Kees Sprengers - Ethnic Diversity in Luang Namtha - Laos

Since 2002, I have been involved in a project documenting lifestyle and changes in small villages in Luang Namtha province, in Northern Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Initially I have been reluctant to put these photos on the net, but growing pressure from many people who have seen my work has finally convinced me to make some available.

This page is in the process of being developed, so in the next month or so it may not show very much. I have made about 100000 exposures over the past 7 years, and hope to share a few of these on this site.

Many of these photos contain people. I do not take anyone's photograph if the indicate they do not want this to happen. Almost every person I have photographed for this project has received back a copy of their photo, usuallly laminated, often 6x8". Many villagers have few or no pictures of themselves, and are extremely happy to receive one. I strongly encourage anyone who comes to remote places like this and likes to take photos of people to do the same.


For more information about Luang Namtha, see http:/​/​www.​luangnamtha.​com/​

How it all started

I wrote a 1500 word introduction to explain how the project started, and what my purpose was. then i found that for all its wonderful aspects, Zenfolio cannot take more then about 300 words per comment.
So I posted it on ThingsAsian:

http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/21321

I receievd a lot of questions about how I get my photographs, so wrote another article:

http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/21500

Another relevant site : http:/​/​www.​bryanwatt.​com