Monday, 22nd September 2008
Over Bagan
by Steven Greaves
Silently we drifted over the Bagan plain in the soft dawn light. The sun had crested the eastern horizon and the hot-air balloon lazily floated on morning thermals. Temples dot the vast plain that stretches between the Irrawaddy river and furrowed hills to the west. Sunlight catches the gold leaf of pagoda spires and, as the land warms, moisture is burned off, rising in plumes of mist that hang in the tree-lines. Villagers scurry about on foot and bicycle. Others are tethered to water-buffalo that pull carts or plows, the day's labors already begun. This is an idyllic view from an idyllic viewpoint and from a time seemingly long, long ago.
Equipment: Canon EOS 20D
Steven Greaves
After wandering for the past 15 years, I now call New York City "home".ÂBorn in England, raised in Bermuda and educated in America, I have spent the last 12 years clutching both camera and passport. Although trained as a lawyer, with an Honors B.A. from the University of Florida and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, photography and travel remain my inspiration. There are few things that offer such experiences and it is through the viewfinder of a 35mm and digital SLR that I have seen much of the world. From spectacular sunsets in the Sahara to the advent of dawn over the Indian Ganges to Rajasthani bar-room brawls, my camera has fueled my vision-quest. Photography has made of me a more earnest traveler. Through it, I have learned patience, humility and compassion. These virtues, I seek to convey through my work.
My work has been displayed in San Francisco, New Orleans, Miami, London and New York. For image sales or professional assignment, please contact my studio at 917.573.4311 or email steven@stevengreaves.com.
Website: www.stevengreaves.com
Over Bagan by Steven Greaves was photo of the day on Monday, 22nd September 2008. It is tagged Aerial, Myanmar, Temples. You can leave a comment below.
21 Comments
Ariel
The view is purty, oh so purty.
ziggy
mesmerising stuff. Thanks for your visual and textual poetry.
Anurag
A million citadels!! What a view.
Thanks for sharing
Thomas Vignaud
How can you have so poor and so cealr visibility in the same time???
Wonderfull shot ! and the soft color build a really nice atmospher here.
Pauline Jones
This is a really good picture; if I had any criticism at all it would be that there is a little too much sky but that does not take away from the atmosphere of the picture. And I agree, photography is much more interesting than law.
Malta Photography
Well it’s a nice shot overall but the fog is too dense for my likes. The effect is nice but I would have liked some more sharpness.
Keith
You can feel the cool of the morning, but know in a few hours the heat will be stifling. I think the shot, though nicely composed, needs a bit more contrast.
Ahmed Sharif
wonderful shot, accompanied by a very nice description!!……. the misty environment and the prominent spires are extremely eye-catching!!
planet lover
I really liked your picture. After I read your description it actually seemed that the fog was lifting and I began to see more detail. Thank you!
Alex
I totally disagree with Malta and Keith: fog, lack of sharpness and lack of contrast really make this picture exceptional because of the misty, timeless and mesmerizing atmosphere. Take this away and it would become a trivial picture.
Sue Gagnon
Interesting and palpable imagery! Very nice work!!!
poster boy
Great shot but even better description!
Age
Sorry for my lack of geological knowledge, but where is Bagan?
Charlena
what a wonderful view point, and love the photo
Renee
Interesting shot! Congrats!
steven greaves
thank you all for the commentary and for the critiques. additional work can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevengreaves or at http://www.stevengreaves.com
oh yes, and Bagan is in Myanmar/Burma.
Premchand
I dont know what to say really. Im really dreaming.
Premchand
I am dreaming with the photo.
Su
Lovely dawn photo, I can imagine the silence before the hustle and bustle gets going.
Renee
great mist!
mike
The Sun makes this picture