A Stroll at Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew with a Film Camera

That day, I left home a bit early, intending to simply "take a walk and snap some photos." No complicated plans—just hoping for good sunlight and letting my film camera guide me wherever it wanted to go. 🛶 Starting at Wat Arun I took a ferry from Tha Phra Chan to Tha Maharaj > Tha Tien for just 5 baht. The feeling of stepping onto the boat was like a gentle throwback to the past. The vibe as I walked into Wat Arun was magical—the sunlight hitting the intricate tile patterns on the pagoda. Using a color film camera (I used Fujifilm 200), the morning light cast shadows perfectly. It wasn’t sharp like digital photography but felt "warm" and "slow," just the way I wanted time to flow. I captured shadows of the grand pagoda against the sky, people climbing the stone stairs, and the temple walls. The mood and tone turned out even better than I had hoped. 🚶♀️ Crossing over to Wat Phra Kaew I strolled leisurely through Tha Tien Market before entering Wat Phra Kaew. The place was bustling with people, but it felt lively and vibrant. What I loved most was the sunlight hitting the walls of Wat Phra Kaew. The blue and gold hues reflected on the film, creating timeless images. I spent a long time photographing the long walkway. I also took some shots of the Grand Palace from afar, capturing the full temple view on film. There were candid moments too, like a fellow traveler smiling at the camera—purely film-style, with no preview and no need for perfection. 🍦 A Sweet Break Before heading back, I stopped for coconut ice cream at a cart near the City Pillar Shrine. The sunlight, the ice cream, the sweat, and the anticipation of seeing how the photos would turn out—it’s a feeling that a smartphone camera can’t replicate. 💡 Summary • Camera used: Minolta Mac Dual film camera + Fujifilm 200 • Best lighting: Between 10:00–11:30 AM for shadows and sunlight Recommended angles: • Wat Arun: Morning shadows of the pagoda, stairs with people’s shadows • Wat Phra Kaew: Painted walkway + shadows behind the pillars • Photo vibe: Warm, soft, with light grain—evoking a sense of the past ⸻ Film cameras make us "look longer" and "remember more." And that day... Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew became soft, lasting memories.