| Angkor Photography Tours

The enigmatic temple of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

On May 26, 2017 / blog, Cambodia

Preah Khan of Kompong Svay (not be mistaken with Preah Khan temple in Angkor), also called Prasat Bakan by the locals, is a remote archeological site located 100 km from Siem Reap as the crow flies in Preah Vihear province at the eastern end on the ancient royal road from Angkor.

Preah Khan is the single biggest temple complex built during the Khmer Empire occupying an impressive footprint of about 22 kilometers square, 11 times larger than Angkor Wat and 2 times larger than the city of Angkor Thom. Because of its remote location (more than 200 km one way from Siem Reap including about 70 km of unpaved road) it receives less than 10 visitors daily.

The layout of the temple is unique compared to the other sites in Angkor as it is oriented northeast. It has been proposed that the temple is aligned with the raising sun during thee summer solstice.

A large baray of 3 km long lies on the east with a temple called Preah Thkol in the middle similar to the West Mebon in Angkor. It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries in different stages during the reigns of Kings Suryavarman I, II and Jayavarman VII. The influence of Jayarvaman VII is clearly visible in Prasat Preah Stun which has with a four-faced tower similar to the Bayon temple (see picture below).

Rediscovery

The rediscovery of Preah Khan is credited to French explorer and artist Louis Delaporte who lead a expedition there in 1873. At the end of their visit they took many statues which are now at the Guimet museum in Paris : among them, a naga garuda and an elephant statue from Preah Damrei (see picture below).

Because of its remote location and lack of security, the site was badly sacked during the 1980’s and 1990’s and even more recently in 2003. Even so, some beautiful pieces like doors and lintels are still there. The causeway crossing the moat (mostly dry like in Beng Mealea) has many garuda carvings on both sides.

Exploring the site can be quite difficult because of the dense vegetation there and the absence of clear paths.

Recent archeological missions

The Cambodian Archaeological Lidar Initiative (CALI) known for his groundbreaking discovery of the first Khmer empire city, Mahendravarpata, in Phnom Kulen and in 2014 did a survey of Preah Khan in 2015 and confirmed the previous layout of the temple. They confirmed that Preah Khan was an important iron smelting center at the height of the Khmer Empire. 90 structures were identified within the four enclosures of the temple.

Another project called The Two Buddhist Towers lead by a multidisciplinary team of researchers (UCLA, University of Illinois, University College London, EFEO,…) aims to study the transition from Mahāyāna to Theravāda Buddhism at Preah Khan did some excavations in 2015 and 2016. Three Chinese coins dating from the 10th and 11th century were found confirming the importance of his site during the Khmer Empire.

LIDAR image of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

Main entrance of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

Buddha niche at Preah Khan Kompong Svay

Atmospheric entrance in Preah Kompong Svay

Garudas below the main bridge of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

The same garuda bridge by Louis Delaporte in 1873

Remain of a lion statue

preah khan kompong svay photography tour

Laterite towers in Preah Khan Kompong Svay

Beautiful door at the main temple of Preah Khan Kompong Svay

Temple ruin in preah khan kompong svay second enclosure

One of the two elephant statues remaining statue at Preah Damrei. Louis Delaporte took one back to France in 1873.

Bayon like temple in Preah Khan Kompong Svay

Beautiful Naga with Garuda at Preah Damrei

Tree growing on one of the temples of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

Devata at Preah Damrei

Preah Stun , a surprising Bayon look alike temple in the jungle

Preah Khan of Kompong Svay is best visited during the dry season when the unpaved road is in fairly good condition. It is a 1-day trip from Siem Reap that can be combined with a visit to Koh Ker or Beng Mealea. A 2-day trip with a visit to Preah Vihear can also be arranged. If you like to do a private photography tour of this enigmatic and beautiful temple, please contact me.

Fine Art Gallery Cambodia Myanmar Vietnam India

On May 15, 2017 / Uncategorized

A selection of our best pictures from Cambodia, Myanmar, India and Vietnam are now available as Fine Art Prints via the e-commerce platform Fine Art America.

You can choose from a large selection of papers: matte, glossy, metallic and the pictures will be send to you in a tube roll. You can as well order wooden framed prints with a large selection of finishing.

Order now your Fine Art Print at Angkor Photography Tours Fine Art Gallery

Huawei P9 lite review for photographers

On February 9, 2017 / blog

I recently upgraded my smartphone to a Huawei P9 lite and took it with me in the temples of Angkor during my photography tours along with a 5D Mark II.

