Marty Mellway Photography

Key Gompa, an ancient monastery in the Spiti Valley, a high altitude desert valley cut off from rainfall and the outside world by soaring mountains and treacherous roads in the state of Himachel Pradesh, North India. We stayed here over night while trekking through from Kibber to Kaza. Tea and meals with the monks was so much fun. We were called to meals and tea by the sound of a conch shell horn. One of the younger monks showed us many of the sacred inner rooms of the monastery which housed thousand year old scriptures and Thangkas (Tibetan paintings) which had been brought over from Tibet over the last thousand years. Some rooms were so sacred that outsiders were not even allowed to look in, which I really like because it leaves some mystery, which there ought to be in a thousand year old temple deep in the Himalayas  The monks take there meals in an ancient kitchen, along one wall there are big stone wood fire stoves. On top of the stoves huge bla...

2 sec   ƒ/3.5   ISO 400  17 mm This photograph is taken in a Balinese Hindu temple at night during a festival. The illumination of the backs of the people sitting in the foreground was caused by them lighting incense.  A little light goes a long way in a long exposure. One thing I like about this photograph which I didn't notice the first few times is the statue of a god on the right hand side which is looking down over all the praying Balinese. It is truly an amazing thing to witness. The sounds of bells, and the deep voice of the priests chanting prayers. The smell of incense and fresh flowers. This same scene might have been taking place over a thousand years ago. Photography tips: Of course with a long exposure you always want to use a tripod and a self-timer/remote. Best way to avoid people looking at you while you photograph something like this is to sit down and interact a littl...

Settings:  1/50       ƒ/1.8     ISO400       50 mm This is a photograph I took in the Tsuglag Khang Monastery in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, in the State of Himachel Pradesh, North India. This was during a ceremony and the three monks were carrying some kind of liquid (maybe tea) in a small bowl which they were offering to the Older monks who were sitting. One of my favourite things about this photograph is how they are holding they robes in their mouths. The focus falls dead center on the monk in the middle but quickly my eyes get drawn down to the monks reading prayers in the bottom left. Photography Tips: Frame your scene and wait for the perfect composition. Some people just constantly snap photos and hope for a good one, but this leave no time to think, you need to be paying attention to all the little details. If your too busy constantly taking photos you might miss that perfect moment. This photo is using a very shallo...

I've finally finished the short film I've been working on. Its a film about travelling through Bali, Indonesia. Bali is an incredible place that despite the huge tourism industry has retained much of its ancient customs, beliefs and rituals. I hope that Bali will change slowly if at all. I hope that some of the magic of this place can be seen through this video, it is for me a poor substitute for the real thing. The Island of the Gods from Marty Mellway on Vimeo .

After a long trip by bus from the Cameron highlands in west Malaysia we stood by the wide brown river that lead into the jungle. Not just any jungle, Taman Negara, one of the oldest jungles on earth.  After gathering our things we climb into a long thin boat with the other travellers heading up the river toward the park headquarters. There were 4 of us travelling together at this point. Jeanette, Chistina, myself and a German girl whose name I cant remember. We were off at once, flying up the river into the unknown. On either side great trees soared, exotic birds called, our eyes were wide searching for movement at the banks. We all know under those dark trees coutless eyes were watching us roar past. Elephants, tigers, bison, snakes, spiders, leeches, monkeys, boars, giant ants. After three hours through the jungle on the boat we arrived at the park head quarters and the small riverside town of Kuala Tembeling. We set up in one of the few hostels and packed it in. We awoke early...

The Cameron Highlands have a unique tropical highland climate. We Spent many days hiking through the cool wet jungles exploring the incredible diversity of flora and fauna. The mountain tops are thick with hanging mosses, mist and a variety of carnivorous plants. Down in the main valley there are large tea plantations. After a week of exploring the lower jungles and tea plantations we decided to climb mount Brinchang. The Trail climbs steeply up the mountain side through dense jungle and is very muddy at some points. While climbing we often got views through the mist of the endless jungle covered mountains to the west.  We reached the top after a few hours of climbing and got great views. The most interesting part though is the forests that grow on the top. Incredible ancient moss covered old growth forests perpetually in the clouds. A true cloud forest. Tea Plantaion

One of the best parts of Bali has to be the amazing traditional arts. They have amazing carvers and painters, a unique orchestra(the Gamelan), and a thriving culture of dances and theatre. Last night we attended a dance and musical performance that was by far the best I have seen yet in Bali. This dance school toured in the west in the 1950's and had a huge impact. The dance style is flawless and the musical theory mystifying. The tuning of the Gamelan orchestra is quite different from music in the west.  The Gamelan  features a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, kendang (drums), gongs, bamboo flutes, and bowed strings. My descriptions of the these dances don't do them any justice so I will let the photos speak for me. Also I took a lot of video of both the orchestra and the dances, so when I have a chance to work on it and make something than you will really see how incredible and unique these art forms are.