My practice of photography intensified in 2017
after years of enthusiast experience.
One of my favorite accessories is an ordinary tripod,
quite simply because it allows you to take long exposures to capture
a maximum of photons in low light conditions, and so to deliver details that are often indistinguishable by the eye.
When traveling, I usually go with a heavy load in my backpack, in order to have
on hand the optical system perfectly compatible with the subject to capture.
For landscapes and architecture,
I am particularly sensitive to light when it is subtle and revealing vibrant colors.
One of my major concerns is also to communicate the atmosphere. Places I photograph are mainly located in Laos, where I live, in Japan and in Singapore.
When it comes to portraits and photos of people, I like the spontaneity, the natural attitude, the scenes captured on the spot,
and the genuine smiles.
With animals, I simply try to approach them... discreetly!
And without getting bitten :-)
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Submerged Samanea saman (Albizia saman or rain tree) in the Mekong, near the island of Don Loppadi, Si Phan Don, Laos, during the dry season (when the river is low), in the afternoon at 4 pm.
28 December 2017, 15:51
This photograph was a finalist in Picture of the Year 2018 international challenge on Wikimedia Commons.
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Facades of Green Peas restaurant and Nitori building, colorful neon street signs at blue hour, view from Koshu-kaido Avenue, Shinjuku station JR East. Entertainment district in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
13 June 2019, 17:25
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Macaca fascicularis (crab-eating macaque) lying on its back and putting to its mouth a plant stem, the eyes wide open looking at the viewer, at the temple of Don Som (Si Phan Don), Laos.
6 December 2018, 15:47
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Smiling little girl looking at the viewer, the head tilted to the left and holding a bud of Nelumbo Nucifera (lotus flower) in her right hand, in Don Det, Laos.
5 October 2017, 16:56
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Green rice sheaves planted in a paddy field at golden hour in Don Det, Si Phan Don, Laos. A thin opaque film on the surface of the water welcomes the long recumbent shadows of the stems.
19 July 2020, 17:52
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Green karst peaks seen from the top of Mount Nam Xay (Northern view), a sunny morning at 6:19 am during the monsoon, in Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos.
22 June 2020, 06:19
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Hotel 3 Nagas with an old red Citroën Model 11 Family version (1952) at blue hour in Luang Prabang, Laos. 100-year-old building.
16 June 2018, 19:06
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Close-up view of a bioluminescent beetle Elateroidea (Lampyridae Ototretinae Stenocladius or Rhagophthalmidae), on a leaf. This specimen measures about 20 mm (0.79 in).
The species produces and emits light, via a chemical reaction during which chemical energy is converted into light energy. The principal chemical reaction in bioluminescence involves some light-emitting
molecule and an enzyme, generally called the luciferin and the luciferase, respectively. Oxidation of organic compounds induces photon emission. The intensity of this light can be perceived
by the human eye in a radius of 2 m (6.6 ft). This is a long-exposure photograph (1.3 s) made with a tripod and a macro lens, in the middle of the night (2 am). In conditions of ambient darkness,
the adjustment of the manual focus is difficult, and the camera settings (ISO and depth of field) should be done according to the mobility of the living organism, which may lead to motion blurs.
At any time, the insect can also decrease the intensity or even completely stop emitting its light (example here). A soft and diffuse auxiliary lamp has been brought to reveal the details of the animal.
Bioluminescent beetle species are in regression in the World because of the phenomenon of light pollution, insecticides and climate change. This specimen comes from the island of Don Det, Si Phan Don,
Laos, a wild area far from any major city.
2 September 2019, 01:54
This photograph won the 1st prize of the Wiki Science Competition category Wildlife and nature from France.
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Woman laughing, looking at viewer, during the new year celebration in Don Det, Laos.
15 April 2012, 09:53
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan. Focus stacking from 6 pictures (long exposure photography).
10 June 2019, 13:28
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Colorful clouds and blue sky with water reflection of an island hosting a Samanea saman (rain tree) and other trees, at sunrise, in Don Det, Si Phan Don, Laos.
7 June 2020, 05:26
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Praying monks and nuns in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple of Singapore.
7 June 2018, 12:51
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Plexippus petersi (jumping spider), male, on a human finger, at golden hour in Don Det, Si Phan Don, Laos. Appromimately 7 mm (0.28 in) diameter legs included. Focus stacking from 9 pictures, handheld camera with macro lens.
12 February 2019, 16:22
This photograph was a finalist in Picture of the Year 2019 international challenge on Wikimedia Commons.
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Photographer taking a group photograph of smiling students rising their elbow with their teacher in the center, on the pavement of the the Tokyo station, Marunouchi, Japan. Top view from a rooftop terrasse.
