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Category Archives: cambodia

Before and After Wednesdays #65

Wed. January 30, 2013 Posted in Before and After Wednesdays * cambodia * for photographers * travel

I’ll be getting ready to start up the next RPTE pretty soon here so email me at info@bobbyearle.com with the subject “NEXT RPTE” if you’re wanting to go on the trip of a lifetime! I’ll be making BIG changes for the next trip — and I think the next RPTE will be the best one ever. I’m really excited about it. This past RPTE sold out in ONE day and I had to turn a lot of people down :( so jump on it!

Here’s another B&A Wednesday :) This week’s image is from RPTE 2013 that just finished up earlier this month in Thailand and Cambodia :)

As usual, all of my images are edited exclusively with VSCO. Since I bought the VSCO film, I haven’t opened photoshop. This is an AMAZING time saver! And with VSCO Keys, which you can trial for free, it’s even faster. I’d have happily paid double the regular price for both :)

The image below is the final, processed images. Roll your mouse over it to see the unprocessed original…


5D Mark II + Canon 50mm f/1.2 at 1/6400th, ISO400, and f/1.4 – Dry season + baby + fish trap. Tonle Sap, Cambodia.

  • Bumped exposure a little bit
  • Fuji 800Z ++ (VSCO preset)

This literally took 3 seconds. I pressed “F” to immediately bump the exposure and the command+3 — which is my VSCO keys custom button for the Fuji 800Z ++ preset.

I paid for my VSCO presets out of my pocket and LOVE them. Honestly, I never could have guessed how useful VSCO keys would be. Who knew that pressing F, command, and 3 on my keyboard — in a matter of seconds — would give me the look that I wasn’t able to achieve with hours of action tweaking in Photoshop?!

Until next week (hopefully ;),

Bobby

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by Bobby Earle

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@bobbyearle - 3 blog posts in one week. Comin' atcha 2013 ;) http://t.co/eJvAXkGMJanuary 30, 2013 - 12:43 am

kristin - Would love for you to do a full blog post on VSCO cam, and how you use it... it can't REALLY be this simple? I have the app on my iphone, but clearly there is more to it that I'm not getting... Love the picture, and great to see you posting more!January 30, 2013 - 5:30 am

Totally Rad Actions: Before and After Wednesdays #31

Wed. December 30, 2009 Posted in asia * Before and After Wednesdays * cambodia * for photographers * thailand * travel

Since we recently got back from the Raddest Photo Trip Ever I’ve got tons of photos to do before and afters of. That’s always nice :)

———-

Speaking of the Raddest Photo Trip Ever… A few hundred people have signed up but we’re only taking 12 people. I’m pretty sure this trip is going to sell out much faster than the one we just returned from did — so if you’re wanting to know the who/what/where before I announce it publicly on the blog, sign up here!

———-

The below image is from our first evening in Cambodia. You walk up a hill, climb a pretty steep ruin, and watch the sunset over all of Cambodia. It’s such a great thing to do. Below is the finished image — roll your mouse over it to see the straight out of camera shot.

Canon 5D Mark II + 24mm f/3.5L tilt at f/3.5, ISO400 , and 1/6400th.


Here’s the recipe for the above image.
Lights on @ 70%
Green with envy @ 30%
Derelicte @ 20%
Grainstorm @ 50%

———-
The second image is shot on the River Kwai during our time in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. For some reason, Katie’s elephant loved spraying her with water all the time. It was so amazing to watch. I was envious when I got to get on my elephant and never got sprayed though… :P But seriously, bathing really sweet elephants in a river out in Thailand is quite possibly one of the coolest things in the entire world. No joke.

Canon 5D Mark II + 135mm f/2L at f/2, ISO100, and 1/640th.

Here’s the recipe for the above image.
Sparta @ 57%
Get faded (autumn) @ 19%
Grainstorm @ 25%

If you’re looking for something to spruce up your photos, go for it and grab some Get Totally Rad Actions! I paid for both sets out of my pocket and LOVE them. But do it through my link above or the banner below (shameless plug) as the money is going to go to a rad cause ;)


Hope this helps some of you out!

