The last day of the Punakha Tsechu (Festival) and I am definitely feeling more comfortable as I cross the wooden bridge and take this portait.
Determined to finally get some better shots of the dances today I decide to go for it - I step around and between people and find a position in the front row of the courtyard. There are (unknown) children climbing into my lap, picnic debris and worst of all betel nut juice all around.
The final day dance seems to be a moralistic type of Midsummer Night's Dream - there are several 'pucks' creating havoc, and 'goodies' and 'baddies' but I still really have no idea!! The best part was watching the audience (who would not have seen televisions or movie theatres) enjoy the very ribald comedy. The ladies next to me at first looked at me like little guilty school girls - they seemed very worried I would be offended at their visceral laughter. Some of it was very funny ( think adult-rated Three Stooges) and once again I am overwhelmed by the warmth and welcoming I recieve from the Bhutanese. I literally fall into the seat on the bus as I am laughing so hard as my entertaining afternoon and my time at Punakha Dzong come to a close. Not sure what Bhutan has to offer that can top my day today.
There are lots of shots I am happy with from today ( ahh did I say that!!). I never would have thought I could take a portrait using a 40mm. I have made lots of errors since getting here and trying to learn to see things differently has often been frustrating and hit-and-miss, but I think I am starting to see some improvement.
@grammyn thanks Katy - no it is a real background - it is the dzong (fortress) where the festival in Bhutan was held. Because I did not use a flash, the back ground was really overblown & when I pulled the exposure down for the sky I think I accidentally adjusted the roof just a bit too darkly in editing. I should have used an adjustment brush rather than a gradient filter. :) (my lesson to remember) :))
