Angkor Wat as Approached from the Jungle
Cambodia’s Angkor Wat 2007
I dawdled too long in the jungle enclosed areas of Siem Riep and when I emerged into the morning sunlight, the sun was too high. That blasting light removed any semblance of ambiance from my shot of the famed temple of Angkor Wat. I’ve tried many ways to make this into something special and this is the best I can do. I used Lucis Art on it, but you could use Topaz Adjust just as well if you have a shot that you are determined to save. I won’t call this a silk purse from a sow’s ear because I’m not totally happy with it.
Why do I show it, when Jay Maisel says only show your best shots? Well, this one shows a world-famous landmark from a different viewpoint. Therefore, it is an illustration not my attempt at art.
Yet, as I look at the photograph, I remember the golden sunlight that warmed me after walking through the dark, damp jungle. It was mighty fine, as we used to say in South Carolina. One more little thought: I call the parklands of Angkor Wat’ jungle’ because that is what they are, except now, they are pruned and trimmed and there are dirt pathways with signs. Paul Theroux, who used to be my favorite author, but no longer is, called it jungle and I scoffed when I read it. I guess technically it is jungle, but it’s not the picture you have in your mind of what a jungle looks like.
You see the two fan-shaped sculptures on either side of the steps? Those are Nagas, a Hindu deity that brings rain. They are serpents and are often if not always depicted in temples both Buddhist and Hindu. The fan-shaped thing is the hood of the cobra. The temples of Siem Riep are mostly Hindu, but some are Buddhist depending on who was the ruler at the time.