How to... Photograph temples

Lester Ledesma is an award-winning PATA photographer and travel writer based in Singapore. Here, his tips on how to photograph temples like a pro

INTERVIEW BY VANESSA MULQUINEY

Do you recommend purchasing a camera to use on tour?

Not at all! I would even recommend using a phone for casual photographers who want to take good pictures without getting into the technical side of photography. Just use a late model smartphone, preferably one that has ultrawide, wide and telephoto lenses.

If we’re relying on our iPhones, are there any ‘secret’ settings we should know about?

Turn the flash off! That way your camera can capture all that wonderful natural light on the temple ruins. If the flash is in the ‘on’ setting, the camera will just rely on a tiny little LED bulb to illuminate the whole scene. This is a no-no especially in low-light situations, and your photos will most likely end up too dark. Also, Android users would do well to know how to work the white balance settings. As a rule of thumb—if you’re working under daylight, set the white balance to ‘sunny’ or ‘cloudy’. If you’re working with artificial light, indoors at night, for example, you can set the white balance to ‘auto’.

What are some things we should be mindful of at temples?

Photography-wise, the best times to take pictures would be early in the morning and late in the day. The low sun will give a warm light and moody shadows to play with. Also, there will be fewer tourists on location. It might also be a good idea to visit during bad weather—this works really well for overly-photographed subjects like Cambodia’s Angkor Wat or Thailand’s Ayutthaya ruins. The adverse conditions can potentially give you moody and unique images. Just be sure to protect your camera (or phone) from the elements!

What makes a good photo?

There are three types of photos to keep in mind. Establishing shots which give a good overview of the location and the subject. For example, a mist-shrouded field of temples at dawn, silhouettes of stupas at sunset—these are like opening shots that set the scene in a movie. Medium shots are photos that tell a bit of a story about the place. Smiling vendors among ruins, or tourists gawking at the massive structures, or farmers working their field near a stunning ancient structure. Detail shots are up-close images that reveal interesting tidbits about the subject. An ornate bas relief on a temple door, a beautiful statue at a weathered altar, a wild flower growing through the crack of a crumbling wall—intimate images of details can add a profound note to your photographs.