mark prior photography

Back in 2013 I took part in a National Geographic Expedition to Myanmar. Infrastructure was a bit rough around the edges and tourism was just getting started with a flurry of building work. Flying was the only practical way of getting around so I assume that put constraints on where we went (and there were still areas that tourists couldn't enter).

A close up of the face of the reclining Buddha at the Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple in Yangon. The Buddha has ruby red lips, blue eyes with pale blue eye shadow. In a reclining pose it has its head leaning on a hand.
The gardens next to the eastern stairway of Shwedagon Pagoda. The highly ornate roof of the stairway is to the left and the main gilded stupa of the temple.
A group of Buddhist novices, dressed in traditional maroon and orange robes, are visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda. They are all looking up at something.
Shinbyu ceremony, a traditional Buddhist novice initiation rite practiced in Myanmar.
A green tiled, crescent shaped pagoda containing 45 gilded seated Buddhas.
Five monks are walking towards the camera, sandals in hand. Behind the monks is the ornate U Min Thonze Pagoda.
Three novice nuns standing at the railing of the terrace of Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda. One of them is pointing something out to the other two.
A head and shoulders portrait of a novice nun lost in thought as she patiently queues.
Beautiful carving in the teak roof of the Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) Monastery. Originally part of a palace in Amarapura and the royal apartments of King Mindon Min.
Rows of white stupas topped with golden umbrellas.
Three novices hired for a photo shoot at Shwe Kyin Monastery.
With a NatGeo photographer calling the shots you get three novices each with a white candle sitting in a temple building.
A bright white pagoda in a sea of green plants. Modelled on the Buddhist sacred mountain of Mount Meru, with terraces representing the seven mountain ranges around it.
After visiting the pagoda these novice nuns piled into their transport, a high capacity tuktuk.
One of the world's lrgest bells, weighing over 90 tonnes. There are always children around to help with ringing it.
Golden light strikes the (largely) teak bridge across Lake Taungthaman. A ripple on the lake causes the reflection in the dark blue water to also ripple while above is a pale blue sky.
The sun sets behind the bridge as a woman crosses it. The scene is filled with orange light with the bridge and woman in silhouette.
The plains of Bagan are littered with stupas in vaarious states of repair. This one with its ornate umbrella and orange and white colouring peaking through the lush green trees was particularly attractive.
Sometimes you just have to stop when you see onething interesting out the window and a group of farmer winnowing peanuts was one such time. Here are two women with a large pile of peanut straw.
The farmer doing the winnowing from stilts thought it we were crazy when we wanted to take photos of him separating peanuts from the straw.
An Ox-Powered Mill to grind peanuts into oil. A zebu ox carves a path as it walks in circles around a mill. One man is standing behind the mill encouraging the ox while another checks on the mill.
What else would you do with a volcanic plug but build a temple on the top of it and have a 777 step walkway that spirals around it?
The real owners of the temple were the macaques and they were largely unimpressed by the visitors, especially those without treats.
If you have agroup of photographers organising a photo shoot of some monks then eventually you will attract some spectators.
Always keen to make a sale so saying no isn't going to cut it. So maybe later you will have time and be interested even if you aren't now.
Heading to the airport (again) and we passed this long line of monks with their bowls walking along the road.
Masses of fresh produce for sale in Heho's market and the vendors doing a brisk trade.
Modern transport, a speeding long tail boat, meets fishermen with oars and conical nets.
A shallow lake filled with reed creates an environment for innovation. Here it is using a leg to assisting in rowing a small boat while on the lookout for fish.
Spotlighting the fisherman at the other end of his boat by looking through the conical fishing net.
A old monk out in the courtyard of Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.
A novice stands in one of the oval windows of Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung
A collection of handmade paper parasols.