The P9 lite, released in April 2016, packs a 13M-Pixel (4160X3120pixels) CMOS Image Sensor (Sony IMX 214, 1.12µm pixels) with a f:2.0 front camera. It lacks the dual Leica lens system and raw capture from his counterpart the Huawei P9 plus. Focal length has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of a 27 mm.

Camera operation

The camera has a quick access and when in standby it is very quick to start. By sweeping left one can access the menu to switch to pro photo. In this mode, shutter speed, ISO and white balance can be changed. When shutter speed is determined by the camera, exposure can be adjusted with the exposure compensation slide (-4 to +4 eV). Three focus mode are available: AF-S (spot), AF-C (continuous) and MF (manual focus). White balance can be changed to the usual values from tungsten to cloudy. Like in many DSLR, 3 metering modes are available: spot, center-weighted and evaluative. ISO can be set between 100 and 1600 ISO. In auto, the camera can set it as low as 50 ISO.

HDR mode

HDR can be useful to get more details in the shadow. The HDR mode of the P9 quite good , however there is no option to chose the strengh of the processing. It works particularly well with textures like on this 9th century temple strangled by a tree in the lost city of Koh Ker in Cambodia.

Macro

The P9 do not have a dedicated function for macro but the focusing distance of about 3 cm make up for it. The amount of details picked up by the camera is quite impressive. This macro shot of a praying mantis was shot in a very bright light and the details are in the same levels than a DSLR (the DSLR shot being slightly out of focus). For comparison you can see below a cropped version of the P9 and a Canon 750D side by side:

Panorama mode

Panorama mode is accessed from the camera by sweeping up the screen from the left. From there is an option to do either horizontal or vertical panorama.

Generally the stitching is quite good although errors can happen at low ambient light. One of the main drawback I have found is that it is not possible to lock the exposure before taking a panorama so it high contrasted scenes are difficult to capture.

Night Photography

Light painting on a pagoda. Pro photo mode 8 s pose, ISO 100

Swiping up the screen from the left let you choose two modes: night shot and light painting. In night shot mode, ISO can be set up between 100 and 1600 ISO and shutter speed up to 32 seconds. Using the 2-second timer (by swiping up screen from the right) helps to avoid blurry pictures.

The second mode available is Light painting and has 3 presets: Tail lights, Light graffiti, Silky water and Star track. They differentiate themselves by the ISO settings: Tail lights, Light graffiti: 64 ISO / Silky water: auto ISO / Star track: 800 ISO. All presets allow very long exposure time, the camera stays open until the shutter button is pressed again. Pro mode can be used for night photography but exposure time is limited to 8 seconds.

The Light graffiti preset was designed to write letters or paint shapes in the dark with a LED light but it can be used in more creative ways to create abstract backgrounds like this backlit laptop keyboard below.

Laptop keyboard backlit. Graffiti mode 7.2 seconds, ISO 64

Slow Motion

The Huawei P9 can record slow motion at 120 fps but be aware that the resolution is quite low at only 640X480 pixels (VGA). You can see on the video below of a lotus flower opening, both normal and slow motion sequences (4 times slower).

Conclusion

The Huawei P9 lite is the ideal companion for any travel photographer and has a good image quality. Of course it cannot be compared to a DSLR but in some situations it can the best camera as it can fit in your pocket. The different modes available allow you to produce some really creative images.

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The atmospheric temple jungle of Beng Mealea

Angkor Temples Under the Stars

On February 1, 2017 / blog

From time to time, we have requests about capturing the Milky Way or star trails in the temples of Angkor. Unfortunately due to the archaeological park’s opening hours (most temples are only open between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm), night photography in the temples is quite difficult.
January and February are the most favorable months to take pictures of the temples under the stars. Angkor Wat temple opens at 5 am therefore it is possible to capture long exposure of the night sky. Of course you will not be able to do very long star trails and only several minutes long exposures. Like for any astrophotography, you have to be aware of the phase of the moon as a full moon will disrupt your plan to get a starry sky. Here are few night pictures below we capture in the temples of Angkor, we will update this gallery from time to time with new shots.