Bobby

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by Bobby Earle

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Anonymous - December 31, 1969 - 4:00 pm

BobbyandLindsay Earle - Honestly? I basically never don't shoot wide open! Every ONCE in a while -- for something pretty specific. But usually I just keep it wide open ;)December 30, 2009 - 9:13 pm

Bobby Earle - Honestly? I basically never don't shoot wide open! Every ONCE in a while -- for something pretty specific. But usually I just keep it wide open ;)December 30, 2009 - 9:13 pm

Stephanie - Do you ever shoot a lens NOT wide open? LOLDecember 30, 2009 - 7:22 pm

Kyle - Love the look on her face, you captured the perfect moment when she got an elephant bath!December 30, 2009 - 9:03 pm

Nick Shapiro - Do you ever use a lens NOT wide open ?! lollDecember 30, 2009 - 9:11 pm

Steph Irons - i dont!December 30, 2009 - 9:12 pm

Bobby Earle - Honestly? I basically never don't shoot wide open! Every ONCE in a while -- for something pretty specific. But usually I just keep it wide open ;)December 30, 2009 - 9:13 pm

Nick Shapiro - That's cool, it really works for your style too. I shoot maybe 75% wide open but for many jobs it doesn't work. (architecture and such)December 31, 2009 - 8:41 am

Nick Shapiro - That's cool, it really works for your style too. I shoot maybe 75% wide open but for many jobs it doesn't work. (architecture and such)December 31, 2009 - 12:25 pm

Jenna - Great catpures! Are you still using lightroom at all or no?January 8, 2010 - 10:19 am

RPTE: the orphanage

Mon. December 28, 2009 Posted in asia * cambodia * children * rpte * travel

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Real fast, I posted this on Christmas day, so if you missed it be sure to see the teaser to the RPTE 2009 trip. I’m getting SO excited about the the next one!!!

———-

I love visiting orphanages. At least well run orphanages. One of our last days in Cambodia, we all visited an orphanage that Lindsay and I had been to before. To our pleasant surprise, they had moved from a bamboo hut in the jungle to a real building in the city! Not to mention that they were about doubled in size! This is great since it’s a great orphanage.

One of the reasons I wanted to take everyone to the orphanage was for perspective. It’s such a normal part of life for so many of us — being raised by parents — that it becomes quite easy to forget how great a gift it is to have parents as children. Not only that, but seeing an orphan without parents living life happily (in very conditions) sure is a smack in the face when you’re complaining about your cell phone bill or your car needing new tires.

Visiting an orphanage can be a very emotional event. The temptation for many can be that you feel guilty for going just for a day — almost like you’re using the kids to make yourself feel good. I’m too big of a pragmatist for this. As a group, I’m guessing we left enough money for food for the kids for an entire month. That’s a net gain, in my opinion. As a group, we danced an entire night away with these kids — all of them smiling, laughing, and wrestling their little hearts out. That’s a net gain, again, in my opinion.

So we weren’t miracle workers, I know that. But we got perspective on life, the orphanage got much needed money, and the kids got a fun night of playing. These are all better than not going because you feel bad about not being able to be a bigger help. I’d rather help a little than not at all. It was such a great evening :)

I love this image because as it was happening, there were other kids performing on stage. He was supposed to be quiet — paying attention, I assume — but instead he’s making funny faces with me. I’m kind of a bad influence, huh? :P

One thing I love about visiting orphanages is that no matter how long or short your visit, there’s almost always one kid that becomes your shadow. Here’s Katie with her shadow :)

Megan with her shadow.

Richelle with her’s.

Lindsay grabbed the following ones of me with the kids. Being in the middle of a ton of happy orphans — just yelling for no reason — is honestly a little slice of heaven!

Don’t challenge like 7 Cambodian orphan boys to a wrestling match. Especially when you’re in the hot rain forest! That’s what’s happening in these…

I eventually lost.

Josh was the next victim.

And a HUGE thanks to Richelle for getting this photo. I freaking love it!

Bobby

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Anonymous - December 31, 1969 - 4:00 pm

Katelyn Radford - That is so awesome Bobby!!!! Tell your eautiful wife I said hi! We need to get together sometime soon :)December 28, 2009 - 12:00 am

Katelyn Radford - Oh and I hope you guys had a blessed Christmas and an awesome new years!December 28, 2009 - 12:00 am

Nick Shapiro - the kids in Cambodia were so cute and inspiring, we visited a kids hospital over there and it was the saddest thing i've ever seen.December 28, 2009 - 10:35 am

Briony - i definitely think it was a gain on all counts.December 28, 2009 - 5:59 am

Becka @Studio222 Photography - :)December 28, 2009 - 6:51 am

Katelyn Daw - That is so awesome Bobby!!!! Tell your eautiful wife I said hi! We need to get together sometime soon :)December 28, 2009 - 1:46 pm

