Ewen Bell 📸Nov 28
#EwenInBhutan

Our journey through Bhutan is underway. A super lovely bunch of people and some amazing moments for the camera await us. We're starting in Paro, because that's where the planes land!

#SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #Photography #Himalayas #TTArtisan #40mm
Show threadEwen Bell 📸
It's easy to overlook the obvious places as a photographer, and the Dzong overlooking Paro city is one of the easiest of all sites to visit in Bhutan. Few people come to Bhutan without stopping by this Dzong. It's full of beautiful details, and all day is visited by locals dressed in respectful attire (traditional clothing). We take our time and look for where the light is doing something a bit special.

#SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #Photography #Himalayas #EwenInBhutan
Nov 28 at 12:26pmWeb
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 28
Have noticed this year that since leaning into the idea of working with softer blacks in my editing, my photography is also leaning into more shadow play. Am seeking out the shadows, rather than avoiding them.

There is always a dance between how we edit, and how we capture.

#EwenInBhutan #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #Photography #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 29
I just cannot resist this totally cliche shot. It's kind of mandatory to play with lenses and light anytime I stop for a bunch of prayer flags.

#EwenInBhutan #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #Photography #Himalayas #LookingUp
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 29
Say hello to Rinzi :) He's just the coolest tour guide in all of Bhutan. I've worked with him for so long now, I can't remember what it was like to travel in Bhutan without him. Rinzi has that perfect balance of being helpful, without being pushy. Being friendly, without being too chatty. Being planned, but also being flexible.

I am lucky to work with such great people in the Himalayas.

#EwenInBhutan #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #Photography #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 29
Prayer flags in the Himalayas. Bhutanese style.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #TTARtisan #40mm #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 29
I'm getting so lazy with my 40mm, there's just no way imma take it off the camera.
Show threadMike HindleNov 29
@ewen Love that! I very nearly went for a 40mm instead of my 50mm. Maybe I'll add it to the list for the future...
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 29
@mikehindleuk

Normally I'm 35mm all the way, but am tinkering with this cheapo little F2 lens for a month and OMG it's sooooo tiny and still does the job and I may never go back to using a fancy lens again.
Show threadMike HindleNov 29
@ewen Nice! Love that, Ewen. There's a lot to love about small and portable lenses 🙌🏻
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 30
So much to like about Bhutan. The big things, but also the little things.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #TTArtisan #40mm #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 30
I'm so lucky to be travelling with a lovely bunch of people on this trip. All of them have travelled with me before, all of them have an open embrace for cultures, and all of them are enjoying the art of slow travel and slow photography. We take our time. We're not here to see or capture "everything", but simply to enjoy every moment.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #TTArtisan #40mm #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Nov 30
On this trip I have three lenses doing most of the work. My 100mm F2.8 Macro will come out from time to time, mostly for butterflies! But sometimes it's handy for a tight shot of the landscape as well.

My other two lenses are 18mm F1.8 and 40mm F2. I have an extra camera with the birding lens, that sits on the bus most of the time and gets ignored :)

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #Himalayas #100mm #LumixS100Macro
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 1
Getting ready for the photo shoot.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #TTArtisan #40mm #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 1
Sometimes we have a little fun with the locals, and join them for a selfie session. It's a great opportunity to talk about light, prime lenses and connecting with your subject. Portraits with willing subjects is a lot of fun, for everyone.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #TTArtisan #40mm #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
We had a little chat.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #TTArtisan #40mm #Himalayas
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
A few scenes from Dordenma, one of the most impressive Buddha statues you'll ever see.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #TTArtisan #40mm #Himalayas #Dordenma
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
Never the same statue twice

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #18mm #Himalayas #Dordenma
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
Sometimes I forget that Bhutan is a real place, and not just a fantasy in my head where horses are grazing in front of a 17th century dzong while a river flows by with glacial waters and a flock of shelducks.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #40mm #Himalayas #Punakha
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
We make plans around the big things. A country. A temple. A festival. But the moments that stick are the little ones, like a butterfly on a marigold in winter.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #100mm #Himalayas #Punakha #Butterlfy
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
We only ever see pieces of the story. A version of it, and even then only part of that version. What happens after the shutter has clicked?

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #40mm #Himalayas #Punakha
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 3
Gosh it's been a lovely day here in Bhutan. Again. Had so much wonderful light, and lovely locals. I'm way behind on editing my photos.

Here's a few shots of the doggies at Khamsum Yulley the other day. Sweet little souls.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #40mm #Himalayas #Punakha
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 3
Two of my favourite things, together at last. Monks and ICM. Bhutan is kind of where I started my journey with Intentional Camera Movement. I need to find time to explore this a little more.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #40mm #Himalayas #Punakha
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 4
Sunrise. Sort of.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #40mm #Himalayas #Punakha
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 4
Often for me the art in photography is making absolutely sure to hold back, not to show everything.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #Himalayas #Punakha
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 4
Mist in the valley, Punakha.

