<strong>Ancient pagodas</strong>: French photographer Romain Veillon visited the village of Indein in Myanmar to capture shots of the ancient pagodas.
Ancient pagodas: French photographer Romain Veillon visited the village of Indein in Myanmar to capture shots of the ancient pagodas.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>A slice of history</strong>: Indein is in Shan State in Myanmar, close to Inle Lake: "It is very hard to find information on this place and its history," says Veillon.
A slice of history: Indein is in Shan State in Myanmar, close to Inle Lake: "It is very hard to find information on this place and its history," says Veillon.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Calm ambiance: </strong>The village is reachable via a canoe boat that departs hourly. Veillon says there were a few other tourists around, but they were mostly locals.
Calm ambiance: The village is reachable via a canoe boat that departs hourly. Veillon says there were a few other tourists around, but they were mostly locals.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Transformation</strong>: Some of the pagodas are being renovated, including this one: "Little by little, they will renovate the entire group of temples and pagodas," says Veillon.
Transformation: Some of the pagodas are being renovated, including this one: "Little by little, they will renovate the entire group of temples and pagodas," says Veillon.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Positive regeneration:</strong> Veillon says he was happy to see renovation works taking place, but also saddened that something of the 'abandoned' atmosphere was no more.
Positive regeneration: Veillon says he was happy to see renovation works taking place, but also saddened that something of the 'abandoned' atmosphere was no more.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Greenery takes over: </strong>"I really enjoyed shooting these old temples where vegetation is growing everywhere, to show us how time can change a place and surround it with an eerie and magical atmosphere," says Veillon.
Greenery takes over: "I really enjoyed shooting these old temples where vegetation is growing everywhere, to show us how time can change a place and surround it with an eerie and magical atmosphere," says Veillon.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Mesmerizing trip</strong>: Veillon says he hopes the photographs will offer an immersive experience for the viewer: "I hope they will feel like they were traveling there with me and that they will want one day to explore Myanmar and the Inle Lake area," he says.
Mesmerizing trip: Veillon says he hopes the photographs will offer an immersive experience for the viewer: "I hope they will feel like they were traveling there with me and that they will want one day to explore Myanmar and the Inle Lake area," he says.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Fascinating finds:</strong> Veillon said he was fascinated by the people, culture and architecture of the village, as well as the intricate objects inside the pagodas.
Fascinating finds: Veillon said he was fascinated by the people, culture and architecture of the village, as well as the intricate objects inside the pagodas.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Different shots:</strong> Veillon struggles to pick a favorite image. "It's hard to choose between the Buddha and the pagodas because they are two very different kinds of images," he says.
Different shots: Veillon struggles to pick a favorite image. "It's hard to choose between the Buddha and the pagodas because they are two very different kinds of images," he says.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Hidden stories:</strong> Veillon says he's always enjoyed visiting abandoned or semi-abandoned historic places: "When I encounter such a place, my goal is that everybody can travel in the past with me and make up the stories they decide [they] want to," he says.
Hidden stories: Veillon says he's always enjoyed visiting abandoned or semi-abandoned historic places: "When I encounter such a place, my goal is that everybody can travel in the past with me and make up the stories they decide [they] want to," he says.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>Questioning gaze:</strong> Veillon likes his images to invite questions -- and not necessarily offer answers.
Questioning gaze: Veillon likes his images to invite questions -- and not necessarily offer answers.
Courtesy Romain Veillon
<strong>The passing of time: </strong>"Each story will be different from one another, and that's what I love," says Veillon. "To me, my pictures act as a new kind of 'Memento Mori'; they are here to remind us that everything has an end, and that we should enjoy it while it lasts."
The passing of time: "Each story will be different from one another, and that's what I love," says Veillon. "To me, my pictures act as a new kind of 'Memento Mori'; they are here to remind us that everything has an end, and that we should enjoy it while it lasts."
Courtesy Romain Veillon