Sieam Reap

The city of Siem Reap is located in northern Cambodia, and is the administrative capital of the Siem Reap province. It is Cambodia’s second largest city with a population of nearly 200,000. The city is best known for the nearby ruin city of Angkor which accounts for the city’s main industry, namely tourism. Just outside Siem Reap is the iconic Angkor temple area, the size of 285 football fields. The temple area and the most famous temple Angkor Wat is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list and is Cambodia’s main attraction. The temples of Angkor Wat were built in the 12th century and were then supposed to become the capital of the country. As you wander around and view the temples, you will be able to sense the history and events that have unfolded there.

DAY 1 (10/11) – ARRIVAL & EVENING PHOTOGRAPHY
During the day you will arrive in Siem Reap followed by transfer to the centrally located first class Memoire d’Angkor Boutique Hotel. After check-in there will be time for some rest before you will be met in the evening by Philip Lee Harvey and a host from Zoom Photo Expeditions. As an introduction to our visit in Cambodia, we will take a walk in the centre of Siem Reap, which will be a perfect opportunity to get to know the city as well as for some street photography as a warm-up for our upcoming photo adventures. The evening ends with a lovely welcome dinner and a first taste of Cambodian cuisine. (D)

 DAY 2-3 (11-12/11) – ANGKOR WAT WITH GREAT PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
The next few days we leave the hotel before sunrise to catch the soft morning light at the ruin city of Angkor. Together with Philip and our knowledgeable local guide, we will visit and photograph several temples in the ruin city of Angkor where Philip has taken pictures for Lonely Planet, among other things. The most famous temple within this large temple area is Angkor Wat but there are also many equally interesting places, including Bayon, a beautiful temple ruin from the 13th century. When we wander around among the beautiful buildings there is an almost mystical feeling and it’s easy to understand why they chose to shoot parts of the Tomb Raider films right here. The motifs can be found everywhere from the magnificent temple walls at Ta Phrom where the massive trunks of cotton trees enclose the sandstone in the walls to the beautiful and detailed sculptures that adorn the surroundings. During the days in Angkor, we will also visit a monastery and have the opportunity to take pictures as the monks get ready for morning prayer.

DAY 4-5 (13-14/11) – FLOATING VILLAGES, FISHERMEN & MUCH MORE
Day four and five of the journey take us to the outskirts of Siem Reap to the Tonle Sap Great Lake. This large lake is what remains of the sea inlet after a land elevation some 5000 years ago. For the inhabitants of Cambodia, the Tonle Sap is as important as the Nile is for Egypt; it’s a source of life. By boat, we explore the lake which doubles in size during the monsoon. We continue to build a photographic story with completely different motifs and photographic ingredients. During our visit to a floating village, we gain an insight into everyday life. Here we are attracted by the fishermen in their small wooden boats, the moving houses, the small shops, women who cook food and the small details that make up the whole.

During the days, our memory cards are also filled with pictures from local markets, houses and bars from the colonial era and much more. Each place has a story to tell and together with Philip, we explore how we can tell this story in different ways with our pictures. It is not always the most obvious composition that is the most interesting; Philip helps you discover that the abstract and what we leave out of the picture, can become at least as interesting as a close-up.

When we are not exploring with our cameras, we will work with image processing, have constructive discussions about the images we take and listen to inspiring lectures by Philip on everything from how to work with lighting to finding your own photography style. What we learn during the lectures, we will then try in practice.

After a number of days where you have had the opportunity to discover and document different parts of Cambodian everyday life, you will receive a photo assignment from Philip before the evening of day four, which you will execute on your own during the evening and report the next day. Dinner this evening is therefore planned on your own. (B, L, D day 5)

DAY 6 (15/11) – TEMPLES, BEAUTIFUL STONE CARVINGS AND MARKETS
Our main destination for the day is Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. We bring all the inspiration and photographic insights we gained from the first few days of temple exploration and create new images in this area which, in addition to an impressive temple structure, is also considered to have some of the world’s most beautiful stone carvings. We will also make spontaneous photography stops when we see something that catches our interest. At one of today’s stops we will see and photograph the production of silk according to traditional methods. The night is dedicated to your own activities. Dinner is spent however you like . (B, L)

Day 7 (16/11) – PHNOM KULEN WITH SACRED MONUMENTS AND WATERFALLS
On our last day together we go to Phnom Kulen National Park with its sacred mountain and waterfalls. This is a lush park which will offer varied photo opportunities. Among other things, we will visit an eight-meter-tall statue of Buddha. We will also visit the “River of one Thousand Lingas” and photograph a beautiful waterfall and for those who would like to, there will be the opportunity to take a cooling dip in the water.

During our last evening of our amazing adventure, we share a closing dinner and summarize all the experiences and memories for life that we bring home with us. On the last evening, Philip will select the image of the trip, which automatically advances to the final of the competition ”image of the year 2024”. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 (17/11) – DEPARTURE
Today it’s time to finish our trip and after transfer to the airport, departure to Sweden on your own. (B)

Flights to Siem Reap, Cambodia on your own. You should be at the hotel in Siem Reap at about 17.00 on 10/11. The return trip can take place at any time on 17/11.

If you want help with booking your flights, we are more than happy to assist you with this. You are welcome to call us on the phone +46 470 466 40, email us at info@zoomfotoresor.se or let us know when you make your booking.

Target group: photographers interested in developing their skills in travel and documentary photography.

Min/max number of participants: 8/12.

Language: English

Other: for more information about Zoom photo tours, delivery conditions, etc. see our website under Other.