In the shadow of Ankur, the majesty, the artistry, the people, their hopes... Photo Gallery by Jose Libres Librodo at pbase.com

In the shadow of Ankur, the majesty, the artistry, the people, their hopes...

Ankur Wat and its neighboring temples remain majestic despite the ravages of war and tyrannical rulers.
Today, you'll be impressed by the palatial hotels, yet, sad to say the natives can't even step beyond it's gates.
I haven't seen children fighting over a thrown empty can of soda and the victor shakes and squeezes it for its last drop.
Such poverty that can't be hidden by those innocent eyes.
Often, after pressing the trigger of my camera, I would utter a silent prayer.. " Oh God, remember these are your children too!"
With these images, I desire to create an awareness that this beautiful but sad place do exist!
So please vote....

Thank you. Salamat po. Khob khun krap.
[ Images best viewed at full resolution. ]

Cloudburst over Ankur Wat	Ankur at Dawn	Majesty
Daughter of Khmer	Feeling Pretty	Son of Khmer
Apassaras 3	Apassaras 2	Apassaras 1
Unwanted	Winning Smile	Hopeful
Ruins 1	Ruins 2	Nature's Dominance
Shiva's Devotee	Ankur's Ancient Dweller	Shiva's Devotee
Ruins 3	Stone Faces	Ruins 4
My only Possession	Khmer's Hope	My Brother
Water Lillies of Ankur	Ruins 5	The Guards
Lady of the Temple	Generations of Believers	Happy Moments
Irresistible Smile	Hoping for Freedom	Family's Treasure
My Pet	The Keepers of Faith	Shy Smile
Baby goes to Town	When not Praying	Family in the Wake
Hunger	Sad Sea Angel	Frowning or Smiling

comment |

gary_neiss		09-Feb-2011 20:58
This is one of the best galleries that I have seen in sometime. You have captured so much feeling and emoitions in these photos it is hard to stop looking at them. Thank you for sharing them.

j.aparna		27-Feb-2010 16:41
hi the pictures of ankurwat are really amazing, really i cant imagine these type of pictures anywhere in the world being an indian and also especially south indian i had never seen such type of pictures and a very special thanks to one and all who did this wonder

Sujata Sen		03-Feb-2009 08:05
Amazing pictures! You have told a story with the shutter of your camera.Very touching.

nikeo		01-Dec-2008 17:20
WONDERFUL,BEAUTIFUL,VOTE,VOTE,VOTE,AND I'M TAKING A COPY OF THESE IWONDERFUL IMAGES HOPE U DONT MIND

jon		17-Apr-2008 11:22
wow these are brilliant

block306		05-Mar-2008 16:02
ful- I like the way you use shades & dim light to produce a certain mood.

Guest		03-Oct-2007 08:05
powerful

Marcio Cabral		13-Jul-2007 12:50
Excellent gallery!! v

Mannie Guevara		26-Jun-2007 08:46
Great photos, now I am more excited to see Ankur Wat on my next vacation. Thanks to you...

Guest		10-May-2007 07:14
man - this is fantastic gallery. i have been there few years ago, i wasn't a "photographer" then... and still - your work is amazing. this one is from there:http://www.pbase.com/image/51355543 best regards, Ohad

Guest		04-May-2007 18:44
I wonder how you catch 'the moment' and the spirit. Beautiful gallery!

Guest		09-Apr-2007 20:13
Beautiful color . lovely

flowsnow		29-Mar-2007 17:03
Angkor is a beautiful and mystical place. I just got back from there but after looking at your shots you have tempted me to go back again to try better! Vote

Guest		05-Mar-2007 10:00
Tahum! Beautiful! Amazingly beautiful! TFS

Guest		05-Mar-2007 01:21
wonderful images - just beautiful work... :)

mandyc		26-Feb-2007 04:01
hello! here i come to visit your pbase.! yes i spot the difference off your work than mr. manuel's you do more of culture/landscape rather than portraits but still do good with those wonderful eyes! and i love those photos!!! BIG VOTE