Phnom Bakheng temple under a full moon

Phnom Bakheng temple is a 10th century hilltop temple, very popular as it drawn thousands of visitors everyday for sunset. Going there at sunrise is a unique photography experience even with a full moon.

phnom bakheng temple stars angkor travel photography

Phnom Bakheng tower under the stars illuminated by a full moon

phnom bakheng temple full moon night angkor travel photography

Phnom Bakheng shrines under the full moon

Angkor Wat under the stars

Angkor Wat under the stars is a challenging capture as your camera will facing east. Also, because the temple opens at 5 am, it is, for many months of the year, already too late to capture the stars. Another challenge is coming for the light pollution from the numerous LED torch used by the earliest visitor to navigate in the park at night. In the two pictures below you can see three of the five towers of Angkor Wat illuminated by those LED’s. Despite all that, it is still possible to see stars above Angkor Wat temple just before the astronomical sunrise.

Angkor Wat under thousand of stars

Angkor Wat temple before sunrise under starry sky

Angkor Wat library under the stars

Bakong temple after sunset

In the picture below, the beautiful three-tiered Bakong temple mountain, built during the 10th century is in the company of Jupiter and Venus in this rare planetary conjunction taken in October 2015.

Bakong temple after sunset with Venus and Jupiter

Bayon temple under the moon full

Bayon temple lit up by full moon

If you are looking for a photographic challenge and want to capture Angkor under the stars we will be happy to assist you, please have a look at the many photography tours we have at www.angkorphotographytours.com.

Most Memorable Photos from 2016

On January 18, 2017 / blog

2016 in pictures angkor photography tours

The year 2016 ended in a wink. Nevertheless, it was a year full of sweet recollections and splendid adventures, as I travelled here and there, meet new people, and experience new cultures. Looking through my collection of more than 1000 edited pictures of 2016, I was inspired to select my favorite ones. I picked these pictures not only based on my own personal choice of uniqueness and aesthetic value, but also, by the stories behind.

These photographs and memories were taken in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, France, and the Philippines from my 2016 travel diary.

1. Cambodia : Angkor Wat Solar Eclipse – March 2016

This unique picture was taken on the 9^th March during a partial eclipse of the sun in Angkor Wat Temple. What make this shot rare is that of the date of the eclipse was less than 2 weeks away from the spring equinox and it was possible to find a shooting location where the sun was just above the central tower at the maximum of the eclipse. According to ephemerides, the next partial solar eclipse in Angkor Wat temple during sunrise will take place in 2042 ! Due to the nature of this eclipse, so the passing of the moon in front of the sun could be only be captured using a very dark filter in this case a 10-stop neutral density filter ND1000 which blocks 99.9 % of the incoming light coming to the sensor. This is a one-of-a kind, unforgettable shot in Angkor Wat as we were only 2 photographers at this spot. Others have vanished to go see the other temples and most people except few guides were not aware of the solar eclipse that day. To see more pictures of this solar eclipse please have a look at my blog post.

Settings: ISO 400, 105 mm, f:4, 1/40s, ND 1000 filter

2. Ho Chi Minh City : Street Scene – April 2016

Ho Chi Minh is a sprawling city of 8 million and with almost as many motorbikes racing in its streets. Here you can find places to service your motorbike even on sidewalks.

While inside a coffee shop (which is also numerous in Saigon) my attention was caught by this colorful poster across the street. I took few shots of it alone but it did not come out very well. By moving few feet, I got a much better picture : framing the customer with her red dusk mask waiting for her motorbike to be serviced against the blue metallic wall, while the poster of a future housing development was in the background. The black and yellow line worked as well as a leading line to connect all the elements of the picture.

Settings: ISO 160, 20 mm, f:7.1, 1/100s

3. Cambodia : Boy Planting Rice, April 2016

During the month of April, Cambodian farmers are busy planting floating rice on the West Baray, one of the biggest man made reservoirs in the word build during the Khmer empire in the 11^th century.To get closer, we boarded a small fisherman wooden boat and it was when I took a shot of this Cambodian kid, knee-deep in water, smiling despite the hardship of his work.

Settings: ISO 100, 168 mm, f:5.6, 1/500 s

4. Cambodia : Angkor Wat Vesak Day – May 2016

This picture was taken beside the main tower of Angkor Wat (also called Bakan) which is also the most sacred place of the temple. This Khmer family was walking counter-clockwise making several rounds around it, and I waited there to frame the shot with my 20 mm, the minimum focal length from this corner to fit all the building in a horizontal frame. This scene was taken 2 days before Buddha’s Day (Vesak Day). The act of walking around a sacred temple is called circumambulation and is an integral part of Hindu and Buddhist devotional practices and usually done clockwise.

