guarding angkor

Luckily, a nice person stepped into the picture to provide a sense of scale at one of the face-tower gates to Angkor Thom.

The faces on the 23 m towers at the city gates (which are later additions to the main structure) take after those of the Bayon (main temple complex), and pose the same problems of interpretation. They may represent the king himself, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, guardians of the empire's cardinal points, or some combination of these.

You can watch this excellent documentary:
City of the Gods - Angkor, Cambodia
for the architecture and cultural history of Angkor.

Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reab, Cambodia.

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Comments

← prev 1 2 next →

(118 comments)

sofiesofie says:

that is beautiful!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Tatiana Cardeal says:

beyond magic, a wonderful capture!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Dalmatica says:

i like this - like a begininng of an adventure film!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

cherrygarcia says:

WOW, this is beautiful!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

willfire says:

How dramatic can it get? Imposing shot!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

thank you for your wonderful feedback
selftimer,
tatiana,
dalmatia,
cherrygarcia,
willfire
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

sweetsexything says:

wow! thanks for sharing this! so nice!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

/\ltus says:

Good thing they did, as I would've figured this to be about 1/10 the size!

Yet another great rendering on this shot; a fave!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Redroom Studios says:

I have a feeling that you may be seeing hundreds of these again very soon...

gotta love that calm, wise grin
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Yves. says:

Wow!!!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

thanks jenny, altus, sean, and yves.

yeah, you know, if you see it without people, it does not seem like it would be so enormous. i mean, they built and carved all this stuff by hand. just incredible and imposing... as willfire stated.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

S'Murf says:

Oh David, you are making me want to go back to Angkor Wat so much...just wish it was a better time for me when I was there. The one and only photo of Angkorthom I had, well, is not even a fraction as magnificent as this. :)

Love the colour treatment here; very vivid. Sort of give life to an otherwise monochromatic stone statue.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

* rel. [deleted] says:

friggin' great shot! angkor is definitely on my world tour list!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

* K A Z Z I E * says:

that's it ... you may have to put up with me for 1 week in Angor if you continue to post these !!!! tempt me tempt me !!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Magnolias forever says:

same here :D this is wonderful, david...love the treatment, it actually looks as if the statue were dissolving into the sky...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

kazzie and mag: i will continue with the angkor picture for more temptation.

chaun and rel: i will be there for the Angkor Photography Festival from November 25th to December 1st, 2006. www.flickr.com/people/angkorphotographyfestiv al/ :~)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

S'Murf says:

You lucky thing David! I will be in SE Asia in October...any chance of convincing Stuart to move the festival forward...kidding. :) It's great that you are going; they are doing a fantastic job with the Cambodian youths there.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

chaun... it's too bad you cannot make it. :~(
kazzie and mag are on the borderline... but i have to keep posting more good angkor shots to tempt them :~)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

S'Murf says:

May be next year...:(
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

* K A Z Z I E * says:

borderline .....closer than you think ......
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

-sel says:

not a question of temptation...
great captures again, the way of postproduction suits em perfectly!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LaserGuided says:

That is magnificent! Wish I could be there someday.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Vít Hassan says:

David,this is g.r.e.a.t.!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

thank you vit, nick, sel...

kazzie: i may have to get new camera that has super high ISO
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr.Chan says:

Beautiful shot . Just stop by say hello myfriend .
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

stephen... what is up with you? what happened? is everything ok?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

(jennY) says:

wow..i never knew such beautiful visions existed..the colors are so vivid and wonderful!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

fish-bone says:

Nice- vibrant colours. PS?
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

yes, fish-bone. i ps just about everything that goes up on this site... well at least all the more recent ones.

hi jenny...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Dave Schreier says:

Very nice. I would love to go there.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Garion88 says:

Great shot!
THis was one of my favorite spots at the site.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Dalmatica says:

which deity could this be?
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

hi mariana... i keep meaning to add more description to this picture but keep forgetting so thanks for asking because i just added more. they are not quite sure what the faces are of. it could be the king that built it, bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or the guardians of the empire's cardinal points. most likely, it is an idealized combination of all of those.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

yau2pal says:

Right out of Turok Dude, and you've been there ! , Thanks.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Matt Sterne says:

Absolutely stunning. I am going there in a few weeks and this is just inspirational... Faved. Cheers.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

have a great time at angkor matt. take time to take it all in. there's a lot of it.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

super megabuddy says:

It is that 1000 year old stare that brings you into its world.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Remiss63 says:

having the person as a reference as to the scale makes its immensity palpable. i only wish they didn't have a white shirt. a dark sihouette would've been a bit more subtle.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Kalamakia says:

Awesome shot!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

recknick says:

this is da bomb!!!! awesome!!!!!!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

vernetto says:

amazing, unreal, you should make a poster and sell on the internet -sorry for being so commercial :o)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

thanks everyone for your visits, comments and faves...

@vernetto... no need to apologize. i would if i could... and maybe someday i will... :~)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

G0Da says:

I love the smile on his face.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

tia_inspirativa says:

You're invited to add this photo to the Inspirational Photographers Group.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

hk_traveller says:

Beautiful!

Is it taken by film camera?

:)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

yes, this was taken with film camera in 1999. it was scanned from a photograph print and rendered out in ps.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Bagelbaby says:

absolutely gorgeous collection.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

vodkamax says:

Nice one, you have some beautiful photos of trees!

