After a good nights rest I have my tour with the Angkor Wat Photography tour company and the assigned 1:1 photography tour/course is with Regis. I'm taking advantage of this tour mainly for composition and to see if I can get any tips from Regis to further my experiences with photography whilst i travel.
Today for the photogs I am bringing my Fuji X-Pro 1 along with my 14mm f/2.8, 23mm f/1.4 and my 56mm f/1.2, with the APS-C crop factor it is essentially in the 35mm format a 21mm, 35mm and a 85mm or thereabouts. Also I am armed with my trusty Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod and my Go Pro Here 3 Black edition for time lapse. For the long exposures i have got my cable release.
To start the day for sunrise, consists of me getting up at 4:30am and since my kit is ready I'm down at the lobby around 5am with Regis waiting for me at the lobby. Off to the tuk tuk and its pitch black and with a cool but pleasant breeze. It was a good idea to get my 3 day pass as this allowed us to get a quick start since at the checkpoint there was no need to go purchase a new ticket and get a photo taken. The pass is much like a visa and your ticket shows your face and the days you have entered thus far. After a quick validation at the checkpoint we are off to Angkor Wat. There is a lot of buzz around and I can sense that there will be a fair few tourists waiting to see the sunrise.
We get to Angkor Wat and it is pretty darn dark, we are following people who have torches. Now to go to the perfect location to take the sunrise that occurs, there are two ponds at Angkor Wat. When facing the massive temple there is one on the left and one on the right. As I was told by a tourist the day before the objective is to see the 5 towers in the reflection which is not what I had done the day before. So on the way there Regis said we will try but it really is all dependent upon how many people are there. We took the left pond like yesterday as the right pond is full of lilies, which would ruin the reflection. I do not plan to wake up again so early tomorrow so I cannot stuff this up :)
After trying to find a spot where the 5 tower reflection is seen, it was now a matter of can I plant my tripod anywhere. We were lucky the crowd was not so big at this stage and another photography tour class had a nice spot but only could utilize one of their tripods. Regis kindly asked if we could dump my tripod next to theirs and then bang, we now had a location. It was so dark I could not even see a silhouette of Angkor Wat, so I had to take a 1.5 minute exposure just to see if I was lined up correctly. After about 2 or 3 test shots I was set. Mounted my Go Pro and it was set for 5 second exposures.
Patiently waiting for the sunrise to hit around 6:15am, around 5:45 the long exposures started capturing some remarkable sky colours with the temple as a silhouette. I was pretty much taking one minute exposures every 5-7 minutes. It was pretty awesome. Mind you the crowd also had built up over time and behind me it was at least 10 - 15 deep around the pond by about 6am.
I had a bit of a scare I moved and bumped my tripod around 6:15am and trust me if it wasn't for holding my cable release my camera would have been in the pond. Holding the cable release gave me enough time to catch the tripod from swimming along with my camera. I swear there was a big sigh from the crowd as they saw it falling :(
I will take that as a bit of good fortune :)
Enjoy the time lapse and the pics that trail. I apologise about the names of some of the temples as I did not take note of them all.
Sunrise at the magnificent Angkor Wat. The strange thing is that after you get the bright orange and blue skies, once the sun is almost up you get a grey haze. Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
The back entrance of Angkor Wat is not often seen, it is peaceful at this time of the day. Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
We didn't wait for the fireball sun appear behind Angkor Wat as it would ruin the scheduling of the other temples. I grabbed pretty much what I wanted, so it was off to the next temple. Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
Next stop was Ta Prohm, this temple is famous for Angelina Jolie :) I mean the movie Tomb Raider where she plays Lara Croft. Ta Prohm like many of the temples is in the jungle and you will see many of the trees growing over the top of the temples. The trees are very interesting in that they are huge and old yet are hollow but are still alive in most cases. Ta Prohm now opens at 7:30am. So we patiently waited for about 5 minutes and we were one of the first few to be let in.
After getting through the opening gate there is about a 5 minute walk to the main entry of Ta Prohm and this is the site that hits you first up. Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
This reminded me so much of Europe, the first sculpture would lead to a photo of many sculptures. There is exceptional detail with each sculpture. Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
Some areas are now cordoned off for safety as the stone walls are by no means structurally sound. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
The famous tree that wraps around the entry of one of the door ways at Ta Prohm. Everyone gets a selfie here. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Looks like one of the towers has been destroyed here. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
An old lady setups her good luck bands inside Ta Prohm. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
More sculptures showing how well detailed they were carved out. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
The exiting gate of Ta Prohm. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Off to a smaller quieter temple, the temple again is in the jungle but there are apparently 3 gibbons within the area. I cannot quite remember the name of the small temple but it is just as mouth dropping as the larger more well known temples.
