| Angkor Photography Tours

Angkor Up Close

On January 30, 2016 / blog

bas relief bayon temple angkor photography tours

Visiting the temples of Angkor can be overwhelming. The structures are quite massive that most tourists focus their attention solely in watching the breathtaking grandeur of the fortresses against the picturesque landscapes. More often than not, the elaborate details of the temples are inevitably missed or neglected, for some reason.

But the beauty of Angkor is revealed on its exquisite elements: intricate carvings of Apsara dancers, Devatas, Buddhas, guardians and demons, bas-reliefs of battles or everyday life scenes. The minute details are actually the ones telling us fascinating stories of the bygone era.

Uncovering interesting details can be a challenge for most as quite a lot are hidden in the dark corners of the temples where only the curious dare go while others are covered with moss.

People who have visited Angkor temples for first time could not seem to get enough so they tend to come back for more. Even if they have been to the temples several times, each visit is just as stimulating as the first time. Every visit is an opportunity to find something new and unique.

If you want to see the awe-inspiring intricacies of Angkor temples with your very own eyes, please check our website at www.angkorphotographytours.com to know more about our photography tours. You might just spot an angel, on your lucky day.

sanskrit pillar angkor wat photography tours

Sanskrit writing on a pillar in Angkor

sanskrit writing angkor wat photography tours

Sanskrit writing in Prasat Kravan temple

angkor wat pillar angkor wat photography tours

Intricate details of a pillar in Angkor Wat temple

lintel close up koh ker angkor photography tours

Detail of a lintel in Koh Ker temple

demon carving in koh ker angkor photography tours

Detail of a demon carving in Koh Ker temple

Demon carving in Banteay Thom temple

apsara carving Bayon temple angkor photography tours

Beautiful Apsara dancers carving at Bayon temple

Bas relief detail in Bayon temple

aspsara dancers preah khan temple angkor photography tours

Apsara dancer carvings in Preah Khan temple

aspara hand banteay thom angkor photography tours

Detail of an aspara’s hand in Banteay Thom temple

Apsara feet Ta Prohm temple Angkor Photography Tours

Apsara feet close up in Ta Prohm temple

Buddha carving moss preah khan angkor photography tours

Buddha carving covered in moss in Preah Khan temple

bayon temple carving angkor photography tours

Carving in sandstone blocks in Bayon temple

carving preah khan angkor photography tours

Angel carving in Preah Khan temple

Openings – The Trees of Angkor Ouvertures – Les arbres d’Angkor

On January 25, 2016 / blog

This a guest post from Pascal who I had the pleasure to guide in the temples of Angkor last December. Fascinated by the giant trees of Angkor, Pascal captured them in a very special way through openings. Enjoy his selection of pictures below taken mainly in Ta Prohm and Preah Khan temples.

Les grands arbres multi-centenaires de la jungle ( même maitrisée aujourd’hui ) ont pris le pouvoir sur les majestueux ouvrages bâtis par les hommes… Les temples d’ANGKOR, par les ouvertures béantes du temps, regardent le ciel à travers la nature qui précipite, chaque jour, sa perte et reprends ses droits ! ..

The large three century-old trees from the jungle (although controlled today) overtook the majestic masterpieces built by man… The temples of Angkor, with their opening in the sky through time, are looking at the nature which, day after day, takes inexorably back its territory.

Apsaras and Devatas in the Temples of Angkor

On January 19, 2016 / blog

Apsaras are the ethereal, elegant and youthful beings dancing in celestial palaces while Devatas are beautiful standing young goddesses in elegant outfits. Images of Devatas and Apsaras are delicately carved in the sandstone of many Angkorian temples. If some of them did not stand the test of time and others were defaced (some of them can be seen in Preah Khan) many are still today beautifully preserved in Angkor Wat where about 1800 have been counted.

Apsaras and Devatas are fantastic photography subjects as they always look different in the direct sunlight of midday or the warmer light of sunrise and sunset. They can be seen in groups or alone so photographers can play with the depth of field to isolate one.

Pictures taken with wide or ultra wide angle also can give interesting perspectives as they come together in the frame even if far apart. In the first two photos below you can count 17 and 8 devatas respectively.

Close up shots reveal the intricate details and the true beauty of the carvings: devatas holding hands, touching their hairs, smiling showing their teeth or holding a bird.