Katelyn Daw - Oh and I hope you guys had a blessed Christmas and an awesome new years!December 28, 2009 - 1:46 pm

Nick Shapiro - the kids in Cambodia were so cute and inspiring, we visited a kids hospital over there and it was the saddest thing i've ever seen.December 28, 2009 - 1:49 pm

Megan Tsang - i loved my shadow.December 28, 2009 - 1:49 pm

Richelle Dante - I love what you wrote (as did my mom) and all the shots are so fun! The first one is funny... I love how Josh is making faces with his kid in background too.December 28, 2009 - 1:50 pm

Katie Neal Photo - Awww this is so sweet! I was bummed we didn't get to go to an orphanage while we were there! Love all of the shots!!!December 28, 2009 - 2:06 pm

Trevor Dayley - Rad post! Loving all the great photos from your trip.December 30, 2009 - 5:05 am

RPTE video!!!

Fri. December 25, 2009 Posted in asia * cambodia * rpte * thailand * travel

First off, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I felt like I was so plugged in to planning the RPTE that I didn’t notice this Christmas season all that much — plus the fact that we were gone most of the month before Christmas… Either way, I love Christmas for tons of reasons, and I really hope everyone has a great one today :)

——————–

I tweeted/Facebooked a little teaser yesterday from the Raddest Photo Trip Ever, but now I’ve made a real, legitimate teaser. A more in depth one is coming, but if you’ve got a couple minutes, I think you’ll really like this one.

Here’s a direct link for feed readers.

For the tech heads out there, I used a Steadicam Merlin for the glide look that you’ll notice, a Manfrotto Magic Arm for clamping down on things like the boat, and Totally Rad Actions for the post processing on the video. Nearly all was shot on the Canon 5D Mark II with the 16-35mm f/2.8L and the 24mm f/3.5L Tilt. A little was shot on the G11 with the Canon underwater housing. So much fun!

Save your Christmas money because I should be done planning the RPTE for 2010 in the next month. I’ll be giving people who sign up on the list the chance to book their spot before I go public on the blog. The last one sold out and this time there is a LOT more interest, so if you’re wanting to come, get on that list and be ready :)

And I’d LOVE to know what you guys think of the video!

Bobby

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by Bobby Earle

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Anonymous - December 31, 1969 - 4:00 pm

Daniel Ochoa - gorgeous. you're a shallow DOF master. I haven't come close to using my 5D MKII like this yetDecember 25, 2009 - 2:47 am

The Counselor - Man this was really awesome. I'm getting on the list and hope I have the money to go!

www.luckyprophotography.netDecember 25, 2009 - 10:09 am

Richelle Dante - Love it! If the teaser is 3 minutes how long is the final one going to be? I think it could be super long... your video looks awesome! I'd watch it!December 26, 2009 - 1:07 am

Tim S. - Awesome!!! Love the Steadicam shots!! Great work!December 26, 2009 - 7:26 am

Richelle Dante - Love it! If the teaser is 3 minutes how long is the final one going to be? I think it could be super long... your video looks awesome! I'd watch it!December 26, 2009 - 2:11 pm

Andrea Simcheck - Really awesome! I had to watch it at the library because my parents computer is ghetto and it was so worth it!December 26, 2009 - 2:13 pm

Mandii Mae - Wow that's ahhhh-mazing! Even more reason behind why I need a 5dII. (; I'll get there someday. (:

What did you use to edit the video? It was really stunning.December 26, 2009 - 2:15 pm

Samuel Seth - That was just awesome. 100% Pure, unadulterated awesome. Looked like an amazing trip and the cinematic quality is astounding. Thanks for posting it.

I'm curious how TRA are applied to video? I though they only provided photo actions?December 26, 2009 - 2:16 pm

Amy Tidwell Martin - Booby!!! I LURVE the video! I need the little clip of me so I can post it everywhere!! ;)
Thanks for the Christmas Present ( the monkey picture and video i mean... and of course the gold that you are mailing me to pay for all the upcoming trips)December 26, 2009 - 2:16 pm

Nick Hanson - dude that rocks!!December 26, 2009 - 2:18 pm

Erin Berry - Love, love, love it! Merry Christmas!December 26, 2009 - 2:19 pm

Amy Tidwell Martin - so I went to bed at a decent hour (11pm) and was wide awake at 2am... Dang this Asia time!! after laying in bed for an hour I checked FB and saw this link got out of bed and turned on my laptop and it was the same video as yesterday... Booby I need a new video everyday ;)December 26, 2009 - 2:19 pm

