At 3697 metres - Sheared Beauty, a photo from Himachal Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

From Dhankar , we proceeded on to the road towards Pin Valley, crossing the River Spiti. "Welcome to Pin Valley" a colourful gate announced as we proceeded towards Mudh, our next destination touted as a ‘dream place’. That dream, alas, would soon end abruptly. 10 Km before Mudh near Gulling (3,550 m), the weather changed for the worse…the light drizzle changed to heavy snowfall. We stopped our car & had to take a decision what to do next. Looking in front of the car windscreen, we could see nothing but a curtain of white. If the heavy snowfall continued, there was every possibility that the access to Mudh would be cut-off or blocked by snow, which would leave us stranded. It was a tough choice but we decided to turn our backs to Mudh & instead go to Kaza, a day in advance as in our tour plan. I was quite distraught to have missed out on experiencing the beauty of the Pin Valley, but it would be foolhardy to take a chance in such weather conditions.

A bit about Kaza - Situated at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level on left bank of river Spiti, Kaza is presently the headquarters of Spiti sub division. It has a Buddhist Monastery and Hindu Temple, both close to our Guesthouse. Kaza also boasted of the only petrol bunk in the entire Spiti valley & possibly the only bank as well (no guessing…State Bank of India – India’s largest bank).

This is a view we had from the balcony of our Guest House in Kaza....I loved the play of shadows (of the clouds) on the barren mountain slopes. You can see fresh snow on the mountains. The extreme signs of shear (Shear is the response of a rock to deformation usually by compressive stress and forms particular textures) & folds which you can see on the mountain is a testament of the most dramatic and visible creations of modern plate tectonic forces, by which Himalayas were born & the same forces are still pushing it up...higher & higher!

dip, rmajum, besnard, InasiaJones, holmertz, pierrefonds, PaulVDV, Graal, RhodieIke, vasilpro, josepmarin, geoant68, kordinator, Kielia, subhendu_bagchi, abmdsudi, jhm, danos has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dta (51294) 2011-05-11 0:54

Hello Angshuman ,
This is really a gorgeous picture , in your personnal style . Like especially the composition with the pretty house in the corner , and the white lines of snow on the brown mountains .
Regards

siudzi (23837) 2011-05-11 1:00

Hi Angshu,
This is really beautiful sight on this wonderful mountain tops. You have provided us with a unique composition with strong sharpness, color saturation, exposure. Well done.
Cheers, Malgorzata

dip (21875) 2011-05-11 1:02

Hello Angshu,
an impressive view of the mountain,the contrast between the snowy top and the sky is really amazing,very good depth of field and clarity as well!
greetings,
Dimitris.

rmajum (1077) 2011-05-11 1:26

Hello Angshu,
Excellent picture clarity and depth. The smooth slope of the mountain is also unique. The Tibetan house at the left corner adds value to the photo.

Best Regards
Ranjan

besnard (48755) 2011-05-11 2:26

Bonjour Angshuman
Une très belle carte postale claire, lumineuse et bien cadrée. Du bon travail.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

InasiaJones (29314) 2011-05-11 2:51

Hello Mr. Chaterjee,

This mighty mountain looks fabulous under sunny weather, with lots of textures and under a great cloudy sky.

What I'm more skeptical about is the way you have placed the temple in the extreme corner, creating an unbalanced organization of the visual elements. Your point of view works properly, as the slopes of the mountains lead our eye naturally towards the building, but to find it trapped in the corner makes the composition awkward. I'm aware that other people like it, but as usual, this is only my humble opinion.

Unless you had a limited space to work from, then you had to make friend with your neighbor and switch balcony... :-p))

Friendly regards,

André

HimalAnda (5610) 2011-05-11 4:30

hello Angshuman,

The title "Light and shadow" is perfect for this picture!
The colors and the light are very nice, and the sharpness is excellent.
I also like the composition with the house on the lower left corner of the picture.

Stéphane

samson (1227) 2011-05-11 4:40

Hello Angshuman

What a beautiful scene. Just looking at the mountains would make all your worries go away.

Would really like to visit India after seeing these type of pictures.

regards
sam

npecanhuk (53861) 2011-05-11 4:53

Hello Angshuman!
Magnificen mighty-looking mountains!
Attractive nature picture!
Special regards to its colors, exposure, chosen pov and composition!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

claudees (523) 2011-05-11 5:29 [Comment]

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Bluejeans (64221) 2011-05-11 5:35

Ola Angshuman ,
Fantástica esta paisagem de fundo estas montanhas com neve no topo , linda a sua cor de terra forte , bom primeiro plano com esta pequena faixa de vegetação e casas , boa luz , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Longroute (19390) 2011-05-11 6:59

This Spiti valley is really a fantastic place!
The light here is even better than in your previous photos, giving you such a crystal clear image where the snow really glistens with light. Also the sky is very attractive and you most opportunely set that interesting house at the left lower corner. A very fine capture and a masterful composition.
Best compliments,
Donato

holmertz (26876) 2011-05-11 11:09

Hello Angshuman,
From this POV it looks so easy the walk up that gently sloping hillside, but I guess it's very far from that. I like the Tibetan style building and the lush greenness of the valley, which reminds me of reaching Ladakh after crossing the sterile high altitude mountain passes on the way from Srinagar.
Best regards,
Gert

pierrefonds (48301) 2011-05-11 16:51

Hi Angshuman,

The point of view from the bottom to the summit of the mountains is giving depth to the composition. It vis also allowing me to see the details and colors of the mountains. The late afternoon light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

PaulVDV (15017) 2011-05-11 23:24

Hello Angshu,
Good that the house in the left corner isn't hidden by trees like the other buildings of the village. It's nice to see the beautiful and typical architecture of the Tibetan (I think) house of that area. It also adds depth to the picture.
Behind the village we have the fantastic view of the mighty Himalaya. Very beautiful with the snow and the alternation between the well lit parts and the parts in the shadow.
Best regards, Paul

eversmile (11624) 2011-05-12 0:12

Hi Angshu

Hahaha! You know what? I have the feeling that you wanted to include all the landscape in your photo, refusing to accept that the frame had to end somewhere... It happens to me sometimes: I want to add this and this and this, but suddenly I realise that I am too much expecting.

Anyway, here, the landscape is all the more impressive that there are elements to give a scale. The two-storeyed building ( a lamasery?) is specially striking in this spectacular and wild scenery. The colors and light are charming, with good contrasts. It conveys a strong feeling of serenity and isolation. Well, I know we don't see the whole village here, despite your efforts... :) so it probably looks more lively in reality.
But I would not mind, to speak truly, if it could look even more isolated, no matter if it means to frame tighter and also cheat a bit... :)

I have tried a WS to show you what I mean. My idea being to show only one building and the mountain, to increase the dramatic effect. Tell me if you find it appropriate or if I quibble too much. :)

Regards
Marine

[workshop] [compare] +

Graal (88808) 2011-05-12 0:28

Hi Angshuman,
beautiful view. Great valley and white tops of mountains. Good note, an interesting informations about the kaza. Photo well done.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

RhodieIke (9207) 2011-05-12 6:50

Hi ANGSHUMAN, Great photo, love the shadows, colours and presentation, Cheers Iain.

pajaran (36149) 2011-05-12 11:10

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled sa terase preko zelenog drveca i kuca na planinu sa vrhovima u snegu, lepa fotografija.
Dobar tekst, snimak i kompozicija, moje cestitke.
Putovanja pamtimo po lepim stvarima i lepim mestima koja smo obisli.
Sve najbolje sa lepim secanjem na posetu ovom lepo mestu.
Paja.

Google.

Hello.
Nice view from the terrace over the green trees and houses on mountain tops in the snow, beautiful photos.
Good text, photo and composition, my congratulations.
Travel remembered by beautiful things and beautiful places we visited
All the best with a beautiful memory of your visit to this beautiful place.
Paja.

vasilpro (40172) 2011-05-12 13:18

Hello Angshu,
Wonderful atmosphere, lovely light and colors, very good contrast, beautiful view, excellent POV.
Warm regards, Vasilis.

Fis2 (73032) 2011-05-12 14:18

Witaj Angshu!
I love mountains :)
Wonderful landscape.
I like frame and colors.
Excellent work.
Best regards
Krzysztof

josepmarin (55011) 2011-05-12 14:46

Namaste, my friend Angshuman,
a perfect framing for to show us this wonderful mountainous landscape with its whole beauty.
I like the graphical effect created by the shades of the clouds on the hillsides of these impressive mountains, and the contrast of its rocks with such a white snow.
The light is very well managed and the colors are very natural, you have done a great technical work in this composition.
A beautiful picture.
Friendly regards,
Josep

geoant68 (3450) 2011-05-12 22:38

Hi Angshu,
picturesque the sight of the arid mountain scape view is superb with the melt snows make the image so adorable.The clarity and the sharpness are superb with the trees on the foreground decorate it pleasantly.

Peter

kordinator (13411) 2011-05-12 23:18

Hello Angshuman
This is fantastic composition.
Like especially the composition with the pretty house in the corner.
White lines of snow on the brown mountains are amazing.
Very good depth of field and clarity.
Best regards
Saša

nilotpal_patra (1684) 2011-05-13 2:57

Namaskar Angshuman,
It is realy, a good Picture with light & shadow. Nice Frame. Nice colour, contrast and sharpness. Nice POV. TFS.
Regards.
Nilotpal Patra.

Kielia (20411) 2011-05-13 3:05

Hi Angshuman,
a wonderful presentation of this fascinating trekking destination, very well composed from an excellent POV. I like the contrast of the colors and the beautiful light a lot. And I read your interesting note with pleasure. This is a very nice impression. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

subhendu_bagchi (16590) 2011-05-13 8:19

dear dada,
it is really a great one. Nice to see the the valley with the brown mountain. snow in the top of the mountains are superb and contrasting well. You composed it superbly with great light and superb depth. Excellent shot. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

abmdsudi (26215) 2011-05-13 9:32

Namste Angshu
Great shot of a stunning landscape and beautifully composed, you get a good sense of space and scale with intersting FG subjects. A truly rugged beauty at this height. Awesome subtle light and colors taken at late hour of the day that give the three dimensional feel to the shot. What a lovely bits of light spotting the ridge, showing the textures and detail wonderfully. The extensive depth of field gives the effect of sitting under that fantastic blue sky, especially when focussing on the mountain its so well placed, bright and contrasting colours. A true experience you will never forget for sure and you've captured the atmosphere of this stunning place perfectly. Your shots are always a delight to view, a pure pleasure! Well done, Congrats and TFS
Best regards

sacimar (25957) 2011-05-13 9:50

Hello Angshu,

impressive landscape, I like the mountains, the quality of the image is excellent, good details and perspective, well done,

Have a good weekend!

Sergio

jaywalker (16061) 2011-05-13 14:57

Hi Angshuman, A stunning backdrop & the houses add wonderful scale, this is a great panoramic view of nature & the sky allows for brilliant light to shine through, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

jhm (122334) 2011-05-14 0:48

Hello Angshu,

What a great quality image, so fantastic mountain landscape.
Incredible for look at.
Lovely composition, good presentation too. TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

korbee (6295) 2011-05-15 2:53

I can see a lot Tibetan influence is this picture Angshu,the slope of mountain looks massive,its always hard to check distance in such situatons.
With such weather you are very very lucky,you can get the max results for a good photo.

jan

sacavem (18566) 2011-05-20 15:09

Olá Angshuman,

Wow .. this is really high.
Great shot of these magnificent and dominant mountains. The colours and light you've captured are vibrant and very appealing to the eye. TFS

Best regards and a good weekend.
Filipe

danos (73926) 2011-06-22 1:51

Hello Angshu,
your series from this high altitude area of North India is really very impressive.I like the arid Mts with the melted snows on them and the warm light to makes the scene so adorable.Excellent presentation as quality of the image.

Regards,Danos