The children of Angkor Wat, a photo from Siem Reab, West

Photographer's Note

I hesitated for a long time, whether I want to post this image, since the site is infiltrated with this similar images in various time of day and POVs. You can’t really find any thing different or new. Well, I think I deserved to post at least one. This one I was fortunate to have caught the children playing near the pond. Children in this part of the world grow up fast and have to take care of their younger siblings, while their parents tending to business, perhaps a shop selling souvenirs and drinks to tourists. That's why they were play around the area.

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

I did some slight selective sharpening in the foreground, because I was focusing at the temples so the children were not as sharp due to the low light.

Colombiana, Sistercosmo, everlasting, fulvio52, gracious, danos, feather, holmertz, patdeph, Kielia, mark_mk, paololg, jhm, jmcl, phwall, Wandering_Dan, mphotographies, adores, didemay ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

Colombiana (2957) 2008-12-04 12:16

Hey Way,

I can’t believe you hesitated to upload this beauty! First of all, even if there were thousands of photos from this well known place, your photos will always have a unique touch which I truly appreciate :)
Those kids are so sweet! The girl holding the baby is so touching.
Kind regards,

Maryori :)

h2nl (314) 2008-12-04 12:21

Nice composition with these two focus points in fore- and background.
Gr., Han

marietom (34611) 2008-12-04 12:27

hello way,

Magnifique symétrie, et surtout magnifique composition avec le rythme de l'image cassé par ces enfants devant l'eau. Bravo, c'est très réussi.
Bonne soirée
marie

Jeppo (17645) 2008-12-04 12:27

ciao Waylim,

I don't actually care about all your hesitation.
this image shows your feelings and therefore it's worth being posted.
btw I like the inclusion of the children playing so that we don't have a "perfect" postcard...but a nice daily life picture....

looking forward to visiting this place as well.

ciao
Silvio

pedru (1659) 2008-12-04 13:23

bonjour
tres belle lumiere
une compo tres sympa
bravo
A+

Sistercosmo (242) 2008-12-04 14:56

Hi Way,
I'm very glad that you posted this!! Beautiful pov with amazing reflections - but the children make this! How lovingly the (herself very little) girl is holding the infant and how the others are pleased to watch. Well seen and very touching.
Great shot!
Thanks and take care, my friend!
Linda

jonathan_hart (21276) 2008-12-04 16:01

a great POV and a welcomed foreground human presence
regards
jc

rgarrigus (0) 2008-12-04 23:07

Hi Way,

I think this is an outstanding image and I'm happy that you decided to post. I know what you mean though about hesitating.

I like the soft light on this one that doesn't make the temple completely dominate and allows the viewer to be drawn to those little children. It is that small context of life juxtaposed against the grandiose temple that I enjoy.

Cheers!

Bob G.

emka (158204) 2008-12-04 23:33

Hi Way, Angkor os worth posting every time. And this photo is very beautiful. Nice scene of resting or playing children with fantastic view of the temple and its reflection in bg. Nice colours.
Warm regards

Malgorzata

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-12-05 0:19

Hi, Way.
A magnificent view, love those kids & the girl holding the baby in foreground, so sweet and peaceful... more than worh posting! Don't worry, my friend : what makes pictures different is the personal touch. They got to have your name written all over them... your pictures DO, at all times. They ARE different.
Have a good day, I'll be seeing you.
Fulvio.

everlasting (19680) 2008-12-05 0:22

Yes Way there are many posts here of this famous landmark but why hesuitate to upload such a tender shot. This is not about Angkor Wat this about the children in the foreground, the way the elder sibbling holds the younger one, the way they sit and chat to each other, tells us so much about their life. this image is about children against a very intersting background.
The only improvement that could be made here is to have placed the children a little off center and away from the reflections.

gracious (20025) 2008-12-05 2:51

Hello Way,
I am glad you had posted this magnificent image photo even from many other postings from this place! but I loved the way you had included the local children in the fg that makes it so special and rightful for the title! because they belongs here!
the soft lighting and reflection is a great bonus towards this beautiful composition!
my compliment!
Sabaidi
Tony

danos (110407) 2008-12-05 4:31

Hello Way,
really this POV of Angkor Wat is the most well known all around the world but the luck to find children to play in front of it is unique.Excellent the reflections on the water pond,as the children play light-hearted.Well done my friend.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

