Siem Reap

Photographer's Note

I guess we all want pictures of monks in a place like Angkor Wat but they proved particularly difficult to photograph without being intrusive. This one was taken in the upper level of the temple. Th WS shows a wide view of the temple but doesn't do justice to the huge size.

Angkor is a huge temple complex in the jungle and the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Around 1200 AD the complex was approximately 25 x 10 km in size. Angkor Wat is within this huge complex and the largest Hindu temple in the world dedictated to the god, Vishnu (later became Buddhist). It was constructed between 1113 and 1150. It is the best preserved temple in the Angkor complex largely because it was continuously inhabited by Buddhist monks after the Thais invaded in 1431.

Angkor is a world heritage site and a major tourist destination. There is a huge effort to restore the complex and return many of the looted artefacts. Some of the temples have been swallowed up by the jungle with huge trees growing through the stonework.

CLODO, Highmountains, Hansaphotos, Kofman, GREGG, saxo042, bayno, tyro, adores, pascal13, subhendu_bagchi, abmdsudi, delpeoples, brianmcc, ourania, jester5, Gigidusud, notrap, macjake, KristinsCamera has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

CLODO (45118) 2012-11-22 2:34

Hi Ann

Yes, I do want!
And you've done it!
Spectacular and striking contrast between the orange hues and the grey monument as a background. Apparently, they don't noticed you, and so the image has more a positive impact.
Warm regards
CLODO

yquem46 (38752) 2012-11-22 2:39

Hi Ann
Gosh, you've been touring the whole southeastern Asia !
An excellent one here with these monks in their colorful orange robes standing out against the gray stone
One that I wish I've done
Beautiful
Patrick

Highmountains (2674) 2012-11-22 2:42

Outstanding Contrast ! The Orange / Saffron robes stand out against the black and grey walls of this ancient temple.
The sharpness and depth is absolutely great and the composition has been enhanced by the posture of the cluster - with a monk sitting about a foot apart from the other three in the group.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful photograph, Ann.

dekanski (9431) 2012-11-22 2:45 [Comment]

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Hansaphotos (11381) 2012-11-22 2:48

Hello Ann

A striking photo of these monks and the wonderful architecture. The strong orange clothes of the monks contrasts very well against the background. Fantastic texture of the columns. You have produced a real winner here:) TFS. Have a nice day.

Best regards, Erling

dkmurphys (79209) 2012-11-22 3:06

Hi Ann,
Picturesque every day life in attractive contrast of colors. Good catch!

Daniel

snunney (130967) 2012-11-22 3:40

Hello Ann,
The monks in the orange habit are very well placed and contrast perfectly with the dark grey tones of the architecture. Excellent rendering of the textures in the ancient walls of the temple. Finely observed photography and beautifully realised.

claudeD (47754) 2012-11-22 4:52

nn,

I like the picture you are sharing here very much. Excellent colors and perfect sharpness. Very well seen and done.TFS.

WIth regards from Luxembourg

JC

sevy (58) 2012-11-22 5:07

The more I see photo of the temples in Cambodge and the more I want to go and visit this place.
Your shot is awaking this wish. I like a lot the color contrast with the vivid orange color of the monks against the large variety of grey from the temple stones.

Yves.

Sergiom (117241) 2012-11-22 5:11

Bonjour Ann

On dirait bien que les seules choses en couleur dans l'image sont les robes des moines. Le cadrage est bien fait. J'aime bien l'atmosph鋨e bon enfant qui se d嶲age de l'ensemble.

Amicalement

Serge

Bluejeans (64251) 2012-11-22 5:41

Ola Ann ,
Boa composi誽o com estes monges a conversar neste templo , gostei do contraste das suas roupas com as cores escuras das paredes , bom enquadramento , parab幯s!!
Um abra蔞 Gon蓷lo

GREGG (7888) 2012-11-22 8:18

Hello,
The monks in the orange habit are very well placed,
sharpness and depth is absolutely great ,
have a nice day
Greg

bennyfunky (795) 2012-11-22 8:25

Hello Ann, nice composition with the monk on the right side of the frame, and of course the beautiful contrast with the orange monk's suit and the grey colors of the walls.
Benoit

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-11-22 8:55

Hello Again - This is a shot we all want, that's true. Mine are rather pathetic efforts but you managed to get a fine composition under very difficult circumstances. Of particular note are the fabulous textures you have captured in the stone-work, the rusty-reds act as a quiet echo of the saffron robes and add enormously to the photograph. I also like the positioning of the monks and the fact that three are standing and one sitting; this gives a nice diagonal across the frame from the LLHC, which of course gives the shot flow. Congratulations on a classic subject in a fabulous location. Warm regards rosemary

saxo042 (38078) 2012-11-22 10:16

Hi Ann,
The black and white background emphesizes the strong yellow colours of these monks. The background has also many fine details to be enjoyed here. The monks are well positioned. A very good pictures with these simple but attractive colours.
Kind regards
Gunnar

bayno (18348) 2012-11-22 11:00

Ciao Ann,
is wonderful the chromatic contrast between the dark and eroded walls and the bright color of the clothes of the monks, the scene is framed perfectly and with an excellent quality...
best regards,
Valter

tyro (30513) 2012-11-22 12:24

Hello Ann,

A very interesting note and a very fine picture indeed - you, at least, have achieved your ambition of capturing the monks in this wonderful place - and wonderfully well too!

