Leo Laksi’s Bangkok And Back

Old woman after a day's work.

As photographers, tourists are sometimes bound to tourist attractions.  It’s just the nature of traveling.  We all do it.  We want to capture images that are easily identified with the destination.  In Cambodia, people usually capture Angkor Wat, the killing fields and perhaps the Tonle Sap, (the largest natural lake in Southeast Asia and one of the world’s wonders for its reverse flow depending on the season).

In my trips to Cambodia, I find the tourist attractions taking a backseat to shooting the people in their natural environment.  On this particular trip I spent several hours in rice patties and farms capturing people going about their everyday tasks.  From tending the crops to planting rice, the photography came alive for me.  It was also a chance to interact with people, people that you will find are very friendly, accommodating, and dignified.  This kind of interaction may transform your trip from a routine to a magical journey.

Photos taken with a Nikon D700 and Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens.

A shy and friendly smile.

Hard at work in the hot sun.

Covered at work.

Getting water from the lake.

Older man with water cans.