks ago and have been visiting your Blog daily. I can truly say that your images on your Blog are the best I have seen on the net. Your portraits, people photography in their surroundings, culture are all done so beautifully with the sensitivity that express human dignity . Your excellent choices of focal lengths , be it wide angle or telephoto are so well selected for the subject matter. The use of the direction and quality of light , colour, composition , timing are all excellent study for those of us who are studying and aspiring to be better photographers .
Thank you and may you continue to inspire the viewers and close the gap between different cultures, language and people. In the end , we are people of this universe all searching for a common goal of peace, happiness, compassion and find better meaning of life in this world.
God bless,
Jimmy Hsuen
Hi Jimmy, Thanks so much for your comments about my work, I truly appreciate your kind words. It never ceases to amaze me that folks all around the world share so much in common No matter where we come from or what we do, we’re all on a journey through life, struggling, succeeding, sometimes failing, but then getting up and doing it again day after day. I’m always inspired by the people I meet and photograph and I feel a deep responsibility to depict them in a positive and truthful way. Cheers, Karl
I love nearly every image in this group. I saved several to use in future newsletters and blog posts. The clothes are so interesting and the people. Really nice set.
Wonderful portraits, Karl!
Hi karl,
Talking about the 1DX and it’s ability to take clean shots at high ISO compared to the old Canons, I bet that is making your job easier when photographing in dark places, how high can you go?
Hi Celso, thanks for the comment….actually I feel quite comfortable going to 6400 if I need it!