Overloaded, a photo from Kampong Cham, East

Photographer's Note

During our bus transfer from Phnom Penn to Siem Reap the bus broke down which was hardly surprising as the road was a temporary surface and full of potholes (and apparently taking years to resurface!). We waited for a couple of hours in the heat for a new bus to arrive. While most sat on the bus I preferred to photograph the various forms of transport that passed us. This photo is just one example of the overloaded cars, motobikes and bicycles that I saw.

The photo was taken near Skuon where I took the picture of the fried spiders shown in a previous post on TE. The area is Kampong Cham Province in the Central Lowlands of the Mekong River.

Kofman, PaulVDV, SnapRJW, timecapturer, saxo042, CLODO, tyro, krzychu30, COSTANTINO, ourania, williewhistler, Romano46, adores, ikeharel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Kamilutka (3207) 2013-02-21 9:43

Hello Ann,
funny title and actually perfect for this photo. I like the comic element in it as well as excellent quality of the image. Very good composition and great colors.
Well captured and delivered.
Warm regards
Kamila

PaulVDV (15017) 2013-02-21 9:54

Hello Ann,
There's indeed no more room for a passenger.
A very nice daily life-picture showing us not only the beautiful artisan goods but also the Cambodian countryside with its rice fields.
Best regards, Paul

holmertz (26906) 2013-02-21 10:15

Hello Ann,
These overloaded motor-bikes, and trucks, seem to be a specialty of Cambodia. I saw several myself and have seen a number of similar photos here on TE. They provide stunning compositions again and again. I wonder what the purpose is with that pole with feathers. To balance the baskets? :-). Life seems complicated for this poor man, and probably is.
Kind regards,
Gert

cornejo (18020) 2013-02-21 10:26

Hi Ann, interesting picture of daily life which we offer in this perfect frame, with good sharpness, depth, light and color. Very good and interesting photo perfectly captured, this carrier taking every inch of her vehicle. Great job my friend, my congratulations. Thanks for sharing this good work.

Good night and happy weekend.
Greetings from southern Spain.
Angel.

JFS (32107) 2013-02-21 10:39

A curious image! The man must be very experienced driving to wear so many items on....Excellent composition and POV, as always. thanks Ann!
Cheers,
Juan

SnapRJW (18712) 2013-02-21 10:42

Hello Ann - Nice to see another post from your SE Asian trip. This is super and so typical of the way goods are transported around the countryside. I love it, so different to what we are used to, colourful and charming. Love the feather duster at the front! Warm regards Rosemary

carlo62 (12550) 2013-02-21 14:47

Ciao Ann
simpatica immagine di questo venditore stracarico di merce.
Saluti
Carlo

macjake (39227) 2013-02-21 15:14

Hi Ann
now thats a great story, the story makes the photo just that much better :)
good for you to get out there and steal a few photos.
looking at this poor guy, i can't help it but add a few more baskets to his load! haha
a wonderful cultural scene.
cheers
craig

npecanhuk (53889) 2013-02-21 17:58

Hi Ann!
Beautiful and attractive daily life photograph!
Special regards to the soft light & colors, chosen pov and composition!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

fabbs99 (5407) 2013-02-21 18:46

Hello Ann

Excellent composition, colors and good POV. Nice colorful details and very pleasantly shown.Very well done, TFS.

Regards
Farhat

siudzi (23857) 2013-02-21 22:52

Hi Ann,
I am always impressed how people can travel in Asia! The scene you captured is a great example of that how smart they are. Well seen and composed based on the rules. Like it!

Best,
Gosia

emka (58110) 2013-02-21 23:39

Hi Ann, The scenes on the road in Asia, not only in Cambodia but also in India or Vietnam are incredible for the Western turists. what they can carry on their bikes or how many people can go with one tuktuk. This one looks very amusing, specially this feather dust sweeper. I re member going to Siem Reap on a road like this. after some hours we were red like Indians from dust.