Raymond		25-Feb-2007 17:47
Ok... I get it ! It's genetic.... you and your brother Manuel, also a member of PBase are truly blessed with the ... eye. I guess how we are brought up, how we see the world reflects... here, let me use the words of another great photographer, ERNST HAAS. THE LIMITATIONS IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY ARE IN YOURSELF, FOR WHATEVER WE SEE IS WHAT WE ARE. So, if 2 bros. see the world the same way... thank the parents, they were the teachers, probably by exemple Hello to Manuel by the way and those who don't know his work... pay a visit, it's worth it, not to take anything away from Jose and his spectacular photography. Thanks for sharing Raymond Leduc

Lynne Revo-Cohen		21-Feb-2007 15:52
i would like to use a few of your wonderful photos of children in a dvd i am creating for UNIFEM, a non-profit organization supporting women throughout the world. can you give me permission to do so at a very modest price? thanks very much, lynne. lrevocohen@aol.com. in US. (703) 405-7133

Guest		21-Jan-2007 19:21
One of the best galleries I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing. Your PS work is superb.

Guest		14-Jan-2007 16:31
Very colourful gallery. Thank you for sharing.

Charles Lasnier		12-Jan-2007 06:04
The images have a look of great depth. The shots of the people are riveting.

Eric Carr�re		10-Jan-2007 10:07
Fantastic work José :) Voted.

Brett Hochkins		10-Jan-2007 09:37
Some beautiful and moving images creating enormous amounts of mood normally found in B&W but this time in vivid colour! Some truely outstanding work from the click of the shutter to the click of the mouse....

dawn		07-Jan-2007 15:50
this and your other galleries are amazing.. Thank you for sharing them with us. v.

Patr�cia Carmo		06-Jan-2007 02:47
Great gallery! Congrats!!!

Bruno Ponte		05-Jan-2007 11:32
Extraordinary Gallery some photos are lika a paint. Congratulations.

Georgia Roessler		03-Jan-2007 19:51
These are all exceptional, but your portraits in particular are stunning. Bravo! Voted.

Guest		03-Jan-2007 04:38
Beautiful! Another triumph in lighting and composition from a gifted photographer. Thanks for sharing...

shatterbug		03-Jan-2007 04:03
Terrific captures of emotion, and wonderful use of light! Bravo! V.

Ken Owen		03-Jan-2007 00:02
Powerful...

Guest		02-Jan-2007 21:09
Beatiful work, compliemnts, very very good! Ric.

Salah El-Sadek		02-Jan-2007 15:06
Exceptional Gallery, that captured people with their feelings , nature with its beauty and life with its movements, happiness and agony.. Well done with great talent .. GMV

Guest		02-Jan-2007 14:05
beautiful work

Guest		01-Jan-2007 23:02
Painfully beautiful

Eric Pouhier		31-Dec-2006 20:04
They are remarquable, I love your images more and more, Best for 2007 from Paris !

Guest		31-Dec-2006 10:33
Fantastic portraits and eyes

Guest		31-Dec-2006 02:25
Beautiful light and composition in your photography. Great work!!!

scgirl2000		30-Dec-2006 23:22
Wow amazing shots here! The children are just beautiful! Fantastic work!

Guest		30-Dec-2006 01:55
Amazing photos. Great lighting and composition.

Nataly		29-Dec-2006 22:46
It's really amazing images, they are full of soul! Всего самого наилучшего в Новом году! ;)

Wanda		29-Dec-2006 21:27
Truly stunning images. Your work is inspiring.

Guest		29-Dec-2006 19:00
I like these better than Steve McCurrys.

Guest		28-Dec-2006 17:56
All vantastic

Paolo Fercia		28-Dec-2006 17:05
Complimenti Jose !!! Anche questa è una galleria di foto stupende dove l'uso che fai della luce è semplicemente fantastico. I ritratti sono uno più bello dell'altro. VVV

Bobby Wong Jr.		28-Dec-2006 02:48
Truly "painterly" work!

