Lydiaphotomontreal

16/04/2024

Mes photos sont publiées dans le magazine Salamandre https://salamandremagazine.ca/salamandre-magazine-no2/ #1. Vous pouvez vous abonner gratuitement!

13/10/2023

Photos from my solo trip to Indonesia last month. Enjoy!
Voici les photos de mon voyage en Indonésie.

17 August - 14 September 2023

17/10/2021

NEW! Acrylic plexiglass prints are now available through my website.
NOUVEAU! Impressions sur plexiglass maintenant disponible sur mon site:
https://www.lydiaphotomontreal.com/Acrylic-prints/Boutique

01/12/2020

After an intensive high altitude trek in the Nepalese Himalayas, I attended the evening prayers at the Tengboche monastery. I decided to leave early and head towards my teahouse in Deboche before darkness would set in. I had packed my camera in my backpack, being too exhausted to take any photos… or so I thought. The path was abandoned but then I spotted a monk in front of me dressed in red. What an amazing contrast, I felt I was walking into a painting, with the rhododendrons creating an impressionist background. I was amazed by this beautiful scene, so I quickly took out my camera to take these pictures. I ended up using this photo for the back cover of my Nepal book, a timeless photograph.

©2017 Lydia Pawelak
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28/11/2020

Rare Marwari horses are displayed and traded at the Pushkar Camel Fair in India. This beautiful animal was being washed by his owner, he was so gentle and caring, you could feel the connection between the two of them. Originally this breed served as cavalry horses and is not allowed to be exported from India. In the background, the Ferris wheel which lit up in the evening.

©2019 Lydia Pawelak
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26/11/2020

We all experienced defining moments in our lives; for me, this was one of those moments! It was the second day of my solo trip in Havana years ago; I gathered all my courage to walk in a non-touristy area, trying to do some street photography. Everything looked scary: the decaying buildings, the skinny street dogs, the people who wondered if I was lost… my sweaty hands clenched my camera hoping I wouldn’t get mugged. How was I supposed to enjoy photographing these scenes, and connect with people... not speaking their language and being overwhelmed by fear? I had two choices: face my fear or give up. Then I came across this man who was playing the guitar on his doorsteps, while his cat was keeping him company. What a great image! He looked kind so I gestured if it was OK to take a photo. After a few pictures, he asked me if I played the guitar. I signed that many years ago, I did. He went inside, came out with another guitar, put the strap on my shoulder, and taught me to play a Cuban song. I ended up playing with him for half an hour, what a joy!!! At the end, through sign language I understood that he offered me free daily lessons for the rest of my stay, and handed me his card: Tomás Mora, PROFESOR DE GUITARRA. (Unfortunately I didn't see him again, but sent him these photos and a Montreal cap once I returned home). After that amazing experience, a whole new world opened up to me. I walked the streets confidently, connecting with people through smiles and gestures, and street photography became a thrill! Nowadays I can’t wait to travel to faraway countries, explore different cultures, connect with strangers and capture their beauty through my lens. Thank you Mr. Tomás, I am forever grateful!

©2016 Lydia Pawelak
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25/11/2020

As I biked at dusk on a dirt road along the Mekong river in Cambodia, I saw children in a field, playing with kites. I joined them and we had such a great time, running around, trying to get the kites to fly; the air was filled with joy and laughter. I felt like a child again, so much fun and freedom!

©2018 Lydia Pawelak
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24/11/2020

The Tengboche monastery is located high up in the Himalayan mountains. It's the last monastery before heading to the basecamp of Mount Everest. The sherpas and Everest expeditions visit this buddhist monastery to receive a blessing from a local lama, before undertaking their dangerous climb. It was my final trekking destination in Nepal; this monk in Tengboche gave me a big smile while he was waiting for the rehearsals of the annual Mani Rimdu festival.

©2017 Lydia Pawelak
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23/11/2020

Children having children. Looking into these deep dark innocent eyes, I wondered how much of a choice these young souls will be given throughout their lives, and what the future will hold for them. Visiting a Delhi slum was a very emotional and humbling experience. I felt such a strong connection with the children, wished I had been able to spend more time with them playing, joking around, sharing…. However, when I came home and looked at the photos for the first time, they brought tears to my eyes; such an injustice.

©2019 Lydia Pawelak
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22/11/2020

This lady was performing a religious ritual walking around the prayer wheels at the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. A second lady was preparing to follow her around the stupa, however, the fire became so big that she panicked and people around her jumped in trying to put out the fire. I don’t think this was part of the ritual!

©2017 Lydia Pawelak
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20/11/2020

Meeting this Sadhu on the banks of the River Ganges at sunrise was one of the highlights in Varanasi, India. I took my time to observe and immerse myself in the beautiful energy of his morning ritual; I felt like I was in a different era, disconnected from modern society, but linked to an ancient civilization. Past and present, merged as one.

©2019 Lydia Pawelak
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