Your photograph is extremely well composed, the huge massy pilars of the temple framing the monks perfectly and the line of the water's edge acting as a fine "lead in" line. I love how three monks, all standing, are framed in the right of the picture whilst the fourth, squatting, is placed at the bottom of a pillar - a very pleasing compositional feature.

The other wonderful thing about this picture is that the stonework is generally dull and almost monochrome against which the monks stand out beautifully in their orange and yellow clothing. (Do they call them "habits" or "robes" or what?)

Lovely soft light, perfect exposure, fine colours and exquisite detals and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

adores (46979) 2012-11-22 17:11

Hi Ann!
So you have been there this month!I haven't been to Cambodia yet, but this is surely an incredible place.I've seen many windows like that in the Khmer sites of Thailand.
I like the photo! They look very natural and really stand out in the temple. Good light, colours and sharpness!

kasianowak (17676) 2012-11-23 1:39

Hi Ann
Amazing image with a special moment so well captured. I love the splashes of bright colour in the stark surroundings.
Very impressive.
Kasia

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2012-11-23 4:22

a nice interdior of this beautiful and famous stony architecture. The orange dresses of these monks are nicely contrasting... Great depth and nice clarity. Management of light is perfect. Excellent work. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

abmdsudi (95869) 2012-11-23 6:33

Hi Ann
A truly magical place I like this a lot, the stunning saffron color pulls all attention to the monks against the detail of the ancient architecture. The clarity and tonal contrast really add to the quality of this shot, loads to look at and really stands out to make this shot a real eye catcher. I think you are lucky enough to have been there I know exactly that descriptive words simply can't begin to describe it. This is a gorgeous shot with timeless feel. Great works Ann :))
Kind regards

smash2707 (3320) 2012-11-23 9:03

I love how the colors of the robes contrast with the plain colors of the temple. Nicely composed shot. The expressions of the monks look very natural. TFS

Miguel82 (47110) 2012-11-23 12:43

Ann,
Congratulations, great shot
Saffron and yellow traditional monks clothes are superb
Excellent sharpness, contrast and fine colors
Good evening

delpeoples (60342) 2012-11-24 4:23

Hi dear Ann

I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to intrude on their privacy and their worship. But what a photo you've obtained. Those orange colours pop magnificently against the neutral stonework. In fact, from the thumbnail, I thought you'd partially desaturated the photo. You;ve positioned your subjects perfectly, giving us a great view of them aswell as their exotic surrounding and the sharpness is truly admirable. A corker, congratulations.

Warm regards
Lisa

wolf38 (30) 2012-11-24 8:14

Hi Anna. The monk is a special thing in the culture and religion of the country. I habve the monks always admired - and also photographed. Your photo as such a quiet and peaceful study. In addition, the photo reminds me of my stay in Cambodia a few years ago.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

TopGeo (38220) 2012-11-24 8:56

Hello Ann,,,Excellent daily life scene of monks and beautiful architecture photo at the same time! Great composition and framing, perfect light management, note, details and contrast with wonderful colours! Congratulations!
best regards
Georgios

brianmcc (6223) 2012-11-24 16:53

hi ann,
this is a beuatifully composed shot. the dark stone background is a perfect contrast to the bright clothing of the figures. they could not have been placed better in the frame with their gaze leading across the picture and out to the left. a very peaceful and contemplative image.
have a lovely sunday,
brian

ourania (51103) 2012-11-25 10:46

Hello Ann,
a wonderful composition, a very interesting group portrait in the subjects' daily ambiance that determines their role and life. The four young monks are superbly framed by the ancient architecture. They are a vivid and colourful bunch of young people and stand out in a superb contrasting way against the antique grey textures. I like very much the naturalness of their postures and their expressions. Depth, sharpness and illumination are exquisite. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great week,
Ourania

Gigidusud (21679) 2012-11-26 10:29

Hello Ann,
Splendid typical composition.Nice contrast between the clothes oranges monks and gray colones.Well done!
Thanks for sharing.
Ghislaine

ACL1978 (7511) 2012-11-27 7:41

No question why this scene caught your eye, Ann. The bright orange and yellow robes against the stonework are really stunning. Nicely framed, and captured at a good moment, with the man in yellow in the middle staring so intently outward.