Warm regrads

MAlgo.

dta (51378) 2013-02-22 0:45

Hello Ann ,
This is allway incredible to see how much things the asiatic people can carry on their bike or motor bike .
Well captured and framed .
Regards

energypolice (188) 2013-02-22 2:29

Hello Ann,
Excellent photograph of Overloaded, excellent sharpness and details, excellent composition, excellent background and lighting.
TFS,
Michael-7

timecapturer (30300) 2013-02-22 2:43

Hi Ann
something you definitely would not see in the UK, but then this is a glimpse of a completely different world and lifestyle. Fascinating and quite wonderful. A perfect execution and presentation.

Have a good weekend - Brian.

saxo042 (31794) 2013-02-22 4:44

Hi Ann,
A very good and interesting capture of daily life. All colours are very attractive and both the composition and the vehicle are well balanced.
Kind regards
Gunnar

CLODO (24726) 2013-02-22 4:57

Helo Ann

Good reflex, not to stay in the bus! I like this picture mainly due to the brush in front of the moto, as horse riders in the Middle ages!
Warm regards
CLODO

wolf38 (28166) 2013-02-22 9:19

Hi Ann. Truly a picture for the eyes and soul. Natural colors, best composition. Overall very beautiful and harmonious.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

kasianowak (2235) 2013-02-22 11:31

Hi Ann
Great image showing everyday life of those people! The soft light is perfect for this kind of shot.
I like the composition with plenty of space for the main subject to move into.
Well done on staying outside of that bus!
Best wishes
Kasia

tyro (13065) 2013-02-22 16:11

Hello Ann,

How fortunate you were that your 'bus broke down - what a wonderful opportunity you had to explore the area and sample the passers-by on the road - far better than sitting in a stuffy broken down 'bus in misery like your fellow travellers!

Yes, I well remember your offering of fried spiders but this is a far more wholesome photograph for me! I suppose that the weight of goods which this man is carrying on his moped is not excessive but it is certainly an unwieldy load of basketware, brushes, switches and brooms - he even appears to be sweeping the verge with a feather duster tied to his steed!

Very well captured with perfect exposure, lovely light and true colours and excellent detail and sharpness.

A Lovely Shot!

Kind Regards,

John.

mjw364 (3662) 2013-02-23 7:30

Hello Ann

Unusual and humourous shot in some ways. What I like is the feather duster which presumably is some kind of distance indicator so the guy can judge if he can squeeze through a gap with his oversized load. Reminds me of India - the things you can get on a scooter in that place!

TFS

Mike

dkmurphys (36759) 2013-02-23 9:12

Hi Ann,
Spectacular dynamic scene. I like the catch of this daily life scene. Good catch.

Daniel

krzychu30 (8849) 2013-02-23 10:14

Hello Ann,
magnificent and funny photo.How can he keep the balance with this load?:)Anyway it´s well composed and framed scene with delightful colors and contrast.

Kind regards
Krzysztof

Gerrit (43743) 2013-02-23 12:35

Hi Ann,
I love these thirld world overloaded moto's and bikes. Fantastic how those drivers manage.
Excellent composiition and perfectly focussed.
regards, Gerrit

InasiaJones (29324) 2013-02-23 15:15

Hi Ann,

Somehow, this photo epitomizes daily life in South East Asia, with people driving around with overloaded scooters and bicycles. If there was a wife and three children on top of it, then you would have caught the ultimate one... :-p))

It was almost a blessing that your bus broke down, as otherwise, you wouldn't have these nice images and memories that come with it. I am sure that you have forgotten about the heat by now, but these images will remain forever.

You have done a terrific job with this composition, with probably very little time to manage your setting and to anticipate the frame. It is just impeccable.

Great work Ann!