I'm doing a project to plant trees in Africa and fight climate change.
It would be great if you would be interested to help this great project by showcasing your work on my website.
You will always receive full credits and the pictures will link to your profile and album so that you can as well benefit from a bit of recognition.

Help me with this beautiful cause!

thanks in advance
max

PS: that's the direction where you can upload your work:
tree-nation.com/?discussion=229
or contact me if you want more details. see you soon

Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

floato says:

Beautiful and atmospheric shot.
Your photo will fit in at QUIRKY HISTORY www.flickr.com/groups/411857@N22
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Ian Middleton: Photography says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Mysterious World: Travel, History & Ancient Mysteries, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Chanchito Adventures! says:

wow!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

LimerickStudent says:

Brilliant! Such an amazing structure
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

nop_sophorndara says:

So wonderfull shot, excellenent color.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandmania says:

An amazing shot of this sacred place. You have some fantastic shots in your stream. So many beautiful and wonderful captures from all over the world. A pleasure to view.

--
Seen in your flickr faves set. (?)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Alentjana says:

Nominee
Congratulations!
Your pic becomes nominee of "Shield Of Excellence"
Please add this photo to
Shield Of Excellence Group
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

thank you for the nomination @Alentjana

thank you everyone for visits, comments, faves... :~)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

www.k3ko.com.ar says:

Crazy place!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Rodrigo_Soldon says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Wonderful photos for the world, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mike LaPalme says:

Beautiful photo. The place is stunning.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

Fusion08 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Cambodia Today, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
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Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

angshu0105 says:

Good scanned photo. The tower with the huge serene face comes out very well against the blue sky. The vegetation growing on the stones also gives this an extra edge. very good shot
With Regards
Angshu
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

¡anna] says:

wonderful place, great angle and colours!

--
Seen in your angkor, cambodia set. (?)
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Jean-Sien Kin says:

Wow, so unreal !
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Wonderlane says:

Hevajra
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

sadik. [deleted] says:

wow wow wow!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

LeszekZadlo says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 100 + Viewed Best Archaeology & Ruins Photos (add 1, award 1), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

This is an invitation for ALL Your popular archaeology & ruins photos.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Bissingerbooks says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called What Do You See Through the Leaves?, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

gipas76 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called civiltà sepolte, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

true2source says:

incredible !
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Jill .... in Singapore lah! says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Global Backpackers *** Exclusive, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Lαin says:

I will be in angko in 1 or 2 month and, now, because of you, i m realy exiting...
Great shot...
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

frenky2007 says:

Wonderful monument
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

awohlfarth1 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Inspiration from the Imagination, and we’d love you to join the group and add your picture.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Adz7. says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Stone Marvel, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

wild.doug says:

This brilliant photo is like a shooting star, extraordinary!

SHINING☆STAR - Post 1- Invite 1- Give 5 Stars
Please consider posting this picture into this group, thanks!!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Khun Shaun (ชอร์น) says:

Hello. I am an administrator of the group Travel on 5 Photos a Day
and would like to invite you to add this great picture.

Please tag photos with "5PhotosaDay".

Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Alex Kim B says:

Very nice one. Loving it
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

evaruth says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Top 20 Travel Photography, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

jupiterman94 says:

They should use this for the next Indiana Jones movie...
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

DianaKing says:

This is a beautiful photograph.
It's really breathtaking.
I'm just in awe of the beauty...
Yuck, that sounds corny. Eh, but, it's true.
Kudos on a beautiful picture!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

alicepopkorn says:

very beautiful mood
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Tristan Gieler says:

My god that thing is awesome. And here's me living in Holland!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

INSANEmomof3 says:

Beautiful.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

HIDDEN IN THE CITY says:

Super image!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

yushimoto_02 [christian] says:

( )
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

ZLamperti says:

Amazing!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

samatt says:

amazing I can't believe the detail you can still see.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

lifv [deleted] says:

a really nice picture!!!! be proud!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

dreamtiger says:

You may want to add your photo to the group PlanetEye - travel beyond words. A very small group of photographers are being invited and the best photos will be included in a new online travel guide.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

MAYANSUN says:

Hi..I took the liberty and used your amazing photograph to create one of my Photo-Manipulations here....

The Journey Home Check it out..Hope you like it!!

Thank you!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

.AV. says:

lovely
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

A D V M says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Indochina, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

valliepix says:

Wow!! I am going there in November. Hope to take some great photos like yours. (but I'm not that good)
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

ஃ முதல் அ வரை says:

Great work!!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

ramnath_rapolu786 says:

very very nice
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Rickydavid says:

You are invited to post this photo to the 'ARCHITECTURE contest by the **Explore Unexplored!** Group (posting end August 28th)

**Explore Unexplored!** Group!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

naahlii says:

stunning! eerie almost. it looks so magical
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

AnotherPrufrock says:

otherwordly..
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Geology 1 says:

Hi i am a geologist and archaeologist student and i would like to add your photo to my group, its a great picture, "cannon i presume".
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Rodrigo_Soldon says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Wonderful photos for the world Pls post 1-comment 3_Vote NoW!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo
Taken at Angkor (UNESCO World Heritage).

Taken in Siem Reap, Siem Reap Province (map)
Taken on December 11, 1999
Viewed 23,142 times
Replaced on May 4, 2009

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