root revenge Photo

Photographer’s Note

The tourists to the left appear like they are running away from a monstrous root attack.

Several weeks ago, the American public TV (PBS) aired a nature show about the ruins in Tikal (Guatemala) and Angkor (Cambodia) among others, and offered a theory about why these early civilizations declined. In essence, it was theorized that these ancient cities got so big that their environment could not support the food and shelter demands. Scary, I think that’s what mankind is doing right now.

Ta Prohm is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. It has been left in much the same condition in which it was found. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

tigra, olirey, tcht, goodwill, fserajian, pablominto, muscovado, zou, pboehringer, Silke, turkamerikali, sebcz, MLINES, robob, matt_harris_42 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tigra (2968) 2006-08-05 23:39 [Comment]

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joeydrops (2645) 2006-08-05 23:55

Hi Danilo,
Wow, those tree roots are massive! You've taken the photo from a good POV, giving good perspective. I also like the inclusion of the people to give scale. Well captured!
Claudia

james-r (672) 2006-08-06 0:18

Superb - it is great that the women are in the scene as it gives a sense of perspective.

Taken from a nice angle, sharp image.

Well done.

tcht (7298) 2006-08-06 0:45

Hello Danilo,
I have just visited this temple last week! It's a lovely place...very mysterious. And you've done a good shot here with a nice angle of view and good balanced lighting. Well done! Look forward to seeing more of your Cambodian posts...I shall post some of mine later.
Regards,
Cheuk Hin

Click3 (1871) 2006-08-06 1:39

Danilo this is a very interesting photo for those so far away and captured in a unique/masterful way.
Thanks for sharing-including the note/guideline, Robert

fserajian (4551) 2006-08-06 2:26

Hi Danilo,

Nice shot, very effective to show close up, I would have like to see a wide angle view of this to apprciate its extent. TFS

Fara

Gustaw (21670) 2006-08-06 3:55

Super!
Nature and architecture! Beautiful! Very interesting historical place!
Marek

pablominto (41314) 2006-08-06 4:07

Hi Danilo,
A very fine touch to include the people as they work nicely for scaling! Makes the roots even more interesting...
Good point of view and a fine composition with good lines!
Fine details in spite of muted lighting...
Greetings,
Pablo -

goodwill (4033) 2006-08-06 5:26

Hi Danilo,
As if I am watching a Hollywood movie;Harry Poter series. A next step from the giant roots and my PC is shatterred to pieces.
Effective shot.
Rajeev

muscovado (1530) 2006-08-06 8:12

Need i say more Bai Danilo? Ikaw na gud na! nindot jud ang nga hulagway! It makes me wanna visit Angkor! Mabuhay!
Czaldy

ben4321 (9807) 2006-08-06 12:43

This would have been a great subject to shoot in black and white, especially as the isn't much colour in the scene anyway, and the shot relies on shape and texture for its impact.
As it stands though, I think this is a very interesting image, and you're right, the roots do leave quite a menacing impression.
I think its great, well done.
Ben

Angshu (34089) 2006-08-10 23:40

Hi Danilo
A good one from Ta Prohm, even better since you’ve managed to keep a person in the frame.. I visited this amazing place earlier this year & it’s amazing how wonderous it is. Your angle of capture is excellent & you’ve managed well the subdued light.
Regards
Angshu

rosaline (0) 2006-08-13 3:40

Hi Danilo
A great and awe inspiring historical site and excellently captured here. I have had the fortune to visit Tikal, and hope to visit Angkor in January. You have brought a great picture here for me to admire. Well done.
Aubrey

zou (221) 2006-08-22 11:34

hahhaha those aliens look they had a big penis :-P
Nice picture, and good note
thanks to show us this kind of temple

§
Zou

pboehringer (770) 2006-08-23 11:08

Good deatiled shot. It must certainly be quite difficult to take pictures at this place. Everything seems to be so overdimensional. However, you found a good framing showing the massive roots penetrating into the walls. The two girls gives some contrast to the rather isolated place. It's a pity that you didn't get any sunlight with shadows to enhance the overall impression.
Best Regards, Peter

Silke (3023) 2006-08-26 17:32

Stunning, and yes -- also frightening composition: Nature wins out against humanity when humanity forgets to be wary. Great POV, composition and sharpness. TFS
Silke

turkamerikali (4772) 2006-09-25 13:26

Hi Danilo,
This is awesome photo my friend.
Ruins and Roots details that you captured here amazing:)
I like your pov,dof,colors,focus,sharpness,note and framing.TFS
Chris

sebcz (2345) 2006-09-29 3:37

Fascinating picture, it must have been realy great to be there.
Details, composition, human element is also present.
Regards,
Seb

janneman (1236) 2006-10-09 9:20

An almost unnatural view!
Thanks to the girls it has some human dimension. So Well doneDanilo!

It must be an amzing place to visit!

MLINES (10948) 2007-02-23 4:55

Hi BDanilo. Wonderful close up of the huge roots which seem to be swallowing up this civilization. The people show the immense scale. Excellent clarity and colour. Murray.

robob (3640) 2007-04-08 11:42

Hello Danilo,
Incroyable nature ! Ces racines sont spectaculaires et la présence des touristes donne une bonne idée de leurs grandeurs. Excellent cadrage !
Amicalement,
Robert