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Photographing Siem Reap’s first Opera: A Prelude to Mozart at Angkor

Photographing Siem Reap’s first Opera: A Prelude to Mozart at Angkor

by Chris | Apr 17, 2017 | Cambodia, On Assignment

I find it almost impossible to turn down an opportunity to photograph just about any form of live music; it’s just too much of a buzz. Imagine my delight, then, at an invitation to capture some of the precious moments in the build-up to something so truly groundbreaking: the first opera in Siem Reap.

A Week-long Review of Crowdfire for Instagram and Facebook: Social Media for Photographers

A Week-long Review of Crowdfire for Instagram and Facebook: Social Media for Photographers

by Chris | Mar 25, 2017 | Business of Photography, Reviews, Social Media

“Go Big Online!” reads Crowdfire’s tagline. I spent a week thoroughly reviewing the ins-and-outs of the social media tool that appears so attractive to the busy photographer wanting to bolster engagement on Instagram and Facebook. Read on to hear my two cents.

A Nervous Nikon Guy: I’m Probably Not the Only One

A Nervous Nikon Guy: I’m Probably Not the Only One

by Chris | Mar 6, 2017 | Everyday, Feature Articles, Gear

It’s not meant to be a rant, although in that endeavour I’ve quite possibly failed. Anyway, sometimes rants are good reads… See why Nikon are making me nervous right now even though I’ve been a loyal user since 2012.

Update: Angkor Wat Ticket Prices Increase

Update: Angkor Wat Ticket Prices Increase

by Chris | Feb 1, 2017 | Angkor, Cambodia, Updates

As of February 1st, the Angkor Wat ticket prices will rise to USD $37 for a single day visit. Get the low down on the rest of the prices, what that might mean for the park, and how it affects my tour pricing.

Take Stunning Long Exposure Photographs of Waterfalls

Take Stunning Long Exposure Photographs of Waterfalls

by Chris | Jan 23, 2017 | Cambodia, Tips & Tricks

Go behind the scenes with Chris and learn his simple process for making stunning long exposure photographs of waterfalls. See how he shoots and what he uses to get these results.

Happy Anniversary! 2 Years of Leading Photography Tours in Cambodia

Happy Anniversary! 2 Years of Leading Photography Tours in Cambodia

by Chris | Oct 24, 2016 | Cambodia, Updates

2 years ago, I’d never have believed you if you’d said I’d be leading photography tours in Cambodia, but that’s exactly what came next! Read on to hear more about my journey.

Photoshop: Why it’s Time to Stop Whinging about it and Start Learning how to Use it

Photoshop: Why it’s Time to Stop Whinging about it and Start Learning how to Use it

by Chris | Jun 16, 2016 | Post-processing, Tips & Tricks

Surely I can’t be the only soul who gets the impression that the predominance of this “It’s all Photoshop” whinging is coming from other photographers? Maybe it’s time to stop whinging about Photoshop and time to start learning how to use it.

Cityscape Made Easy: Adobe Lightroom’s ‘Guided Upright’ Tool

Cityscape Made Easy: Adobe Lightroom’s ‘Guided Upright’ Tool

by Chris | Jun 9, 2016 | Post-processing, Tips & Tricks

Like a lot of photographers, I’m drawn to capturing those “take-it-all-in,” ultra-wide cityscape shots… And I suspect I’m not the only photographer who has also spent WAY TOO MUCH MONEY on equipment and hence can’t afford a tilt-shift lens to keep the straight lines straight in my architectural shots. Here’s why I no longer need one.

Shadow Detail: Learning to live with my Fear of the Dark

Shadow Detail: Learning to live with my Fear of the Dark

by Chris | Apr 1, 2016 | Everyday, Post-processing, Tips & Tricks, Vision

After reviewing some of my older photography, I’ve come to the conclusion that when it comes to shadow detail, less is often more when you want to retain or emphasise mood and atmosphere.

To Ma Paut, with Love: The Story of a “Not-so-Express” Delivery

To Ma Paut, with Love: The Story of a “Not-so-Express” Delivery

by Chris | Jan 30, 2015 | Burma, Feature Articles, Photo Essays

A tale in travel photography in its truest sense, I venture into the remote hills of Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) to deliver a photograph to a village elder taken years ago by a friend and fellow photographer. Trace my steps through the hills here.

