Sculptured fields, a photo from Lao Cai, North East

Photographer's Note

This is a view of terraced rice fields in the fabulous Muang Hoa Valley arrounds Sapa, Lao Cai province 330km northwest of Hanoi near the Chinese border, a very remote and undeveloped region that offers the country's finest mountain scenery. At 1500m elevation nested in an deep verdant valley, the lush mountain scenery around is stunning said to be amongst the most scenic landscapes in Vietnam.

In the morning as the mist is lifting over the dark green peaks, it reveals endless valleys of sweeping undulated rice fields. Amid the tender greens, you could make out clusters of small huts, they are the tiny villages and hamlets on steep hills populated by the colorful local ethnic minorities, The Black Hmong and The red Zao - refered to as hill tribes or the Montagnards whose traditions have been the least afftected by the modern way of life.

I could have stopped every five minutes after a spectacular descent, to take yet another picture of this beauty with the scenery changes often and never gets boring. The fog seemed to blow across the field one minute and then cleared up the next.

Additional picture:
Wshop1: The charm of terraced rice fields, a feature of the landscape providing the staple food to the region, very attractive to look because of the beautiful green, shapes and the people.

delpeoples, Suppiluliuma, Janusz1974, williewhistler, emilbo, bayno, mayjayne, CLODO, TopGeo, Schnappilic, carlo62, bukitgolfb301, macjake, Budapestman, ACL1978, Guenther, SnapRJW, shevchenko, adramad, pajaran, ourania, aliabazari, danos, maria-v1981, krzychu30, josepmarin, Cricri, jlbrthnn, i9l2y1m8a8t3, adores, Kielia, Kamilutka, jhm has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

francio64 (38188) 2012-09-25 5:00

Hi Abmdsudi,
bella vista dall'alto su questo particolare tipo di terreno da cui ottieni un bell'effetto grafico.

TFS!
Francesco

delpeoples (45717) 2012-09-25 5:07

Hello dear Abmdsudi

Ahh this is just stunning. It makes such impressive visual impact and I can't keep my eyes from following all those fluid lines, and the silver light. Sensational depth of field and wonderful tight framing to accentuate the textures. Thanks for sharing.

Warm regards
Lisa

Janusz1974 (2373) 2012-09-25 5:18

Hi Abmdsudi,
Beautiful view, you captured very well the terraces with a very good high POV.
The colors and sharpness are great, excellent composition.
Well done.Best regards
Janusz

Suppiluliuma (3851) 2012-09-25 5:18

Sapa is surely a place not to miss in Vietnam. I took almost half of all my Vietnamese pictures there.

The view of rice fields is attrative no matter what the season is, but frankly, I prefer the terraces filled with water.

The composiiton/framing is very beautiful, the contrast well given.

Thanks for the workshop too, but I guess I prefer this one because of the more balanced colors, especially the reds.

PS: What are the bars in the fileds, do you know?

TFS.

Erdem

dta (52250) 2012-09-25 5:30

Hello Abmdsudi ,
I love terraces landscapes . So , it is allways a pleasure for me to see such pictures . This one is really great , with a fantastic graphism , and the farm as a focal point .
I hope that these fields will be maintained in the future , because this is a hard work for the farmers.
Regards

Bluejeans (64241) 2012-09-25 5:35

Ola Abmdsudi ,
Que paisagem maravilhosa com estes socalcos de plantações de arroz , gostei muito dos tons de verde, é uma visão fantástica , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

sevy (13373) 2012-09-25 5:53

I am always fascinating by the graphism of rice fields. At first look, I was thinking it was in Yuhan.
It is a kind of shot I would like to do one day.

Yves.

JFS (32429) 2012-09-25 5:55

Hi Abmdsudi,
Lovely palette of colors and textures, a delight for the eyes!
thanks and best regards,
Juan

Oceania (2371) 2012-09-25 6:01

Hi Abmdsudi,

Wow...any adjective can not praise the beauty of this picture enough. The scenery of the rice fields is out of this world!

williewhistler (7595) 2012-09-25 6:05

Hello Abmdsudi,
there is a great deal to enjoy in this captivating photograph,the wavy patterns that run through the lush green fields are very pleasing.
A most enthralling landscape that has been beautifully composed and thoughtfully presented.Thanks.
Best regards Les.

