Apr 16, 2014

Sunrise at Angkor

You can't go all the way to Angkor and not:-

drag yourself out of bed at 0300
crawl your blurry eyed self out of the hotel room
be grateful for an amazing driver who was more awake than you
doze all the way to Angkor
tumble out of the car, strap a headlamp on, grab your camera and tripod
try your best not to trip over your own feet and numerous obstacles and narrow steps
somehow get yourself out to the reflection pool at Angkor
set up your tripod and get super close and cozy with your fellow photographers
remind yourself it is all going to be worth it....really...it will...promise.....
ask yourself why again you got out of bed and are stood in the dark with 10 other people...one hour before sunrise...really...whhhyyyyyy
play around with your camera and take a few long exposure shots that look....unremarkable....question your sanity for waking up so early
joke around with and question the shared insanity with your fellow photographers
hear, feel and see the masses of fellow tourists beginning to descend on the reflection pool....be very grateful you woke up at 0300 to get there first and commander a prime spot.
elbows out guard your spot confidently
watch the sunrise start to slowly creep across the night sky....start to take back to back long exposure shots....
frown disapprovingly at the fellow tourist shooting over your shoulder....USING THEIR FLASH.....serenity now!
keep shooting...over and over and over and over
have that magical 45 second moment when the light is perfect and just lights up the sky
pray the 6 shots you take in that 45 second do the moment justice....see that you were able to...clap with glee and high five your fellow photographers
take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of the sunrise
pack up your gear show off your favorite shot of the morning to your photography buddies
now head on over to grab yourself a delicious Cambodian coffee and agree that this was indeed an experience worth having....despite the early start :)