feather (51130) 2008-12-05 7:08

I do understand your dilemma, as I have the same problem with my USA travelogue. Sometimes, though, the location is just so classic that you feel you must have it represented in your gallery. This is one such iconic place. A visit to the famous temples of Angkor without Angkor Wat would be a crime. You have made it sufficiently different by the inclusion of the children, and this is a charming image. If they had been sitting more to the left to avoid overlapping the reflection and on the "magic" spot, it would have been even better.....but hey that is really being nitpicking!
Kath

holmertz (102800) 2008-12-05 8:15

Hello Way,
I felt the same hesitations after visiting Angkor last year. There are sooo many pictures, so what could I possibly add? But you have made a wise choice. This picture adds a bit of real Cambodia: its glorious past and the harsh reality of today with the ever-present children caring for themselves throughout the day.
A very good picture.
Best regards,
Gert

patdeph (35750) 2008-12-05 8:35

hello Way
thi children make the photo different,but also the splendid colors and light!I am impressed by the beauty of the blue water and the golden colors of the landscape and temple!This one is wonderful of course,it's really a superb picture,one of the most beautiful of this place,I'm happy that you have decided to post it!
Regards
Pascale

Kielia (24077) 2008-12-05 8:40

Hello Way,
of course you are right concerning the number of images from this place, but you did well posting this one since it is quite different. There is this symmetry that creates a nice atmosphere of harmony. And I really like the four children in the foreground. The light is also excellent. A great impression! TFS!

mark_mk (266) 2008-12-05 9:14

Hi Way,
this is one of the places I would love to visit myself one day. This is a very good shot, including the children was the perfect idea. Without them it would still be a great shot, but also one that we have seen a hundred times before, but with the children in the FG it has your personal touch. Great work man, your great eye didn`t let you down!

sothy81 (9646) 2008-12-05 9:29

Oh God. this is beautiful. I love it. You did a great job Way. More than anything else the lighting and the presence of the people in the front are extremely amazing. The most unique shot ever from Angkor Wat area. I love it. Sothy

paololg (31448) 2008-12-05 12:46

Ciao Way,
excellent work, where everything is perfect. The composition has a beautiful symmetry, thanks also to the two palms reflected on the water. The scene is tenderly animated from the children, with in the background the silhouette of this famous temple stupendously reflex in this small lake. You have done a very suggestive image. Compliment dear friend!
Ciao
Paolo

gneufeld (15890) 2008-12-05 14:03

Hi Way,
Good symmetry here brought life by the young family in the foreground. Nice details, colors in excellent light. Well done and TFS. Gerald

foozi (7101) 2008-12-05 21:21

Hi Way,
you should not hesitate at all. It is such a splendid capture. Well contrast and excellent landscape in its special dramatic presentation.
Excellent composition of the ancient and modern.

Regards,
Foozi

MarianneS (15338) 2008-12-06 6:38

Hello Way,
You combine two nice views in this one.
This little group of children: they seem to be very careful with the baby.
And this beautiful temple at the background.
Excellent quality, perhaps it is what makes the different with the other ones ;-))
Regards,
Marianne

jhm (211736) 2008-12-06 8:08

Hello Way,

The children of Angkor Wat, excellent title for a very good picture.
The family in foreground suit excellent to this picture.
Excellent colourfully picture, nice perspective.
Soft and very fine for look it.
Composition and presentation are perfect.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

jmcl (14535) 2008-12-06 13:30

Hi Way,

The sense of ordinary life in the extraordinary place is very thoughtful .. the detail on the temples is tremendous ..

If I have not shared this with you before here is one of my favorite quotes that applies to your note:

The object of art is to stretch out to the ultimate realities through the medium of beauty. The duty of the composer is to find the mot juste. It does not matter if this word has been said a thousand times before as long as it is the right thing to say at that moment. - Ralph Vaughan Williams

phwall (6787) 2008-12-06 15:09

Hello Way,
Ah, decisions, decisions, decisions, fortunately for the rest of us you made the right one. A very beautiful capture of this outstanding temple made even more outstanding by the inclusion of the foreground children. The daily life component adds much to the image, it shows how the Cambodian people are very much a part of this wonderful area and how their daily life interacts in many ways with the temple and the visitors who come there.
Excellent image.
Regards
Peter

leo61 (0) 2008-12-06 23:20

Hi Way!
The classic POV,but a different composition with the kids in the foreground.
A perfect exposure with nice,strong colors.
Regards,leo

baba_flies (8829) 2008-12-07 3:23

I ovesaw this one, how could I! Never mind about "too manys", this is not the point, each sees it differently as I said before with the Point Reyes comment. You had other feelings than maybe someone from Switzerland, or a tourist sees things a local would never bother. Such a lovely shot, it really is, with the little group of children in the foreground. This gives a sweet moment and yet you instantly stop and you wonder how it comes that such a young girl holds a baby, this touches, at least us women but not only as I read from my aboves :))) Yeah, fast growing up as you explain it. Great photo, Way! Barbara.

