Angkor Wat Photography Tips?
 

Starting to obsess about my visit to Angkor Wat next week. I'm planning to get a three day pass, and hire a tuk tuk driver but not a guide.

Can anyone offer tips for a serious photographic visit? I'm interested in knowing the best itinerary so I can catch sunrises, sunsets, which way the best temples face so that I can catch them in either an eastern sun or western sun, etc. Yeah, told you I was obsessing :)

Thanks for any help!

Well, the sun rises in the east, sets in the west :-)

Ok, all jokes aside, get up early, and have your tuk tuk driver take you out to Angkor Wat, and join the thousands who will be there.
Biggest problem is the weather. Can be fine, or, sometimes overcast and you get nothing. I'm off there again in September, to try to get the sun rise directly over the center tower. Only happens on the Equinox, so, you are a little early.

Do some Googling to " sunrise over Angkor Wat ", and there are literally thousands of shots on-line to give you an example. You will see most of the sunrise photos are taken with Angkor Wat as a silhouette.
http://www.grahamhancock.com/gallery/cambodia/5.htm

Many people go up to The Bakheng as well. Have not tried it, but, from observations, its also completely over run in the morning and afternoon.
I did go to Pre Rup in January for an afternoon sunset, but, in all honesty,I could not see Angkor Wat from there, and would not do it again. I cant post any links to some of my Facebook Photos, as I'm in China, and my VPN isnt working..Sorry

http://www.canbypublications.com/map...orParkMain.htm

This may help as well.

Pre Rup, personally, I could not see why people were excited about it:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...b5c1b1b&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...0cba939&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6dd5b94&type=1

The trick in the rainy season will be to take advantage of the resultant good light. Be up and out early. avoid the mid-day glare and the afternoon showers/clouds. The best light will be from 4:30 till dark.

My two cents are that Bakeng and PreRup are both dismal spots for sunset, mainly because of the overcrowding.

Alternative sunrise spots are the upper terrace of the Bayon, Banteay Srei & the landing at Sra Srang. You might also try going to the opposite entrance of Angkor Wat from where all the sunrise people are positioned....that lovely morning sun will be shining ON IT rather than coming up behind it. Alternative sunset spots are Phnom Krom (at Chong Kneas) and Angkor Wat (I like the appearance of the bats at dusk ;)

Have a stroll through the Royal Enclosure and the forest behind, especially in the early-ish morning hours. you'll be all alone back there and the small forgotten ruins amid what's left of the forest are particularly atmospheric.

And if you're going to be around long enough, get thee to Kompong Khleang and out on a boat at about 6am. Photography heaven in the fishing/floating villages out there.

You could also think about an early am microlight flight; photos from above are breathtaking. :)

www.theangkorguide.net

guides skilled in escorting photogs best not expensive

Shots at dusk or dawn there seem to have the most power

at some of the less touristy off the beaten path locations.

Juxtaposition of roots tearing up stone can make great pics

Good luck!

The last time we were there we stayed at http://www.peaceofangkor.com/ a nice comfortable place (not luxurious but with aircon and pretty convenient. The owner runs photogrhapy tours and seemed very knowledgeable and helpful. You don't have to stay there to go on the tours.

We didn't go on the tour but hired a tuk tuk driver from the guesthouse who was excellent and took us to some places we have never been too before. We have visited Angkor several times over the last 15 years and on our last visit in 2008 we were struck by how overun with tourist it had become. It really was a waste of time getting up before dawn to take the traditional sunrise shot of the main complex as there must have been 500+ people there before us (the first time we went there were no more than 6 !)Hopefully it will be less busy for you in Nov

What fantastic info, thanks so much for all the extremely helpful responses... I'm now combing through it all. I'm hoping to report back with some decent images when I return!

That's hopeing I make it there one day..still dreaming!

Nutella -- always waiting to see your next set of gorgeous shots!

What is that saying about the best laid plans of mice and men? Woke up at 3:30 am twice to stake out my spot at Angkor Wat. Alas, only torrential downpours and heavy flooding, no sunrise, just an un-rise :)

Nutella
I agree with you.. Rain in Siem Reap today ( September 20th)

No photography at all today. Went to Bakong and Beng Mealea yesterday.

Great trip back via dirt roads and little villages.. Nice to be away from the madhouse of the temples. Have only gone past Angkor Wat on Sunday... Havent ventured inside yet...