Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: BernardLanguillier on September 17, 2007, 06:25:01 pm

Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 17, 2007, 06:25:01 pm
Dear all,

Please find below a few images taken during my recent trip to Cambodia:

http://www.light-of-earths.com/Set-Asia-Angkor/E/Host.html (http://www.light-of-earths.com/Set-Asia-Angkor/E/Host.html)

Most of this was shot with a Mamiya ZD.

Regards,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Andy M on September 17, 2007, 06:32:00 pm
Quote
Dear all,

Please find below a few images taken during my recent trip to Cambodia:

http://www.light-of-earths.com/Set-Asia-Angkor/E/Host.html (http://www.light-of-earths.com/Set-Asia-Angkor/E/Host.html)

Most of this was shot with a Mamiya ZD.

Regards,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140042\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Excellent! Some of the shots are stunning

What're your feelings towards Angkor, and did you have a guide?
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 17, 2007, 08:06:23 pm
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Excellent! Some of the shots are stunning

What're your feelings towards Angkor, and did you have a guide?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140046\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks. I loved Angkor but the place was kind of hard to shoot in. I had very long days in a climate even more hot and humid than Japan, there were many people around in some of the locales,... Most people have a long lunch break back in their hotels that make it a lot easier, but I decided to stay out to maximize shooting opportunities.

I didn't want to take a guide in order to avoid being told what to photograph and when.  Most of the images I took were taken away from the main landmarks.

A guide would have been interesting to get an even better understanding of the historical background, but I had done quite a bit of studying ahead and didn't really feel like I was lacking information. I'll probably go there again in the short future without a camera. Most guides speak several foreign languages fluently (including Japanese as I found out) and seem to be extremely knowledgeable.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Tim Gray on September 17, 2007, 08:32:58 pm
I never thought much about Angor Wat and colour, but the colours in your "3 dancers" and "Budhism Hues" are exquisite.

I understand it's a challenging place to shoot, but you've done a wonderful job of keeping the intrusions out of the frames.
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 17, 2007, 09:40:16 pm
Quote
I never thought much about Angor Wat and colour, but the colours in your "3 dancers" and "Budhism Hues" are exquisite.

I understand it's a challenging place to shoot, but you've done a wonderful job of keeping the intrusions out of the frames.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140069\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks Tim.

I hesitated much about the B&W vs color options, but some of these images really need colors I feel.

Regards,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Lisa Nikodym on September 17, 2007, 10:36:17 pm
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!  I was there several years ago, and you've managed to make it more beautiful than I remember it.  (I, too, stayed out through the midday break to avoid the tours.)  Then again, I believe I was there during the dry season, and it was much less green.

My favorite, if you're interested, is the one titled "Newly Discovered".

Thanks for sharing.

Lisa
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 17, 2007, 11:15:27 pm
Quote
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!  I was there several years ago, and you've managed to make it more beautiful than I remember it.  (I, too, stayed out through the midday break to avoid the tours.)  Then again, I believe I was there during the dry season, and it was much less green.

My favorite, if you're interested, is the one titled "Newly Discovered".
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Hello Lisa,

Thanks a lot for your kind comments. You are amazing, is there a place in Asia that you have not visited?

"Newly discovered" is also one of my favoutie images actually. I spent quite a bit of time in that less crowded part of Ta Prohm, tried many horizontal compositions focussing more on the roots before trying out this one.

Regards,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: wolfnowl on September 17, 2007, 11:20:23 pm
Some beautiful work, Bernard.  Just looking at the thumbnail page and all of the colours made me go Wow...

Mike.
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 18, 2007, 03:01:16 am
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Some beautiful work, Bernard.  Just looking at the thumbnail page and all of the colours made me go Wow...

Mike.
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Thank you Mike, very kind of you.

Regards,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Lisa Nikodym on September 18, 2007, 11:16:25 am
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is there a place in Asia that you have not visited?

Many, actually.    I've only been to east Asia twice, once to Japan (fortunately during cherry blossom time) and once to Thailand & Cambodia.  (I say "east Asia" because I've been to Turkey several times, but, while it's also Asia, it's very very far from where you are).