estan (1279) 2008-12-07 12:50

Hi WAy,

What a view ! A great picture from a great photographer. Everything is perfect in this shot. Colors, shrpness, light. And with childs in the foreground, it's your touch of humanity. Congratulations !
See you
Pascal

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2008-12-08 21:48

Hi, Way -

This is a charming shot which captures the ancient ruins well, in a classic scene, along with the children and a perfect reflection. So it's been done before; so what? And besides, the kids make it something special.

The sharpness doesn't bother me, but I felt that there was too much of a blue cast overall. There are a number of ways to deal with this; I used Hue/Saturation, my preferred technique for this problem, in the WS that I posted. Hope it helps.

Best,
Dan

[workshop] [compare] +

mphotographies (1976) 2008-12-09 0:26

Hey Way,

The shot is more than a 'safe' image that fulfills the expectation of most viwers here in TE. The composition has been many times here but the thing is, afar from being conventional you have chosen and planned carefully the timing with the inclusion of the local children during their 'intimate' moments.

With regard to the subject matter and treatment, this one deserves to be presented. The intent of giving the viewers a challenge of what 'else' to see beyond Angkor Wat is seen here.

All the best!

Jom

mikele_pl (2400) 2008-12-10 10:56

Hi Way,
I perfectly understand your point - there are so many pictures of Angkor Wat around here, all on them taken from the same POV. I had exactly the same feelings before I posted my Angkor Wat photo, but then I thought: hey, this is the place I simply have to have in my gallery. For me it is the most stunning piece of architecture ever created.

Your photo is so good, woth nice warm colors, and the children are a great touch. Well done!

greetings

michal

delkoo (68) 2008-12-11 12:33

hi way,
This is a pleasant scene; the moment of capture was good because of the reasonably soft, your foregruond is well chosen with those children playing.

didier

jmdias (115280) 2008-12-11 15:45

way

yes, without the children this image would be like many other we can see on TE, beautiful but usual. Your work is much more interesting cause it puts architecture and human life together. Children are perfectly put in the scenery. very nice work, congratulations

hugs

jorge

adores (46979) 2008-12-14 13:00

Hi Way!
Good decision to post it! The children playing in foreground really make the difference here. The photo is perfect with Angkor in background.The reflections on the water and the colours make it perfect. A very good work!

Greg1949 (9011) 2008-12-16 3:29

Well Way I am going to comment on your shot too. The shot is as good or better than most of these as you point out similar shots. That said your fg detail makes this even better and while I have not been here I expect this is one of the only shots since everyone makes it. I would be curious about making a stitch from a tele shot to get rid of some of the fg. As you know it is an awesome capture and my comments are just conjecture, great capture.

Greg

didemay (2945) 2008-12-16 4:36

I've never seen Angkor Wat, which I really hear and see a lot...hope one day. From right and left..everything is symmetrical and beautifully framed. But most of all the peak point is not only the reflections but the existence of your models.
Best Regards,
D:)

BennyV (34748) 2008-12-30 13:29

Hello Way,

A classic shot as classic as can be, but still the human(e) scene at the bottom of the frame makes it stand out among the zillions of shots that must have been taken here.

Allow me to pick out this one to attach my best wishes for 2009 to.

Benny

sacimar (38173) 2009-04-24 7:41

Hi Way,

beautiful picture, the place is fascinating and I like the children playing in that place, they look happy and I like it, great composition with the reflection on the pond, the light and colours are excellent, TFS, congratulations,

My best regards

Sergio

nikkitta (17070) 2013-12-21 9:43

Hola Way

You were like there was no wind there was good so reflections on the pound, being there we waited for then before and after visiting Angkor with not lucky at all, and there waas a monk in orage waiting for us to take the photo

You are right about children having few time to play, as is shpw in your capture with gild and baby on her arms

This scene, orange birds and color contrast made you capture an original one

Enjoy week end
Maria

yquem46 (38752) 2013-12-21 9:49

Hi Way
I come across this one by accident in the critiques page (thanks Nikkitta !) and I was really a newbie on TE when it was posted
A very good shot of this famous place, nicely introduced by the kids sitting at FG
Bravo, have a nice WE and a merry Xmas
patrick