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Why Photographers Must Visit Myanmar

Myanmar has undergone a lot of changes. Even though it has been a struggle coping up with the military rule and the consequential stagnation in growth, it is now finally opening up to the world. For a very long time, Myanmar has been deprived of any global contact or influence and has been left isolated as against several other neighboring Asian countries which have developed rapidly with globalization, industrialization and tourism.
However, all that is changing now. Myanmar has a strong and unique culture, which is new to the outsiders. So Myanmar is one of the perfect places for a photographer to shoot and capture ancient traditions, cultural treasures, lively markets, works of artisans and beautiful temples. Beautiful sunset pictures while cruising by teak riverboats gives you the opportunity to shoot the everyday life in Myanmar. Photographers can also explore the religious side of the country by documenting prayer ceremonies as well as the performances by traditional musicians.

 

Geoffrey Hiller Photography Workshop in Myanmar- November 2015

This year a documentary photography workshop is being organized in Myanmar under Geoffrey Hiller. He is an experienced photographer who has been shooting in Burma for several years now and is always pulled back towards its beauty and culture. Under the guidance of Geoffrey Hiller, students will get to discover unique aspects of this captivating country with all its contrasts and contradictions.

 

Documentary photography workshop

It will be a 12-day workshop, especially focused on documentary photography, where students will get unlimited opportunities to click stunning shots of the country and nurture their craft. During the first seven days of the workshop, students will get to photograph the former capital of Myanmar, Yangon, which is also its largest city and is extremely photogenic.

 

In the next part of the Myanmar photo workshop, students will be visiting Mawlamyine, which was British Myanmar’s administrative capital. It has some picturesque remains of the colonial past in addition to housing beautiful monasteries, Muslim mosques and Buddhist shrines.

Religious festivals are a common sight in Mawlamyine and photographers can use this opportunity to shoot distinct local rituals taking place at the time of the workshop. A visit to Golden Rock will also feature in the Mawlamyine trip. It is a popular pilgrimage site of the Buddhists and is also called Mt. Kyaiktiyo.

The interactions with the local people and participation in the rituals and festivals will make this documentary photography workshop an extremely enriching experience for budding photographers.