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Veils of snow
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Veils of snow



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High in the Himalayas, heading towards the Thorong La pass, the wind picks up and snow is sent scintillating into the sky...
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High in the Himalayas, heading towards the Thorong La pass, the wind picks up and snow is sent scintillating into the sky
Read less
cameraDSLR-A200

settings Aperture f/14.0 ISO 200 Shutter 1/3200 

upload_dateApr, 2014

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178

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Superb Composition
jasongreen

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Tags

#himalayas #snow #mountains #landscape #backlight
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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas, just outside the teahouse town of Manang (at around 3,500 metres).

Time

This was one of those 'right place, right time' shots. We had been walking all day from the lower slopes and were eager to find a teahouse before we lost the sun completely. As we approached Manang the sun started to dip behind the mountains above and the winds started to pick up.

Lighting

Photography is all about the light. This shot is no exception. The backlighting on the snow (the sun is just falling behind the mountain) allows the foreground to fall into silhouette and creates a strong contrast with subject of the photo.

Equipment

This shot was shot on an Sony a200 with a 18-70mm kit lens. That's it.

Inspiration

As we walked I was drawn to the way the wind would catch deep recesses of snow and throw it out across the sky; there was something majestic in the transient movement of snow that contrasted the unmoving mountains beneath that I wanted to capture. I knew with the snow backlit I would be able to capture the mountains in silhouette, so that the snow's brightness would draw in and lead the viewer's eye. It was just a matter of waiting for the right moment, as with so much of photography.

Editing

I usually find my landscapes vastly improve with some considered and well placed editing. This picture was an exception. A little lowering of the exposure in the highlights to bring more texture into the snow, but leaving the area directly in front of the sun 'blown-out' to help lead the eye. That was it. A simple composition with simple edits.

In my camera bag

My trusty Sony a200 (that's seen a fair bit of action) and 3 lenses: a 18-70mm kit lens, which is versatile enough for most things; a 35mm prime (1.8) that is an incredible lens for almost anything, as long as you get close enough and; a 70-300mm for those things you can't get close enough to no matter how hard you try. I also carry a sturdy travel tripod that I couldn't live without. Other than that a polarising and variable ND filter and some simple cleaning equipment. It's a kit I find easy to travel with and leaves me prepared enough for most shots.

Feedback

In the Himalayas the weather can change quite quickly. Trekking allows you the time to watch how things change and to understand the best times of day for the types of photographs you want. Understanding the weather, the times of sunrise and sunset and the general feel of a place as you travel through it can illuminate new, unconsidered shots. Always have a pen and paper with you and note down any thoughts of shots as they come and when might be best to get that shot... unless that shot is right in front of you at that moment, then forget the pen and hit the shutter.

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