Settings: ISO 250, 20 mm, f:7.1 1/800 s

5. India : Ladakhi Monk in Lamayuru Monastery- July 2016

This picture was taken during our first photo tour in Ladakh India, more precisely in Lamayuru monastery about 100 km from Leh. We visited Lamayuru Temple during the 3-day annual colorful monastic festival. This monk posed for a brief moment, adjusting his robe, just enough time for me to frame a shot with the door. The colorful mural with its main character looking at the monk add another dimension to the picture.

Settings: ISO 640, 32 mm, f:4, 1/160 s

6. India : Milky Way in the Himalayas, July 2016

During our photo tour in Ladakh, we spent several nights in tents at an altitude of 4700 meters. Even during summer months, temperatures goes down below 5 degree Celsius at night. Adding to that the altitude sickness, this night shot sessions was quite challenging but looking at the starry skies and the Milky Way stretching over the Himalaya mountains was quite rewarding. In this shoot the illuminated tent is the one we used for our dinner and gives a touch of color and a sense of scale to the picture.

Settings: ISO 2000, 20 mm f:2.8, 30s

7. Thailand : Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at Golden Hour – July 2016

This shot was taken at the international airport of Bangkok at sunset. Suvarnabhumi, the busiest airport in Thailand handled more than 50 million passengers in 2015. This section of the terminal although not so photogenic came out much better for few minutes with the evening sunlight illuminating nicely the arched rooftop.

Settings: ISO 400, 84 mm, f:4 1/25s

8. France : French Medieval Castle at Sunset – October 2016

During a scouting photo trip in the region of Dordogne in France, famous worldwide for its food and castles, we ended up the day at the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac just in time for sunset with a view of the Beynac Castle built on on a limestone cliff and overlooking the river. This 12^th century fortress was built around the same than Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia and it is tempting to compare the austere architecture of the fortress with the scale and symmetry of Angkor and its fined carvings. Also on the 12^th century, only 50,000 people were living in Paris against 800,000 in Angkor according to last LIDAR survey.

Settings: ISO 200, 24 mm, f:5.6, 1/320 s

9. Cambodia : Betel Leaves Vendors – November 2016

In Cambodia, betel consumption is not as widespread as in Myanmar. Most of the time, only the elderly are munching betel unlike in Myanmar where you can see young people chewing them. In this picture, a wooden basket with fresh betel leaves is standing on the floor in front of this two smiling elderly Cambodian ladies. The three other ingredients making up the so-called betel squid missing from the picture are areca nut, tobacco and lime water (saturated solution of calcium hydroxide).

Settings: ISO 400, 38 mm f:4, 1/160s

10. Cambodia : Red Angkor Wat Sunrise, November 2016

Out of the many sunrises at Angkor Wat temple I have witnessed in 2016, this one was one the most spectacular hat I have seen. The bright red dramatic cloudy sky were just breathtaking. This picture was taken around the end of November when monsoon season was coming to an end.

Settings: ISO 320 , 20 mm, f:5.6, 1/80s

11. Philippines : Here Comes the Bride, December 2016

I took this quick shot at San Augustin Church in Intramuros Manila just when the bride was making her entrance. Intramuros is the frequently visited area in Manila where two beautiful churches are located not far from each other. You can visit the area by taking a horse carriage (kalesa in Filipino), but one of the best way for photographer is to wander around the cobble stone streets in order not miss any photographic opportunities.

Settings: ISO 500, 35 mm, f:2.8, 1/15s

12. Philippines : New Year Fireworks in Manila , December 2016

This picture is one of my last clicks of 2016 taken just 5 minutes before New Year’s Eve in Metro Manila. New Year in this megacity is celebrated with loads of fireworks and firecrackers that lighten up the skies around the city. Fireworks and firecrackers are grand spectacles during this year end celebration. The adverse effect though is that hundreds of people injure themselves every year using firecrackers and it gives raise to a peak in particles pollution few hours after.Fireworks were scattered and I was lucky to have a vantage point from a rooftop with the neon illuminated Rockwell Center in Makati just in the frame. Several shots were combined in Photoshop to have more firework explosions.

