Passerby
A yak finds his way back to camp at the Fourth Lake, above Gokyo, Khumbu, Nepal
A yak finds his way back to camp at the Fourth Lake, above Gokyo, Khumbu, Nepal
Read less
Read less
May, 2016Views
751
Likes
Awards
Winner in Animals and their Habitats Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 20 rank week 1Categories
rachdian
August 04, 2016
Absolutely great captured, congrats to be a winner in "Animal and their Habitats Photo Challenge"
occasionalclimber
August 04, 2016
Thank you. These yaks and their human owners are a charming story. Each yak is known by name and they coexist sometimes for decades. The Nepalese hold a deep respect for them.
Platinum
occasionalclimber
August 04, 2016
Thank you. These yaks and their human owners are a charming story. Each yak is known by name and they coexist sometimes for decades. The Nepalese hold a deep respect for them.
PRO+
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
In April (pre monsoon), below the Fourth Lake, above Gokyo in the Khumbu region of Nepal.Time
Just before dusk. My friend Helge and I had walked up the Ngozumpa Glacier moraine as far as the Sixth Lake and were now returning wearily to Gokyo.Lighting
The light was fading and clouds were coming in, so getting texture into the shot wasn’t a problem, but getting sufficient shutter speed to freeze the yak was the main challenge.Equipment
A Nikon D70S with a 28-70 lens. Details not recorded - it was 2006.Inspiration
This yak just loomed unexpectedly out of the swirling cloud. He was bigger in the flesh than it appears in the photo – a really impressive animal who did not intend to slow down or deviate from his route on our account. I learned later that he is over 25 years old and well known in Gokyo as a free spirit. When he feels like carrying gear he comes into the village, when not he heads off up higher alone. The locals have a deep relationship with and respect for their yaks. It’s more symbiotic than I had realised.Editing
Primarily Photoshop adjustments to light and shadow to bring out the details and texture.In my camera bag
I love the mountains, so as little as possible - at present a Nikon D7000 camera body, an 18-85 small zoom and the 55-300 bigger zoom, a spare battery and beaten up lightweight tripod - good for hiking. If I'm going for a summit then it's even less - a compact Nikon P7800 with mirrorless through the lens digital view finder, full manual operation and RAW file capture - absolutely great when you still want to control your photography but need to keep moving and can't afford to have stuff hanging off you.Feedback
Go to great places and always be ready for the unexpected shot.
