Old and New: Lens-Artists Challenge #99

03Jun
by Oh, the Places We See

Nothing attracts attention like a red dress.

Laura Bush

With a challenge from Amy (The World Is a Book) to post juxtapositions of old and new, we were reminded of our day touring Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Cambodia. Unexpectedly to us, a number of visitors had arrived onsite with the express purpose of having their pictures taken against the dramatic backdrop of one of the world’s most interesting ancient structures.

A photographer captures a new subject against an old temple.

And clever these locals and tourists were, as well. They evidently all got the same message: Red is the color that shows up best against the grays of the aging sandstone blocks.

Looking all the part of a fashion plate, this woman poses for a picture at Angkor Wat.

Between takes, those to be photographed situated themselves in various positions or checked their email on new technology.

If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.

Peter Drucker

But not all were posing for a photographer. As this quick capture reveals, monks, too, take selfies at the largest religious monument in the world.

And why not? There’s no better place than this for a little new with a whole lotta old.

New tech, old backdrop: a monk takes a selfie at Angkor Wat.

Keeping our eyes open,

Rusha & Bert

24 thoughts on “Old and New: Lens-Artists Challenge #99”

  1. gallivance.net

    Rusha, I absolutely love this post! When we were at Angkor Wat, the only people in colorful clothes were the monks and performers. Your photos are so striking. But what I love most is how I GOT to this post – from the photo of the monk on your homepage footer. Very creative … and excellent marketing. Well done! 🙂 All the very best, Terri

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks! That monk may be one of my favorite folks I photographed since I saw him quickly , fumbled with my camera, and then caught the shot, albeit a bit blurry. Glad you like where I posted it. I’m still trying to figure out how to draw people to older posts. You do a good job of that, by the way.

      Reply

  5. maristravels

    Yes, red is always eye-catching in a photograph. I learned this years ago when I went on my first photographic day-school. Actually, it’s about the only thing I took from the day course! Oh, one other thing. I was advised to always carry something red that could be attached easily to a tree, a bush, a car, anything, to give that burst of colour, and that’s something I still do, carry an easily-foldable and creaseless, red silk scarf with me.

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      How interesting! I never would have known about the “something red” to carry. So glad you took the time to comment. Seeing the people dressed in red was fascinating, as if they all knew what to wear but the rest of us had no idea! See what you learn when you travel?

      Reply

  7. kzmcb

    Clever capture. I’m impressed by both your initial impulse to take the photos and your recent recall that you had!

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks! I’m surprised that I could find them, and I’m still missing one — a girl who posed from a window. But I had fun reliving the too-brief time we spent at that marvelous place. And I love people watching, especially in red!

      Reply

  8. Tina Schell

    Oh dear Rusha – It made me a bit sad to see all of those people ignoring one of the most important architectural finds of the 20th century. I was SO very overwhelmed by the amazing sites there that I cannot imagine anyone paying attention to anything else. They DO make for some great images tho!!!

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I see your point, but I’m thinking these are locals who have visited so many times. It would be similar to us having our photos made on the beach. To someone who has never been to the beach, that might seem like a waste of great moments. But if you’re there every week or so, it just becomes another place. It was a surprise to us, though. We never expected to see so many. And truly almost all were wearing red!

      Reply

    2. Oh, the Places We See

      I’ve been thinking if your comment for a couple of days. And now I think I know to what you were referring. You were upset by the people walking on this ancient treasure, as am I. At first I thought you were just talking about the act of Beijing photographed at Angkor Wat. But you are so right to be upset. We saw many tourists and locals climbing in areas that we thought should have bee roped off and protected. In many places, the heavy stones are being worn down with little or no regard for preservation. It seems that the government would want to do more to save these structures, but we saw few signs and almost no patrols. It is a sad sight to see.

      Reply

      1. Tina Schell

        Exactly Rusha – it was the lack of respect that made me sad. Have you seen the Nat Geo articles about how much more they’ve discovered underground? Incredible.

  10. Amy

    Thank you, Rusha for the tour of Angkor Wat. These beautiful photos tell stories of the old and new, The image of ladies in various positions is my favorite. 🙂

    Reply

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