Settings: ISO 100, 25 mm, f:9, 30 s (composite picture)

Bambu Stage Interactive Shows in Siem Reap

On November 3, 2016 / blog, Cambodia

Bambu Stage introduces a new form of educational entertainment in town as it opened unique shows about Cambodian culture and the famous temples of Angkor in its very own backyard in a quiet street not far from Wat Damnak Pagoda. Created by Nick Coffill and Jon de Rule, whose years of experience in museum design and theatre production delivers a different take of informative, interactive, and entertaining performances giving the audience that one-of-a-kind authentic experience. Other members of the team include Malar (marketing and F&B), Sorn (puppetry), Wab (technical). At present, Bambu Stage runs two different shows each week. Every Friday, a show about the history of Cambodia exhibiting the very first photos of Angkorian temples taken by John Thompson and Emile Gsell is narrated by Nick. SNAP! 150 Years of Photography in Cambodia takes you back in time from 150 years back, all the way thru the golden age of the 60’s, throughout the dark period of the Khmer Rouge, and Cambodia today. Tuesdays in Bambu Stage is a show about the temples of Angkor and their connections to Hinduism and Buddhism. This rare interactive show, named Temples De-coded, using a miniature model of the temples will give you a better understanding of the layout of both pre-Angkorian and Angkorian temples relative to astronomy and the spirit of the ancestors. It also presents some new insights about the last LIDAR scans done in Angkor by the Cambodian Archaeological Lidar Initiative. Another exciting act, Bambu Puppets, is set to run very soon on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Shows starts at 6.46 pm on the days specified. This is a highly recommended must-do for your stay in Cambodia, to have a better understanding of the culture and history of this town with so much ancient history to reveal. Shows are priced at $25 which include a welcome drink and a banquet. An option without dinner is also available at $12.50. Private shows are also available upon request. For bookings please please click on the logo at the end of the page. Below are few pictures we took during the show Temples De-Coded.

Temples De-Coded just before the show

temples-decoded-bambu-stage-live-drawing

Live drawing on projector

Nick Coffill starting…

and finishing drawing a map of Asia

bambu-stage-nick-coffill-angkorian-temple-model

Nick Cofill showing a piece of the Angkorian temple model

bambu-stage-cambodia-nick-coffill-temple-model

Nick Cofill showing a piece of the Angkorian temple model

bambu-stage-nick-cofill-guest-temple-building

Nick, Wab and a guest starting the design of a temple following the sun

bambu-stage-temples-decoded-interactive-show-guest

Drawing the lines….

bambu-stage-temples-decoded-interactive-show

The design is almost completed

bambu-stage-siem-reap-angkorian-temple-layout

Main lines are drawn before adding the main structures

Nick working on the Angkorian temple model

Partially completed Angkor temple

bambu-stage-final-layout-interactive-show

Angkorian temple completed

bambu-stage-siem-reap-final-layout-interactive-show

Angkorian temple completed

The First Photographs of the Temples of Angkor

On September 28, 2016 / blog, Cambodia

With the widespread use of digital cameras and the recent progress in smartphone photography, ten of thousands of pictures are taken everyday in the temples of Angkor. We take the ability to take pictures granted but often forget that the first photographs of the temples of Angkor were taken more than 150 years ago!

Photographers back then were using one of the first photographic process created called wet plate collodion. They had porters to carry their darkroom and chemicals as photographic plates needed to be developed on site. In top of that, access to the temples of Angkor were very difficult as they were still covered by a dense jungle….

Two photographers were credited for successfully captured the first pictures of Angkor. The first one, was a Scottish Photographer named John Thomson, who was 29 years old and based in Singapore. He did an extensive photographic work during his two weeks spent in Angkor in 1866. John Thomson was inspired to take this trip by the writings of Henri Mouhot in 1860. Beside Angkor Wat, Thomson took pictures of Angkor Thom and Bayon which were covered by a dense jungle. It was only in 1911, that Jean Commaille lead an archeology mission from École française d’Extrême-Orient to clear up the trees in Bayon temple and started restorations.

Few months after John Thomson, Frenchman Emile Gsell, 28 years old, based in Saigon, brought his darkroom to Angkor and captured more than 100 pictures. He returned later on in 1873 part of the famous expedition lead by Louis Delaporte. Gsell developed his glass plates on paper coated with albumen. The pictures of Thomson and Gsell are today priceless documents as they put in perspective the massive restoration work accomplished since the beginning of the 20th century in the temples of Angkor.

