The morning photowalk

Good friend and acclaimed photographer Anton Jankovoy tries to get some shots of Gangapurna glacier and lake on a pleasant morning in Manang district, Nepal.

The incomplete portrait

Unlike the other kids around her, she just wouldn't let any one photograph her. This was her instant reaction as soon as someone pointed the camera at her!

The annapurna circuit trail

Now I know why they call the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal one of the best treks in the world! 17 to 21 days long, the trek takes you through distinct regional scenery of rivers, flora, fauna and above all - mountains.

Braka, Manang

The village of Braka, which looks abandoned at first but becomes alive when you get up close. There are kids playing everywere and the house dogs will keep you on your toes :)

The surprise spot

Shot after a 2 hours uphill hike while acclimatizing in Manang district, Nepal. It was such a pleasant surprise to see a tea shop in the middle of nowhere! Gangapurna himal is seen in the background.

A day in the life of a photographer

Acclaimed photographer and good friend Anton Jankovoy is busy taking (and reviewing) photos of Gangapurna Himal. The amazing Gangapurna lake is seen in the background.

Like a dream

Lake Gangapurna (3500 m) is one of the most amazing place I've ever been to. Just half hour away from Manang, you can reach the lake on the 5th day of Annapurna Circuit trek.

Colors of faith

Trying out the "widness" of the Sigma 10-20mm wide angle lens. This photo was shot handheld, with the camera almost touching the ground. The lens sure is quite wide - so wide that this shot had my face on it which has been cropped out.

Himalayan high

On the way to Ice Lake, I asked one of our fellow trekkers to go on top of that hill and pose for a shot. Once he was there, I'm glad I shouted on top of my voice "JUMP!". With Annapurna III in the background, this photo is the result.

The simple life

Came across this elderly women during Annapurna Circuit Trek. Thinking that I'm a tourist, she asked me money for taking her shots. But once I spoke in Nepali she was like "oh!" and did not mind posing for few pictures.

Annapurna range

View of the Annapurna mountain range seen while returning from Sarangkot (30 mins from Pokhara). Me and wife spent the night in Sarangkot hoping to get the best view of himalayas early in the morning. And yes, did get some "ok" shots but this one, taken from the bike while returning to Pokhara turned out to be a favorite.

Starry night

Stars move around Annapurna Himalayan Range at 3am in the morning in Dhampus.

This photo is one my favorite of all time because of what I went through to get the shot! I am a huge fan of Anton Jankovoy. His night photos of himalayas are legendary. I had always wanted to take his type of night photos, and got the change in Dhampus (2.5 hours from Pokhara). Here's what happened:

I put an alarm for 3am without realizing that 3am in Dhampus would be dead cold. I quietely put on my jacket, shoes and was careful not to wake up my wife. When I came outside the lodge, there was a huge WTF moment - it was pitch black and I was not sure if it was a good idea to shoot the mountains in such darkness. Nevertheless, (very quietly) I went to the terrace of the lodge, set up the tripod and pointed the camera (with a wide angle lens) towards the North (where the mountains are supposed to be). I put the camera in "Bulb mode" and used a remote to trigger the shot (Bulb mode keeps the shutter open for as long as you do not press the "shutter open" button again). And the long wait began. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness and I could finally see stuff around the village in the moonlight. But doing nothing for about 5 minutes, I was very sleepy and the cold wasn't helping.

After 10 minutes, I decided to go back to the room and get a nap while the camera captures the night for the next half hour. While walking away, I turned around and saw the tripod with the camera, alone in the cold night. And it felt like I was leaving my body part behind! I stayed around for 5 more minutes but was under the blanket the next minute. It was just too cold. Who knew, I did not get a wink of sleep for the next 30 mintutes! Why? Because I kept thinking - what if my camera wasn't there when I went back?! Yes, it's a sleepy village and no one really cares but that did not help, not one bit.

30 minutes later I went back to the terrace and I've never been happier to see my camera! I released the shutter using the remote (being so careful not to move the tripod) and waited for the photo to get processed. After what seemed like forever, the photo finally popped on the camera screen. And boy was I happy! Happy that I could finally go back and get some good night's sleep for few hours. I'm sure I would've stayed up again if the photo did not come out as it did.

When I showed the photo to my (half asleep) wife, she did not believe that I had taken it in total darkness. Not that she noticed, but I smiled, turned off the lights and went to sleep.

~

To learn how to take such photos, check out All about night photography and photographing the sky by Anton Jankovoy.

The parking lot

A boat, probably rowed by locals, heads towards the shore of Fewa lake. Many people living in hills around the lake "park" their boats at the shore of the lake all day while they go to work in Pokhara city.

Pokhara

View of Pokhara city from the terrace of a lodge in Sarangkot. The bright lights on the right hand side is lakeside, the most happening touristic place in Pokhara.

This is not exactly a sharp photo technically. It was clicked on a 4 seconds exposure, but I somehow managed to shake the tripod. It was cold and windy in the terrace and I did not have the will power to stay there too long click more shot. A decision I regret now.

A boat returns to the shore of Fewa Lake as darkness sets in. Rowing a boat (yourself) in the lake after dark is NOT recommended as it can be pretty terrifying. I know this from an experience from a previous trip :)

My wife and me had reached the shore 15 minutes before this shot was taken. Before that I had rowed a boat not-stop for 4 hours and reached the end of fewa lake - the hills in the background, is were we reached. And what's over there? Well a whole bunch of nothing except for a small village and a whole lot of quietness and the pleasing sound of birds chirping - just the perfect scene to spend quality time with your honey on your honeymoon trip :)