A prelude to the sunrise

This shot was taken just before the Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Such was the beauty of this moment that even if one wanted to, there is nothing much to do in post processing to improve this image. You see it exactly as it was taken. A 30 second exposure at f/10, taking in as much as it could from the darkness.

Was dragging myself out of bed at 4:30am worth it? Well, I did it again the next day to experience another wonderful sunrise at the magnificent Angkor Wat.

See more black on blue.

Siem Reap, Cambodia
2006

Arjun Purkayastha • travel & fine art photography •

To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and
install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player.

Comments

← prev 1 2 next →

(169 comments)

ilove888 says:

l like this photo!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Brian Catacutan says:

Hey Arjun. It looks like the early morning photo was worth getting up out of bed. The silouhettes are just amazing!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

kumo36 says:

the masterpiece Arjun!! definitely it worth to get up early. silouette and gradation are so beautifull!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

VickiVale says:

It was worth it! Beautiful.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

I would have done the same. 4.30AM is not a sacrifice if you consider the results. I can feel how cold it is here too. it must be difficult to focus in the dark, much more to compose the shot.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

(Rimbaudian) says:

amazing gradient of blue!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

lakshmi.prabhala says:

what a lovely blue. Lovely symmetry! Well worth egtting up @ 4:30 am ...
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

alight says:

very beautiful!..
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

prachi says:

lovely mood! very beautiful indeed...
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

K1tt4 says:

oh it's absolutely breathtaking...it brought tears to my eyes and made me miss my country so much.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

★ mewot ★ says:

gorgeous, i am hoping to be there myself this May :)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Vitor Castro says:

Foda! Muito lindo o degradê no céu!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

rajii says:

nice snap.. loved it
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

k neva knows says:

fabulous shades of blue
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Nav A. says:

congratulation for this sorta perfection.. this exposure 30 second exposure at f/10 is amazing as hell.. and i say the iso was just appropriate to keep it to silhoutte.. very nice.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

MARQUEE MOON says:

Amazing!!!!!!!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

harisankar says:

fantastic work....
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Zeezicht een says:

Awesome!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

annabellafranc [deleted] says:

very very beautiful !
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

ThePres [deleted] says:

Fantastic!!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

art director says:

Bluetiful prelude indeed! :)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

♥ Becky ♥ says:

yes it's worth dragging yourself out of bed for a great photograph!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergio Lubezky says:

Thank you for rating and posting in the 100 Points group!!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

[zen52] says:

:) amazing shades of blue... and silhouettes... in a beautiful framing... magnificent image !!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

LinkTree says:

VEry good work!

Rated 8 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Kris Kros says:

Instant fave. Blue-tiful.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Sparks says:

Absolutely gorgeous. I love the light, color, and perfect composition.

Thanks for the nice comments on my photos.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

TheMarkR says:

Nice softness and colour.

Rating #2:

Rated 7 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

T Glow says:

wonderful blue tones.. silhouettes!
very beautiful work!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

RevMike88 says:

I love the silhouettes and the color composition of this photo. Very nice. Thanks for getting up so early to share this with us.

Rating #3:

Rated 8 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

P-Kittye says:

The colors, especially the blue, are very nice. I like that I cannot see the objects that are in silhouette but I can see them in reflection.

Rating #4:

Rated 8 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergio Lubezky says:

Rating #5:
\
Great reflections. With only two colors (blue and black)you created a beautiful and interesting work of art. Kudos!

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Milliron Photography says:

I love the powerful darkness. A very peacful and surreal shot. Well done.

Rating #5:

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

pedrosimoes7 says:

Rating #6:

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group. Fantastic color, reflection and contrast.

Congratulations.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

sonic_serenity says:

I love how spacious the sky feels and the movement of the lingering morning stars. The blue seems a little over-done? All in all a great shot. 8/10
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

K//K says:

my friend took 100% this same exact shot under different conditions. must see www.flickr.com/photos/lesia/97437053/
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Sparky_R says:

Nice reflection and lots of blue. Not sure about the darkness in the center.

Rating #8:

Rated 8 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Zulpha says:

The colour's spectacular, nice touch of reflection , but too much sky for me.. needs a crop

Rating #9:

Rated 7 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

ozoni11 says:

Serene

Rating #10:

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

EssjayNZ says:

Final rating in the 100 Points group is a massive 82 Points.

Well done!

Please request entry and publish this photograph in the 80-89 Points group and thank you very much for participating in the 100 Points group.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

chezamy says:

amazing blue, and i like all that space at the top...
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

$ydney says:

Beautiful shot!! Like the contrasting blue here!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

ipernity.com/home/nicoleb / No to censorship [deleted] says:

You always catch so many great colours - wow :D!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

bamboquiri says:

Amazingly beautiful my friend.. This is awsome..
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

.Nano. says:

i love how theres so many shades of blue.

Score 8.5/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Still Picture says:

Awesome. An instant fav!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

elTwitcho says:

Excellent. I like the sky as is

Score 9/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Savigar says:

Awesome.