Joe Lasker		28-Dec-2006 02:20
Amazing images. They tell your story well. ~V~

Ray		28-Dec-2006 00:02
You have an eye, I love your work and the pictures of the children are the ones that make a mark in our hearts. I just have ask myself why? did we go there to have a war......................

De'Carr Studio		27-Dec-2006 23:35
Outstanding gallery. Vote

Victor Archer		27-Dec-2006 22:02
WOW... Amazing images!!! Excellent work. -V-

Eugenia		27-Dec-2006 16:33
This is simply breathtaking! There's so much to look at in each picture that I could stare at one for hours. They are not only aesthetically pleasing, they are aesthetically revolutionizing. You took beauty and redifined it. My most sincere congratulations and admiration. Eugenia

Olaf Herrig		27-Dec-2006 08:42
A great gallery!!! Vote!

Zane Paxton		27-Dec-2006 00:19
Masterful images that evoke strong emotions....

Tim Reisdorf		26-Dec-2006 19:53
Stunning work... once again... very emotional pictures

JOSE MATA		26-Dec-2006 14:38
MAGNIFICA GALERIA TOCAYO , TODAS TUS FOTOS SE MERECEN EL PRIMER LUGAR, GO AND GET IT !!!!!! VOTED

Guest		26-Dec-2006 12:11
Really superb images! Voted!

jd		26-Dec-2006 10:09
really spectacular gallery. the lighting is really great in near all of the shots. Did you use a flash for these shots, or natural lighting, both?

Chris Sofopoulos		26-Dec-2006 09:21
Very nice gallery Jose! Congratulations for the first places in the popular galleries.

Julie Bird		26-Dec-2006 05:59
Wonderful glimpses. Lighting is excellent. V

Guest		25-Dec-2006 23:37
Beautiful Gallery.. Very special photos.. http://www.pbase.com/nigwel

Guest		25-Dec-2006 22:28
Truly amazing pictures! A very inspiring work...

Maxim Popykin		25-Dec-2006 20:13
Skilfully done, any words senseless

Guest		25-Dec-2006 17:03
Surreal, poised, artistic. You bring light to where there is shadow.

Didier Vanderperre		25-Dec-2006 17:01
Just beautiful, nothimg else to be said.

Dante Dimarucot		25-Dec-2006 16:04
Need I say more kabayan? As usual they're great. Thanks for sharing and you got my vote.

Dmitry Zamorin		25-Dec-2006 12:27
Very special gallery, Jose! You've managed to tell us a whole story about this place and it's inhabitants! Very well done!!!

Martha Albuquerque		25-Dec-2006 10:45
HI José! It's a stunning collection and gmv. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

Guest		25-Dec-2006 10:19
congratulations in advance my friend. this one will surely be on the top again. great images that capture the soul and majesty of the place. mabuhay ka boboy!

Guest		25-Dec-2006 10:18
congratulations in advance my friend. this one will surely be on the top again. great images that capture the soul and majesty of the place. mabuhay ka boboy!

Guest		24-Dec-2006 01:26
ephraim, wow its a stunning images that should be keep forever!

Guest		23-Dec-2006 22:31
Another Masterpiece! Big Vote

Guest		23-Dec-2006 16:00
Very many shot with sense of it , Thank do much

Guest		23-Dec-2006 10:58
it's a great gallery, all of the images are really awesome, big vote.

Guest		23-Dec-2006 09:55
Fantastique!

Gilles Navet		23-Dec-2006 09:29
Magnifique mon ami, superbes images, présentation pro, un vrai regard d'artiste Vote Gilles

John Florning		23-Dec-2006 09:01
Once again you've done it, Jose. You really catch the mood in the innocent eyes - whether it's sad, hopefull or shy. Watching your photos give me a kind of af sad feeling afterwards. It's very beautyfull work. Thank you very much for sharing and for being on your list. Again you got my vote.

