Portrait of Chiang Mai
I spent two weeks traveling with my wife to Thailand in early June, spending the majority of it in the northern city of Chiang Mai. I brought along my Leica Q3 and treated the trip as a test of this new tool and how I did with a fixed 28mm focal length. While I did occasionally yearn for more reach, it was easier than I expected, and I was delighted by the rendering which definately has a distinct character.
Leaves, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Chiang Mai is old and complicated in a way that does not announce itself. Looking more closely it is rich with ancient history and modern Thai culture. Beyond the obvious presence of more than 300 temples in Chiang Mai, there is ample evidence of spiritual practice everywhere. Hard to ignore. The sacred is simply part of everything, ordinary and persistent. Our trip coincided with rainy season, and while it did rain every day, it kept the crowds minimal and gave me beautiful moody gray skies and clouds.
Feminine, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Forgotten, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Monsoon Heat, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Shroud, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
The boundary between devotional life and everyday life in Chiang Mai is essentially nonexistent. Devotional calendars alongside exposed wiring, lotus flowers everywhere as plants and motifs, pagodas visible everywhere.
June, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
I had been thinking about how to execute on a long-term project that I can do anywhere. I had a specific project concept before we arrived in Thailand, and Chiang Mai provided many examples for the beginnings of a project that I am, for now, referring to as “Everyday Spirituality”.
Power, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Renovation, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Solstice. © Steven Wade Adams
The sights to the everyday life in Chiang Mai didn’t fit neatly into one theme. so the images I made in Chiang Mai will live here in my journal for now as a “Portrait of Chian Mai.’ Some will undoubtedly become part of longer-term projects.
Night Market, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Night Salon, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams
Forward, Portrait of Chiang Mai. © Steven Wade Adams