Visiting Mahar Aung Myay: Mandalay's Jade Market
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A few days ago I visited Mandalay, Myanmar's last royal capital before the country became part of the British Empire in the 19th century.
1/60s; 35mm; f/3.5; ISO 220
While other parts of the country are suffering from severe rain during this time of the year, Mandalay has relatively little precipitation, but the air is so humid that only at night the temperatures are bearable. No wonder that I didn't make it to the jade market Mahar Aung Myay in the busy morning hours, but worked on Steem posts until late at night and when I finally arrived at the market the next day after visiting a few temples, it was an hour before sunset and most stalls were already closed.
1/100s; 35mm; f/2.8; ISO 100
Instead of a busy market, I was greeted by a warm golden hour light shining on friendly locals finishing their last work. I was the only foreigner around and didn't have to pay the entrance fee for the market that is only enforced earlier in the day for tourists. Luckily, there were still enough stalls open to gasp what this place must look like in busier hours: Mahar Aung Myay is not only a place for trading jade, but also the workplace of many grinders, polishers and artisans processing the raw gem stones into beautiful jewellery.
1/160s; 32mm; f/2.2; ISO 160
1/125s; 30mm; f/2.2; ISO 450
1/640s; 30mm; f/2.2; ISO 100
1/100s; 35mm; f/2.2; ISO 400
1/60s; 35mm; f/3.5; ISO 250
1/80s; 35mm; f/1.8; ISO 100
1/60s; 35mm; f/2.2; ISO 220
Myanmar is known to produce some of the world's best jade, but unluckily for this poor country, prices have suffered in the past years, mostly due to Chinese tariffs.
1/100s; 35mm; f/3.2; ISO 100
While some were finishing the last work of the day, others were enjoying their after hours with some beers and games and some kids were playing soccer between the closed stalls while smoking cigarettes.
1/40s; 20mm; f/2.8; ISO 100
1/100s; 35mm; f/2.5; ISO 100
1/100s; 35mm; f/2.5; ISO 100
Mahar Aung Myay is definitely a cool place to visit if you are in Mandalay. Visit before 10 AM to experience the busy traders or in the late afternoon if you want to witness the locals finishing their work day.
Thank you so much @jpphotogtaphy!
This is a view of the Jade Market that certainly wasnt expected, but is a rather pleasing sight.Oh, may I say how envious i am? Visiting Myanmar is in my plans, hopefully next year. I will definitely be hunting you down foe info.
Although i normally like the bustle of a busy market, these pictures have much more character, showing them off in a different light. The almost closed market with the kida playing in the background shows off the difference in cultures with the permissive smoking so young, but most likely, some of these kids were working, making them feel more adulr.
Your photographs have so much characterand they tell a story all by themselves i love your amazing eye and the way you use light.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to be a part of #MarketFriday!
Upped and steemed
You always write the nicest comments :) The amazing thing about countries like Myanmar is that there are markets everywhere. Last Friday I was riding a train and at one point it stopped at a station and everyone did their shopping out of the train windows, the whole train & platform turned into a busy market!
Hello and congratulations on winning a daily round of my 7 World´s Continents Photo Challenge. Feel free to attend your winner announcement post to interact with other users through answering some of the comments. Thank you. Have a great day. Tomas
7 World’s Continents Photo Challenge – South American Saturday week #47 – winner announcement!
Awesome, thank you!
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Beautiful images. Do you always ask people before you take photos of them?
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Great potraits. Some fine craftmanship for sure! Sad that most of the time the earnings are in no relation to the effort they put in to it.
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