Guest		23-Dec-2006 08:19
Your photos are so great..........thanks.

Dan Chusid		23-Dec-2006 05:27
This gallery is a prime example of why your work appeals to me so much Jose. Good eye contact, fantastic lighting and uncluttered compositions highlight the close contact you show with your subjects. I stand in awe of the majesty. Best wishes for a fabulous New Year my friend. - Dan

Guest		23-Dec-2006 04:33
AMAZING WORK.... keep posting .. n keep me updated... thanks for sharing..tc.

Guest		23-Dec-2006 02:10
this place is truly a photographer's haven...lots of sights to see but your photos also captured the spirit of its people...excellent work! looking forward to more photos!

Guest		23-Dec-2006 01:57
That's just magnificent Jose...Thank you so much for the invitation, I can tell you that every picture here is worth it. Went through these twice with slideshow and I enjoyed every minute although for a work like this, every image is worth taking your time and searching in it's foundation...Bravo...V...

Jaime Serrano		23-Dec-2006 00:41
Great, absolutely expressive. Voted.

Bobby Wong Jr.		22-Dec-2006 23:40
The photography is outstanding, but the artistic touch and the message behind this latest travel portfolio has taken this album to the next level. Good good work. Everytime I don't hear from you for some time, I imagine you toiling on your next masterpiece. I guess I was not mistaken. I'm sending your link to my entire mailing list of friends. Impressive work as usual.

Wendy		22-Dec-2006 23:24
Thank-you for sharing this special gallery. I particularly like the lighting in your pics.......depicts the emotion of your pictorial.

ron shufflebarger		22-Dec-2006 22:22
As always a terriffic gallery----ron s.

thechebb		22-Dec-2006 22:11
EPIC images touching the soul and heart! Well done & voted!

carol j. phipps		22-Dec-2006 22:08
Voted. Thanks for sharing this gallery. Will spend more time with it soon.

Alfred Arzt		22-Dec-2006 21:41
Stunning. Wonderful work. Outstanding images. Great light, coloures and compositions. Big vote!

Guest		22-Dec-2006 21:35
Remarkable images individually, you have woven them together to give a much picture. I like the way you end with hope.

Richard Calmes		22-Dec-2006 21:29
This is powerful and touching! You are a very talented artist of the soul! V

Gerard Koehl		22-Dec-2006 21:20
Jose, merci de m'avoir envoyé le lien vers cette magnifique galerie, j'y reviendrais un autre soir. V

Tom Briggs		22-Dec-2006 21:16
Jose, you need to know that this is not only a great gallery but touches upon the truth of that part of the world; i.e., there are the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' and, sadly, there is normally no way for the latter group to move upwards ... the result is that the children suffer, as you've so deftly catalogued and photographed. Voted

Ken McColl		22-Dec-2006 21:10
I've travelled to Cambodia and Siem Reab 3 times now and no doubt I will go back again.. there is something which keeps drawing me back. I agree with your comments regarding the poverty ..but amongst the sadness there is always hope. Lets hope that the 2008 elections will bring a different era to these amazingly stoic and proud people. You have some truly wonderful images here and are to be congratulated..well done...Readers may wish to do a GOOGLE search on ...Ponheary Ly..if they would like to help children in this area. Once again Jose..well done. KMc

Marcia Colelli		22-Dec-2006 21:06
wonderful gallery, beautiful work Vote

Jacques Domenge		22-Dec-2006 20:49
You've done it again. Congrats! As always, I love your work.

Guest		22-Dec-2006 20:17
Thanks for inviting me to view a stunning gallery of yours. You definately got my eyes opened again. Keep them posting please . Amazing job !

Guest		22-Dec-2006 19:59
One of the nicest galleries I have seen yet. The images are breathtaking and stunning. Great Work!

Hodero		22-Dec-2006 19:59
Every picture in this gallery is a Jewel ! The way you captured it is breathtaking. Big Vote to your work amigo !

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