Over Bagan by Steven Greaves

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”.Born 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.

www.stevengreaves.com

21 Comments

Ariel Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 am
The view is purty, oh so purty.
ziggy Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:14 am
mesmerising stuff. Thanks for your visual and textual poetry.
Anurag Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 am
A million citadels!! What a view.
Thanks for sharing
Thomas Vignaud Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 am
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 Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:32 am
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 Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
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 Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 am
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 Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
wonderful shot, accompanied by a very nice description!!……. the misty environment and the prominent spires are extremely eye-catching!!
planet lover Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
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 Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
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 Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Interesting and palpable imagery! Very nice work!!!
poster boy Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Great shot but even better description!
Age Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Sorry for my lack of geological knowledge, but where is Bagan?
Charlena Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
what a wonderful view point, and love the photo
Renee Says:
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Interesting shot! Congrats!
steven greaves Says:
September 24th, 2008 at 5:04 am
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 Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I dont know what to say really. Im really dreaming.
Premchand Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I am dreaming with the photo.
Su Says:
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:30 am
Lovely dawn photo, I can imagine the silence before the hustle and bustle gets going.
Renee Says:
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
great mist!
mike Says:
October 5th, 2009 at 2:02 am
The Sun makes this picture