Approaches to Travel Photography: Examples from Angkor, Cambodia Mark Chamberlain LPSNZ
Objectives This article provides tips on approaching travel photography in a "must-see" or "bucket list" location like Angkor in Cambodia. Although all global travel photographic locations are unique, the approaches outlined here apply to many popular destinations. Photographing Angkor is an ongoing project, from which I am still learning as I seek to improve my images and define a photographic style. The accompanying photographs are part of a monochrome travel photography collection. Photoshop post-processing is an essential component in my image workflow, using digital dodging and burning techniques and luminosity masks. Angkor can be a challenging place to photograph, especially for first-time visitors. The main reason is that the area overwhelms; it is a visual overload of the senses. Angkor also covers a very large area. It is all too easy to snap away, collecting thousands of random photographs – I know because this is what I initially did. The result is frustration and disappointment. Attempting to simplify and minimise travel photography is a challenge. Combined with the physical challenges of tropical heat, energysapping humidity and tourist crowds, it's a recipe for potential failure. The key to ultimate success in travel photography is always to slow down, relax, absorb the place, and enjoy yourself. Planning and organisation are also essential. Easier said than done, perhaps.
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What is Angkor? Angkor is more than Angkor Wat temple. In the Khmer language, Angkor means "city". It is a complex of hundreds of temples built over many centuries. In addition to the temple ruins, there are vast waterways, reservoirs, and irrigation systems. National Geographic once described Angkor as a hydraulic city. Angkor, in turn, is part of a much broader ancient Khmer civilisation and empire which extended across present-day northern Cambodia, overlapping into Thailand and Laos. Today, ruined temples still form a focal point of Khmer culture, usually away from the main tourist drags. Prasat Preah Vihear Far from the maddening crowds, this impressive temple is located on the Cambodia-Thailand border and takes some effort and planning to reach. The storm clouds above the temple add to the feel and mood of the scene. After taking this photograph (using a tripod), I was drenched by monsoon rain. Adverse weather can be your friend in travel photography, even if it means a soaking. Although Prasat Preah Vihear is officially within Cambodia, there is still an ongoing ownership dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. The international boundary cuts across the temple's front steps, and Thai and Cambodian soldiers occasionally exchange fire. It is a safe place to visit (most of the time), a UNESCO world heritage site worth extra time and effort.
