Travel
Richard James Taylor waited for that magic sunset moment and a bit of luck to shoot this image for our June 2023 issue.
Photographs ByRichard James Taylor
ByRichard James Taylor
Published July 21, 2023
• 3 min read
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Tell us about this image.
This image was shot on the Mekong River in southern Laos, close to the border with Cambodia. I was on assignment for a photo story about life along the Mekong when I came across this scene in Si Phan Don — meaning ‘4,000 islands’ — an area known for its traditional, laid-back way of life.
How did you achieve the shot?
The image was shot on a Canon 5DS with a 70-200mm 2.8 lens at 140mm. I prefer to shoot landscapes with longer focal lengths; I like the way it compresses the scene, pulling the background into the frame, making the hills seem closer and more dramatic. I also used a LEE Filters 0.6 neutral density grad filter to retain detail in the sky and maintain a sense of balance between foreground and background. Shooting into the light adds life and warmth, but the sun must be low in the sky for it to work.
What were the challenges at play?
Having found the viewpoint a few days earlier, I worked out that the sun would set just to the right of the frame and give the scene a soft backlit feel. On my return, I arrived an hour before sunset, which was still a bit early — in the tropics, it’s only just before the sun actually sets that you get that magical golden light I was after. I also needed some people to bring the scene to life, but the islands tend to be pretty quiet, and I was starting to think it wouldn’t work out. With just minutes to go before the light went completely, this local came into view in a dugout canoe, rewarding my patience.
What did you want to convey with this photograph?
The Mekong changes character in this part of Laos, becoming not one river but many, with creeks creating a network of small islands. There are no cars on the islands, so boats are the main form of transport. I wanted to capture this bucolic vibe. Combined with the soft backlight from the setting sun, this location was the perfect spot for it.
Published in the Jul/Aug 2023 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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