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  • opera singer in Siem ReapPhotographing Siem Reap’s first Opera: A Prelude to Mozart at Angkor
    April 17, 2017
  • Crowdfire for InstagramA Week-long Review of Crowdfire for Instagram and Facebook: Social Media for Photographers
    March 25, 2017
  • Nikon D610A Nervous Nikon Guy: I’m Probably Not the Only One
    March 6, 2017
  • Sunrise at Angkor WatUpdate: Angkor Wat Ticket Prices Increase
    February 1, 2017
  • Long Exposure of Phnom Kulen WaterfallTake Stunning Long Exposure Photographs of Waterfalls
    January 23, 2017

Chris Cusick Photography

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Pro photographer with a focus on human interest and diverse culture throughout Asia. Photography workshop host in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Chris Cusick
Bummed out you can't hit the restaurants with your Bummed out you can't hit the restaurants with your best bud during these crazy times? Do as these young men did in a back lane in Lisbon and just set up your own ;)
Today's photo of the day is another from last summ Today's photo of the day is another from last summer's all-too-brief stop in Paris; while it wasn't my first time in the French capital, it was my first since getting into photography. Here's my take from a whistlestop visit to the Arc de Triomphe.
Rather than letting the lack of travel opportuniti Rather than letting the lack of travel opportunities get me down, I'm instead trying to see the positives in that I've been lucky to see so much of the world; thankfully I got to see this monstrous tree in Preah Khan in  all its glory before it had to be cut down for safety reasons.
Staying on yesterday's theme of positivity: It's g Staying on yesterday's theme of positivity: It's great to have @NBA basketball back. While I won't get to shoot at this colourful court in Pigalle, Paris any time soon, watching my @Raptors beat the Bucks this morning is definitely a silver lining ;)
It's incredibly difficult to stay motivated and in It's incredibly difficult to stay motivated and inspired during these testing times, but every now and then you'll get a little reminder of why you do what you do. Some incredible skies this last week in Siem Reap have helped re-ignite that sense of wonder and the desire to create. Hopefully you'll hear from me a little more often going forward...
A lesson I wish I'd learned earlier in my photogra A lesson I wish I'd learned earlier in my photographic journey, and something I now find myself passing on to workshop guests, is "Don't fight the light." I'd often try to make photographs of subjects in poor lighting  and of course it just never panned out. This devata might not be the prettiest girl at the ball... but in the right light ;)
More heavy rain in Siem Reap this afternoon surely More heavy rain in Siem Reap this afternoon surely marks the coming of the green season. Thankfully, if you're not a fan, there are plenty of other colours available, too ;)
It's been a little while since I've shared any ima It's been a little while since I've shared any images of people on my feed; one of the things I miss most about being able to travel is the people you meet along the way. We met this farmer while zipping around the plains of Bagan on e-bikes. We tried bicycles... Turns out cycling through sand is hard work. E-bikes for the win!
There tends to be a fair bit of doom and gloom in There tends to be a fair bit of doom and gloom in photography, particularly when it comes to travel photography. Get to Cuba because it's going to sh*t. They're ruining the temples. You can't climb X anymore. Oh, I remember when you could do X... Well it's nice every once in a while you see something positive. I remember this being one of my favourite scenes back when I moved to Cambodia in 2014. That structure on the right side of the frame was nothing more than a pile of rubble, and as of last winter, it is now (more or less) complete courtesy of one of the many teams responsible with restoring Angkor. It makes for a much nicer framing tool than was the case 6 years ago.
I'm never quite sure whether to tell people I'm a I'm never quite sure whether to tell people I'm a photographer or a teacher. On the one hand, there's nothing I like more than to do a bit of exploring, camera in hand, and to come away with something unique, to put my own stamp on a place photographically. But through this lockdown, I'm really missing being able to help pass on that knowledge I've built up over the years. I miss those little "Aha" epiphany moments I see with budding new photography students as a concept cements itself. This is a spot I often use in Ta Prohm to explain the benefits of side light, that it gives more emphasis to form than flatter light found later in the day.
It's okay to steal... Kind of... You reach a stage It's okay to steal... Kind of... You reach a stage where books on bare photographic settings become quite dry... Once that happeened, one of the best things I ever did was to start looking to other photographers I admire for inspiration, to really dial in on what it was about their work that struck me. A particular project that has stayed with me until this day is David DuChemin's high key, minimalist captures of Ethiopian tribes. It taught me that sometimes it's just fine to blow the highlights, so long as you do so with intent. I've somewhat mirrored his style here (or "stolen" some inspiration). There weren't any tribes around, but hey, everyone likes balloons, right? ;)
While the dry season in Cambodia might not have th While the dry season in Cambodia might not have the vibrant greens one typically associates with Angkor, it does have consistent golden morning light... and plenty of particulate air (i.e. full of dust) to cast through, often creating these dreamy morning moods. On a side note... This is the only time you'll hear me with positive things to say about the Cambodian dust ;)
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