“Beyond the Eyes,” a Photographer Shows Simple Moments of Life
Women must focus on their every movement to complete their task from these boats of sorts. And yet, they have the humor to wear pink on their hats. Photo: La Mo
- By Teng Yalirozy
- August 22, 2023 8:30 AM
PHNOM PENH — Have you ever taken a moment to appreciate small things in daily life that tend to be overlooked? These are often instants or details that are barely visible to the eye unless one takes the time to look before they fade away. Photographer La Mo has captured those moments of nature and simple daily life that, he says, “are not immediately visible and available” in a series he has entitled “Beyond the Eyes.”
“I want to show the simplicity of the life of people in the mountainous area and the life of the birds,” he said. “They are simple and can be seen every day, but those simple moments can be made into artistic work,” said Mo whose photos are currently exhibited at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra in the capital.
These 18 photographs of the series “Beyond the Eyes” are a chapter of Mo’s project “Unseen,” which consists of photographs he has been assembling since 2011 and which showcases nature and biodiversity in Cambodia and the region.
“‘Beyond the Eyes’ is the collection from my 12 years in photography,” he said. “I keep collecting many photographs and will release my work when the time is right.”
Mo has traveled across Southeast Asia—in particular, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam—as well as in Japan and Europe to capture nature, motion and facial expressions. When taking photos in Cambodia, he is drawn to capturing culture, lifestyle, religious ceremonies, farming and harvesting, he said.
“Duck raising is a typical and simple job in rural Cambodia, but we can create a new perspective, such as capturing the flock of ducks in a heart shape,” he explained, saying that the photograph of the heart-shaped flock of ducks is his favorite.
The photos in the exhibition were taken during his travels in Cambodia’s 25 provinces and municipalities. As Mo explained, creating artistic work from those simple moments takes patience and creativity. Traveling to remote areas or the forest can be challenging, he continued. “I had to go, although it could be risky [at times], because of my strong commitment.”
One can see so much in an instant, La Mo says, such as these ducks in the water with two little boys enjoying the river as much as they do. Photo: La Mo
From hobby to career
La Mo was born in 1977 in Siem Reap province in a jewelry-business family. His father also had a deep interest in photography, which inspired him to take this on as a hobby in 1994. Mo used to be a jewelry designer but quit two years ago when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Cambodia, prompting him to pursue photography full-time.
“Now I am doing what I truly enjoy doing,” he said. “I can also make ends meet from my photographs.”
Mo, who had first come to Phnom Penh with his family, has been living in Kampong Speu province near the popular hiking area of Knorng Psar Mountain. It is a large, forested area located in Tang Bompong Village, TaLaal Commune in Oral District. He also has a homestay there.
Mo says he will never look back on what he is doing as photography comes from a true passion and desire to showcase the moments that occur in Cambodia: a country rich in culture, breathtaking nature and traditions.
“True commitment leads to achieving what you want to do,” he said.
La Mo’s exhibition at at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra runs through Aug. 31.
La Mo appears during an event with his self-portrait in the background. Photo provided