THE FIRST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TEMPLES OF ANGKOR |

EMILE GSELL

THE FIRST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TEMPLES OF ANGKOR | JOHN THOMSON

(Copyright Wellcome Library)

10 Tips to Take Better Pictures in The Temples of Angkor

On August 17, 2016 / Angkor Wat, Cambodia

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS ANGKOR WAT

Running photography tours in the temples of Angkor for the last 5 years, I am particularly acquainted the Angkor Archaeological Park which stretched over 400 square meters and counts more than 200 temples. I want to share with you some tips that will help you capture better pictures during your stay in Cambodia. From the preparation to the actual day, here are 10 photography tips below on how to get the best out of your day in the temples of Angkor.

If you are looking for photographing away from the crowd and explore hidden temples please checkout our E-Bike Hidden Temples of Angkor photo tour.

1. Take a wide angle lens

A wide angle lens is a must in the temples of Angkor. Unfortunately many people realized too late that their lens is not wide enough ….I would recommend at least a 24 mm (on a full frame) or a 10 mm (on a crop sensor). Many of the temple photography was taken at 17 mm or 20 mm.

If you have a Canon camera, I would suggest the moderately-priced ultra wide zoom lens Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM or the more expensive Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM. In some instances you may want to bring or rent a telephoto lens as it can be useful in some temples like Bayon to isolate the distant faces or capture far details in other temples. If you have a Canon camera, I would suggest the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM or the more expensive version Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM.

If you have a Fisheye lens taking the dust in one of your drawers, I strongly suggest to take it to Angkor, it is a fun lens to use in the temples. Pictures below ere taken with the 7artisans fisheye 7.5 mm f:2.8.

Photography tips Angkor Wat: be creative with your fish-eye lens capturing devatas in Angkor Wat temple

Photography tips Angkor Wat: be creative with your fish-eye lens capturing the giants trees of Angkor

2. Pack extra batteries

You will probably take more pictures than usual during your photo tour and test the limit of your camera’s battery life. I noticed that cameras with electronic view finders (Sony Alpha 7r, 7s, Olympus OMD5 or Pen) drain their batteries quite fast so having extra batteries is highly recommended for mirrorless cameras. With Canon and Nikon DLSR’s, you can get away with one battery (if new) if you use from time to time your LCD screen. Be sure to charge fully the battery the night before. If you do not have an extra battery I highly recommend to bring your charger. There will be some charging stations at the restaurants around Angkor so you charge your batteries during your lunch break or coffee break.

3. Bring a monopod instead of a tripod

Many photographers are coming to Angkor with a tripod and end up not using it. It would be difficult to use a tripod at the sunrise in Angkor Wat unless you arrive very early and take a position in front of the crowd. Generally you can get away in taking Angkor Wat sunrise pictures without a tripod by using a large aperture and raising a bit the ISO. Light inside the temples can be quite low even in the afternoon but you can still get pretty decent photos in most cases by raising ISO to 1000. If you want to keep the noise low, one option is to use a monopod so you can use a lower speed. A monopod is also much easier to carry than a tripod.

Some people sometime ask if tripods are allowed in the temples of Angkor. The short answer is yes… However if you look “too professional” someone might ask you if you have a permit for shooting as they might think that you are shooting a commercial work.

4. Arrive early at Angkor Wat sunrise (best spot for sunrise angkor wat)

Tourists lined up in front of the reflecting pond facing Angkor Wat temple

Sunrise at Angkor Wat is a very popular venue all year round and it is best to arrive early to get your spot in front especially if you want to set up a tripod. 5 am is the earliest that you can enter Angkor Wat. The day before your planned tour, you can check sunrise time on Google. Leaving your hotel one hour before sunrise would be ideal. During the months of June, July and August, as sunrise is very early, I suggest that you buy your pass the day before from 5 pm at the new ticket center close to the Angkor Panorama Museum.

5. Buy the right entry pass

If you are planning to stay for several days and explore more temples, the best value for money is the 7-day pass at USD 72 which will allow you entry to the park 7 times for a period of 30 days. The worst deal is the one-day pass at USD37 , especially if you plan to visit the temples only half a day. To know more about the Angkor tickets please read our blog post.

6. Compose with shadows and highlights

Light in the temples of Angkor can be quite difficult to master especially at midday so it is best to shoot before 10 am and after 4pm. It does not mean of course that you cannot take good shots in between you just have to look for light and shadows.

