Elephants in Angkor, a photo from Siem Reab, Ouest

Photographer's Note

Elephant Rides are one of the popular ways of visiting many of the Angkor Temples. This was how the Ancient Angkorian Kings of old used to get from one place to other place, and elephants were key to the construction of the Angkor Temples themselves as they were used as principal modes of transport given their strength and obedience.

Elephants hold particular cultural significance in Cambodia, most of all for the critical role they provided in the building of the 12th century temple of Angkor Wat. It can be noted that elephants are depicted in numerous bas reliefs of ancient battles throughout the vaulted galleries of Angkor Wat, as well as the Terrace of Elephants located in the walled city of Angkor Thom.

As a religious symbol, the elephant is purely Asian. It represents royalty, power, wisdom, fertility, longevity and more (Encyclopedia of Religion 82).

Giustiniani, PaulVDV, photoray, No_One, macjake trouve(nt) cette note utile

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InasiaJones (31566) 2014-08-17 8:43

Hi May Jane,

This point of view is interesting, as it puts the viewer straight in the caravan.

The cropping focus on the mahouts and their vibrant colours, golden and red, standing out from the green leaves. You have left a little bit more space on the right side, which is good as it indicates the direction they are going towards to.

My only reserve is that the tourist seat in the foreground is "optically crushing" the helmet of the driver in front, which could have been avoided a second or two later, when the alignment of elephants would have been slightly different, according to the terrain or the varying distance between them.

Best regards,

André

Giustiniani (3650) 2014-08-17 9:57

Bonsoir May,
j'aime beaucoup la composition et l'ambiance de cette photo. Le cadrage serré est très intéressant et l'harmonie des couleurs est superbe. Une très belle capture avec une note intéressante.
Amicalement,
Magaly

PaulVDV (62810) 2014-08-17 12:18

Hello May,
Beautifully decorated wooden seats for presumably a ride on rather rough terrain.
The red colour of the drivers attire and the cloth on the elephant are eye-catching in the green surroundings.
A rather unusual sight but a very good idea presented in an excellent composition.
Best regards, Paul

photoray (13981) 2014-08-17 16:14

Howdy May,

Up close view of the elephant carriage, classical mode of transportation unique to us westerners.
Would be fun to visit the Angkor Temples via elephants.

Thanks for sharing,
Cheers,
Ray

No_One (4) 2014-08-18 12:28

Hi May,
This is a fascinating and so unique view of this activity, at first glance I thought I was seeing a man standing near a bridge. The colors are perfectly captured in the scene and the depth of field has been controller perfectly. Really cool image, thanks for sharing.
Best wishes
Noel

macjake (98262) 2014-08-20 10:29

Hi May
I really enjoy your newest 2 posts from Italy, but i just had to check this one out first.

its all about the composition and the pov in this shot.

love the wooden bench and its character, love the contrasting colors...superb shot!
cheers
craig