Andrew

notrap (7812) 2012-11-28 1:16

Hello Ann,
amazing effect by the warm, bright colors of the monk愀 dresses standing out of the dark, nearly black and white temple walls. Very good seen and done.
Kind regards,
Elvira

sacavem (18620) 2012-11-28 13:53

Ol� Ann,

Great colours and a very pleasant composition. I like the contrast between the monks and the surroundings.

Cumprimentos,
Filipe

Angshu (56760) 2012-11-28 22:02

Hello Ann
A delightful image from Angkor...I see that you had a fine trip to SE Asia! The novices with their robes stand out against the grey walls of the Angkor. But did you see the defaced statues of Hindu gods inside the temple complex...it was very perplexing for me to think who would have done such acts
Best Regards
Angshu

Silvio1953 (223141) 2012-11-29 1:58

Ciao Ann, fascinating composition nice group of young monks and fantastic architecture, nice reflections, splendid light and wonderful warm colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

eldancer1 (36343) 2012-11-30 9:54

Very nice documentation of the private moment of those monks. And thank you for the wonderful information. I wonder how old the building is. Good lighting and dof with nice details. I like the contrast of the colors of their garment to the building. Well done, tfs.

macjake (98544) 2012-12-01 2:07

Hi Ann
what a wonderful set of photo's to come back to!

It was very difficult NOT to go directly to your newest photo of the golden reflections as i love that one so much.

but i went here because i can't get enough of the color contrasts of orange against the architecture.
striking to say the least!
beautiful too, and cultural.
a fine photo for TE!
cheers
craig

livermore (1631) 2012-12-01 5:06

Bonjour Ann,
Voil� encore une magnifique image.
J'aime la texture des pierres qui donne un aspect d廥atur� et qui contraste parfaitement avec les tenues orang嶪s de ces moines.
Bravo
Bon dimanche
Vincent

scroller (3451) 2012-12-05 13:32

Hi Ann
The effect of the color full monks in front of a almost monochrome background makes it look almost unreal but I love the effect and you really caught the right moment.
H鄟sningar
/Stefan

lpi (4857) 2012-12-10 9:37

Hello Ann,
Une simple et belle sc鋝e de la vie avec un superbe contraste de couleurs.
Joli coup d'oeil!
Amicalement,
LPi

Waylim (25436) 2012-12-12 14:02

Hi Ann,

The image of Angkor Wat itself is impressive enough, with the presence of the monks add so much to the composition, especially with the bright orange robe really brighten up the whole image.

Great shot. Congrates!

Way

vjmite (6720) 2012-12-22 19:34

Hi Ann,
This photo caught my eye because of the magnificent colors. The saffron robes really stand out against the time-worn greys of the building around the monks. Nice natural poses too. Sharp and well composed. Great work.

Regards,
Vince

cyntouille (45) 2013-02-07 13:10

I'm just back from Angkor and haven't had the chance to see any monk in any of the temples :-( I would have loved being the one taking such a nice picture. I love the contrast between the grey color stones of the temple and the colorful monks.

mayjayne (7204) 2013-02-16 20:53

Dear Ann,

You are right about photographing monks - it is not easy to catch them in a pose that one would prefer. I like your composition here as they are looking casual and relaxed. The contrast of the bold colours of their robes are always great when contrasted against the texture and greyish hues of the temples. Nice work !

TFS,
May

KristinsCamera (2384) 2013-07-26 20:05

Gorgeous shot, Ann, congratulations on pulling this one off!
Apart from the victory of getting the monks in your shot, the colors are just sumptuous.
Their robes, set against the ancient stones, are the perfect accent. And the positioning of the group vs the seated monk couldn't be better. You pov and framing are perfect. This is a stunning composition.

All best,
Kristin

GiovanniG (3914) 2013-08-04 11:47

Hi Ann,
It is always wonderful looking through your captures. It is very difficult to decide which one to critique. I really like this on because of the bright colors of the monks with ruins as a gray back drop. Wish I had some monks about when I visited there. Very well done Ann!
Warmest regards,
GiovanniG

Kaisa71 (228) 2014-02-01 8:30

I扉e never been to Cambodia but it is one of my dream travel destinations. Angkor Wat must be a stunning place to see with own eyes. I like the devout atmosphere of this photo. Also red and orange colors look beautiful in a simple color background.
Cheers, Kaisa

serp2000 (47063) 2014-10-25 5:32

Hello, Ann,
This photo reminds me my trips to Thailand and Laos. Good example of excellent composition and perfect quality. I do like this contrast of the orange monks and the grey old walls, as background.
Best wishes from Ural,
Serghei