5 June 2019, 14:01
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Curved branches of a 150 year-old Ficus kurzii (Burmese Banyan) reflecting in the water of the Swan Lake, at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
11 June 2018, 15:02
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Three-quarter view of a wooden walkway raised on stilts and overgrown with Nelumbo nucifera leaves (Sacred lotus), leading to a hut with straw roof, in front of karst mountains, at sunset, in Vieng Tara Villa, Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos, during the monsoon.
21 June 2020, 19:00
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Symmetric view of the spacious lobby hall with couches and giant chandelier reflecting on the floor at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore.
7 June 2018, 09:41
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Seated Felis silvestris catus (domestic cat) playing with a passive Calotes versicolor (oriental garden lizard), facing it, in Laos.
26 April 2018, 12:19
This photograph won the 6th position as a finalist in Picture of the Year 2018 international challenge on Wikimedia Commons.
Other versions exist: version 2, version 3, version 4, version 5, and even a short video!
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Young girl smiling with teeth at golden hour, in sunshine, in Don Det (Si Phan Don), Laos.
27 October 2018, 16:27
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Libellulidae Brachythemis contaminata, male, on Nelumbo nucifera leaf (Sacred lotus) with water drops, at the surface of a muddy pond, in Don Det, Si Phan Don, Laos. The texture of the Nelumbo is ultrahydrophobic and this particularity gave its name to the Lotus effect, when drops of water slide on the surface without wetting it.
25 August 2019, 15:18
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Sunlight through clouds and lookout view of Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion) and Togudo from above, Kyoto, Japan.
11 June 2019, 14:26
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Ninenzaka Street, 3 Chome, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Pedestrian road with pavements and paper umbrellas, early morning.
12 June 2019, 05:40
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Three-quarter view of an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), female, walking in Tad Lo river at golden hour, Bolaven Plateau, Salavan Province, Laos.
23 June 2019, 16:39
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Buddhist alms in Don Det (Si Phan Don, Laos). Every day, early morning child monks from the temple walk in the village with their alms bowls to collect food, prepared and offered by the locals, and to recite a short prayer in exchange. Ritually, Buddhist monks in Laos have only two meals a day: one in the morning and one at noon. They fast in the evening.
6 September 2018, 06:53
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Multi-coloured kukuri-zaru talismans (worship balls) around a Koshin statue, at Kongoji Yasaka Koshin-do temple, Higashiyama-ku district, Kyoto, Japan. Worshippers write their wishes on these balls made of cloth called « kukurizaru », representing the three wise monkeys, and hang them at the site.
9 June 2019, 08:49
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Colorful sky with luminous orange and gray clouds reflecting in the water of a paddy field, at sunset, during the monsoon, and mountains of the countryside of Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos.
22 June 2020, 18:53
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Torii path with a hanging lantern at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Senbontorii, Kyoto, Japan.
10 June 2019, 07:37
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Pelecanus onocrotalus (Great white pelican) cleaning the feathers of its back with its long beak by writhing the neck, at sunset, in Singapore Zoo.
9 June 2018, 16:16
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Sole of foot of a one month old infant, held between the middle finger and the ring finger of an adult hand, for size comparison, on a white bed sheet, in Don Det, Si Phan Don, Laos.
11 September 2020, 08:00
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Illuminated Ferris wheel, Inflatable bouncing castle and carousel, at night in a funfair in front of the Mekong, Sithane Road, Quai Fa Ngum, near Vientiane Night Market, Vientiane, Laos.
25 June 2020, 19:52
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Water reflection of karst mountains, a wooden hut, trees and colorful clouds at sunset, with green paddy fields in the countryside of Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos, during the monsoon. Tone-mapped HDR landscape.
21 June 2020, 18:24
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Asahi Breweries headquarters building with the Asahi Flame (also called Super Dry Hall, or Flamme d'Or) designed by Philippe Starck on the Asahi Beer Hall, and Tokyo Skytree, as seen from the wharf at the Sumida River near Azuma Bridge, at blue hour with full moon, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
16 June 2019, 19:06
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Two Bubalus bubalis (water buffaloes) bathing at sunset in a pond of Don Det (Si Phan Don, Laos) rising high their snouts and looking at viewer. These buffaloes are often cooling themselves in the water (or in the mud), when the weather is hot. One of these domestic animals has a nose rope to facilitate its handling during the labour season, though here in May they are not yet attached, and thus free to move around the island. Focus stacking from 2 pictures.
15 May 2018, 17:45
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Girl riding a motorcycle in the rice fields in Don Det, Laos, with four other children passengers.
19 July 2017, 15:38
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
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Careening of a pirogue, on the tip of a sand beach, at the bank of the Mekong in Don Puay, Si Phan Don, Laos, at golden hour. Grounded pirogue, in order to expose one side of its hull for maintenance (tightness, speed) below the water line.
18 November 2019, 16:44
This picture is available on Wikimedia Commons with a free license CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) - © Basile Morin
See my « featured pictures » on Wikimedia Commons
under free licence CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International).
© Basile Morin | contact : basile.morin@gmail.com