emilbo (20928) 2012-09-25 6:08

Allô Abmdsudi!
Bien vu de ta part cette merveilleuse mosaïque créée par cette plantation de riz. Une belle photo artistique et l'effet est spectaculaire. Le bâtiment donne une bonne idée de l'immensité de la scène. Excellent travail et beau contraste de couleurs.
Bravo!... et bonne journée,
Emilius

Fis2 (73646) 2012-09-25 7:13

Witaj Abmdsudi!
Wow, interesting view!
Curious frame and colors.
Very impressive picture!
Best regards
Krzysztof

bayno (16423) 2012-09-25 7:48

Hi Abmdsudi,
this is amazing landscape that makes us see the human capacity in shaping the earth, beautiful all the shades of green and brown, the rice fields provide us with attractive graphics, also very beautiful reflections of light on the terraces flooded, a fascinating shot...
warm regards,
Valter

mayjayne (2792) 2012-09-25 8:26

Dear Abmdsudi,

Your picture reveals a part of Vietnam that appeals to me; I must try to get to this place !!

TFS,
May

CLODO (24902) 2012-09-25 9:19

hello Abmdsudi

Spectacular view of the rice fields, with a pattern of curves and surfaces of different colors. What a work to get such a landscape. The house is well located at a strong point to fix the attention.
Best regards
CLODO

eldancer1 (17330) 2012-09-25 9:21

Love your pov of those rice terraces! Nice catch of light reflecting from the waters. We have them in the northern Philippines and they are good testament to the creativeness and resourcefulness of people from long time ago. Good lighting and dof with nice details. Well done, tfs.

TopGeo (38000) 2012-09-25 10:23

Hello Abmdsudi! I am always fascinated by the graphs forms and geometric of rice fields. At first look, view and interesting all Nice detailed image pleasant for look at.Excellent composition, good presentation too.
Very nice note and frame, very impressive photo, very atmospheric, with a beautiful peaceful feeling! Technically ! Great composition outstanding light management, wonderful colours! Top quality photo! Congratulations! Georgios

Schnappilic (7957) 2012-09-25 10:42

Hello Abmdsudi,

Huge picture with impressive texture. The result is unbelievable. My congratulations!

Kind regards!

Ovidiu

rychem (9750) 2012-09-25 11:32

Fantastic graphism of the fields, it looks like an abstract painting, compliments
Ryszard

Bartleby (12765) 2012-09-25 12:36

HI,
I never get tired of those shots. And yours is particularly successful, in terms of lights and patterns...gorgeous!

Philippe

carlo62 (13544) 2012-09-25 13:20

Ciao Abmdsudi
un vero e proprio spettacolo, il POV è eccezionale per mostrare tutte le sfumature ed i riflessi di questo terreno.
Complimenti
Carlo

Waylim (22467) 2012-09-25 14:02

Hi Abmsudi,

Another one of my wishlist. A place I like to see, including those from China that you shown in you gallery. This is almost as impressive. Love the textrue and details of hte rice field.

Once again, the light seem difficult but you did great.

Way

ciakgiak (30337) 2012-09-25 14:54

Ciao Abmdsudi,
La struttura morfologica ed i colori del terreno rendono 'immagine davvero speciale.
Mi piace molto l'effetto grafico e cromatico, la luce ed i colori, a qualtà eccellente.
Un caro saluto
Giorgio

bukitgolfb301 (30401) 2012-09-25 16:33

Hi Abmdsudi YTH

Another great countryside secene, specilly typical image of North Vietnam. Ya I envy you very much. I have already been to Lao Cai several times, but those were just after harvest season, so I never see this kind of breathtaking secnary. Your Vietnam seresis so wonderful as same as Inodnesian sereis. Thanks for your sharing with best job and have a good day!

Takero from Tokyo

macjake (39998) 2012-09-25 17:14

Hi Abmdsudi
you're a lucky lucky man!
Wish I had taken this photo myself :)
reading your note, it sounds like a wonderful place to walk around with the camera in hand.
love the slope and varied undelations. and i like how you didn't include any sky, its rice fields and thats it!
what a subject!
what a POV.
wouldn't change a thing here.
cheers
craig

Budapestman (82620) 2012-09-25 17:15

Hi Abmdsudi,
an another fantastic view with beautiful composition and effective POV, great details and colours. Splendid shot, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kívánok!
György

ACL1978 (6103) 2012-09-25 17:39

This is a real feast, Abmdsudi. Almost like abstract stained glass; the scene itself is clear, but almost unnecessary among the shapes, colors and lines that make it up. Even a few small reflections in the paddies themselves - wonderful! The WS gives us a more realist view, but still one with great exposure and color. Still, you made the right decision with this as your main post - wonderful composition.

