July trip to Thailand

[Ivan Garcia]

I took a trip to Thailand last July.
Here I will post some of the shoots I took there.
This is a long boat, the locals use them for fishing and as water-taxis, powerful and very noisy.

Comment and critique welcome

 

[Asher Kelman]

Well Ivan,

This is a remarkable image! what a boat! I have never seen a bow like this and the angle of the shot emphasizes this part of the boat beyond imagination. In fact, this almost doesn't fit in one's brain!

I am perplexed as what to think. Should I say I like the darker tones of the bow or should I complain about the bright and impressive sky with clouds so low they are almost not in the sky.

I realize that this picture is not conforming to all my expectations of an image of a boat. I'm not a swimming turtle looking up so I have never seen this!

Still I'd look at straigtening the horizon perhaps and adding 1-2 frames of empty water and then approach the boat from an angle of about 45 degrees to get the whole length.

This is a case where I personally revolt against the photography teachers who advocate to "frame tightly" and "crop even tighter".

The full majesty of the boat, I believe requires the massive water it sails on.

That, however, is merely my own narrow perspective, looking all the way from Los Angeles! Just my own thoughts and it doesn't actually take away from your own picture which is after all, very exotic, unique, attractive, interesting, decorative and marketable!

Asher

 

[nicolas claris]

Hi Ivan
it's a very nice portrait of a bow. I like it. Really powerfull, and brings a good sensation of how this boat sails…
imHo, the only weakness is the curved horizon (doesn't bring anything here) and that distortion is due to the Canon 15mm, with the Sigma 12-24 horizon would have been straight and this would have emphasis even more the power of the bow.

Good shot anyway, more to share?

 

[Asher Kelman]

Ivan and Nicolas,

What is the function of the brass frame? Is that for protection of the boat in a busy dock? Are these for fishing in shallow waters or are these "gondolas" for tourists? Is it for hanging lanterns for night traffic?

It would be nice to see more pictures. BTW, what kind of boat is that? Is there a local name?

Asher

 

[Ivan Garcia]

Thank you Asher and Nicolas for your kind comments.
I did try to correct the 15mm distortion, but I didn´t like the resulting image, so I decided to live it like it was, the image is not cropped, it is a blend of 3 raw conversions.
The boats are used by the locals for fishing, and they also hire them for tourist tours. They are extremely noisy, and although they are very cheap to hire for short trips, I did not sail on one.
I do not know what the frame is used for, , they do take tourist, and stop along the way to allow the passengers to snorkel, so my guess is that is used to help them get back on to the boat.
I do have more pictures to share, but all of my pictures were taken in RAW format, so I will post more as I work on them.

 

[nicolas claris]

Ivan
you're pic isn't showing anymore…

Asher
AFAIK, the frame is not brass but unpolished stainless steel…
I think it is used to held the bow to the dock as the engine is powering slow forward so the boat get steady to disembark fish/freight or passengers… without the need to tight the boat with ropes.
These kind of boats, long and thin are really unstable if you want to disembark by the side board, this is why they use to dock (when only for temporary short time) by the bow.

 

[Ivan Garcia]

Hi Nicolas.
Yes I have noticed. I think my server is migrating; I did get an email stating that much some time ago.
Not only have my pictures disappear, I can´t upload any more.
It may take a week to get things back to normal.
Getting back to the boat frame, that was the only boat I saw with a frame in the 2 weeks I stayed there, and I saw lots of these long tail boats (they have a very long propeller shaft hence the name).
I can confirm their instability, that´s why I didn´t take a ride on them, just didn´t look safe to me, plus the noise is very loud, and I have delicate ears.

 

[Asher Kelman]

What the boats called?

Asher

 

[Ivan Garcia]

Long-tail boat (เรือหางยาว)

Hi Asher.
They are called Long Tail Boats.
Below is a description from Wikipedia.

Long-tail boat (เรือหางยาว)
From Wikipedia,




The long-tail boat is a type of watercraft native to Southeast Asia, which uses a common automotive engine as a readily available and maintainable powerplant. A craft designed to carry passengers on a river may include a lightweight long canoe hull, up to 30 meters, and a canopy. There is much variation among these boats, and in rural areas they may be improvised from bamboo and traditional materials—the sole defining characteristic is a secondhand car or truck engine.
This engine is invariably mounted on an inboard turret-like pole which can rotate through 180 degrees, allowing steering by thrust vectoring. The propeller is mounted directly on the driveshaft with no additional gearing or transmission. Usually the engine also swivels up and down to provide a "neutral gear" where the propeller does not contact the water. The driveshaft must be extended by several meters of metal rod to properly position the propeller, giving the boat its name and distinct appearance.
Advantages to the inboard engine with a long driveshaft include keeping the engine relatively dry. Following the basic design pattern allows a variety of engines to be safely attached to a variety of different kinds of hulls. This flexibility simplifies construction and maintenance while sacrificing the efficiency and comfort that might be expected of a typical mass-produced product.
Control is achieved by moving the engine with a lever stick attached to the inboard side. Ignition and throttle controls provide simple means to control this simple craft. Larger boats may include more than one "tail," with several operators piloting in tandem.

 

[nicolas claris]

Hi Nicolas.
Yes I have noticed. I think my server is migrating; I did get an email stating that much some time ago.
Not only have my pictures disappear, I can´t upload any more.

Hi Ivan

you have a PM…

 

[Ivan Garcia]

Thank you Nicolas your a star.
(re: re-link of my images whithn OPF)