PADAUNG LONG-NECK WOMAN III

PLEASE - No more protest posts about the Padaung. I have had these discussions, as you see below. They have been discussed in full and my thoughts are disclosed in full. NO MORE!!

Northern Thailand - These women of Karen descent have coils of metal that are put on them as young children. The coils are replaced with longer ones as the women grow up. They don't actually elongate the neck, but they depress the collar bones giving the illusion of longer necks. The women work, eat, sleep, everything in these coils 24/7. This woman had such an elegant, proud look to her that I had to photograph her.

I would love to hear your comments. As a new photographer, I need the critique and constructive criticism. Let me know what I'm doing right and what needs improvement.

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Comments

™ goraiapick ™ says:

bEAUTIFUL sHOT
aMAZING cOLOURS
vERY wELL cOMPOSED
cONGRATULATIONS!!!

I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Photographic Intrinsic says:

This photo was scored: 5 / 5 from

Visit Ultimate Score Me by clicking on the logo above or visiting www.flickr.com/groups/ultimatescoreme/
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

PhotoJBartlett says:

That cannot be comfortable!

This photo was scored: 4.5 / 5 from

Visit Ultimate Score Me by clicking on the logo above or visiting www.flickr.com/groups/ultimatescoreme/
This is an amazing shot, and I do think it deserves a 5/5 but the background is too busy.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

pwmartin says:

This photo was scored: 5 / 5 from

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Great capture. Nice vivid colors.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

mary04 says:

This photo was scored: 4 / 5 from

Visit Ultimate Score Me by clicking on the logo above or visiting www.flickr.com/groups/ultimatescoreme/ </b
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

ProfJosh says:

This photo was scored: 4 / 5 from

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Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

3000 names says:

The elegant kaen lady , This picture tells all.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

DarkGrey says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

MMachado says:

A+++ Grade Photo

This is a great profile!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Unknown Artist [deleted] says:

Score 8/10
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

bachamp says:

(scored 3/5 Points)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Senisha, Sophia, Lucretia, Amelia, Soraya, Lunha.. says:

(scored 4 /5 Points)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Jmolagar says:

(scored 2,5/5 Points)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

UAE_PHOTOGRAPHER/ Fleur-de-lis says:

(scored ? /6 Points)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Brian Howell says:

See how the line (in this case it's her neck) that extends out from the corner of the image makes the composition work? Use the corners to create a sense of direction.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Team Dragon... Slowly Catching Up says:

To join ULTIMATE pro - visit:
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to request membership

This photo was considered to be an ULTIMATE pro shot!

Overall the image is ok. basic, simple and direct to the point. Composition wise, it's a little too basic. Maybe taking more pictures around different angles may prove to be wise in this situation. There is not much going on to draw you into the image. or maybe setting aperture to the widest, moving back and zooming in may give you a better fall off in the background. I hope this helps. Sorry again
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

eye-light pictures [deleted] says:

To join ULTIMATE pro - visit:
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to request membership

This photo was considered to be an ULTIMATE pro shot!

Nice try. I would have like a more dynamic angle, say from 45 degrees of her face, that would bring in more details into the frame. But I am damn sure, you are going to enjoy this new found hobby of yours. Happy clicking.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

The Wandering Angel says:

Great capture of her profile, and it really focuses on the length of the neck and the uniqueness of their culture.

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This photo was considered to be an ULTIMATE pro shot!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

F@brizioM. says:

A Great Capture ...right focus and colors well satured

I saw this picture in Constructive critique!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Ian's Art says:

Nice shot! The colours and composition work well here. (I might have been tempted to try a tighter crop to remove some of the green in the background).
I saw this picture in Constructive critique!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

samhigginss2001 says:

Anybody considering visiting this tourist sight in Thailand should please consider the recent light shed on the behaviors of the Thai government concerning these women who are Burmese refugees.

see this article from the BBC:
( news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7215182.stm )

-"the United Nations is now talking of the need for a tourism boycott, amid allegations that the Kayan are being trapped in a "human zoo"."
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

hcjonesphotography says:

