Part 2.Photographic gear to take on upcoming trip to Cambodia and Laos

Cambodian farmer

As noted last weekend, I have a trip planned for next week to visit some areas of Cambodia and Laos that receive very few visitors.  Rather than visiting Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang with its high volume tourists, I have developed an alternate trip.   I will travel overland up the Mekong River from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Don Khong, Laos.  Between the two points are some of the most spectacular scenery in Southeast Asia.  From the flooded forests of Steng Trung to the waterfalls south of Don Khong, one will be at a loss for words when faced with nature’s beauty.

I have spent the last two weeks, using, testing and evaluating my equipment for this journey.  Space is not an issue, however I wanted to downsize my kit for this trip.  So far, I have decided to bring:

Nikon D700

Nikon D300s

Nikkor AF-D fisheye 16mm lens

Nikkor AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 zoom lens

Nikkor AF-S 24-70 f/2.8 zoom lens

Nikkor AF-S 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 zoom lens

Nikkor AF-D 85mm f/1.4 lens or Sigma 50 EX DG HSM  f/1.4 lens

Hammock time.

Obviously the three zoom lenses were selected so that the focal range from 14mm -450mm (DX 1.5 crop) is covered. I was not so concerned with the 70-300 lens’ lack of wider aperture as much as the weight of my 80-200mm f/2.8 or the 70-200 f/2.8.  I expect the lighting to be sufficient so as not to cause the 70-300 any issues.  The 85mm or the 50mm will come along for their lower light capabilities as a hedge against darker conditions along the water.  And the fisheye solely because I enjoy the results of that lens.

Beyond the cameras and lenses are a whole host of other gear which I will discuss in my next posting.

Photographs were taken with a Nikon D700 and Nikkor AF-D 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens and Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

Small Cambodian hamlet near Kampong Kleang on the Tonle Sap

Main Street

In May, my friends and I made a trip from Siem Reap, the location of Angkor Wat, to the village of Kampong Kleang on the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.  The Tonle Sap with its reversing water flow, depending on the season, is one of the great wonders of the world.  Any visit to Angkor Wat should include travel to this lake.  On the way there we passed this hamlet that this time of year was high and dry.  By mid-June the situation changed as the lake waters rose to a level just below the top rung of the stairs.  The 18 foot rise in the water level signaled the beginning of the wet season.

Thatch house

We stopped at this village to take a quick walk through town and found that it was difficult to leave as the people were very friendly, walking with us.  Mainly it was the children who shadowed our every move, yelling “good-bye” nonstop.  On those days when you are tired of visiting temples, you might consider a trip to the Tonle Sap.  With a stop or two in a village like this one.

Photos taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

Behind Main Street

Can't miss it.

Followed us around town

Curious

Worldwide Photo Walk in Bangkok Chinatown Revisited

Dried squidman

Some of these photos were taken during the photo walk while others were taken later after a bite of food and a great foot massage.  I hadn’t had this amount of fun in a long time and I think others in my group felt the same way.  If I had my way, I would spend even more time but even the best events have to end some time.

Walking through Chinatown it was easy to find subjects to shoot.  The difficulty was figuring out how best to capture that image.  I spotted the dried squid vendor above joking around with a friend of his that was out of the frame.  Trying to figure out the best way to frame and then take the photograph, he suddenly turned his head with that grin on the face.  I couldn’t have planned that.  I gave him a big smile and a thank you and I was on my way.

During the late night walk, we decided to detour off the main street.   We suddenly found ourselves watching this older man using a hand cart in the alley.  Although he wasn’t the biggest of men, he was muscular and glistening with sweat. Then I saw the other man further along in the alley and then I took the photo.  Although the photo shows camera movement, it’s my belief it’s better to capture that moment in time then miss it forever.  [Note:  this photo was taken at 1/13 second at f/2.8.]

Hard working

The following two photos were captured during the walk and show skewered pigs before they were roasted and then one being roasted.  These photos were a fluke.  We were walking to the rendezvous point and I happened to glance over and in the thinnest sliver of an alley I spotted the pigs.  Of course, I made a beeline and then spotted another pig being charcoal roasted.

Dinner

Roasting pig

All the above photos were taken with a Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.  The following was taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2.8 lens and shot from the hip prefocused at 1.5 meters.

Group of four

Photos of people around Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Dancers at Angkor Wat

One of the highlights of my latest trip to Angkor Wat is the opportunity to capture people going about their daily routines.  This could include dancers working at night at Angkor Wat or monks in a tourist mode visiting during the day.  Irrespective of their activities, they were all at ease before a camera, making it much easier to slip into a photographer and start shooting.

Photos taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2 lens and Leica C-Lux 2.

Guard at Bayon. With carved female "Apsara" figure below.

Three monks sightseeing

Along the river near Siem Reap

Boys wondering who we are

Preah Pithu temples in ancient Angkor

Preah Pithu is a group of five temples in eastern Angkor Thom, near the “Terrace Of The Elephants”.  Although the complex appear to be a group, they were probably not designed as such.  These temples are known for their setting in majestic trees that can be a locale for a respite in the tropical Cambodian heat.  There is also a refreshment stand (and restrooms) nearby.   These temples also house some very intricate carvings that are surprisingly intact.