I just took so many pictures while I was there that you must think I go there a lot!  

Lisa
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: thomas517 on September 18, 2007, 03:00:28 pm
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Many, actually.    I've only been to east Asia twice, once to Japan (fortunately during cherry blossom time) and once to Thailand & Cambodia.  (I say "east Asia" because I've been to Turkey several times, but, while it's also Asia, it's very very far from where you are).

I just took so many pictures while I was there that you must think I go there a lot!   

Lisa
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Bernard:
Outstanding images,excellent color,and composition.
I was Thailand in October/November 2006,many of your images remind me of Sukhothai,Thailand.
You should really consider doing a book with your images.
Thomas.
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 18, 2007, 11:33:16 pm
Quote
Bernard:
Outstanding images,excellent color,and composition.
I was Thailand in October/November 2006,many of your images remind me of Sukhothai,Thailand.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140236\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thomas,

Thanks a lot for the kind words. Thai is high on my list of places to visit after Cambodia!

Regards,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: spidermike on September 19, 2007, 10:55:47 am
Quote
Bernard:
Outstanding images,excellent color,and composition.
I was Thailand in October/November 2006,many of your images remind me of Sukhothai,Thailand.
You should really consider doing a book with your images.
Thomas.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140236\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I spent two months travelling from Sukhothai, round eastern Thailand (Issan) and down to the SE along the Cambodian border. You can see the style of temples develop as the various waves of migration brought the Hindu religions from Burma down towards Cambodia over the centuries and Angkor Wat is considered to be the culmination of this cultural migration. If you have the time to spend it is a really interesting aspect to Thailand. One of the best temples for this is Phanom Rung quite close to the Cambodian Border.
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on September 19, 2007, 11:36:40 pm
Bernard,

I've been waiting five days for Earthlink to fix a problem with my DSL line. They finally did it this afternoon, so I could see your gallery at last!

Magnificent as always!

I depend on you and Lisa and Ray to show my gorgeous places that I'll probably never get to.

Thanks again.

-Eric
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 21, 2007, 12:45:31 am
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Magnificent as always!

I depend on you and Lisa and Ray to show my gorgeous places that I'll probably never get to.
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Very kind of you Eric.

You should give it a try!

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Ray on September 21, 2007, 04:57:26 am
Brenard,
I've got lots and lots of images taken at the Angkor Wat area during a couple of trips I made in the past few years, but seeing your images makes me feel like going back a third time to try and do a better job.  

I think you've been very creative with use of shallow DoF. The higher resolution and MF qualities of the Mamiya ZD seem to shine through in many of these examples.

Hmm! I think I'd like to take a 1Ds3 with me on my next trip to Angkor.  
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 25, 2007, 06:10:57 pm
Quote
Brenard,
I've got lots and lots of images taken at the Angkor Wat area during a couple of trips I made in the past few years, but seeing your images makes me feel like going back a third time to try and do a better job.   

I think you've been very creative with use of shallow DoF. The higher resolution and MF qualities of the Mamiya ZD seem to shine through in many of these examples.

Hmm! I think I'd like to take a 1Ds3 with me on my next trip to Angkor. 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140925\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Ray,

Thanks for the nice words! The spec of the ZD that helped most is clearly DR.

cheers,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Misirlou on September 26, 2007, 11:12:52 am
Quote
I never thought much about Angor Wat and colour, but the colours in your "3 dancers" and "Budhism Hues" are exquisite.

I understand it's a challenging place to shoot, but you've done a wonderful job of keeping the intrusions out of the frames.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140069\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Actually, I found Angkor to be challenging only in that there are so many potential shots that that I ended up spending way too much time on photography, and not enough on just being there.

We hired a guide, and I'm glad we did. His personal experience with the Khmer Rouge was extarordinary to hear.

And he also carried the tripod...
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Mark D Segal on September 26, 2007, 05:46:51 pm
Quote
Dear all,

Please find below a few images taken during my recent trip to Cambodia:

Regards,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140042\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hello Bernard,

I've been there, experienced the challenges making photographs there, and I think you have produced a photographically superb collection of images. Leaving aside the equipment, it's the vision and the graphic language that counts most and these images score very high on those criteria.

