Beautiful Chiang Mai province is so beautiful at daybreak

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Beautiful Chiang Mai province offers an incredible opportunity for photograhers to capture the unique beauty of Thailand’s northern region. As a city rich in culture, history, and stunning landscapes, it provides endless inspiration for photographers of all levels.

Photography is a real challenge for beginners, as I found out back in 2014. Most days I walk as I have done for years shortly after sunrise, around the villages in the beautiful Chiang Mai province. Next to Huai Kaew (30 kms north of Chiang Mai City), I trek through the lanes and across the farms to the river. I was totally undisciplined as a new blogger-photographer. Most times I did not take my camera or have any plan at all.

And of course, every time that happened, there was always a fantastic shot to be had. Or the light, just after dawn, was beautiful and the sky amazing.

Sometimes the mist rolled over the mountains as I longed for my camera. But I couldn’t capture the beauty except in my imagination. I came home relaxed but disappointed. I knew the North was beautiful yet I was missing opportunities to capture the beauty. When I look back, I see I didn’t miss everything.

Experts aren’t always

Initially, I became so obsessed that I ended up strapping my camera to my wrist for a while. That’s what the experts said I should do. Never leave your camera at home or you may miss the shot of a lifetime. They didn’t know I had been chained to a business for forty years.

There was no way I was going to be chained to anything anymore. I realised pretty quickly that it was restricting my freedom to enjoy the moment. So now I am more relaxed. If I want to enjoy an unencumbered walk, why shouldn’t I.  When I feel like taking shots, that will be my mission for that day.

How I learned the art in the beautiful Chiang Mai province – slowly.

Capturing landscape shots to the East was difficult if I didn’t get there early enough, but I gradually got the hang of it. My next task was to take the same shots at dusk, with the sun going down behind me.

Before monsoon goes from the North I have to observe the weather so I don’t crawl home with a waterlogged camera and all my pictures ruined. Just after monsoon is the most rewarding time for photography. The air is clear so everything is visible, fresh after the rains, and vibrant.

In the dry season, the atmosphere is polluted with dust and farmers burn off stubble after the crops are harvested. Added to the forest fires (the subject of another post) makes walking the villages and farms in the beautiful Chiang Mai province difficult enough without a mask. And taking a camera is often a waste of time.

A Photographer’s Journey

The journey of a blogger-photographer is as intriguing and colourful as the subjects captured. In the picturesque beautiful Chiang Mai province, these experiences are amplified tenfold, offering unique opportunities to learn and grow while capturing breathtaking landscapes.

In this article, we delve into the nuances of capturing the charm of the beautiful Chiang Mai province through your lens. From learning landscape photography during dusk to preparing yourself as a photographer for the monsoon season – each experience presents its own set of challenges and rewards.

We’ll also discuss how to balance your passion for photography with personal experiences. Being overly disciplined can sometimes take away from truly enjoying what visiting Chiang Mai has to offer beyond the camera lens.

Lastly, we explore post-monsoon photography in Chiang Mai and share tips on protecting your equipment from potential water damage while capturing vibrant shots after rainfall.

Learning Landscape Photography at Dusk in Chiang Mai

Dusk is a photographer’s dream. The sun casting long shadows as it sets creates a magical atmosphere filled with fiery oranges and deep purples. Visiting Chiang Mai, this experience is elevated by its stunning natural beauty. Lush mountains bathed in soft light and ancient temples silhouetted against a vibrant sky.

• Understanding Light: At dusk, light changes rapidly. So, adjust your camera settings accordingly.
• Framing Your Shot: Pay attention to foregrounds and backgrounds to create compelling compositions.
• Capturing Movement: Incorporate interesting movements like drifting clouds or people in motion to add dynamism to your shots.

Preparing for Monsoon Season as a Photographer

The monsoon season presents challenges for photographers in tropical regions like Chiang Mai. Sudden downpours and high humidity can disrupt a shoot. Protecting your equipment becomes paramount, but don’t forget to embrace the drama rainy days bring.

• Predict Weather Changes: Keep track of weather forecasts to avoid getting caught in sudden showers.
• Safeguard Equipment: Use waterproof cases and bags to protect your gear from water damage.
• Leverage Drama: Rainy days offer visually appealing scenarios worth capturing, like dark clouds, lightning streaks, and reflections on wet surfaces.

Balancing Photography and Personal Experience

Searching for the perfect composition, photographers explore the world in search of moments to capture and create eternal memories. The world becomes your canvas as you frame moments into timeless memories. But what happens when the pursuit overshadows your personal experiences? In the bustling streets and serene landscape, when visiting Chiang Mai, it’s crucial to find a balance between capturing beauty through lenses and soaking in its essence firsthand.

Struggling with Over-Discipline as a New Blogger-Photographer

Starting out as a blogger-photographer requires discipline. You need to be consistent, dedicated, and relentless in pursuing the best shots. But being too disciplined can lead to burnout and missing out on truly experiencing Chiang Mai’s unique culture.

