A few years ago, Mathew Browne had the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia at dawn, witnessing the breathtaking sight of the sun’s first rays illuminating the sky with shades of orange and pink. Angkor Wat, a 12th-century temple, is a popular destination for photographers due to its architectural marvel. However, capturing its beauty is no easy task, as hundreds of photographers jostle for space each day to get the perfect shot.
Despite the challenges, Mathew was able to distill the essence of the scene in his photograph – the silhouette, the moving clouds, and the crystal-clear reflection. This experience at Angkor Wat is a testament to the patience and creativity required to capture iconic pictures, especially when visiting famous landmarks.
There are many other fascinating stories and tips to be discovered in the vast 500px collection. For example, Easter Island in Chile is known for its mysterious moai statues, with the oldest dating back to 1300. Visitors to the Ring of Brodgar in Scotland can explore the remains of a Neolithic stone circle, believed to have had a ritual function. Newgrange in Ireland, a Stone Age tomb, reveals its secret illumination during the winter solstice. These are just a few examples of the ancient places to be discovered and the tips and tricks to be gathered from them.
To make the most of your visit to these places, it’s important to plan your trip for the right season. Winter transforms Shirakawa-go in Japan into a snow-covered wonderland, while spring in Paris brings cherry blossoms near the Eiffel Tower. Antony, a photographer from Ireland, highlights the magical opportunities for photographing monuments under the stars during wintertime.
A visit to the Kukulkan pyramid in Chichén Itzá, Mexico during the “Kukulcan Night Show” reveals the Maya astronomical knowledge, with a shadow resembling a serpent on the spring and autumn equinoxes. Nanci and David Curry, traveling the world, stumbled upon Sigiriya or “Lion Rock” in Sri Lanka. This rock fortress, dating back to 477 AD, showcases incredible feats of gardening, art, and engineering. They captured a stunning view of Lion Rock from the nearby Pidurangala Rock, a lesser-known vantage point.
When photographing landmarks and tourist hotspots, it’s essential to find a different perspective to avoid the overwhelming crowds. Nanci and David chose Pidurangala Rock instead of Lion Rock, based on a tip from a local. This alternative viewpoint provided them with a unique and less crowded experience.
Mark Millan fulfilled a lifelong dream by visiting Petra, Jordan’s “Lost City” built and carved into pink rock faces. Including a human element can add depth and tell a story in photographs. Mark’s photograph at Petra features a young boy selling a flip-book with postcards, creating a magical shot with few people around.
Nicole Cambré encountered a man holding his hand to the light while visiting the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia. These eleven churches, carved from the same large stone block, have a history dating back to the 12th century. Karnak Temple in Egypt, photographed by Mustafa Karim, is a stunning temple complex known for its breathtaking natural sunlight and spectacular light and sound shows.
While the golden hours around sunrise and sunset are popular for photographing landmarks, exploring a site throughout the day and night can create unexpected and unique scenes. Mathew Browne’s photograph of Masada, a stone fortress overlooking the Dead Sea in Israel, showcases the compositional technique of a “frame within a frame,” adding depth and an unexpected twist to the familiar landscape.
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