Score 9/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Bates Imaging says:

well worth getting up for.

symmetry is beautful. i like the larger crop, the dark blue at the top is magnificant.

Score 10/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

le mec qui n'est pas says:

very good shot. i agree with zulpha's crop idea.

Score 8.5/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Tea and Oranges says:

I like the blue...
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

OneStepCloser says:

I like the original crop, the darkness at the top adds to the effect of the picture.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Tasslehoff Burrfoot says:

it's beautiful blue i've ever seen!

Score 10/10 (from the Score Me! group)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Vít Hassan says:

Wonderful colors,nice reflection and yrtemys tcefrep_perfect symetry!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Wanessa Amaral says:

Yeah, it worth! It's really good.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

guildhall kirky old skool says:

Lovely shot
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

pictalogue says:

Very nice picture! Beautiful!

I also like zulpha's proposed crop. It would make an even stronger picture.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

bleuet / Anne-Marie says:

Wonderful capture with amazing blue colour and nice reflections
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

ShawnXian (Busy trying to Heal) says:

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Darren C. says:

If you got out of bed at 4:30, you're a better man than I am. Nicely done!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

_my_eyes_on_You_ says:

Absolutely gorgeous!

I am undecided about the crop... I love seeing the expanse of sky, but with the crop it is neat to have the skyline at the horizontal center.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

meg82skylark says:

I like the original crop--it gives those spires some breathing space, unlike so many photos I've seen of Angkor. Gorgeous light! Wonderful to see a soft light there--I was there in June of 05, and the light was incredibly harsh. Of course, we were too slow to get out that early :) Well done!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

OSR Photography says:

Great colour.

123.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Vratsagirl says:

wonderful gradient sky
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

pericoterrades says:

maravillosa fotografia
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

>Sandy< says:

Yes, we can always justify gettting up at ridiculous times of the morning when the photos turn out like this!! Well done.
(3-2-1)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Guy Flâneur says:

Fantastic shot of that wondrous landmark. I can see why there's a suggested crop, but I like your original framing. The rich blue sky dwarfs the humble temple. You'd lose that if you did the crop because the focus would change. (321)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

terminal orbit says:

beautiful. (3-2-1)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

amsrun says:

Great capture!
3-2-1
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

northreflections says:

Good Grief what can I say it has all been said....lol
Yes definately crop but do not take away 'my' solitude of quiet' in this photo lol
Brien
(PN)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Christine ™ says:

SO stunning - I am just amazed. I like your original framing too - DCVoyager states why perfectly.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

VinaPix says:

Wow!!! I'm going to throw my camera away... Over the years I've taken hundreds of Ankor shots on dozens of different occasions, but nothing I've ever done (or seen) before compares with this shot. This is THE Ankor shot!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Hindolbittern says:

(PN)
That really is extraordinary. Close to perfect.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

mr phillip says:

Tidy!
(321)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

destinatio says:

Breathtaking! (3-2-1)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

innusa says:

Gorgeous shot!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Nagel says:

Lovely reflection and colors. (321)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

akiruna says:

Yes, lovely reflections and blue colour.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Martinusso says:

Magnifico.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

hey mr glen says:

Absolutely wonderful blues.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Mac ind Óg says:

An amazing shot - great light and colour gradients and a stunning reflection.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

baby7 says:

This is a beautiful photo you have created . Love the colors!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

kimicon says:

wow...what a beautiful silhouette and relfection!
your photo is faultless in every way, fabulous shot!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

cindy47452 says:

First, I would not crop this shot and second, I would remove the note suggesting it. The note is quite distracting. The colors here are amazing and absolutely gorgeous. I like silhouette shots and you picked a quite lovely one to take. Good job getting up to take this one.

From the MiRea's Realm Group, you are given a 7/7 ranking.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

psrman says:

I agree - leave as is. It is a wonderful capture and thereflections are amazing!

From the MiRea's Realm Group, you are given a 6.5/7 ranking.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

reflections1000 says:

I wouldn't crop either, the gradual changes of the blue leading to the trees and then on into the reflections are wonderful. Though I have to admit until I viewed in large size my first thought was crop. Nicely done and congratulations for being able to get up at 4:30am to take a picture, I don't think I would have been able to.

From the MiRea's Realm Group, you are given a 6/7 ranking.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

oybay © says:

This is tops in my book. Best blue of the day!

From the MiRea's Realm Group, you are given a 7/7 ranking.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Barfuss forever says:

This photo reminds me of an artist I saw at the Russian museum - Kuindgi. I'm not that crazy about the effect though.

From the MiRea's Realm Group, you are given a 5/7 ranking.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Ahimsa! says:

please let me know when the 'we heart arjun' flickr fanclub is finally launched.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

MiRea says:

Special scoring has been applied.

Congratulations!

You have a total scor of 31 out of 35 in the MiRea's Realm Group.

There is no higher place your picture ever wanted to be!

