My temple photographing technique, especially with the bigger more famous temples, was to walk all the way around the outside parimeter first before going inside. I'd then shoot the temple from several angles. Of course a real photographer would know when the light was best from which compass direction. I only had a three day pass and it was the rainy season so I did the best I could in the time I had.
This photo was taken by placing the camera and tripod under the railing of a lower level, then running around the wall, up the steps and posing for the picture. Apparently I was wearing my Mac OS X beta t-shirt this day. My had was likely sitting beside the camera, as was my bag and sun glasses. I had to take all that stuff off to set up the photo.