Thaipusam in KL is probably the most photographed event of the year. With photographers and tourists coming from all over the world it is certainly the most celebrated 1-day religious event of the year. I have been coming here almost every year since the first time I came years ago when I was still using my film SLR. For the first timer, the sights and sound, the colours and customary rituals will definitely overwhelm you. This year is slightly different and more challenging even to the experienced Thaipusam shooters as the location have been moved with the construction of the new flyover and KTM station. The kavadi carriers have to walk a much longer route and walking across the railway lines too.
The early morning hours is the best time to shoot starting at the riverside where the bathing and blessing rituals are performed before they start the walk up to the Temple Caves. Getting a good shot is not that easy with so much things happening around you and at times there are more photographers then devotees. Lighting condition is most challenging and extremely low before sunrise as it’s usually lighted up with only a few small fluorescent lights, some candles and oil lamps. Due to the huge crowds carrying your overloaded camera bags can be a burden and obstructive making it difficult to move around quickly. This year I chose to use the Nikon D3s to take advantage of higher ISO ability, a Nikon 24-70mm and the new Nikon VR II 70-200mm lens. It would have been much easier to have 2 camera bodies, as changing lenses among the crowd is a hassle. The D3s allowed me to use a much higher ISO to maintain a faster shutter speed to avoid blur picture and the new 70-200 works perfectly picking up the subject even in very low light conditions.
One of my favourite scenes is the shower area where devotees cleanse themselves with a quick shower. It’s better to use a longer zoom lens here as the water can get into your lens if you get too close. The longer zoom lens will also blur out messy background and helps to compose your subjects tighter as you are mostly likely to see other photographers shooting opposite you. The praying rituals near the riverbank also promise some interesting pictures, catching them the moment they go into trance or the moment when the priest pierce the cheeks of devotees. I find the faces of these devotees most interesting with their intense expressions and with the added colourful costumes and accessories it made strong visual images. The walk towards Batu Caves offers a different photo opportunity with the individual group of devotees chanting, dancing and stopping to offer blessing to the people who came before them. And if you have the energy to brave the crowds following them all the way up the 272 steps to the main Temple Cave will surely rewards you with some fine pictures.
But amidst the chanting, the drum beats and smokes from the burning incense you can get carried away and be drawn into the whole ritual. And some photographers does get carried away and get in the way of the devotees by pushing their cameras inches away from their faces.
Thien Hou Temple in KL is also another popular place during the Chinese New Year. Usually the road leading up the hill where it is located will be jammed pack with cars snaking up the narrow road. I have been the previous Chinese new year and this year I though going on the eve evening will be less congested as most people will be having their reunion dinner at that time. But I am surprised to see so many photographers there this year, including many Malays photographers too. Many were there waiting for the lantern to be lighted up just after sunset but somehow this evening is a little too late. While the lantern in the center of the temple is lighted up the rest at the roof areas is still not switch on and by the time it's switch on the sky has already turned dark. Not the most ideal at all.
The Chinatown in KL is one of the oldest part of the down town area. This iconic area once a bustling trading area is now a popular tourist spot for both local and foreigners. This once predominantly Chinese area is now home to many other migrant workers like the Nepalis, Bangladashis and from the other Asean countries.
These foreign workers now maned the stalls and is not surprising to see more foreign workers then Chinese now in Chinatown. During the Chinese New Year, Chinatown is the vibrant with shops decorations, selling goods that are essential for the celebrations. And on the eve of the Chinese New Year many Chinese will be at the 2 oldest Chinese Temple in Chinatown for prayers and offerings. This year I suppose is no different from the last decade but I do notice that there are more foreign tourists in Chinatown and even in the temples too. The florists are usually popular during Chinese New Year is even more so this year as it’s also Valentine’s Day on the first day of Chinese New Year.
A heavy downpour earlier in the evening didn’t dampened the spirits of the people there as some workers were seen letting of firecrackers at their stalls during closing time. The different is these are foreigners and not Chinese. Have a roaring Tiger year!