Thank you for your comment Sam. You should be careful when issuing "warnings" about a particular place. You don't know where this village is, nor what it is like. To issue a universal condemnation is wrong. You need to look at each individual situation and make decisions accordingly. Indeed, there are some places where there is a "human zoo" element and there have even been cases where the Padaung women have been kidnapped and forced into the tourist trade. You have to do your homework on what type of "village" you are visiting before going there. However, this village was not one of those. It is a village set up to keep tourists away from the real villages where the Padaung live, thereby protecting their way of life and keeping the real villages from being corrupted by and overrun by tourists. They are able to come and go as they please and this gives them a way to earn an honest living and decent wages. Keep in mind that because they are refugees, their options for earning an income are extremely limited in Thailand. Wouldn't you rather this than them being beggars in the street or resorting to prostitution or having to live in a refugee camp like tens or even hundreds of thousands of other Myanmese do? Theirs is a much better life than many of the other Myanmese who have fled their own country.

We cannot impose our own western values and morals on people or situations in third-world countries. I don't know where you have travelled or where you have been, but I have learned that our values and morals don't work in their world, so please be careful in future before you issue a blanket condemnation like the one you posted.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

samhigginss2001 says:

It was not a blanket condemnation! The use of the word "zoo" is maybe a bit inflammatory, but it was part of direct quote from the news article. I my own writing I didn't even issue a direct condemnation but, specifically used the phrase "should please consider" and included a link to the source article. This was very intentional because I believe it is a situation that can an may be corrected (and the BBC is pretty good about putting links to story follow-ups.)
The precedence should not be set that it is alright for the Thai government to treat people like this.
I have traveled abroad to Thailand (rode a bicycle across Isan), Vietnam, Laos, Bali, Brazil, Mexico and Japan and I think there is some responsibility to communicate to others when something like this happens because I, as an occasional tourist, am very much a part of it.
It is good that the refugees are able to a make a living trough tourism, but what is significant and becomes apparent here is that these women are valuable to a whole tourist infrastructure that profits from their being there. Thailand is one of the most prosperous countries in the region, The precedence should not be set that is is alright for Thai government to treat human beings in such ways so that other's may profit from them.

It is simply a situation that people should be aware of.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

xalamay - Getting busy again :-( says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Best Picture Gallery! (VOTE B&W CONTEST), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

Please take a moment to join too!! :-)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

xalamay - Getting busy again :-( says:

Admired in The Best Picture Gallery
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

wufgaeng against censorship says:

Ethnic refugees are being held hostage!
As someone who has lived Thailand for 25 years and has great respect for the country, I am increasingly aware of, and disturbed by, the impact of tourism on the border areas of the country. In particular, I am concerned about the promotion of the "tong-necked" Padaung as a tourist attraction and the implications of this on refugee communities from Burma. Specifically, "long-necks" are being promoted to tourists as a Thai hilltribe continuing to live in traditional conditions. This could not be runner from the truth. The long-neck Padaung are Burmese refugees who have fled the Burmese military regime into Thailand along with other ethnic minority refugees from Burma, and specifically Karenni State, over the past 25 years. The Padaung are sub-divided from the rest of the Karenni refugee camps into zoo-like fabricated villages for tourism purposes. The Padaung receive small amounts of the tourist dollars obtained by local officials. The current situation is one in which the way has increasingly been made open for countries such as Canada, US, New Zealand, Finland and others to provide third-country resettlement for Burmese refugees. A problem has emerged with the Karenni, in that should Mae Hong Son provincial authorities provide permission and exit visas for Karenni to be resettled, they must also accept the re-settlement of those long-necks similarly applying for resettlement. This would mean a loss of tourism dollars generated through the long-neck refugees. Thus, provincial officials have been largely seeking to bar the resettlement of Karenni refugees, even in some cases where sponsorship, university tuition and living costs in third countries are provided. This is a gross abuse of power and it is time that tourists in Thailand become aware of the role they play in these games Involving the lives of thousands of people.
Do not visit the long-necks — at least until they and Ihe remainder of Burmese refugees cease to be held hostage by unscrupulous authorities.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

hcjonesphotography says:

wufgaeng against censorship, I appreciate your comment, however I disagree on several points. The village that I visited was indeed set up for tourism, but the hill-tribe peoples there are allowed to go to their own villages when the day is over. That way the tourists don't ruin the "real" hill-tribe villages. Additionally, as much as it may bother our western sensibilities to see these women "exploited" for the tourist dollar, I feel that it is much better than living in the fetid squalor of the refugee camps where many more Burmese refugees are forced to live out the remainder of their lives. They fled the oppressive military government in their own country to try to find a better life. Is this life working in the tourist trade not better? At least they are not living in fear for their lives like they were in Myanmar. At least they have enough money to eat and make a decent wage compared to other people from their countries. I agree it is not the best situation, but it is better than what many other of their country-men are still being subjected to!