Photos taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

Happy village children on the Tonle Sap in Cambodia

Children on a hammock

In this particular town, near Kampong Kleang, on the Tonle Sap, several of us decided to walk thru this single road village that was comprised of 80-100 houses on both sides of the road.  Normally, groups of foreigners drive straight through, heading for Kampong Kleang.

Altogether there must have been 300-400 people living here.  The children came running out of their houses, shouting only one phrase “bye-bye” which was their equivalent of hello, “how are you”, and good-bye.  Although their living conditions was rough by western standards, you couldn’t tell by the looks on their faces.  And the looks on the faces of their parents.

One got the impression that they hardly saw foreigners.  They were very ecstatic in tagging along with us.  And vice versa.

Photos taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

Sister and brother

Girl, Chinese doughnut, and hungry dog

Looking at the commotion

Checking us out

Pre Rup Temple, 11th Century Angkor ruin for sunrise

Pre Rup temple after sunrise

Pre Rup Temple is an alternative to the very popular Angkor Wat for sunrise.  In fact, climb the stairs to the top of the temple for a memorable sunrise.  On this particular day, the cloud cover was heavy so the sunrise was not as spectacular as it can be when it strikes the red sandstone, laterite and brick of Pre Rup.  An added bonus in visiting here is that there aren’t hundreds of people as there can be at Angkor Wat.  This morning, there was our small group and three others visitors.

Another thing.  Pre Rup is a very compact temple that is easy to access.  Angkor Wat is huge and sometimes loses intimacy, especially at sunrise when there are crowds of people trying to share the same expericience.

Photos taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

Looking down from Pre Rup

Two tourists climbing the stairs

Different perspective

Central tower

Village on the Tonle Sap near Angkor Wat

One early morning we traveled to Kampong Kleang, a small fishing village on the Tonle Sap.  From Kampong Kleang, we took a small boat to a floating village about 30 minutes away in the Tonle Sap.

The Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is the life blood of the Cambodian (Khmer) people.  It is known for reverse flow of its water from wet to dry season and the rich biodiversity surrounding the lake.

When we visited, it was still the dry season, however, in another month, the rains will fall and the water may rise up nine meters.

The land surrounding Kampong Kleang will be underwater with the only high ground being the temple grounds.  As the houses are built on stilts, there is little risk from rising high water.  And the people have been living here for thousands of years.  They are well aware of how to survive in this environment.

They go about their daily lives no different than people around the world.

To visit this village travel south by motor vehicle about 1 hour south of Siem Reap.  There are other villages closed to Siem Reap, however, they have become heavily visited by tourists.

Photos were taken with a Leica M8 and Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

Banteay Srei Temple,built in 10th century AD, 40km from Angkor Wat

Walkway from the main entrance to the temple

We visited Banteay Srei temple early one morning, hoping to catch the glow of a bright sunrise against the red sandstone.  Sad to say that the sunrise was not spectacular so we were left with the beautiful red sandstone.

Banteay Srei is a relatively recent name and means “citadel of women”, referring to its delicate proportions and intricate decor.  Banteay Srei was consecrated in 967AD and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.  The original name of the temple was “Tribhuvanamahesvara”, meaning “Great Lord of the Threefold World.

The temple is a must-see.  It’s about 25km from the main Angkor complex.  It is heavily visited so I recommend that you visit early.  You will have the temple all to yourselves.  Later in the morning, there are lots of visitors.

Second gateway

Front facade

Intricate detailing

Rear view

Main complex

Floating village on the Tonle Sap, 1 hour from Angkor Wat

After a few days in Siem Reap, it’s time to take a break from the dozens of Angkor-era temples that are available to see.  One of the best alternate trips is to travel to one of the floating villages on the Tonle Sap.
The Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is the life blood of the Cambodian (Khmer) people.  It is known for the reverse flow of its water from wet to dry season and the rich biodiversity surrounding the lake.

When I last visited Siem Reap seven years ago, I visited another village closer to town.  Since then, that village has become a tourist magnet with dozens of larger tour groups with the result that it sometimes feels like there are more tourists than villagers.

This floating village is about one hour south of Siem Reap with the last 15 kilometers over a dusty and narrow road, passing several small villages before stopping at land’s end at Kampong Kleang.   From Kampong Kleang, you boat down a narrow waterway for open water.  Ten minutes later you arrive at this village.  By June, the village will be gone, as it is rainy season and the lake will rise about 9 meters.  The village will then be moved closer to land.  In fact, the waterway will also disappear as its channel will submerge under the rising water level.

The residents of this floating village are ethnic Vietnamese whose principal livelihood is fishing (as you can probably guess).  Check out the last photo below with the large pig in a floating cage.  Also the small boat in the next to last photo is a local version of a grocery store.

This was not the best morning for photographs due to diffuse hazy light. And when you’re captive to a boat, it’s a bit difficult to plan your photos, both in terms of lighting (the location of the sun)  and the distance between your camera and your subject.  Sometimes you have to improvise.

Photos taken with a Leica M8 and a Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.