André

COSTANTINO (42744) 2013-02-24 2:42

Good morning
what could I say for this shot describing
all the details and my thoughts too?
great moment for you and the right
timing,I like the chosen point of view
showing the difficulties of this road
with a temporary surface full of potholes
nice pov,interesting subject
have a nice Sunday
regards
Costantino

ourania (12343) 2013-02-24 3:22

Hello Ann,
a very well composed, clear and vivid scene of daily life. The biker is superbly placed in the frame and you have achieved great perspective and depth as well as lovely colours that make the view very delightful. I love the textures and the vast landscape as a backdrop. The load has been arranged in a really artistic way enhancing the appeal of the sight. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great Sunday,
Ourania

rychem (9181) 2013-02-24 8:40

I wonder that the motor biker could keep the balance, excellent photo, well spotted and executed
regards
Ryszard

williewhistler (7265) 2013-02-25 4:30

Hello Ann,
never one to miss a photo opportunity in the midst of adversity this has come up trumps for you!All those baskets and brushes perilously balanced on one little motor bike make a super shot,sharp and colourful it`s a cracking shot.
Best regards Les.

Romano46 (4846) 2013-02-26 11:21

Ciao Ann,
sono sincero, fino ad oggi non avevo avuto modo di soffermarmi sulla tua gallery e collegare il tuo nome a tante belle foto.
Posso dire con tutta sincerità che sei brava e le tue foto prese nelle varie parti del mondo ne sono las testimonianza più eloquiente
In questa mi piace la situazione, il soggetto ripreso con la giusta inquadratura a formare una bella composizione ed i colori estremamente delicati che concorrono alla valorizzazione del paesaggio che fa da contorno alla figura umana.
Buone anche le note.
I miei complimenti
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

eldancer1 (17008) 2013-02-27 9:22

It does look like this dude is somewhat overloaded, but the last time I visited my old country, the Philippines, in 2007 I saw a family of six in a motorcycle. That's life in a 3rd world countries. Good documentation of the daily. Love the landscape. Good lighting and sharp details. Well done, tfs.

jemaflor (68867) 2013-02-28 8:35

Hi Ann,
Well seen and perfectly captured, good angle and light management,tfs.

Nicou (97637) 2013-03-01 4:59

Hello

quel chrgement sur cette moto impressionnant image, superbe il faut vraiment être ingénieux pour charger ces ces objet, merveilleuse scène et image.
Bravo et amitié

Nicou

serp2000 (29172) 2013-03-03 10:31

Hi, Ann,
Funny shot, it reminds me my photos from China, they use the same way of cargo transport. Very interesting report, well,I see you, it was really hard surprise for tourists. I remember my trip by local bus in the north Laos... But we know where we are.
Best wishes,
Serghei

batalay (32858) 2013-03-08 1:02

Hello Ann,

Making a living, but what a living. I wonder what this poor chap did in a previous life. It's an engaging sight, and technically a flawless photo. Before I changed external drives for photo storage, I used to keep a collection of overloaded vehicles, buses and trains especially in India... and here are a couple of images I had stored among my favorites: #1 and the one that takes the prize, #2. I wonder if there a group theme for such photos. Perhaps we should start it.

Warm regards,

Bulent

adores (28196) 2013-03-08 15:17

Hi Ann!
This is a typical Asian scene! Seems he's carrying all types of baskets and brooms on his motorbike:)! Good focus and well framed, with the rice fields in background

leo61 (0) 2013-04-06 9:52

Hi Ann !
A common view in south east asia and as a physiotherpist I am , I `m fascinated by the ability of balance these scooter drivers have.
Good composition with him driving into this nice rural scenery.
Regards,leo

adidas5nb (1095) 2013-04-07 23:57

really comical...and interesting image.great composition and technically sound.specially love the stick poking out at the front perpendicular to the motion of this man.
regards
dwaipayan

Angshu (51174) 2013-04-16 2:08

Hello Ann
These rattan or cane things of use are certainly volumnous if not heavy. But it is a common site in Cambodia of people overleaded with stuff in any type of vehicle. They do that day in, day out. Good daily life shot!
Best Regards
Angshu

ikeharel (37280) 2013-04-17 7:46

Good evening Ann,
This guy taken as much as he could... well taken the moment, and beautifully managed the light, clarity and depth.
Impressive flat-land rice field behinde.
Fine shot,
Ike

tatadalou (3247) 2013-04-22 11:54

Hi Ann,
I'm always impressed to see how these drivers can conserve their equilibrium with such a load. Nice focus on this pilot while passing in front of you. Regards,
Delphine