2014, Day 215 - Day to night

I remember quite vividly visiting Banteay Samre, it was the only temple in Angkor where the staff told us we could not use our tripods because they were a hazard.  It seemed silly, especially because we were the only people there, but they asked and we weren't about to disregard their request which was made quite politely.  So all my shots were hand-held which I dislike, especially with architecture, but there was nothing to be done about it.

It was a hot afternoon with high wispy clouds so when I looked at these images again this evening I decided to fight the setting and go for a cool tone.  That decision was probably due in part to the heat we're experiencing now and I will freely admit that I am pleased with the result.  It is more dramatic and I think helps to highlight the textures of the carvings.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
24mm, f5.6, merged layers of 1/640, 1/320, 1/160, and 1/80 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 44 - Heavenly light

This was taken at the temple of Banteay Samre.  During our exploration one of the caretakers informed us that tripods were not allows at the temple.  That was news to us since every other temple in the Angkor complex permitted the use of tripods except on the second and third levels of Angkor Wat where it gets so crowded that it is a hazard.  Banteay Samre was, conversely, almost deserted.  I think we only saw a couple other people while we were there so their prohibition on tripods seemed silly but we are all team players.

That means that all images with only a couple exceptions were taken handheld.  Not a problem but it helps composition to be able to use a tripod.  When I saw this scene I knew I wanted to try to capture it.  The stone sarcophagus with the offerings bathed in the light of a doorway with another door in the background to frame the scene.  The carving on the lintel is the icing on the cake for me so that this photograph captures a different and enchanting element of the temples of the Khmer empire.

Canon 1D X, Canon 24-70/f2.8L Mark II
65mm, f2.8, 1/160 sec @ 800 ISO