As for Sukhothai (and its neighbour Sisatchanalai) - very much worthwhile, but totally different character. The structures are not on the same scale as the larger ones in the Angkor complex, but very artistic and the natural settings are magnificent. At the time I was there (January 2005), both sites were very much less over-run with tourists than is the case at Angkor.

Cheers,

Mark
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 27, 2007, 06:07:53 pm
Quote
I've been there, experienced the challenges making photographs there, and I think you have produced a photographically superb collection of images. Leaving aside the equipment, it's the vision and the graphic language that counts most and these images score very high on those criteria.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=142054\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Really appreciate Mark, thanks a lot for these comments.

Regards,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: abaazov on September 28, 2007, 06:28:10 am
des images vraiment magnifiques bernard. it's a double pleasure for me to look at your pictures, i was there in jnanuary 2005 and have always told myself i need to go back, and this might just give me the impetus. cambodia as a country is very photogenic, as are its people, and angkor wat is a very special place, particularly in early morning light. but cambodia is also very demanding mentally, the people there are still learning to live normal lives, trhey have not yet gotten over the khmer days. you really need alot of empathy to just begin to understand them.
amnon
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: Mark D Segal on September 28, 2007, 09:14:37 am
Quote
des images vraiment magnifiques bernard. it's a double pleasure for me to look at your pictures, i was there in jnanuary 2005 and have always told myself i need to go back, and this might just give me the impetus. cambodia as a country is very photogenic, as are its people, and angkor wat is a very special place, particularly in early morning light. but cambodia is also very demanding mentally, the people there are still learning to live normal lives, trhey have not yet gotten over the khmer days. you really need alot of empathy to just begin to understand them.
amnon
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=142392\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

You're very right about all that. Furthermore the growth of tourism in the Siem Reap area is a constant challenge in respect of the infrastructure requirements, and the environmental issues are not to be ignored. Nonetheless, tourists (including photographers) are an important source of income to Cambodia, which has much to offer. Phnom Penh is also an interesting city, worth visiting.
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 30, 2007, 06:01:11 pm
Quote
des images vraiment magnifiques bernard. it's a double pleasure for me to look at your pictures, i was there in jnanuary 2005 and have always told myself i need to go back, and this might just give me the impetus. cambodia as a country is very photogenic, as are its people, and angkor wat is a very special place, particularly in early morning light. but cambodia is also very demanding mentally, the people there are still learning to live normal lives, trhey have not yet gotten over the khmer days. you really need alot of empathy to just begin to understand them.
amnon
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=142392\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hello Amnon,

Merci. You are totally right about Cambodian. Very nice people, extremely friendly overall, but there is indeed some deep wound still needing to heal. What is impressive though is the willingness of these people of move on. Had Europerans half the urge to do something with their lifes and 1/3 their ability to deal with sub-optimal conditions...

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: brucepercy1 on October 19, 2007, 09:25:50 am
Hi Bernard,

Loved the new pics from Cambodia. I was there 2 years ago and spent two weeks in Siem Reap. I have to say I got a bit templed out and asked my moto driver if he could take me to his village to meet his folks and family. It turned out to be quite rewarding.

http://www.thelightandtheland.com/pages/Po...ambodia_01.html (http://www.thelightandtheland.com/pages/Portfolios/cambodia/cambodia_01.html)

I used Kodak Portra for most of the people shots, and a combo of Mamiya 7 and Voightlander Bessa R3a with 40mm nocton lens for some street shots. I ended up deciding I could do street shots with the Mamiya 7 and felt most of the better images came from this camera.

Thanks for sharing. Cambodia is a lovely place with very genuine people.
Title: Cambodia - Angkor
Post by: seasfor on December 04, 2007, 07:43:43 pm
Great shots. I've been there twice in the past few years and your shots make me want to go again.

I will say to all of you who haven't been and are thinking about it - go ASAP. It gets more and more crowded each year, so the sooner you go, the better. My first trip was in high season 2002 and the second was in low season 2006. There were just as many people at the temples on my 2nd, low season trip as there were on the first.