What is left of a statue at one of the entry ways of the temple. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
The temple in some places is in ruins but it is remarkable how some carvings remain fully in tact. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Off to the next temple, it is all about trying to avoid harsh light as best we can. The simple idea is to get the best light possible so I can take wide angle shots of the whole temple with a nice sky in the background and when the light is harsh we go to temples with nice small detailed carvings where by the light is strong but since we are going for details it will not wash away like the sky would in harsh light.
Off on to the tuk tuk to get to Banteay Kdei (I think). This was a really huge temple. It had a lot of everything but it was one place you had to be careful with your footing.
The main gate for Banteay Kdei. You have to wonder how to get in. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
One of the first buildings you reach after entering. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Not everything is structurally sound. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
How awesome is this path ? Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Detailed sculpture. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Man who helps you pray with buddha. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
The exit gate at Banteay Kdei. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
After Banteay Kdei it was about time for me to grab a bite. My guide and I decided to take a 2 hour break to recharge. I decided to check my photos, have a 30 min dip in the pool and then grab a bite and be ready at 1pm.
It was now time to head off to Preah Khan.
Deliberately built narrow hallway ? Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
A combination of ruins and new structural beams to hold things in place. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
This looks like a fallen bell but it is a sculpture. Strangely now there is a crack in one of the towers surrounding it, and if you get the right angle it looks like a candle, pretty cool eh ? Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
An old gentlemen with a book of wishes and bands for good luck. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Without Regis I would never be able to find these shrines. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Contrasting colours, The temple is covered in green and red stone. The tree stands out with its orange tinge. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
More detailed sculptures. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
An awesome site, a huge old tree, with roots and all grown on top of the temple, what came first ? the temple or the tree? Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Massive court yard before the main gate
We headed off to Angkor Thom, as the next stop. Another huge temple this side on the northern gate end of Angkor.
A pair of fisherman boats on the outside. The moat seems to have gone through a drought in the dry season. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
An outstanding structure still looking sturdy. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Decided to leave the temples for now, we have one more to go but my guide, Regis suggests we try to see something different before heading to Bayon. The northern gate side of Angkor has many things to see.
River in the forrest, water seems cleaner here with the reflection being quite obvious. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Local fisherman trying to find a feed tonight. The fish he caught were no more than 3 inches long. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
A perspective of how large the northern gate is. Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
My guide decided we should try our luck at a very small temple. People come to this temple to be blessed with good luck or fortune.
Ot lucky here to see some kids get blessed, good luck to them. Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
An old lady within the temple making some traditional medicine Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
A young monk was willing to pose for a few photos as he scrubbed himself clean Fuji X-Pro 1, 56mm f/1.2 R
12 monks reside in this temple, you can see their robes hung out to be cleaned. Fuji X-Pro 1, 23mm f/1.4
Next was our final stop, this was Bayon which is one of the more easily identified temples since it has the large sculptured heads.
Close up and personal. Fuji X-Pro 1, 56mm f/1.2 R
When lips touch. Fuji X-Pro 1, 56mm f/1.2 R
Framed Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Apparently in wet season the temple is surrounded by water, not so much water here today in the dry season Fuji X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8
Decided to stop over and walk the bridge. The bridge has two sides one side of happy faces the other side of not so happy. The river has some skinny buffalos down below grazing on the grass
For those who want to take a more adventurous path to Bayon you can ride an elephant.
That was a long but eventful day, clocking close to 16kms on tour by foot. I get dropped back off at the hotel. Try to get a foot massage but I'm starving. I grab a shower and have a quick look at my pictures from the day. Pretty impressed by the snaps I took but I think I'm more blown away by the temples that I saw more so than the pics I took.
Decided to head out tonight near the night market. I decided to try my sister's suggestion of the Khmer Kitchen Restaurant for their Khmer curry which I must say was very nice. Much better than the buffet from the previous night.
Had a bit of a wander around town and I'd managed to close close 20kms of walking today. Not a bad effort in the heat.
Time for catching some Zzzz's now.