Julian Moniz - super RAD my friend...Very Awesome!!!December 27, 2009 - 9:01 am

Dylan Mayer - awesome....December 28, 2009 - 10:45 am

Chris Ohta (H2Ohta) - Sick!!! I love it...December 29, 2009 - 7:44 am

Lana - I always notice the gear everyone is using and try to figure out what it is. Have you told us anywhere what everyone was using?December 29, 2009 - 9:28 am

Simeon Rodgers - Video is SICK!January 2, 2010 - 2:27 am

ajira - Awesome video! Love that this is the teaser... like it ain't no thing!!January 2, 2010 - 10:12 pm

Cambodia: life prioritized properly

Thu. December 24, 2009 Posted in asia * cambodia * favorite posts * Personal * rpte * travel

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We’ve been fortunate enough to go to Cambodia every year for the last three years now. In that time, we’ve found that Cambodians have something very special about them. While we in the western hemisphere stare at ipods and play xbox, they play communal games like volleyball and marbles. We sleep in comfy bedrooms in weather sealed houses and they live in huts completely open to the elements (there’s nothing wrong with living in weather sealed homes and owning xbox’s — that’s not my point). We ask “what sounds good for dinner?” while they make soup all the time because it’s what they have. Not to mention the fact that a significant percentage of the entire population (some 20- 30%) was slaughtered by an evil dictator (Pol Pot) not that long ago.

Cambodians have figured it out. They’ve found the key, so it seems, to living simple, content lives. Every time I return home from Cambodia I am completely inspired — almost feeling rejuvenated and ready to see the good in life and appreciate all that I’ve been given. Being that the novelties of Cambodia have sort worn off for me, I was able to concentrate on how beautiful life is in Cambodia more than ever before. I’m becoming used to being around elephants, monkeys, bamboo huts, and ruins to where I am more aware of the little things in Cambodia. More than ever before, this was made aware to me by my friends, the tuk tuk drivers.

Seeing all my tuk tuk driver friends was a great reunion. They met me at the border (6 hours round trip from where they live), picked me up, swung me around, patted my butt (normal in Cambodian culture ;)… It was so great seeing them all again and spending time with them.

Now, to give you an idea, the going rate for a tuk tuk driver all day is $15 (Cambodians use USD’s as their currency). That includes them sitting around all day waiting for you, the petrol used for their tuk tuks, their food that they purchase since they are out and about… So let’s be VERY conservative and say that they make $10 for an entire day’s work. And that’s if they are lucky to get a full day of work. Tourism has gone down in Cambodia (not for any reason other than other western economies being hit and therefore less westerners traveling to places like Cambodia) so many times they don’t get the full day’s pay.

With all of that, these are the happiest, sweetest, most charming guys you could ever be around. Every person that was a part of the trip can attest to our tuk tuk drivers being a huge reason why Cambodia was so enjoyable. Playing jokes on each other and on us, laughing at every thing you could possibly laugh at, setting up hammocks during break time, smiling at you everytime you make eye contact… these guys have figured out life. They may live simple, humble lives, but they live deeper and more enriched lives than most in the west, I’d bet.

Bottom line? Life isn’t about how much money you make. It isn’t about having the nicest bathroom with a beautiful, elaborate sink. It isn’t about a fancy car (or even owning a car). It has nothing to do with starbucks or iphones. It’s about connection — with humanity and with nature. My Cambodian friends have figured this out. I feel so fortunate to be reminded of this more and more with each visit to Cambodia.

Mr. Marom, Mr. Thy, Mr. Sola, Mr. Don, Mr. Sith, and Mr. Kun. Some of my favorite people on earth.