A common mistake many new photographers make is allowing themselves to become engrossed in their work. They can easily neglect why they began taking pictures in the first place – capturing and sharing their personal experiences. It’s important not only to take pictures but to make time for self-reflection. Whether it’s savouring local delicacies at Warorot Market or taking part in traditional Thai ceremonies at Wat Phra Singh.

Realising the Importance of Enjoying Moments Beyond the Camera Lens

In the quest for perfection, its easy to lose sight of life beyond the viewfinder. There’s more to photography than just framing shots; there are stories waiting to be told. And while photography captures moments beautifully frozen in frames, living those moments gives them context and meaning.

To maintain the balance between photography passion and personal experience absorption requires some strategy:

• Mindful Shooting: Instead of mindlessly clicking away, I practice mindfulness during shooting sessions by being present both mentally and physically while carefully composing each shot.
• Scheduled Breaks: I also allocate specific times during day trips where the camera stays tucked away, allowing me to immerse myself in the surroundings without any distractions from equipment handling or composition considerations.

Capturing Your Own Experiences Firsthand

Your photos should tell your story – how you felt when exploring Doi Suthep National Park or when visiting Chiang Mai City, navigating the Night Bazaar – rather than just presenting visually appealing images devoid of emotion or context. Telling stories with photographs takes skill, but once mastered, it makes every captured image much more meaningful because the viewer gets a glimpse into the photographer’s actual experience rather than seeing another generic travel photo online.

Finding Balance Between Living And Documenting

Finding equilibrium isn’t about choosing one over the other, but rather understanding the importance each holds individually and collectively, then making conscious decisions accordingly based on individual preferences and circumstances encountered along the way throughout a photographic journey across the beautiful cityscape visiting Chiang Mai has to offer.

Post-Monsoon Photography – while visiting Chiang Mai

After the monsoon, everything becomes visible, fresh, and vibrant – perfect for photographers. The air is clear, free from the dust and haze that ruins the views between January and May. This is the time to capture stunning photographs of Chiang Mai’s natural beauty. Just be careful not to get your gear wet.

Capturing Vibrancy Post-Monsoon

The post-monsoon season brings a mesmerising palette of colours. From lush green fields to bright blue skies with fluffy white clouds – every frame is like a painting waiting to be captured.

To make the most of the visual feast, consider timing and lighting. Here are some tips:

• Sunrise or Sunset: Soft light, vivid colours, no harsh shadows.
• Cloudy Weather: Diffused light, less contrast, perfect for your subject.
• Rainbows: Look out for rainbows after showers, they add extra vibrancy.

Try different techniques like HDR or long exposure for more dramatic effects. HDR captures detail in shadowy and brightly lit areas, while long exposure creates dream-like images with blurred moving elements against static backgrounds. Shooting in camera RAW provides extensive image detail for post-processing with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. The results can be amazing.

Protecting Your Camera from Water Damage

Protecting your gear from water damage is critical. Monsoons may make everything look beautiful, but they can wreak havoc on sensitive electronics. Here’s how to safeguard your equipment:

• Dry Bags & Rain Covers: Keep moisture out with a dry bag and protect your camera with a rain cover when shooting outdoors.
• Silica Gel Packs: Pack silica gel packs to absorb moisture and prevent fungus growth on lenses.
• Avoid Changing Lenses Outdoors: Don’t change lenses outside during rainy weather.

Also, remember to dry off any wet surfaces before packing away your equipment. Taking breathtaking photos post-monsoon requires creativity and caution, but the results are worth it. So grab your umbrellas and tripods and venture out into the picturesque landscapes when the rain stops.

FAQs in Relation to Chiang Mai Photography

Where can I get pictures in Chiang Mai City?

You can capture stunning images at various locations such as Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and the bustling Sunday Walking Street Market.

Is street photography legal in Thailand?

Yes, it is legal to take photos in public places. However, respect for privacy and culture should be observed. More details on this topic are available from the PhotoSecrets guide on Thai photography laws.

What is Chiang Mai best known for?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its beautiful temples, traditional night markets, unique Lanna culture, and lush mountains perfect for trekking.

Can you take pictures in Thai Temples ?

Taking photographs inside a temple (wat) is usually permitted but always check signs or ask permission first. Read more about temple etiquette from this guide by Tripsavvy.

Final Thoughts

Chiang Mai Photography offers a unique and enriching experience for photographers of all levels – from learning landscape photography during dusk to capturing the vibrant beauty that emerges after the rains post-monsoon.

Strike a balance between capturing moments through the lens and enjoying personal experiences beyond the camera, because exploring Chiang Mai through your camera lens will provide endless opportunities for creativity and growth in your craft.

This post was lat updated in July 2023

Join Us

If you enjoyed this article, we would like to offer you two gifts – our Starter Pack of 4 James King’s books and our Weekly Digest, which you can receive by email.