Photography Help In Bangkok....please

[rvaccha]

Hi,

I am a student in USA, and in Bangkok for 3 days en route back to the USA. I am currently taking a class in introductory photography, thus using a 35mm SLR and B+W film, mostly Kodak Tri-X 400.

I need your thoughts on:

1) Where can I find interesting people to take portrait type photos of, I would prefer not to limit myself to the regular stereotypes, e.g. street vendors in heavily populated tourist areas, ladies of the night and varying genders.

I can also take a day trip somewhere if it would provide for more interesting photo opportunities

2) I also want to take photos of interesting places in Bangkok, once again, something more unique, off beat, yet reflective of the old and new of Bangkok...possibly some good angles and views as well, e.g. high points

3) And yes....night photography....sans flash, want to see light in the night, e.g. the streaks of lights by moving cars on the road, etc.

4) I am currently in the Sukhumvit area, any thoughts on where I can get color film close by (I called Fotofile in MBK but they do not have anything)

5) Any suggestions on a relatively inexpensive (~50USD) portable tripod that I can get here in Bangkok....and shops to purchase it from...?

I am really sorry to bog all of you with so many questions, I hope you can help!

Thanks,

RJ

[astral]

Check out this link.

It is listed in the FAQ which is pinned at the top of the section.

I suggest you look around the second hand shops listed, many of which are close to Sanam Luang.

[faxx]

4) I am currently in the Sukhumvit area, any thoughts on where I can get color film close by (I called Fotofile in MBK but they do not have anything)

5) Any suggestions on a relatively inexpensive (~50USD) portable tripod that I can get here in Bangkok....and shops to purchase it from...?

Thanks,

RJ

For the tripod check out http://www.capa.co.th They are located on the second floor of Fortune Tower.

FT is located on Phra Ram 9 MRT station. It is the same building as the Sunbelt Asia Office. There are 3 or 4 other photography stores in the same building.

Capa has professional new and used equipment for SLR cameras. I bought a lot of stuff there and was always happy. They do have a nice selection of tripods including Manfrotto, etc.

If I remember correctly they also sell films.

[chuckygobyebye]

Hi,

I am a student in USA, and in Bangkok for 3 days en route back to the USA. I am currently taking a class in introductory photography, thus using a 35mm SLR and B+W film, mostly Kodak Tri-X 400.

I need your thoughts on:

<snip>

In answer for 1) and 2): Oh you want a shootlist do you? Most photographers keep their local knowledge to themselves as it's time consuming and expensive to gain. Go into Asia Books as they carry a huge line of crappy Thailand/Bangkok photobooks and flip through and see what you like, then go out and reshoot. Also look at postcards, they're usually good for spotting locations and time of day to shoot.

Get out of Sukhumvit, it's an ugly ugly neighbourhood and check out some of the old neighbourhoods by the river, ditto for night photography - most of the nicely lit boulevards/buildings are around the royal district.

As for film, you can get colour film at every 7-11 in the land but you're probably talking pro quality. There's a number of good shops about - I always go to Foto Camera in Khaosan as it's local, downtown there's a Fujifilm pro place a block or so from Patpong. There's a bulk-loading place in Siam somewhere but I probably couldn't find it again. As for tripods- any shopping centre will sell you a flimsy one cheap. If you want something more sturdy try Sappan Lek in Chinatown (cheap).