Lake in a Barren Land Photo

Photographer’s Note

A first view of the stunning lakes at Band-e-Amir. We are on a dirt track high above the valley floor looking down on one of the smaller lakes. This one is interesting because its water is nearly black compared with the bright blue of the other lakes (more later!)

The lakes are a surprising sight as they are high in the mountains amid a very barren landscape. The stark beauty cannot fail to impress.

This is a decisive moment for two reasons:
1. It is the moment I caught my first glimpse of this fabulous scene.
2. I was just about to step off the road to get a better look when the driver shouted "don't walk there!" He pointed to a raised mound of earth close by and told me it could be a land mine. He pointed to some other small mounds scattered around us. Had I decided to step in the wrong place I might not be here to post this...

weswang, riclopes, quelquepart, Cormac, nbournas has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

riclopes (32865) 2005-11-03 15:24

Hi Jonathan,
Fantastic landscape! The surface of this aridness mountains are just amazing. The black lake makes a wonderful contrast with its surroundings. I love your decisive moment story as well. Lucky you were!
TFS,
All the best,
Ricardo

bboss (3516) 2005-11-03 17:24

I just love this dramatic landscape which you have captured very well with an excellent composition. It seems like a strange place to have a lake..
cheers, David

quelquepart (802) 2005-11-03 19:49

What a barren but amazing place... It is such a pity it is landmined !
thks for sharing you pics of unusual places.
Olivier

weswang (18223) 2005-11-04 3:34

Hi Jonathan, You are a real Earth treker. Thanks for bringing us the photos from the area where not many tourist set foot to those land.
Without reading your notes and back to view the photo carefully, I would not be able to see this is a lake. A wonderful capture of the interesting landscape in contrast with the beautiful sky. A well taken picture with sharpness, clarity and depth. Well done.

sergio1 (12150) 2005-11-04 4:28

Hola amigo

Bonita toma de las montañas, es la primera vez que veo esta foto y que no es por televisión.
Buen trabajo
Sergio

banyanman (7716) 2005-11-04 5:26

This is just beautiful Jonathan. It captures so well the stunning colours of the landscape in this part of Afghanistan, and shows how barren the country is. Good composition and sharpness. I shivered when I read your note about the landmine because I've been in a few similar circumstances. It is a very real risk once you get off the beaten track in a few countries. Cheers (and watch where you walk) . . . David

Cormac (26449) 2005-11-04 10:28

Yikes Jonathan - that story about the land mine made the hair go up on the back of my neck! It's exactly that fear of land mines that keeps me away from Afghanistan, although I agree with you that it has a stark beauty that always moves me. Great shot of what the country is like, showing the barren hills and incredible blue sky. Well done!

gebala (0) 2005-11-04 12:19

hello Jonathan, nice photo with nice colours and interesting point of view, amaizing is this view - lots of space, great work

have a nice time tonight:)

rgs

nbournas (3223) 2005-11-04 12:35

The fact that you riske your life for this shot makes it even more amazing. This is a stunning landscape and you captured it beautifully. Great job!!!