Devata in Ta Prohm temple emerging from the shadow

Head of a Devata in the morning light at Angkor Wat temple

7. Do look up for details

Angkor Wat is such a massive temple that it is easy to miss many interesting details. Just look closely at the carvings and writings carved into the sandstone they can are often beautiful to capture. Do not forget also to look up the ceiling in the hall of 1000 Buddhas. If you want to see more close up pictures of Angkor please have a look at our previous blog entries here and here.

Bas relief detail in Bayon temple

Photography tips Angkor Wat: do not forget to look up in Angkor Wat temple to see these motifs with preserved red pigments

Hindu priest carving details in Angkor Wat temple

8. Get the right exposure

Getting the right exposure for your pictures in Angkor can be tricky as light changes drastically between outside and in the temple and change as well quite quickly outside. Unless you are shooting on auto ISO you will have to always pay attention to your ISO settings first before clicking your camera. Whether you are shooting manual or priority aperture, the metering system of your camera will be often challenged so you would to change quite often your camera settings. It is often said that shooting against the sun is a not a good idea but by choosing the right settings in your camera it can give fantastic results as you can see on the picture below.

Beautiful Apsara carvings at sunrise

9. Get out off the beaten path.

Even in the busiest temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon, you can escape the crowd by sauntering thru smaller corridors where you will often find hidden treasures that most tourist wouldn’t find.

Photography tips Angkor Wat: get out of the beaten path

10. Avoid Phnom Bakheng at sunset!

When in Siem Reap, many travel agents or independent drivers will recommend Phnom Bakheng as the best sunset viewpoint. It is actually the worst ! You would have to go there quite early as the numbers of people allowed on top of the temple is now limited to 300. The sunset view is not that impressive. You can see Angkor Wat from there but will need a least a 300 mm lens to take a decent shot. This useful website can help you find out other sunset spots in Angkor. Bear in mind that most of the temples are open only between 7.30 am to 5.30 pm which will make sunset pictures impossible. Beside Phnom Bakheng the only places which are opened until 7.00 pm are Pre Rup temple and Srah Srang.

Sunset at Angkor Thom

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ANGKOR SUNRISE PHOTO TOUR

Angkor Wat Sunrise: Experience the Magic of Angkor Wat Sunrise 365 Days a Year

On May 28, 2016 / blog, Sunrise

KEY TAKEAWAYS

🌅 Angkor Wat sunrise offers breathtaking beauty throughout the year, with each month providing a unique perspective.

⏰ Sunrise time at Angkor Wat varies from 5.30 am to 6.30 am.

🌄 Remarkable astronomical events occur during the equinoxes in March and September.

🎨 The colors of the sky at dawn are unpredictable, ranging from pale red to delicate pink or even blue.

📸 Photographers should arrive early to secure a spot, especially if using a tripod, and the best time for night photography is December and January.

☁️ The monsoon season adds dramatic and awe-inspiring skies.

📍 There are various vantage points to witness the sunrise at Angkor Wat, with reflecting ponds being the most sought-after location for stunning compositions.

If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, make sure to add Angkor Wat sunrise to your agenda. Photographers, in particular, won’t want to miss out on capturing the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder throughout the year. Each month offers a unique perspective on this inspiring event, from clear skies and stunning red sunrises during the early months of the year, to the dramatic impact of the monsoon season, with rain clouds adding a mesmerizing depth to the photographs. Particularly in the months of March, April, and May, the sun appears as a massive red ball amidst the haze, perfect for capturing unforgettable images.

ANGKOR WAT SUNRISE TIME

Sunrise at Angkor Wat varies from about 5.30 am to 6.30 am depending of the time of the year. As Angkor Wat opens at 5 am all year around you can arrive sometime less than one hour before sunrise. This will have a lot of consequence on your pictures so if you want to get pictures of Angkor Wat at night, you should plan your trip accordingly.

Enchanting Sunrise at Angkor Wat’s Reflection Pond (January 2016)

Angkor Wat Sunrise | When the sun rises behind the temple

Two remarkable astronomical events occur each year in March and September at Angkor Wat Temple, highlighting the ingenuity of its ancient architects. During the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun rises perfectly aligned with the base of Angkor temple and slowly rise just beside the central tower, creating a stunning visual effect. This remarkable phenomenon is a testament to the advanced astronomical knowledge possessed by the architects who built Angkor Wat 900 years ago

angkor wat sunrise spring equinox photography tours

Majestic Sunrise Behind Angkor Wat’s main Tower During the Spring Equinox (March 2016)

The Enchanting Dance of the Sun During Sunrise

If you are standing at Angkor Wat facing east towards the rising sun in different seasons, you will notice that the position of the sun changes dramatically throughout the year. During the month of December, the sun rises at the far right side of the temple (south), while in June, it rises at the far left (north). Additionally, during the periods around the two equinoxes of March and September, the sun rises behind the towers of Angkor, creating a breathtaking sight. This celestial dance offers photographers and visitors alike a chance to witness the majestic beauty of Angkor Wat in a variety of perspectives and lighting conditions throughout the year.

Angkor Wat temple taken from central causeway just after the spring equinox (March 2022)

Spectacular Sunburst behind Angkor Wat Temple silhouette (June 2015)

Angkor Wat reflective pool after with the silhouettes few tourists (November 2017)

From Blue to Pink | Capturing the Ever-changing Hues of Angkor Wat Sunrise

At Angkor temple, the colors of dawn can be quite unpredictable. The sky may transform from a pale red to a delicate shade of pink, or even capture the elusive “blue hour” just before sunrise. Each morning is a unique experience, with the colors of the sky constantly changing throughout the year.

Blue hour with stormy sky (April 2023)

Captivating Angkor Wat: May Sunrise at the Blue Hour (May 2016)

Hues of pink with Angkor Wat reflection (February 2023)

Angkor Wat Sunrise | Tips for Photographers

For photographers, it is recommended to arrive as early as possible on location as soon as possible to secure a spot in front of the pond especially if you plan to use a tripod. Sunrise can be as early as 5.37 am in the month of June and a bit late at 6.32 am in the month of January. December and january are also best time of the year to capture photos of Angkor Wat at night with star trails as a backdrop. The opening hours are strictly enforced and Angkor Wat opens at 5 am sharp.

For photography guidance during a sunrise at Angkor and more, please feel free to have a look at our Angkor Wat Sunrise Photography Tour.

Angkor Wat at daybreak with golden colors (April 2016)

Nature’s Canvas: Angkor Wat Sunrise Against the Drama of Clouds

The moonson season brings hues of green to the temples of Angkor by also dramatic and awe-inspiring skies. This without any doubt gives another dimension to photographs compared to the clear skies.

These pictures can be taken between June until sometime Decembre depending on the moosoon season .

A Dramatic Angkor Wat Skyline Amidst the Clouds (August 2022)

Beautiful sunrise just after the rain (december 2015)

Golden sunrise at Angkor Wat (August 2014)

Angkor Wat at Sunrise: A Majestic Scene with Red Clouds in June

Angkor Wat with dramatic red clouds (October)

Angkor Wat with dramatic red clouds (October)

Angkor Wat in October with Vibrant Red Clouds (2017)

What is the best place to see the sunrise?

At Angkor Wat, the sunrise spots are plentiful, regardless of whether you face east or west. Whether you seek a dramatic backlight or wish to observe the golden rays illuminating the sandstone carvings, there are many vantage points to choose. The reflecting ponds at Angkor Wat are undoubtedly the most sought-after location for capturing the perfect Instagram shot. As the sun rises, the water create a mirror-like reflection, offering a stunning composition for photographers. Consequently, these areas tend to be quite crowded, as the area is quite small

Is Angkor Wat sunrise worth it?

The short answer would be yes. if you do not want to be shoulder to hundred of tousist at the reflective pools, they are other view points during sunrise where it can be relatively quiet. Note that the busiest season is from November to February but it not necessarily the best months for photographers looking to explore the temples of Angkor and get the most spectacular shots. If you can, we recommend to hire a photography guide.

Was it is the blue hour?

The quite elusive phenomenon, known as the blue hour, unveils itself approximately sixty minutes before the break of dawn, it can give a intense blue tone to your pictures even if your camera is set to a warm white balance.

Is Angkor Wat better for sunrise or sunset?

Angkor Wat temple’s popularity at sunrise comes from its stunning sunrises. The temple’s silhouette against the colorful sky creates a picturesque setting that has become iconic. especially viewed from the reflecting ponds.Although the same breathtaking effect cannot be replicated at sunset, the evening golden light sunset can be a blessing for photographers especially in areas rich with carvings.

Angkor UpClose 2

On April 23, 2016 / blog

This blog post is a follow-up of our previous post Angkor UpClose as they are many more amazing we discovered and captured during our photography tours in the temples of Angkor. This series of pictures were taken in the temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Phnom Bok, Beng Mealea and Prasat Thom in Koh Ker.