Winners of the Photo Trekker of the Month - January 2017

It’s the first month of the year and what better way to celebrate than a trek in the Himalayas! Although January doesn’t see many trekkers due to the chilly winter, this year was quite a surprise. Trekkers flocked to Sandakphu and Brahmatal; bringing with them these beautiful pictures!

Here are the winners, judged by Anuja Gupta,  for the Photo Trekker of the month of January. 

WINNERS

Trek Photographer of the Month – Raghavendra SN

Brahmatal

The oblivion is a perfect caption,  makes me think: What would it be like if I was that guy just walking into nowhere. The path seems like it can disappear any moment. Makes you anxious and excited about what is to come.

1st Runner Up – Trace Carrasco

Sandakphu

One more good photo for human canine bonding. however, here the tables have turned. The dogs look like they’ve come to make friends with the kid. It feels like that childhood school scene where a group of kids come and ask a new kid if he wants to play with them. The kid looks a bit shy and the dog looks like he’s urging him to come play. Again perfect composition, there’s just enough elements to make the feelings come alive.

2nd Runner Up – Santosh A

Brahmatal

The contrast hits me first – that strong orange on white snow and clouds with the blue sky. The trees are also interesting. Added to all this, there’s snow fall! So much is happening in this photo but in the right proportions. Even though the trees are the only living things, this photo seems to be full of life.

Trekkers Choice Award – Gayatri

Brahmatal 

For someone who has been to Lohajung, this photo is very interesting. This place is usually very green and full of life. The snow and frost over this inclined place makes it almost unrecognisable. This photo almost makes Alaska look mundane.

NOMINATIONS

 Brahmatal – Snehanshu Pradhan

The fog and clouds through the trees makes the place looks mysterious, like it’s untouched but the two buildings contradicts this thought, leaving you thinking more. It’s like a thriller movie setting.

Sandakphu – Udit Ranjan

The sleeping buddha itself is awesome. This is the first photo I’ve seen with flora in the frame. In all the other photos the buddha seems like it’s in another world altogether, maybe inaccessible. But in this photo, it feels like I can go there. It’s nice when someone can bring life into the frame.

Brahmatal – Raghavendra S N

If it weren’t for that cloud, it would’ve been just another photo. The cloud looks like it’s consuming the mountain or like it’s been covered by a blanket to protect the mountain from the approaching storm.

Brahmatal – Vishvajeet Chavan

One of the best photos to show human-canine bonding. The person is sharing food directly from his/her tiffin box. We usually do this only with our human friends. This shows friendship has no boundaries. The dog’s eyes shows that even they have strong emotions. I can almost feel how hungry and grateful the dog is. Composition is also perfect.

Sandakphu – Mark Rodrigues

Love the depth in this photo. The path takes my eyes to the horizon. Other than that, it looks like this person has been walking a long way and finally he has reached a new place. Both the person and the end of the path are placed perfectly in the photo. Good composition! The snow and fog makes it dramatic too.

Brahmatal – Vijendra Patil

This picture offers a stark contrast between pristine snow and the surrounding tree line. The dining tent sits amidst fresh snow in what is otherwise a barren landscape. This picture is reminiscent the isolated space that the trekkers enjoy, far away from the madding crowds.

Which one is your favourite shot? Vote for it below!

• Sooraj Kumar - Gaumukh Tapovan Trek (Entry 8) (32%, 404 Votes)
• Aditya S Rao - Sandakphu Phalut Trek (Entry 10) (18%, 221 Votes)
• Pritish Bhanushali - Gaumukh Tapovan Trek (Entry 2) (17%, 210 Votes)
• Rahul Jha - Kedartal Trek (Entry 4) (11%, 142 Votes)
• Subhash Harkidun - Ruinsara tal Trek (Entry 3) (7%, 91 Votes)
• Ujjwal Hadial - Buran Ghati Trek (Entry 7) (4%, 52 Votes)
• Srikanth Chikkala - Kedartal Trek (Entry 9) (4%, 45 Votes)
• Rupendra Yadav - Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek (Entry 1) (3%, 36 Votes)
• Vinayak Oak - Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek (Entry 6) (3%, 32 Votes)
• Subhash - Har Ki Dun Trek (Entry 5) (1%, 17 Votes)

Total Voters: 1,250

Voting ends on 3rd March at 2:00 pm 

About our Judge Anuja Gupta