Bobby

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Anonymous - December 31, 1969 - 4:00 pm

Jacki Lee - well said :)December 24, 2009 - 12:00 am

Bobby Earle - Oh we're doing these AT LEAST once a year :) Go here if you want to come!http://bobbyear​le.blogspot.com​/2009/11/our-ne​xt-trip-will-be​.htmlBobbyDecember 24, 2009 - 12:00 am

Simeon Rodgers - Dude, thank you for sharing this, we all need to hear it. I am burning to get away from America for a chance and get a global view like this. We can learn so much from those we think we've left behind with our advances. Very inspiring dude, make me move to Cambodia why don't you? Sure is beautiful enough!December 24, 2009 - 12:14 am

Katie Lewis - Took the words, much more eloquently, right out of my mouth!December 24, 2009 - 12:18 am

Erin Berry - Ok Bobby- you seriously made me cry right now... Maybe, just maybe you are slightly a connector. :) Maybe...December 24, 2009 - 12:20 am

Meg - AWww.... I miss them. They warm my heart.... big time.December 24, 2009 - 12:25 am

Linda - Great reminder for all, especially at Christmas time when it all seems to be about material things. Give the gift of time spent, encouragement, love, something you make, or an act of service. Those are the best gifts of all.December 24, 2009 - 8:25 am

Jennifer Brotchie - that was beautiful Bobby, thanks for reminding me. Merry Christmas.December 24, 2009 - 8:32 am

Rachael Patterson de Azevedo - oh I hope y'all go on another tip sometime. It looks like your having a wonderful picture taking time.December 24, 2009 - 4:41 pm

BobbyandLindsay Earle - Oh we're doing these AT LEAST once a year :) Go here if you want to come!http://bobbyearle.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-next-trip-will-be.htmlBobbyDecember 24, 2009 - 4:53 pm

Bobby Earle - Oh we're doing these AT LEAST once a year :) Go here if you want to come!http://bobbyearle.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-next-trip-will-be.htmlBobbyDecember 24, 2009 - 4:53 pm

Jaclyn Rae Lee - well said :) December 24, 2009 - 5:42 pm

Rachael Patterson de Azevedo - sweet ;) Happy Christmas.December 24, 2009 - 6:05 pm

Kyle - This post really makes me think more about cultural gaps than anything else. I find it fascinating that the Cambodians have been so resilient after a brutal dictatorship. Chile went through a dictatorship that ended, by historical standards, recently -- in the 90's. And I would say if there's one thing that affects the way Chileans interact, both with foreigners and each other, more than anything else, it's the dictatorship. The society is extremely closed off and untrusting -- and honestly, I don't think you can blame them too much. They suffered for 30 years under Pinochet, who famously said once, "Not a leave can move in this country without me knowing," and his influence is still EVERYWHERE.

I should learn more about the Cambodian dictatorship. I wonder what helped them move beyond that as their defining characteristic when I feel like that is still such a huge marker in Chilean society.December 24, 2009 - 11:28 am

Cherish - aw, bobby....
let's go back.December 24, 2009 - 1:46 pm

Bobby Earle - I know, right?!December 24, 2009 - 1:53 pm

Marissa Rodriguez - So beautifully said! Love this post! Glad you guys are back safe :)December 24, 2009 - 2:24 pm

Rachael Patterson de Azevedo - oh I hope y'all go on another tip sometime. It looks like your having a wonderful picture taking time.December 24, 2009 - 4:54 pm

Bobby Earle - Oh we're doing these AT LEAST once a year :) Go here if you want to come!

http://bobbyearle.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-next-trip-will-be.html

BobbyDecember 24, 2009 - 4:54 pm

Katie Lewis - My mom cried when she read this! I showed her Mr. Sith's email too and she cried again. Now we know where I got it!!December 24, 2009 - 9:26 pm

Nick Simcheck - Thanks for posting. I've been thinking about differences in life and how it affects our happiness, I see soo many unhappy people in america.

I've always known it, but I see it now more then ever.

They are truly inspiring.December 24, 2009 - 9:27 pm

Rachael Patterson de Azevedo - sweet ;) Happy Christmas.December 25, 2009 - 12:49 am

Jaclyn Lee - well said :)December 25, 2009 - 12:50 am

Images from Siem Reap | The Youngrens - [...] Our good friend and talented photographer Bobby Earle first told us about these guys, and you can read his story here. We’d go all the way back to Cambodia just to hang out with these [...]March 23, 2010 - 8:04 am

Interview with Photojournalist Bobby Earle | I Heart Faces - A Weekly Photography Challenge & Photo Tutorials - [...] I love these guys. I mean that in the most literal sense. I love and care about these guys so much. They’ve taught me so much about life. I did an entire blog post dedicated to them [...]August 31, 2010 - 6:50 am

Images from Siem Reap, Cambodia | The Youngrens | San Diego Photographers - [...] Our good friend and talented photographer Bobby Earle first told us about these guys, and you can read his story here. We’d go all the way back to Cambodia just to hang out with these [...]February 13, 2011 - 3:09 pm