You are invited to post your pic in MiRea's Realm Sanctuary
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

oybay © says:

The colors, the framing, the style, your viewpoint...all tops in my book! Nice pics...all of them!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

iloveotto, Kris Kros, S u d a r s h a n - Glad you like it so much.

Brian Catacutan, kkumo36, VickiVale, ScarFoot - It definitely was worth it!

Farl - Yes, it was very difficult to focus in the dark. AF was out of the question as it could not read a thing.

(Rimbaudian), lakshmi.prabhala, |K▼O|, $ydney, Tea and Oranges - Yes, the blue is gorgeous.

alight, prachi, Vitor Castro, rajii, Nav A., MARQUEE MOON, harisankar, celius1000, annabellafranc, Mattijn, thepres6, art direktor, zen52, T Glow, chezamy, Rainmountain, bamboquiri, OneStepCloser, Vit Hassan, Wanessa Amaral, guildhall kirky, pictalogue, des bleus au coeur, ShawnXian, Darren C., _my_eyes_on_You_,
EOS.650, Vratsagirl, pericoterrades, sandysshots, terminal orbit, amsrun, northreflections, bpc, Hindolbittern, Ian Phillip, destinatio, innusa, Michael Nagel, akiruna, Martinusso, Glenith, Allan Ogg, baby7, kimicon - Thanks.

K1tt4 - Glad to meet someone from Cambodia on Flickr. Your country is beautiful.

mewot - Am sure you will have a great trip!

LinkTree, TheMarkR, RevMike88, punk_kittye, Sergio Lubezky, lukesb13, pedrosimoes7, sonic_serenity, Sparky_R, Zulpha, ozoni11 - Thanks for the rating and the comments.

Paul Sparks - Thanks and my pleasure.

Karamk - Thanks for sharing the link. Will have a look.

essjay nz, MiRea - Thanks, have added it to the pool.

nanooo, elTwitcho, Savigar, witheringxscapes, Gabriel Xicarts, Tasslehoff Burrfoot, psrman, reflections1000, oybay, Barfuss forever - Thanks for scoring this image.

meg82skylark, DCVoyager - I too liked the original crop, precisely because of the breathing space and because it makes it look even more majestic.

VinaPix - Thanks a lot. There is no need to throw your camera, you take pretty good shots! :-)

cindy47452 - Thanks for your thoughts on the note. I too thought that it was very distracting. Usually, I don't take off notes but this one was killing the mood of the image.

Ahimsa! - No such club for now. *blushing* :-)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

naughton321 says:

beautiful 1
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

ccccssss [deleted] says:

gorgeous
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Java Cafe says:

Spectacular! My compliments to you.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

amy allcock says:

Lovely shot - blue my mind away!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

allisonwonderland says:

the gradient in the sky is amazing! great shot!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

[A25] says:

great photo!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

hhsc/Greg says:

Wow - how beautiful. Great composition, color and light. A favorite!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

I just noticed your comment on the AF failure. yea, manual focus is a pain but you got this good. I'll keep that in mind.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

← prev 1 2 next →

(169 comments)

Would you like to comment?

[?]

	... Arjun's photostream
		249 uploads

This photo also belongs to:

	Charming Cambodia (Set)
		18 items
	Part of: Places

	100-200 Faves (Set)
		19 items
	Part of: Favography

	Showcase (Set)
		14 items
	Part of: Portfolio

	Black on blue (Set)
		7 items
	Part of: Portfolio

	30 seconds (Set)
		7 items
	Part of: Portfolio

	Long Exposure (Pool)
		0

	Cambodia Images (Pool)
		0

	UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Pool)
		0

	Slow Shutter Speed (Pool)
		0

	Fav/View >= 5% - please read the RULES! (Pool)
		0

	100 Club (All pics must have been 'Favorited' at least 100 times (Pool)
		0

	Fifty Faves (Pool)
		0

	Stunning! (Pool)
		0

	500 views and 50 favourites (Pool)
		0

	Angkor Temples (Pool)
		0

	100 faves (Pool)
		0

	1000 views + 100 favourites (Pool)
		0

	50-100 Faves (Pool)
		0

	Anatomy of a photo (Pool)
		0

	80-89 Points (Pool)
		0

	MiRea's Realm Sanctuary (Pool)
		0

	50 Fifty (Pool)
		0

	BLUELIST - The Best of Lonely Planet (Pool)
		0

200 people call this photo a favorite

Additional Information

Taken in Siem Reap, Siem Reap Province (map)
Taken with a Nikon D70s.
More properties
Taken on January 8, 2006
Viewed 5,097 times

Add to your map

Yay location removed

...

(Some formats are OK.)

Anyone will be able to see this on the map

(edit)

Or, remove it from the map.

Go to the map | See nearby photos and videos

You	Sign in \| Create Your Free Account
Explore	Places \| Last 7 Days \| This Month \| Popular Tags \| The Commons \| Creative Commons \| Search
Help	Community Guidelines \| The Help Forum \| FAQ \| Sitemap \| Get Help