Stairway to Heaven, a photo from Siem Reab, West

Photographer's Note

The highest part of Angkor Wat is reached by four staircases, one at each cardinal point. These steps are incredibly steep and in ill-repair - on this set, a set of concrete steps have been installed.

These new steps are narrow and steep - and the handrail is a flimsy comfort! Meeting someone going the other way isn't a pleasant experience. When I was there I saw one tourist crying her eyes out at the top, afraid to come down.

Hopefully I have managed to capture some of the angle here.

Shot in RAW, converted pp, slight crop and frame added.

rigoletto, MLINES, robertosalguero, nels has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rigoletto (34279) 2007-02-17 4:27

Hello Richard,
Your POV with the steep stairs leading to the temple is awesome. You depicted the architecture very well, especially with the proportions including the tourists. It is an aetheral place in the world, and a must see for sure. TFS,
Deniz

MLINES (12516) 2007-02-17 5:07

Hi Richar.. Good POV showing us how very steep these steps are going up to the top. Yes going up is easier than coming down. Your photos are encouraging me to visit Cambodia one day. Excellent contribution. Murray.

robertosalguero (292) 2007-02-18 14:43

James the stairs look very steep. I guess that is the reason they have the cable by the side so people can secure themselves. Looking at the size of the steps and other details I realize that in the time when this temple was built, people were smaller in size. They didn't have long feet like we do and the stairs were suitable for their frame(I may be wrong though) I like the picture. It has good colours and sharpness. Thanks for sharing James.

Roberto

nels (2623) 2007-02-20 5:31

hi richard.. those steps are steep! like thelighting and mood your have captured well composed shot

adrian

Serendipity (1045) 2007-02-22 18:21

Hi Richard,
I like that woman looking at the sun, while the other ones try to climb that difficult stairs. Very well seen.
I was there this summer, and that's right, it's not easy to come down. Very dizzy at the top.
TFS.
Marc