Discussion
v15ben said:
Wow that brings back memories of my time there in March! The Bayon really is one of those places that redefines 'incredible' 
Ditto with me and Jan-2005! Probably my favourite place in the whole world...must go back!Except I had an old film SLR that I didn't understand properly, so Andy's photos are better than mine.
That tree on the roof has grown a bit over 3 years though...I managed to get pretty-much all of it in-frame!
Andy...how 'touristy' is it now? When we were there they were developing 5* resorts and it was looking like it would turn 2-tier (2-star guest houses and 'local' restaurants vs 5* western-prices resorts) and get rather commercialised.
havoc said:
That tree on the roof has grown a bit over 3 years though...I managed to get pretty-much all of it in-frame!
SimonV8ster said:
I snapped that tree too in March !! Its in the 'Random Photos' thread.
havoc said:
Andy...how 'touristy' is it now? When we were there they were developing 5* resorts and it was looking like it would turn 2-tier (2-star guest houses and 'local' restaurants vs 5* western-prices resorts) and get rather commercialised.
SimonV8ster said:
Its going off the bonkers scale at the minute !! As you say there are alot of 5* resorts available for the Koreans at a $1000 a night !!
A big shopping/living complex has been built in Siem Reap, almost a small town in itself.
A big shopping/living complex has been built in Siem Reap, almost a small town in itself.
I went in 2002, it was just starting to get popular again, I cant see the access I had tot he temples lasting, they'll either be destroyed or people will get seriously hurt.
Great pics! Love the place, may head back thre one day only had 3 days there, and that with a APS camera, not even a 35mm.
Great pics! Love the place, may head back thre one day only had 3 days there, and that with a APS camera, not even a 35mm.
I WILL head back there...my only fear is it will have turned into a theme-park pastiche of the wonder that it really is!
I hope they keep the 'development' to Siem Reap itself, and leave the temples completely untouched...
Simon...I'm truly sorry to hear that. The Cambodian government don't seem to realise that they have a true Wonder-of-the-World in their back-yard, and they don't NEED to cater to the Jap/Korean tourists*! Indeed, they shouldn't be - the Angkor temples would draw thousands of tourists regardless. But I imagine back-handers speak louder than words, and the big hotel groups will have been falling over themselves to get prime spots there...
I hope they keep the 'development' to Siem Reap itself, and leave the temples completely untouched...
Simon...I'm truly sorry to hear that. The Cambodian government don't seem to realise that they have a true Wonder-of-the-World in their back-yard, and they don't NEED to cater to the Jap/Korean tourists*! Indeed, they shouldn't be - the Angkor temples would draw thousands of tourists regardless. But I imagine back-handers speak louder than words, and the big hotel groups will have been falling over themselves to get prime spots there...
- There are already too many places in SE Asia which do, there's no need to make everywhere feel the same.
Thanks for the comments 
Loads of Japanese and Korean tourists, and many Chinese too. Some aren't particularly polite when it comes to hanging back when somebody is taking a photo
and so I've used my limited Chinese to inform them that bad manners aren't really appreciated.
Tomorrow is the last day which I'm glad of to be honest. The heat and humidity is something else, especially when you're carrying a backpack full of lenses, and a tripod too. The larger temples are screaming out to be shot large format - 35mm just doesn't do it justice - but I have neither the talent, nor the back for that...
A few of the photos above were taken with a G9 by the way
havoc said:
Ditto with me and Jan-2005! Probably my favourite place in the whole world...must go back!
Except I had an old film SLR that I didn't understand properly, so Andy's photos are better than mine.
That tree on the roof has grown a bit over 3 years though...I managed to get pretty-much all of it in-frame!
Andy...how 'touristy' is it now? When we were there they were developing 5* resorts and it was looking like it would turn 2-tier (2-star guest houses and 'local' restaurants vs 5* western-prices resorts) and get rather commercialised.
Siem Reap is fine. The only problems we've had so far are the kids who follow you everywhere trying to sell you "10 bracelets for a dolla'/10 post cards".Except I had an old film SLR that I didn't understand properly, so Andy's photos are better than mine.
That tree on the roof has grown a bit over 3 years though...I managed to get pretty-much all of it in-frame!
Andy...how 'touristy' is it now? When we were there they were developing 5* resorts and it was looking like it would turn 2-tier (2-star guest houses and 'local' restaurants vs 5* western-prices resorts) and get rather commercialised.
Loads of Japanese and Korean tourists, and many Chinese too. Some aren't particularly polite when it comes to hanging back when somebody is taking a photo
and so I've used my limited Chinese to inform them that bad manners aren't really appreciated.Tomorrow is the last day which I'm glad of to be honest. The heat and humidity is something else, especially when you're carrying a backpack full of lenses, and a tripod too. The larger temples are screaming out to be shot large format - 35mm just doesn't do it justice - but I have neither the talent, nor the back for that...
A few of the photos above were taken with a G9 by the way
Great shots, esp. given the conditions / crowds of people. I found best time to visit Angkor Wat was to hang around just after sunrise, when all the Korean tourists go back to the hotels for breakfast. Goes from literally thousands to a few tens of people. Would love to go back now my skills have improved. How's the fire ants?!
Altrezia said:
Hey - quick question. What camera/lens did you take the people-pics with? I still can't work out how you get them to be so crisp.
They were shot with a 17-40L micro-adjusted on a 1Ds 3, then over sharpened in post processing for effect. Where do you feel you're going wrong?
Once I get onto a better internet connection I'll post a link to a larger version of this photo. The detail the 1Ds 3 gives is amazing!
These fab pic's bring back lots of memories for myself and Mrs L.
Angkor Wat must be seen at sunset or sunrise with the hoards but there are loads and loads of little deserted tucked away temples to visit during the day. We spent 2 long days there and still didn't see it all, it's an enormous place. A local guide did help though - I think we'd still be trying to find our way out of some of them without him!
VxDuncan said:
Great shots, esp. given the conditions / crowds of people. I found best time to visit Angkor Wat was to hang around just after sunrise, when all the Korean tourists go back to the hotels for breakfast. Goes from literally thousands to a few tens of people. Would love to go back now my skills have improved. How's the fire ants?!
Fire ants? We remember those....Angkor Wat must be seen at sunset or sunrise with the hoards but there are loads and loads of little deserted tucked away temples to visit during the day. We spent 2 long days there and still didn't see it all, it's an enormous place. A local guide did help though - I think we'd still be trying to find our way out of some of them without him!
I'm glad to see that 15 years after I went the scaffolding is still up on Angkor Wat. I suspect they're employing British builders 
When I went there were no such things as digital cameras. I was there for 5 days/4 nights and took about 80 rolls of slide film. I really must rummage through them properly.
When I went there were no such things as digital cameras. I was there for 5 days/4 nights and took about 80 rolls of slide film. I really must rummage through them properly.
Andy M said:
Once I get onto a better internet connection I'll post a link to a larger version of this photo. The detail the 1Ds 3 gives is amazing!
As promised: The Bayon FULL SIZE (6mb)Dollops of contrast enhancement and over sharpened for effect
Edited by Andy M on Tuesday 24th June 16:14
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