There are still so many interesting details of apsaras and devatas waiting to be uncovered. If you want to see more , check out www.angkorphotographytours.com and book a photo discovery tour with us.

Group of devatas in Angkor Wat temple

Devatas at sunrise in Angkor Wat temple

Devatas holding hands in Angkor Wat temple

Devatas in Angkor Wat with early morning light

Devatas in Angkor Wat corridor

Devatas in Angkor Wat temple

Devatas in Banteay Kdei temple

Devata at sunrise at Angkor Wat temple

Devata in Angkor Wat temple

Devatas in Ta Prohm temple

Devata in Bayon temple

Apsara dancers at Bayon temple

Devatas in Ta Prohm temple

Devata behind crumbling stones in Preah Khan temple

Devata behind a tree in Ta Prohm temple

Devata close up in Ta Prohm temple

Hidden Devata in Preah Khan temple

Devata close up in Ta Prohm temple

Devata close up in Angkor Wat temple

Devata close up in Ta Prohm temple

Angkor Wat Documentary Videos

On January 9, 2016 / Uncategorized

Your flight ticket and hotel are booked and you are a now a few days away from your trip to Siem Reap. Like many you probably did not have the time to read about the temples of Angkor. Do not worry!
To help you out, we compiled a list of the best Angkor Wat documentary videos available online. Most of them are in English, some others in French only. If you have other movies to suggest or want to report broken links, please feel free to let us know.

THE KHMER EMPIRE: FALL OF THE GOD KINGS (2020, Fall of Civilizations MMXX, in English)

Watch online: Complete (98 min)

Combining footage from various sources: video stock agencies, digital work from Monash University, work from Chandara Ung of SensiLab, this documentary gives a very good overview about the rise and the fall of the Khmer Empire.

LOST WORLDS: CITY OF THE GOD KINGS (2002, Channel 4, in English)

Watch online: Complete (49 min)

This documentary gives a good overview about the history of the temples of Angkor. In this film, you will learn about the first images of the 1994’s Spaceborne Imaging Radar survey from NASA, the accounts of Zhou Daguan’s visit in Angkor in the 13th century, the first impressions of Henri Mouhot from 1860. Several leading archaeologists are interviewed and gave any interesting insights about their research on Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Phnom Kulen.

JUNGLE ATLANTIS BBC

(2014, in English)

Watch online: Part 1 (59 min) Part 2 (59 min)

Jungle Atlantis by the BBC is about the latest findings from the LIDAR, a groundbreaking laser technology which gave archaeologists new insights about the temples, the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen and revealed new archaeological sites hidden beneath the dense jungle.
In this documentary are also presented some new research evidences about the sophisticated Angkorian water irrigation system believed to be at the origin of the rise and fall of the Khmer Empire.

AUX SOURCES D’ANGKOR ARTE

(2015, Science Grand Format, in French)

A documentary about the first capital of the Khmer Empire, Mahendraparvata, and its discovery in 2000 by Jean-Baptiste Chevance on the top of Kulen mountain. The map of the ancient city is confirmed by the LIDAR survey of 2012.

Watch online: Complete (53 min)

ANGKOR REDECOUVERT ARTE

(2013, in French)

Watch online: Complete (86 min)

Angkor redécouvert is an Angkor documentary about the latest findings of the LIDAR project and some archaeological research led by French and German teams in the temples of Koh Ker. Also presented, the groundbreaking documentary work of the French explorer and artist Louis Delaporte, at the end of the 19th century.

ACCESS 360 WORLD HERITAGE ANGKOR WAT

(2013, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, in English)

Watch online: Complete (44 min)

A documentary about the LIDAR technology which helped scientists to get a better understanding of the layout of the city of Angkor Wat. A large part of the documentary is about the restoration and conservation efforts that took place in the temples over the years.

VISUALISING ANGKOR

(2009, MONASH UNIVERSITY, in English)

Watch online: Complete (3 min)

An amazing short animation film produced by Monash University depicting the landscapes and daily life during the golden age of Angkor Wat.

ANGKOR THE LAND OF THE GODS

(2011 SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL, in English)

Watch online: Part 1 (55 min) Part 2 (55 min)

The first part of this documentary focuses on the rise of the Khmer empire and the legacy of Suryavarman II: Angkor Wat temple. Is explained also the connection between the temples and the quarries in the Kulen mountain. The second part is about Jayavarman VII well known for his extensive temple building program. Also presented, the last findings about Angkor Thom and the Bayon temple. Both part feature beautifully designed 3D and movie sequences.

ANGKOR: LA CIVILISATION ENGLOUTIE

(2012, ARTE, in French)

A documentary which highlights the works of the EFEO about the history of the consecutive capitals of the Khmer empire. New research is been presented about the temples of Beng Melea, Phnom Kulen, Preah Khan and the West Baray water reservoir. Presented also, the new archaeological evidences uncovered by the LIDAR technology.

Watch online: Complete (52 min)

A LA POURSUITE DES PILLEURS DE TEMPLES

(2016, ARTE, in French)

A documentary about the controversial topic of antiquities trafficking and in particular about the looting of the statues of the statues of Koh Ker in Cambodia. Tess David a lawyer successfully executed a lawsuit against Sotheby’s for the sale of the unique statue of Duryodhana bondissant which was stolen in 1972 at Prasat Chen temple and which was part of a unique 3 dimensional Hindu fighting scene composed of 9 statues.

Watch online: Complete (52 min)

ANCIENT MEGASTRUCTURES ANGKOR WAT

(2008, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, in English)

This documentary focuses exclusively on the construction of Angkor Wat temple under the reign of Suryavarman II.

Watch online: Complete (47 min)

DIGGING FOR THE TRUTH ANGKOR WAT

(HISTORY CHANNEL, in English)

A fast-paced documentary about Angkor Wat temple.

Watch online: Complete (45 min)

PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

If you are a passionate photographer who wants to get the best pictures of Angkor and wants to improve your photo skills you can join our Angkor Wat sunrise tour or our countryside tour. We run also photography tours in the capital city of Phnom Penh.

Cambodian Monks in the Temples of Angkor

On January 4, 2016 / blog

Monks, with their vivid-colored saffron robes, are interesting subjects for photographers as they provide a striking contrast against the sandstone of Angkor temples.

According to history, Buddhism in Cambodia dates back to the 5th century from a king in the Funan Dynasty. However, it was then that during the reign of King Jayavarman VII of the Angkor Empire when a certain type of Buddhism, called Mahayana Buddhism, was established. Then there was another form called the Theravada Buddhism that took over the former one after the death of King Jayavarman VII.

In the present days, about 95% of people in Cambodia practice Buddhism. Buddhist monks are also referred to as “bonzes”. There are two types of monks, the Novice and the Bhikkhu. Novices can be as young as 7 years old while Bhikku should be at least 20 years of age. Converting into a monk is a matter of personal choice but theoretically speaking based on religious rites and beliefs, Cambodian male above 16 years old should at least serve some terms as a monk. Though they are not compelled to serve as a monk for their entire life, others opt to take the vow and serve otherwise. They live in a simple lifestyle and they are normally prohibited from participating in activities outside their religious practices. However, there is a bit of gradual change in their traditional observance due to the fast-changing contemporary lifestyle influences.

At present, there are about 4000 monks in Cambodia, however it is not an exact figure as there are many Cambodian monks living in Thailand. This number was much higher not so long ago as most of Buddhist monks were murdered between 1975 and 1979 by the Pol Pot regime. In 1969, it was estimated that 53,000 monks and 49,000 novice monks were serving in more than 3,000 temples.

Monks can be spotted in temples and pagodas by the altars praying, some are walking thru the gates and corridors of Angkor Wat or in the maze of Bayon temple either alone or in groups, while others are interacting with ordinary people and tourists. Taking good pictures of monks in these conditions could however be challenging as good lighting and composition is often proved to be difficult.

We had an unexpected opportunity on the 19th and 20th of December 2015, to witness a ceremony with 4100 monks in the temples of Angkor. After the offering ceremony which took place at the Terrace of the Elephants, we met and chatted with some monks and were able to learn about their religious beliefs and observances.
Taking photos of monks from afar in their saffron robes is already enchanting. Being closer made it more a delightful encounter as one can see more intricate details like the position of their hands inside the robe, the elements of the robe, and the silver alms bowl inside the monk bag.