Cambodia, also known as the “Kingdom of Wonder,” inspired the title of this series, which shows my walking discoveries from the perspective of a visitor who feels like he’s been living a dream for more than ten years. The series evokes an illusory journey, where colors, shapes, shadows, and objects seem to belong to an imaginary world. Everyday scenes transform into unexpected moments. The images are elusive, suggesting mystery and raising questions, without being overly descriptive.

Wandering, in this context, represents a state of mind, an aimless journey, full of daydreams and contemplation. In photography, this is reflected in an intuitive and spontaneous approach – I work without preparation. The colourful images in this series come from my explorations since 2010, through the streets and neighborhoods of Phnom Penh as well as various provinces of wider Cambodia.

Colors play a crucial role in my work, evoking a palette of emotions that transcend reality. The vivid, striking, and contrasting hues immerse each image in an almost magical atmosphere. The vibrant colors of everyday scenes transform simple moments into meaningful visual experiences. These colors are not just decorative; they become part of the story, guiding the viewer’s attention and emotions. They deepen the sense of dream and mystery, creating a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

An exercise in everyday surrealism, geometric abstraction. Here the scene is reduced down to a curve and a circle, a ball on a slope – with the rich blues and subtle golden yellows tying everything together. A wonderful depiction of childhood dreaming and escapism.

“This image was captured along the Mekong in Phnom Penh. The clouds seem to rise from the child’s head, like smoke. The blue of the boat blends with the blue of the sky, creating an ocean of thoughts.” – Greg Mo

This is a busy scene containing many of the familiar elements of street photography – a street seller, water play, golden hour lighting – and yet this is anything but a surface level image. Both in terms of the actual layering and composition of the frame, and the activities within it, it’s an image whose details emerge the longer you observe it. All united through a riot of color.

“This photograph was taken in 2018 in the heart of Phnom Penh. The way the sunlight reflected off the golden windows of a nearby building, combined with the overflowing fountain that day, gives the image an almost magical atmosphere. A man holding balloons stands as a quiet observer of the scene, while children seem to play in the water, as if searching for something in the fountain. Together, these elements create a sense of surrealism.” – Greg Mo

How do you put your own unexpected spin on a beach scene? This is one playful and distinctive way to do it – using layering and silhouettes, and of course a single block color, to turn the specific into the abstracted. No longer is it a documentation of certain people on the beachfront – instead it becomes a scene about the idea of summer, leisure, warmth. The universally appreciable magic of the setting.

“Captured through a curtain in 2023 in Kep, the shadows and silhouettes merge into a yellow canvas that evokes a sunny day by the ocean.” – Greg Mo

Framing at least a third of the image with a block shape that obscures the detail behind is always a bold choice. Here it works brilliantly – grounding the frame, uniting its color palette, and drawing attention across to both the boy in the window and the passers-by behind. Such a scene with reflections and layering could perhaps become messy and overwhelming, but this feels masterfully done. The boy has a story to tell – what’s he seeing that we’re not?

“This photograph was taken in Kep in 2021. The Khmer lettering forms a frame around the eye of a child, creating a surreal, almost dreamlike head. The green color appears like a brushstroke within the frame, reminiscent of a painter’s touch.” – Greg Mo

All images and text © Greg Mo

See more at www.gregmophoto.com and follow him on Instagram: @gregmophoto