2013, Day 45 - Lost love

This was one of the last pictures of the day I took at the top of Pre Rup.  Brian, Araceli, and I had already descended and were getting ready to leave but we couldn't find Nicole.  Mr. Mony, our intrepid guide, returned to the temple to find her.  Two minutes turned to ten and the three of us decided to get back into the temple because the sky was really starting to show some color as the light began to dwindle.

We made our way back to the front and climbed two sets of stairs stopping only take another series of pictures to try to capture the light.  Mr. Mony found Nicole and while I am sure Brian was much relieved I was distracted by the amazing sky.  I started to climb back to the third level up the incredibly steep stairs while the guards were ushering people out.  I think Mr. Mony must have distracted him because I was the last person in the temple but caught no flack for it.

It has been a long day but I am glad that Nicole lingered because without those few minutes of delay we might have missed one of the most spectacular sunsets in Cambodia!

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f8, merged layers of 0.3, 0.6, 2.5, and 5 sec @ 200 ISO

2012, Day 341 - Time for a sacrifice

I couple weeks ago I posted an image from atop Pre Rup and tonight we revisit the site.  Built in the 10th century from brick and red stone, Pre Rup was used primarily for cremations.  Normally the late afternoon light only serves to heighten the rusty color of this temple but as the sun dipped towards the horizon the colors began to soften.  It wasn't long before we were living buffets for mosquitoes but the clouds and sky kept getting better and better.  With the help of OnOne's Perfect Effects I was able to drain almost all of the warmth from this picture and create the somber and funereal effect I sought.

Canon 1D X, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f11, merged layers of 1/250 and 1/30 sec @ 100 ISO