Portrayal of Air Pollution in Chiangmai

Portrayal of Air Pollution in Chiangmai

Sadly, once again the north of Thailand has become a heavily air-polluted area, largely due to farmers illegally burning vast areas of forested land, in a routine known as "slash & burn". The population here is suffering from coughing, respiratory issues, throat infections and streaming eyes. Although this burning activity was outlawed 5 years ago, when the city of Chiangmai was declared to have a "national emergency", virtually nothing appears to have been done about it by the authorities in any subsequent year.

I was wondering how best to portray air pollution in a photograph. That challenge played on my mind for a few days and then I suddenly spotted the obvious. I could demonstrate the effects of high levels of foreign material in the air in just one photograph.

Here is a quick snap of the moon this evening, 9th March 2012, taken at 8.30. I am no astro-photographer so I make no apologies for the rather poor quality of this picture but I do hope that the message it conveys, outweighs its technical failings.

This was the true colour of the moon. White balance was correct. The end result looks (on the screen) exactly as it did to the naked eye. No manipulation was done on the photo (other than a crop and a tiny bit of sharpening).

This, I believe, gives a fair indication of the level of pollution that's floating about in our atmosphere above this city.

Just wanted to share with you.... I imagine most people may never see a moon like this.

This is very very sad. It should not be happening.

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Uploaded on Mar 9, 2012  |  Map

7 comments

Go on... try some!

Go on... try some!

Vendor offers me some dried smoked sweet beef. Taken at the Tung Kwian market near Lampang, Thailand.
(BTW - I broke a tooth on the beef... no kidding!)

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Uploaded on Feb 25, 2012  |  Map

13 comments

Hell

Hell

Artist's sculptural impression of hell, at the entrance to Wat Rong Khun (Thai: วัดร่องขุ่น). This is a contemporary and unconventional Buddhist and Hindu temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat.

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Uploaded on Feb 21, 2012  |  Map

16 comments

Catch of the Day!

Catch of the Day!

Happy fishmonger at the San na Maeng market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Fuji X100, 1/250th f4, 400ISO)

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Uploaded on Nov 12, 2011  |  Map

45 comments

Koh Phi Phi Don Island, Thailand

Koh Phi Phi Don Island, Thailand

A little piece of paradise.
:
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Uploaded on Oct 19, 2011  |  Map

204 comments

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