Photos: Earth >> Asia >> Bhutan >> Central >> Tongsa >> Tongsa

Register

  << Previous Next >>

Winter Morning, Bhutan


Winter Morning, Bhutan
Photo Information
Copyright: Ken Alexander (kensimage) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1251 W: 29 N: 1089] (7289)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1996-12-25
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Canon Eos Elan, Canon EF 28-80 USM, Kodak Elitechrome200
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-01-28 12:04
Viewed: 1594
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is Christmas morning in the town of Tongsa in west-central Bhutan. Our accommodations there consisted of a very large hotel room with a tiny wood stove in the middle and a pile of rather green firewood which did not burn well. Outside it was maybe -3 C (upper 20's F), so it was a pretty cold sleep! But looking out on this scene in the morning made it worth it.

In the distance below is Tongsa Dzong, a combined administrative headquarters and monastery. There is no separation of church and state in Bhutan!
jmcl, pboehringer, parbo, elihesamian, polter has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekEarth members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekEarth members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To banyanman: Snow in Bhutankensimage 1 01-28 14:11
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • parbo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1583 W: 15 N: 1753] (6448)
  • [2007-01-28 12:18]

Hi Ken,

Wonderful low angled sun lights are creating splendid view on green part. Diagonally divided dark and illuminated part are really spectacular with smokes coming from houses. Congratulations.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

Hi Ken, the light is really great, dividing the photo in 2 parts. I particularly like the contrast between the blue shades of the upper part and the yellow of the lower one.
Thanks!
Sabrina

Lovely contrast in light that you've managed to capture here, Ken. Also well composed with the diagonal coming down from the top LH corner and then disappearing into the shadow area off to the right. I thought there would be snow on the ground everywhere in Bhutan at Christmas, but I see that's not the case. Cheers . . . David

  • Great 
  • Cormac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3204 W: 56 N: 5888] (24589)
  • [2007-01-28 13:13]

I like the light in this, coming from the side and just outlining the hillside. Great note too, about the church and state being one and the same. It's a different form of government, but it's a different life for them there. Thanks for sharing!

Hello Ken,

It is a pleasure to return to see one of your wonderful shots of Bhutan. Your scan of this ten-year old slide is exceptionally good. The subtle diagonal structure (the negative slope would give away the left-handed draftsman -- that's how we know Leonardo was left handed). I used to shoot Kodachrome 25 and 64, but never used Elitechrome 200. Clearly it is exceptionally sharp slide film.

I wanted to send to you a lithograph of the Institute for Advanced Study. I have a general address of the Mathematics Department at USC. Can you drop me an email (batalay@umw.edu) and let me know whether that is the address to send the matted lithograph. Exactly 20 years ago I had produced it for IAS, and framed, they would be sent to major contributors.

Warm regards,
Bulent

  • Great 
  • vincz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2998 W: 85 N: 5050] (17516)
  • [2007-01-29 4:34]

Very good plunging POV on Tongsa dzong. I like the smoke and the light. A very peaceful morning scene in this wonderful country. The tiny wood stoves are still there! This is the only way i have seen used there to heat the rooms.

Hi Ken, Bhutan is such a secluded country and of difficult access. I'm glad for every single picture that you post at TE. A certain similarity with Nepal and Tibet is present. I have been in both, but then there are particularities of Bhutan that I didn't see either in Nepal or Tibet.
I had similar experiences as you report in your text. The night weren't easy, but than the next day was always a reward. I agree with you that the scenery here portraited makes freezing nights forgotten.
Regards, Peter

  • Great 
  • jmcl Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2611 W: 146 N: 3421] (11902)
  • [2007-01-29 13:40]

Ken,

Wonderful image. The low vegetation really seems to communicate to us the harshness of the climate. I like how the village just gradually fades into the blackness of the darker parts of this image .,.. with the play of light on the far ridge .. really gives you a feel for the infinite vastness behind it.

take care,

John

i don't know how to describe the lights in this picture, but I love them...
The'moonlight' over the ridge of the mountain, with those tiny details up there - brilliant.
And yet - you said MORNING...?
The world is an amazing place...

Thanks Ken, for sharing

george

Hi Ken,

a special morning light and shadow you captured and show us that I like ,a nice deep blue in depth and great details in foreground you captured,well composed the scene with diagonal slop of the mountain,nicely done,
Best
M

  • Great 
  • polter Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 125 N: 351] (4239)
  • [2007-02-03 14:57]

Beauty light. It's a precious thing to see it moving down the slope to penetrate dark valleys still nonexistent in the darkness and shadow. And that mist blueish and absorbing first rays of sun. Lovely scene - filled with hope and expectance. Worth every unconvenience to be seen. Thanks and greetings T.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF