Just before dawn... Photo

Photographer’s Note

Inspired by a recent photo of the Cumbrian hills in England posted by Ben WX (ben4321) I thought I would post my own version from Darjeeling, north-east India.

This photo is of the Kangchenjunga region of the mighty Himalayan mountain range and was photographed from a viewpoint about an hour's drive from Darjeeling called "Tiger Hill". I had to get up at 03:45 in the morning when sensible people are still tucked up nice and warm in their beds to get to Tiger Hill for 05:00 when the dawn light just starts to creep over the hills.

Mt. Kangchenjunga is the third tallest mountain in the world at 8,586m (28,169ft) but due to it's proximity to Darjeeling it looms over all the other mountains in view. From my image, Mt. Kangchenjunga is just off camera, about 20 degrees turn to my left. Mt. Everest, despite being about 150km (91 miles) away is still visible as a slightly higher peak to the rest along the horizon. From the viewpoint in this photo you need to turn 90 degrees to the left to see Mt. Everest.

From Tiger Hill it is possible to see 5 different countries. India, obviously, because you are in it!; Nepal is visible in the distance to my left (towards Everest); the mountains in the background to my photo are in Tibet; to my right the landscape becomes Bhutan and immediately behind me heading down into the plains it is possible to see Bangladesh.

This photo was taken at 05:45 in the morning. The sun appeared over the mountains just off camera to the right at approximately 06:10.

PP detail: Full-frame shot, no cropping; These are the natural colours for the sky but I have enhanced the saturation slightly (about 10%) to make them more vivid; All other colours untouched; Sharpness x 1 to edge of hills to create more definition; Black frame added.

Have a good weekend!

Rich

indoka28, rigoletto, Aliine, somak_g, Traczewska, happypoppeye, dragonslayero has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

taeshow (34) 2007-07-07 2:00

very nice pict

Lavan3d (269) 2007-07-07 2:00

Looks more artistic. Its a pieace of painting from your camera

indoka28 (5187) 2007-07-07 2:03

Hello Rich,

Yes there u are..!!!! with the most amazing shot from Tiget hill..!!! u have been very lucky to get this from tiger hill..!!

and this shot..its a mindblowing painting you have done with the camera..!!! absolutely perfect with colours absolutely gorgeous..and the layers of hills in the FG has just blown me...!!! I just loved it..!!

thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful shot...goes into my favorites straight away..!!

Regards,

Indro

mdkrm (139) 2007-07-07 2:04

Very nice composition
and clear photo..

rigoletto (26846) 2007-07-07 2:14

Hi Richard,
Not much can be said for this photo: It is magnificent! From the front to the horizon, depth is captivating and almost hypnotizing. Very attractive landscape. TFS,
Deniz

Aliine (1905) 2007-07-07 2:17

Hello,
Wooow beautiful landscape!
The POV is so amazing, I like imagine to be there and contemplate this 5 different countries ;)
Nice light too...
Aline

aadilj (17950) 2007-07-07 2:27

Thats a very wellc aptured moment with such fine hues and tones and tha layer formation in the air and the silhoutted montains are abslutely out of this world. mesmerising stuff indeed with great compositio and control

tigra (2968) 2007-07-07 2:35

Hello Richard
Fantastic view!!!
Excellent capture, perfect colors and sharpness.
Incredible... really one of the best!
Katia

somak_g (463) 2007-07-07 3:18

hello richard,

fantastic. awesome.

regards
somak

ben4321 (9807) 2007-07-07 3:47

I'm glad I inspired you to post this Rich, I think it's excellent.
Shooting into the light in these misty conditions has made for a really atmospheric image, and I like the layers in the landscape and the blue tones.
Personally I wouldn't have sharpened this - there's a bit too much definition in the skyline for my liking, although I don't think you've really overdone it. Just that the hard transition from land to sky is a bit too much of a contrast with the softness in the rest of the image.
I think it would have been even better without the dark ridgeline at the bottom, but I don't see how you could have avoided including it.
You've done well here though, I think it's great.

Cheers,
Ben

TMLH (1668) 2007-07-07 13:12

Hi Richard,
Congratulation for capturing and sharing such an outstanding photo.
Rgds
Tony

Traczewska (7279) 2007-07-07 15:34

Extremely magnetic shot.. Tops of the mountains swiming in the ocean of blue.. from the very light to the very dark.. Perspective begins with black hill ends with beautifuly lighted chain of snowy mountains.. Excellent sharpness..
Realy well done!
with regards, Agnieszka

happypoppeye (4064) 2007-07-07 21:14

This is an excellent silhouette shot Rich. Probably better than 90% on the site. Color is perfect. Composition is perfect. The last line of detailed, snow covered mountains in the background is the real kicker. They really look great. The blacked out hill in the foreground also looks good. Really nice.

Keep em comin.
John

Stepan (27175) 2007-07-08 1:05

What could I say except you were really lucky to enjoy such a moment, such a place...
And we are lucky you captured it perfectly to share it...
Beautiful.
Stéphane

lasscor (7637) 2007-07-08 1:05

Hi Richard,
Wonderful peaceful composition.
Lovely colours harmony.
Very beautiful layers in the landscape.
TFS,
Corinne

partha (13667) 2007-07-08 5:34

Hi Richard ,
Excellent representation of the early morning. The steps of the mountain looks really brilliant.
Regards.
Partha

nabarun (332) 2007-07-09 5:21

O MY GOD!
This is an absolute gem Richard!
regards,
Nabarun.

crckt (7100) 2007-07-09 8:37

Hi Rich,
Really awesome shot! Looks like a painting!
Regards
Shaeri

dragonslayero (3108) 2007-07-11 4:22

Hello Richard

Now this is a photo that deserves attention.
The view here is just increadible, not just the distances but also the way the distance is presented to the viewer. DOV is proparbly the best I have ever seen.
Colour fade looks great, not a strain of grain as I can see.
My hat is off to you my friend!

Odd Jarle

rozy975 (3047) 2007-07-18 16:04

This picture is all about the soft different degrees on the blue tones which are really nice.
Great light, contrast and sharpness.
Well done!

stiginthedump (1823) 2007-07-18 22:15

This is a great shot Richard. I love the blues and the silky look of the whole scene. I'm gonna have to make a trip there someday!

silvia_zenova (1318) 2007-07-26 23:29

Hello Richard,
I was glad to discover your gallery. Very beautiful landscape, captured in the right moment. It seems like painting with this soft and delicate tones of the blue in the misty conditions ! Picture with mood and atmoshere.
Very good job, regards.
Silvia

banyanman (7739) 2007-08-25 21:17

I love photographs like this, Rich, with the layers of the mountains forming silhouettes into the distance. In this case you have the bonus of a beautiful snow-capped ridge to provide an impressive backdrop. I think Ben WX is one of the best critiquers on this site, but on this occasion I don't agree with him about excluding the ridge in the foreground - I think that helps to provide both depth and balance to the image. Cheers . . . David

Photo Information

Copyright: Richard Mayneord (richwm) (1209)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-12
Categories: Nature, Decisive Moment
Camera: Canon EOS-30D, Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Layered Mountains, Your favourites from my gallery [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-07-07 1:58
Favorites: 5 [view]