Andrew

CanmoreKevin (2111) 2012-09-25 19:03

Abmdsudi,
Wonderful. This could be an abstract painting. Great shapes, lines and colours.
Kevin

girni (344) 2012-09-25 23:55

hello, photo magic, spectacular dimensions given by the house;
very successful
Nicole

Guenther (10893) 2012-09-26 0:49

Hi Abmdsudi,

wow, what an eye-catch! A really spectacular view, the geometry of the terrasses and the different shades of green and silver creat a magic effect... thanks for shring.

Have a nice day
Günther

dkmurphys (37419) 2012-09-26 1:09

Hello,
Lovely panorama of the amazing terraces. I like the shapes, the colors and the reflections. Well taken, spectacular shot.

Daniel

SnapRJW (19188) 2012-09-26 2:53

Hello Abmdsudi - An incredible view of the layers of terraced rice fields. Amazing to think that each of the fields has probably been in use for hundreds of years and each one hand built, planted, harvested and maintained. I would love to see this first hand. For now I shall enjoy your shot, a good overview showing the extent of the agriculture and more importantly creating a fine patchwork of colour and texture. Wonderful! Warm regards rosemary

shevchenko (18243) 2012-09-26 3:32

Hi Abmdsudi,
Good bird view shot to frame the agricultural land,
nice rice terraces on the slope,
lovely scenery at countryside,
distinct photo, good shoot.
Ally

adramad (27872) 2012-09-26 9:11

Hello Abmdsudi.
Stunning beauty of these terraced fields, an image of great beauty that sometimes resembles a modern painting, the variety of color tones is superb.
Great job my friend, with a fabulous sharpness and brightness.
Well done. I love it.
Have a nice day.
Warm regards.
Luis.

pajaran (36906) 2012-09-26 12:54

Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantan tekst o pirincanim poljima ...
Lep pogled na pirincana polja i kucu.
Dobra ostrina i kontrast, lepe boje.
Dobra komozicija, moje cestitke na dobrom prikazu.
Dobar rad sa lepom fotografijom u radionici.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greetings.
Very interesting article on the rice field ...
Nice view of rice fields and homes.
Good sharpness and contrast, beautiful color.
Good komozicija, my congratulations on a good display.
Good work with the beautiful photography workshop.
All the best.
Paja.

ourania (13085) 2012-09-26 13:38

Hello Abmdsudi,
I love the steady, vibrant and captivating rhythm of this magnificent landscape so well expressed by your composition and framing. You've made the most of your superb point of view and have captured all the fascination and interaction of shapes, textures and colours. The light has a very fine quality and plays a most intriguing artistic role in this beautiful image. The contrasts work marvellously too. A great tribute to the hard work and creativity of the people who have constructed and maintain this wonder. Your workshop picture shows another lovely and suggestive aspect of this amazing place. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

siamesa (27455) 2012-09-26 14:18

Boa noite Abmdsudi

This is a painting.Spectacular work.The colors make a party for the eyes.
Abraços
maria

aliabazari (10165) 2012-09-26 20:10

Hi abmdsudi
Registration is beautiful. Excellent exposure and composition. Well done my friend.
Thank you for registering for this beautiful picture.

Regards,

yquem46 (32835) 2012-09-27 2:04

Hi abmdsudi
Another great shot taken from your magical box !
A scenery that i have never seen with my own eyes but no doubt that I should
Too many beautiful places to be seen in our little world, I'm afraid
Best regards
Patrick

danos (74518) 2012-09-27 2:07

Hello Abmdsudi,
a real treasure of colours is this eye catching place with the different cultivation on the slopes of the Mt to make the image so adorable and fabulous.
I like the tight frame as the excellent light and colour management of the image.Well done.

