TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography

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A Cambodian Wedding – Part 3

Published by travel67

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 2 began with a procession to the family home where the day’s ceremonies would take place. The groom and family lead the way followed by the rest of the wedding party.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Most guests arrived with offerings of food or drinks.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The groom awaits the arrival of the bride.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The bride arrives with her bridesmaids.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The couple then give thanks to their parents.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

More prayers, more offerings, more changes of clothing. Pao, the bride, manages to quickly grab some food between events.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Indoors the ceremonies continue with blessings from monks, and then pieces of red thread are tied around their wrists.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Family members give gifts of money.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The official ceremony ends and the couple is married. Congratulations Suon and Pao and thank you so much for letting me be part of your wedding. It was such an amazing opportunity to photography the event.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

A Cambodian Wedding – Part 2

Published by travel67

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

After the western style dress and suit, the bride and groom changed into the first of many traditional Khmer outfits. I’ve been to Japanese weddings where there were three outfits ( a traditional kimono, then a white wedding dress, then a western dress), but at the Cambodian wedding, over the two days, there were close to twenty.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

After the hotel, events took place at the family home. Tents had been erected outside for the ceremony and there were various offerings to the gods.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Part of the ceremony involved close family members giving the bride and groom a haircut. They’d snip away, without actually cutting the hair, then show the bride and groom the result in a little mirror.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

After another change in clothing, monks arrived and more prayers and offerings were given. After dinner, everyone went home to rest, as the second day of celebrations would begin at dawn.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

A Cambodian Wedding – Part 1

Published by travel67

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

While in Cambodia I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days photographing the wedding of Suon and Pao.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The groom’s sister worked at the Lotus Blanc Hotel where I was staying. One morning, as I returned to the hotel after shooting the dawn, Suon walked into the lobby in a wedding dress.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The staff explained that a local photographer would be taking some photos of the bride and groom at the hotel, before they began the traditional khmer wedding celebrations that would last for two days. Knowing I was also a photographer they said they’d be quite happy if I’d like to tag along and take some pics. Hoorah.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Buddhist Tattoos in Cambodia

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Buddhist Monk with Tattoos, Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

By coincidence, I write this post just after reading about a Buddhist British woman being deported from Sri Lanka for having a tattoo of Buddha on her arm. She wasn’t aware that in Sri Lanka this is seen by some as highly offensive, and she was arrested before she even made it out of the airport.

Buddhist Monk with Tattoos, Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Of course, tourists should be aware of local traditions, but this would be an easy mistake to make considering that in several other countries Buddhist tattoos are signs of devotion. In Cambodia many monks had tattoos on their backs and arms.

Monk with tattoos at Lolei Temple ( Roluos Group ) , Siem Reap, Cambodia

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu

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Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph karate master Naonobu Ahagon at his dojo in Naha City. It was a great experience to meet another Okinawan icon. In October 2013 he was one of 7 karate masters to be given special recognition by the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper for his contributions to traditional Okinawan karate.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Ahagon-sensei is a master of both karate and kobudo (using traditional weapons). These include the kama (sickles) and sai.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

I took a few extra shots of Ahagon-sensei surrounded by some of this weapons inside the dojo. Starting from the far left you can see the eku (oars) then nunchaku, a pair of tonfa, and bo staffs.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

A big thank you to Sensei Mark Spear of the Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts Center in Connecticut for helping set up the shoot.

Siem Reap Pagoda Cats

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Pagoda Cat with monk’s bowl – Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap Pagoda Cats is a small organization trying to help the stray cats that live in around several Buddhist temples near Siem Reap, Cambodia. French ex-pat Josette Vanneur does a daily tour of the temples making sure the numerous felines have food and water, along with arranging medical care including neutering.

If you like cats, or just want to read about someone trying to make a difference, visit their Facebook page Siem Reap Pagoda Cats.

Pagoda cat drinking out of monk’s bowl – Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Pagoda Cat! Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Phnom Bakheng Sunset

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Sunset from Phnom Bakheng, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is the most popular place in Siem Reap to see the sunrise. For sunset the title is held by Phnom Bakheng. The temple is on the top of a small hill overlooking the surrounding forest and the Western Baray.

The number of tourists allowed on the temple is restricted, but it’s still crowded at the top. Arrive early, bring a book, and enjoy those twilight moments.

Channeling Michael Bay

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Young monk sweeping courtyard at dawn, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

It’s only when I start looking through images in Lightroom that I notice that I’m picking up certain habits while shooting. When using the Profoto B1 strobe, I tend to position it off to my right and a little higher than the subject. For natural light portraits I usually have eye contact, but with off camera flash I seem to prefer them looking out of the frame towards the light.

Elderly monk at dawn, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The unexpected result is that several of the images look like stills from a Michael Bay movie. All you need in the next frame is an asteroid, an autobot, or an alien spaceship.

Young monk at dawn, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Banteay Srei Temple. Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Banteay Srei Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Banteay Srei may not be on the same scale as Angkor Wat, but the detail and beauty of its sandstone carvings are unmatched. It’s about 90 minutes by tuk tuk from Siem Reap but well worth the journey. To see the temple in its best light arrive early. You’ll also have the added advantage of beating the crowds and the heat.

Ornate carvings in the sandstone lintels above doorways at Banteay Srei a Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Banteay Srei Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Temple Guardians at Banteay Srei Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Banteay Srei Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Abduction of Sita (western lintel, central shrine) Banteay Srei Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva. Siem Reap, Cambodia

A new dawn for Pentaxians

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Dawn at Angkor Wat, Cambodia

A few interesting things have been happening recently with regards to me working with the Pentax medium format cameras.

I did an interview for online magazine Apogee Photo.

Apogee Photo Interview with Travel Photographer Chris Willson

I also now have a Pentaxian Professional Profile on the Pentax Forums website:

Pentaxian Profile – Chris Willson

I feel I was able to step up my game with the use of on location lighting with the arrival of the new Profoto B1. Very pleased with the following shot of a monk smoking a hand rolled cigar at Angkor Thom.

Cambodian Buddhist monk smoking a handrolled cigar made with sankai leaf.

And finally the photographic community is abuzz with news of the imminent arrival of the Pentax 645Z the successor to the 645D. I’ll put up a more comprehensive post in the next few days, but it looks like Pentax have once again produced a ground breaking camera at a fraction of the price of its medium format digital competitors.