#EwenInBhutan #Photography #SquareMood #LumixS9 #Lumix #Bhutan #40mm #Himalayas #Punakha
Show threadProto Himbo SyrupeanDec 3
@ewen This is neat! How did you get the chonky squares in the ICM photo, instead of streaks or smears?
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 3
@guyjantic

The base image is a fresco painted on the wall, made of the squares of different colours :)
Show threadProto Himbo SyrupeanDec 3
@ewen Ah, simpler than I thought (I was imagining some kind of environmental strobing thing)
Show threadKajaDec 3
@ewen@social.ewenbell.com

Love both! 🥰
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 3
@Kaja

🤍
Show threadSteven Lawson PhotographyDec 3
@ewen Dreamy stuff 😍
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 3
@StevenLawsonPhotography

Thanks Steven :) I have a bucket of ICM shots from that day. Hard to pick just one.
Show threadChrisRDec 3

@ewen I do love the ICM. The image is a bit... primal. Soft pastels and teeth. An open mouth. A scream?

Also trying (sorry, but ICM really interests me) to analyse your movements there. I think I can see two different rotations, so I'm guessing spin clockwise, pause, then spin widdershins? Couldn't see much lateral movement.

It's one of the most effective and evocative and mysterious ICM images I've seen!

Show threadshom ✊🏽🐧📷🤿🏔️🪚Dec 4
@carusb right!? It doesn't even look like a camera produced image. It looks like an abstract geometric painting.
@ewen this is surreal and gorgeous, thank you for sharing.
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 4
@shom

Thanks Shom! It makes me happy when something pops out of my brain and other folks like it too.
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 4
@carusb

I call this motion "wonky rotation". I have a fraction of a second at the start to imprint the base geometrics, then my usual rotational attempt ensues.

Thankyou so much for the kind words Chris. I think the colour palette of the blocks, and the little gold Tibetan script thrown in for good measure, just provide such a compelling baseline for ICM.

I see this technique as building layers, until you end up with something new. Like mixing paints to create colours. I think Sally Mason does this so well with her coastal scenes.

https://www.sallymasonphotography.com/
Sally Mason Photography

I am a landscape photographer based in the Cotswolds, UK. I spend much of my time walking the British countryside and coast - photographing nature's incredible diversity - from wide open landscapes to little noticed details. Intentional camera movement (ICM) has become my main working method. Gi

Sally Mason Photography
Show threadChrisRDec 4
@ewen Thanks for the link, I hadn't come across her. And thanks for the explanation. I need all the help I can get, as when I try ICM it's with film, so pretty high stakes, and no chimping!
Show threadlpsDec 3
@ewen such beautiful shapes:)
Show thread🌼 Dagnabbit, Pascaline! 🌼Dec 3

@ewen

After each click, Thomas tried to shake off the sense of impending doom about having to beat the previous location and yet again, having to put on Surprised Face.

Show threadKevin CunniffeDec 2
@ewen I think I have been to that zhong. It was 2012 but looks familiar.
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
@Blackhound

Punakha Dzong, but backlit :)
Show threadKevin CunniffeDec 3
@ewen Lovely pic, and we did go to Punakha on our trip.
Show threadAlex SchroederDec 2
@ewen A few years ago my wife was in Bhutan and your pictures make me rue the decision not to go! Thanks for posting all these.
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
@alex

Never go to Bhutan on a regular tour, would be frustrating for a photographer. You need an itinerary that is slow and gentle. Save this for when you can enjoy it :)
Show threadYap Voon YeeDec 1
@ewen You need more butterflies...
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 1
@yapvoonyee

Yes I do!

They're hard to find but I have a few on the hard drive to edit :)
Show threadChrisRDec 1
@ewen So glad you've got a good group, Ewen.
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 1
@carusb

It's such a treat Chris. It used to be like this all the time, but since COVID maybe not so often.

This trip reminds me why I have kept at it for so long. I love sharing these places and the experience. It's not just the photography.

When you have a group who give the local food a try, find a few local words to master, and generally just enjoy the photographic experience. A walk down the hill in the morning becomes a life long highlight. I feel useful. I feel like I've made good life choices!
Show threadChrisRDec 1
@ewen Excellent! Wish I could join you...
Show threadDavid TannerDec 1
@ewen @carusb This one seems to be going a lot better than the last one…
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 2
@DavidTanner @carusb

Last one was almost perfect, except for one person!
Show threadshom ✊🏽🐧📷🤿🏔️🪚Dec 1
@ewen That 40 mil is so versatile in your capable hands. This pair is a perfect example. Thanks for sharing your wonderful journey!
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 1
@shom

You're very kind Shom. I'm definitely enjoying this season in the Himalayas with this particular lens. It's a good fit for me.
Show threadMike HindleDec 1
@ewen man you go to some good places 🤩🤩🤩
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 1
@mikehindleuk

I am truly a lucky person.
Show threadMike HindleDec 1
@ewen and we’re lucky to see it all through your lens 🤩
Show threadEwen Bell 📸Dec 1
@mikehindleuk

Cheers Mike!
Show threadonreactDec 1
@ewen Also "gross national happiness" they measure up there.
Show threadshom ✊🏽🐧📷🤿🏔️🪚Dec 1
@ewen based on your description, you've captured him so well. He just exudes chill confidence in this photo!