Regards,Danos

maria-v1981 (10409) 2012-09-27 4:28

Hello Abmdsudi,
Terraced and curved rice field is common thorughout Asia. The water filled in the rice field is successful enough to give silvery reflection. Green patched rice fields has helped to break monotonus of silver terrace. In brief, you have composed the picture nicely. And colors are crispy clear and natural.
Have a nice day,
Regards,
Maria

krzychu30 (9399) 2012-09-27 4:45

Hello Abmdsudi,
how could I missed this one?Beautiful scene and so perfectly composed and close-up.Rice fields typical for Asia look here fabulous.Vietnam must be really beautiful country.The POV you found to capture this scene seems to be the best you could chose for this scene.It provides us with superb view of the fields.Great work!
Best regards
Krzysztof

josepmarin (55209) 2012-09-27 10:42

Hi Abmdsudi,
these terraced rice fields, that you have caught from a spectacular POV, they offer us a grand graphical effect because of the geometry of its lines and the reflections and sheens on the water.
The chromatic palette is very rich, I like the variety of tonalities in the fields, and also the contrast that the hut adds into the ensemble.
The composition is magnificent and has a great graphical and chromatic harmony.
A beautiful work, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

jemaflor (69731) 2012-09-27 11:23

Hi A,
Fantastic pov on these beautiful terraces, well captured and composed with the house in a focal point, nice green tone.

marabu61 (4182) 2012-09-27 13:52

Hello Abmdsudi
What a wonderful shot. Great graphical lines, a wonderful depth and a gorgeous light. This shows the inginousity of mankind in the best possible manner. I just can imagine the hard work that goes in the construction of those fields.
Great work
cheers
Daniel

Cricri (87288) 2012-09-27 22:51

Hi Abmdsudi
C'est tout a fait spectaculaire, magnifique, une nature de toute beauté, le cadrage serré pour bien en apprécier la texture, le WS est intéressant a voir aussi, merveilleux
Belle journée
cricri

kato (7086) 2012-09-28 6:35

Hi Abmdsudi,

You're capturing well this terraced rice field by good angle and excellent tone/clarity, so it's interesting and impressive to see the field of the rice finely compartmented by the slope of the mountain. It is interesting that the field which water stretched, and the field with an ear of rice live together.

Kind regards,
mikio

jlbrthnn (79787) 2012-09-28 12:34

Hello Abmdsudi,
This is a truly spectacular landscape, both natural and artificial. Photo effectively describes the terraces cultivated rice fields. The quality is very good. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

Silvio1953 (99199) 2012-09-29 4:10

Ciao Abmdsudi, fascinating patchwork, great POV for a lovely composition with splendid light, excellent clarity and fantastic colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4496) 2012-09-30 3:12

Hello!

Well, I guess I would do the same thing too! I could just imagine that this is just a haven for nature lovers especially for photographers. Definitely stunning, breathtaking and amazing! Love those patterns, textures, colors, and everything seems to be perfect. Excellent presentation! TFS!
Compliments!

regards,
Matt

karacabeylis (1289) 2012-10-01 12:24

an immense angle thru which we are looking at there. it is perfect indeed. 100 is not enough!

mkamionka (24808) 2012-10-07 0:42

Hi Abmdsudi,
very impressive combination of the rice terraces. The pattern is fantastic. You have also caught some various colors in there which gives the photo even more interest than in typical rice terraces photos.
Excellent work!!!
M

adores (28552) 2012-10-24 14:29

Hi Abmdsudi!
These terraced rice fields create such a wonderful pattern and landscape. You have been there on a good moment, with the green plants on the water. Excellent pov to see the terraces with the house in the middle. A really nice shot!

Kielia (20657) 2012-10-25 8:20

Hi Abmdsudi,
this is a very pleasant approach on this famous landscape that is very much appreciated. Your high POV works very well. The colors and the light are fantastic. I also enjoyed reading your nice note. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

npecanhuk (54221) 2012-11-02 12:29

Hello Abmdsudi!
Unique and wonderful place!
Very beautiful and interesting picture!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, chosen pov and composition really pleased me!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Kamilutka (3207) 2012-12-30 15:50

Hello,
regardless how many photos of rice fields I have seen, this one deserves special praise. For me it has everything which perfect photo should have: first of all is extremely eye catching, mostly because of interesting content - and the place is so stunning that it seems almost unreal. The ideal composition, with placing small details like a hut to break the monotony, beautiful colors, contrast and sharpness - they all contribute to the beauty of the wholeness.
Thanks very much
Kamila

jhm (123140) 2013-02-03 4:57

Hello Abmdsudi,

The much terraces make these picture very attractive.
Together the colors and small house, an attractive picture
Your picture is very well taken with a high quality.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John