I do agree that it is unfair of the Thai government to not consider their re-settlement applications. Their applications should be given the same consideration as other applicants. However, boycotting the long-necks is only hurting these refugees who have already been through so much. If you take away the income that they have become dependent on, how will they eat or survive? The issue here is not with the long-necks, but with the Thai government. Don't punish the people for the governments actions!!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

samhigginss2001 says:

Yes, but they are being denied the chance for a real life, for settlement in first world countries and realistic university educations. First world education and wages, for even a limited number of them, even after living expenses, would far outweigh the scraps thrown to them by the Thai provincial officials.

If somebody who slaps you frees you from somebody who kicks you it doesn't justify the slapping. Just because the Thailand allowed them refuge from what was going on in Burma, doesn't mean that they should now be bound to serving the Thai's interests. Whoever thought that giving refugee aid should be a money making affair?

While it is true that a loss of tourist dollars might result from such a boycott, it would be travesty to turn a blind eye to this situation because of the threat of a loss of tourist revenue that might in fact be rather small. The Thai government deserves to lose some face over something like this. And in general, this type of behavior should never be tolerated--it builds toward a precedence of dehumanization. The Karenni will fare much better if they are allowed resettlement.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

hcjonesphotography says:

hi again sam. You make good points, however, the previous post wanted to boycott the long-necks. Your problem is with the Thai government, not the Padaung themselves. Make your thoughts known to the Thai government without punishing the Paduang. As I have said, they should have the same right to re-settlement as their bretheren from Myanmar. They should not be held against their will in Thailand. But do not take away their only source of income. You say the revenue is "rather small". But I'm sure if you asked the Paduang, it isn't "rather small" to them!! It is their only means of income and by boycotting their villages, they are the ones being punished, not the Thai government!!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

haabet2003 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Kayan neck rings, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

johey24 says:

Interesting, including the discussion.

I love this photo. Truly a Woman with Soul!
If you have the time, please add your photo to our Group, SWOTM at SWOTM Soul Woman of the Month Group)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

stephen mawby says:

I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

haabet2003 says:

The Karenni will fare much better if they are allowed resettlement.
All experience say as Karenni been unhappy by resettlement. The cultural gap is to big. All ideas are really and living, but invisible ghosts and elves.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

daylapt says:

How could they not elongate the neck ? I heard if they take them off their head will fall to the side. It looks pretty cool though.
Comment on my Stream
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

laurendexclusive says:

pay attention to lines and where the eyes are located. ok picture.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

Stl.Born says:

perfect lighting,nice profile shot...it smells real good out there too,lime green herbal smell,yum yum
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

hcjonesphotography says:

Sargassiao completely ignored my post about not posting any more protest posts, so both of his comments have been deleted. Please respect my wishes on this. I'm tired of all the protest posts. If you don't like the photo......don't look at it!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai (map)
Taken with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel.
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Taken on October 12, 2007
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PADAUNG LONG-NECK WOMAN III

Comments

™ goraiapick ™ says:

Photographic Intrinsic says:

PhotoJBartlett says:

pwmartin says:

mary04 says:

ProfJosh says:

3000 names says:

DarkGrey says:

MMachado says:

*Unknown Artist * [deleted] says:

bachamp says:

Senisha, Sophia, Lucretia, Amelia, Soraya, Lunha.. says:

Jmolagar says:

UAE_PHOTOGRAPHER/ Fleur-de-lis says:

Brian Howell says:

Team Dragon... Slowly Catching Up says:

eye-light pictures [deleted] says:

The Wandering Angel says:

F@brizioM. says:

Ian's Art says:

samhigginss2001 says:

hcjonesphotography says:

samhigginss2001 says:

xalamay - Getting busy again :-( says:

xalamay - Getting busy again :-( says:

wufgaeng against censorship says:

hcjonesphotography says:

samhigginss2001 says:

hcjonesphotography says:

haabet2003 says:

johey24 says:

stephen mawby says:

haabet2003 says:

daylapt says:

laurendexclusive says:

Stl.Born says:

hcjonesphotography says:

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Unknown Artist [deleted] says: