anyone have any tips for angkor? it doesnt have to be places/locations to shoot, just helpful advice that may save me money, time and hassle. cheers,

-- sparkie (sparkie@mailcity.com), April 28, 2002

Answers

I have been to Angkor 2 years ago,ancient temples forest(as in the movie Indiana Jones) It's a magnificant place! Bring lots of films and all your lens!There are really a lot to shoot! Try to stay for at least 2 days if possible, then you can see the sunrise and sunset, it's marvelous! Also, there's a pond on the front left of the big temple(I forgot the name, you won't miss it) You can get some really nice pictures by shooting at the shadow of the temple in the pond. There're also hundreds years old silver trees with their huge roots penetrating all around the temple, it may be a good idea to use your super wide here to show the power of nature! Have a nice trip!

-- Michael Fan (fanmichael@hotmail.com), April 28, 2002.

When I went a couple years ago, Angkor Wat was crawling with people (by Cambodian standards, anyway) around sunset. If you're like me and you hate having a bunch of tourists in your photos of architecture, be sure to bring a tripod and a strong neutral density filter. That way you can do a 5-sec exposure and make them all 'disappear'.

-- Mark Schiefelbein (mas499@hotmail.com), April 28, 2002.

-sparkie

Don't forget your insect repellant and sunscreen. You'll need both.

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), April 28, 2002.

I was in Ankor Wat late March and I have also posted some photos with many feedback. Pls check the threads.

Bring lots of film you normally shoot, both wide and tele lens would be ideal. Try to travel light as weather is very hot and humid. Get a tour guide with car at least for first day. You can then know where to go the next day. Pick a reasonable good hotel as you need plenty of rest after a hard day out.

Pls contact me if you need further information. Enjoy your trip!

-- Tim Tan (kctan18@yahoo.com), April 28, 2002.

I respectfully disagree with Tim Tan about the tour guide with car idea. I had one and the mode of transportation was both confining and the guide annoying. The guy had pretty set ideas on what was tourist and photo-worthy, and when you are taking your time taking the sights in, or scoping out photo opps, the last thing you need is a guy hanging around wondering when you are going to move on. Much better, I learned to have one of the guys on motorcycles ferry you around, and to use your guidebook.

I recommend both the lonely planet and the insight guidebooks, but best of all, get a coffee-table type book on Angkor architecture-you will then have an idea of what is important to you...

It is quite hot and humid, so take along a hat, and avoid synthetic photo bags, like the J803 I took along. Do figure on wide angles, and a little fill flash-the shadows are harsh, and the perspectives cramped.

Pace yourself, and loiter a lot. It is easy to get templed out, especially if you have a guide marching you through the sites.

Take along some black and white film, and don't forget to visit the more outlying temples, and check out the paddy field scenery.

At the Angkor temple itself, Sunday evenings are really nice and colorful, as the local population picnics along the banks of the moat.

Oh, and lastly, do be kind to the many land mine amputees you will see, many of them children. Rural Cambodia is desperately poor and don't let anyone fool you that these people are 'scamming' you.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), April 28, 2002.

I second Mani about children in Cambodia. They'll break your heart. Be kind to them and buy something, even if it's a dollar.

If you are going now i can tell you that it is very very hot, not humid though. The paddy fields are all dry now, and can be quite dusty. The moat around Ankor Wat it self is also rather dry. But the sky is something to die for if you like deep blue. Don't even need a polarizer. You do need a wide lens, more than 28, a 21 will be very nice. I took along a 180 and i was glad i did.

Forget about car and guides. A motorcycle and a good guide book is all you need. Useful to get an idea from coffee table books before you go.

Just remember, be kind to the children. They'll break your heart.

-- Steven Fong (steven@ima.org.sg), April 28, 2002.