13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Wondering Aimlessly at Angkor

This is my favorite photograph I took during my time abroad in Southeast Asia. I’ve been here numerous times before with my parents but this was the first time I’ve been able to explore by myself. That meant I could see all the ruins, climb up temples, and hike through the jungles and mountains as much as I wanted. There is something about this photograph that makes me appreciate it so much. One thing that is obvious is that it’s busy. You have several cameramen trying to sell photo services on the left along with international tourist on the right. In the middle is the largest religious structure ever built on this planet, perfectly framed along with tourist flocking forward. Not one single person seemed to notice me and this is what makes me like this photograph so much. I felt like a ghost, time and space seemed to move around me, aimlessly. As did I.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2015
Date Uploaded: 11.2015
Photo Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Camera: Canon EOS 5D
Copyright: © Socheat Tauch