Little Ghost Dancer Photo

Photographer’s Note

In Laos and the ethnically Laotian parts of Thailand special festivals take place before the onset of the monsoon. These are ancient fertility rites that predate Buddhism and are to do with the worship of the spirits. In Dan Sai, in the mountains of Loei, on the border with laos, they have a tradition of spirit dancing. The men wear special masques and are possessed by the spirits. For a night and a day they dance wildly through the streets of the village.In the morning the little kids make their entrance, but later in the day the festival becomes bawdier and wilder as the older boys and men appear. The idea is to call for the rains to come again to restore the fertility to the earth. this little boy, waiting to begin, is wearing the traditional multi-colored suit of the ghost dancers and his head is padded against the weight of the masque that he will wear.

snunney, ndb1958, dareco, trekks, axiotea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Morac (20943) 2008-07-10 4:29

Hello Kevin
This child with the happy air to wear this clothing of festival.
These colors of festival are beautiful and pleasant.
Its glance is malicious and it seems to wait impatiently until one brings his mask to him to start to dance.
It is a beautiful portrait.
Regards
Marc

roamermark (1588) 2008-07-10 5:24

Interesting shot Kevin...your shots always carry your love of Thailand with them. Is it just me or does it seem that even the authentic village outfits are beginning to be made on the cheap the way the touristy ones are...pretty soon it will be hard to tell the difference.
I like the incongruence of the green toy motorbike as well,

Cheers
Mark

snunney (35564) 2008-07-10 6:17

Hello Kevin,
A very good portrait of this beautifully costumed little boy with his charming expression, who stands out well from the darkened background. Very good colours and clarity.

ndb1958 (9249) 2008-07-10 7:45

Hi Kevin, what a lovely little charming boy in his colourful robe. Such a beautiful asian face. Your focus on him ist really good. All the best, Nino.

dareco (17104) 2008-07-10 12:40

Great job on this!! And isn't he just the cutest!! :) I love his pose and expression, and the costume is very colorful and interesting. TFS and have a happy day!

trekks (14334) 2008-07-10 17:52

hi Kevin

Your candid of this boy has such a attraction due to his unique costume and its color. Good portrait capture.

tfs, bill

chirasak (575) 2008-07-10 20:04

Hi Ajarn
i like when you taking some candid picture, i would try to do some like this, your note is really good and interesting, and i never seem dressing like this before
nice shot

Regards
Chirasak

rodgerg (25115) 2008-07-11 3:55

Hello Kevin,

A very good portrait with a a composition well balanced, the child is well located in the picture.

The expression and the glance of the child are very well collected.
Best regards,
Roger

axiotea (16309) 2008-07-12 1:07

hello Friend
A friendly portrait of the boy standing in a lovely posture trying to put his hand under the chin, like they usually do for a photography in Thailand, but here he does on the opposite side. He seems to be proud in wearing the costume and I like his mischievous (in a nice way), sweet expression. I might have cropped the arm on the left side, but that's a minor detail.
Cheers
Marilyn