Explore Southeast Asia's Photography Spots with YuKoreeda | ISSUE #39

I choose places where you can glimpse the community's identity and culture in everyday life. I research places where so-called ethnic minorities live or where faith is integrated into daily life, which is closer to the original human lifestyle not seen in cities.

I also thoroughly research local manners, taboos, and the history that forms the culture beforehand. Knowing both the pride and the sad past of a country can greatly change the photos.

For landscape photography, I decide on a rough location before departure and use an app called PhotoPill to determine the exact shooting spot upon arrival. For portraits, I photograph people I happen to meet locally, so I don't decide on specific locations beforehand.

Developed as a summer resort by the French during the colonial period, the town is resort-like and comfortable. However, away from the center, there are settlements of mountain ethnic minorities like the Hmong and Red Dao.

The people are very kind and often happily become models, which I think is irresistible for those who love portrait photography. There are many highlights such as stunning embroidery, free-roaming water buffalo on the roads, and a lifestyle centered on agriculture. The endlessly connected terraced fields are also beautiful, and the scenery at dawn and dusk is breathtaking, making it a great place for landscape photography.

The weather changes quickly, so rain gear was essential. Also, since it's about 10km from Sapa town to each settlement and there are no car taxis, renting a bike or chartering a bike driver is essential. It's quite a mountainous road, so honestly, I don't recommend driving a bike yourself (laughs). I protected my equipment with cushioning material in preparation for falls and approached the shoot.

Known as the last unexplored region of Southeast Asia, this World Heritage town is breathtaking. The alms-giving ceremony at dawn, where monks from temples around the town walk in groups of about 10-15, briefly dyes the town in the orange of their robes. When multiple groups overlap, it becomes a very long procession, which was impressive.

The lighting conditions were good in the early morning. The sight of locals praying after the alms-giving was indescribably beautiful. There are also many buildings from the French colonial period, creating a unique streetscape that seems to blend Southeast Asia and Europe.

It was announced not to approach the monks within 3 meters, so I mainly used a 70-200mm telephoto lens. Especially since I am a woman, there were additional precautions like not making eye contact, not talking, and not touching the monks. The alms-giving itself ends in about an hour, so checking the route in advance or staying for several days to increase chances is advisable.

Known for its beautiful emerald-colored water, the falls are stunning. The contrast with the lush jungle is beautiful, and the water is so clear and clean that you can swim in it. Although the height difference is not that great, it has a calm beauty, and the shimmering water surface with sunlight filtering through the trees is still vividly remembered.

There are many parts where light is blocked by trees, making it fun to shoot the flowing water with long exposure. The surrounding jungle has unique plants, allowing you to enjoy nature as a whole while photographing.

I visited during the dry season, but it seems that during the rainy season, the water volume increases, adding more impact. Since it is also a place where tourists gather, it's better to visit with plenty of time to take photos without people.

There is a shared bus from Luang Prabang town, taking about an hour. The road to the falls is not well-maintained, so choosing a minivan over a tuk-tuk might be safer for your equipment.

I want to continue challenging myself with photography in various countries and regions. In October, I plan to visit Mongolia, a place I've admired since childhood! Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Ine in Kyoto, where I noticed a unique culture being nurtured. I also want to actively photograph cultural events in Japan.

My motto is to take photos that benefit the place, so I want to have many people see my work, convey the charm of the place through my work, and contribute to cultural understanding.