During special events and functions, the temples of Angkor from time to time are lit at night creating a unique and very special experience. It’s usually Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom South Gate, and the Bayon Temple that are lit up but it just depends on the scale and type of event. Sometimes the Baphoun temple is used for private functions, as are the Thommanon Temple and Prasat Kravan.
Apart from the private functions, the general public is free to admire noting you usually cannot go inside the temples. If you follow the local Siem Reap Provincial Tourism Department Facebook page you may get a tip as to when these events are taking place. Otherwise, for me at least, it’s been by word of mouth or by chance when noting the light rigging being set up.
Here are some of my shots taken from various events over the 15 months.
Angkor Wat at night
Bayon Temple at night
Angkor Thom South Gate at night
Baphoun Temple and the Royal Palace/Elephants Terrace at night
If you get the chance I urge you to make the effort to go for a look. Keep an eye on the Facebook page I mentioned or the HelloAngkor FB page where I’ll try to shout out if I know they are on somewhere.
Whilst I am not a photographer, I can say the obvious and that you will need a tripod of some kind, and to know how to set your camera or phone up for long exposures. A one-second exposure is usually enough, making sure your ISO setting is as low as possible or close to the native ISO of your camera. If you want the long light trails, for example, the lights of the cars and bikes passing through the gates of Angkor Thom, then a ten-second or so exposure will do, and enough courage (or stupidity) to stand in the middle of the road :). But, experiment and see what works for you. If you want the lights to look like stars, then try an aperture of F16 or so, but it may also depend on your lens. There are probably loads of tips related to your camera or phone to be found online too.
You also have to be patient, waiting for the moment when people with phones, bikes and cars have cleared the shot. A lot of patience!
These photos were all taken on a now 12-year-old Canon 5D MKIII with lenses just as old :), it’s like carrying a lump of concrete around compared to modern versions :), but as long as it works.