This month’s photo contest saw numerous entries with some of the most spectacular compositions! Each photograph had a story of its own. Our trekkers gave such a fresh perspective for our April treks– We were stumped. So, we borrowed help from a professional.
Our judge, Milind Tambe is a Maritime Professional who is also a keen trekker and photographer.
He has been practicing photography actively since 1985 and continues to do so. His images have been published in the EYE – Photomagazine on repeated occasions. One of his image also appears in this year’s Mountain Lover’s Gold Calendar.
Milind has also authored a book on Imaging Techniques for the Maritime Survey Industry, currently published by the International Institute of Marine Surveying, UK.
We asked Milind to use his expertise in picking out the best of the best from the lot.
Here are the winners for the April 2017 Photo contest!
WINNERS
Trek Photographer of the month- Lavanyaa
Har ki Dun
We simply love the fresh approach in this picture by Lanvanya. Without any inferences to mountains, tents, trails or surroundings, this picture beautifully summarises the thrill of a winter trek. The kind of utensils and the snow tell the story of the hours that have passed. You can just experience those cold hours by looking at this photograph.
Congratulations Lavanyaa! You have won an Adri 45 Rucksack from Wildcraft!
1st Runner Up – Vijesh
Everest Base Camp
We like the scale of this picture. The photograph beautifully conveys the vastness of the landscape by including the trekkers and the natural leading lines in the composition. It helps the eye to amass the vastness and visually travel right through the image. Indeed, on a trek like Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri, the landscapes are fantastic and give you a feel of insignificance amidst nature.
2nd Runner Up – Ameya Surve
Har ki Dun
This is surely a shift from the otherwise “mountain landscape like any other”. There is some thought that has been put into the photograph. Our judge believes if the person was a little to the left 1/3 rd of the frame, this photograph could be an absolute stunner. Nevertheless, this picture captures the serenity of being in Har Ki Dun valley.
Trekker’s Choice
Deoriatal – Chandrashila – K. Samitha Vivek
What an interesting photograph of the Deoriatal lake! A classical composition with a tried and tested view is what does the trick here.
Nominations
Har ki Dun – Samar Rahman
This is another beautiful landscape shot. Our judge was impressed with the good technique used in blurring the river water.
Har ki Dun – Samar Rahman
We have another strong image from Samar. You can feel the cold water, and the chilly air right before sunrise at Har Ki Dun campsite.
Sandakphu – Sushma Srinivas
A lot of participants submitted images of local villagers, but this picture from Gorkhey village on Sandakphu trek surely stands out. It speaks about the ways of life of these mountain dwellers. The simple cart that they are used to carry the mud speaks volumes of their frugal lifestyle. Trekking for us urban folks is all about understanding this aspect of frugal living in today’s materialistic world.
Everest Base Camp – Niyati Hemani
What a captivating landscape! This is the trail right after Chola Pass and you can see a different face Ama Dablam in distance. This photograph as made lovely use of panorama. It could have done wonders if it had foreground interest as well!
Deoriatal – Chandrashila – Mayank Sharma
What a fine use of photographic technique. The leading line of mountains compensates for the lack of foreground interest. The silhouettes of mountains in background takes you to lovely mornings at Chandrashila summit!
Kuari Pass – Nachiketa
What a brilliant snowscape! This trek is a winter wonderland. Our judge believes the image could have been more dynamic by a slight shift in position: a little left, so the trail could be more diagonal in the frame.
Har ki Dun – Samar Rahman
We just can’t get enough of Samar’s photography! The slow shutter speed has given the desired effect of time travel and you can actually feel the seconds pass by as the cloud drifts and the water flows.
Pangarchulla – Saini Krishnamurti
What an impressive image from Pangarchulla Peak trek! It gives you a feel of an expedition. We loves the way the eye leads from the first trekker to the ranges in the back ground. However, our judge adds that a bit of cropping from the right and a better processing could have made a big difference to the image.
Kuari Pass – Nachiketa
What synchronization can the mountains bring about in us! It is these photos that remind us of the grandeur of Kuari Pass trail. Our judge feels the photograph could have been even better if the approach towards processing was a little different.
So there you go, our 13 nominees for the April 2017 Photo contest. Vote for your favourite photo in the poll below and help the best one win!
The poll has closed!
I vote for Laavanya’s pic
Amazing pic
The picture shows life style when we just imagine mountain’s valley’s snow rivers. Looks like people living in heaven.
Beautiful pic
vote to Samithavivek
Har ki dun – Samar Rahman
Liked Ameya Surve har ki dun valley pic
Amazing pic
Good picture
Nice photographs.
Niyati’s photograph is real unique one sending great message to mankind that, this natural resource must be fruitfully !!!!!
Superb pic…. The local life…
Good photographs
The photos were good. Promoting hiking is a positive step
Vote for Har ki Dun – Lavanyaa….completely different thought
I vote to Everest Base Camp – Niyati Hemani
Excellent pictures.Nothing better than Paradise!!
Neyati’s photo is the best.
Superb photographs
Very nice photograph
I vote for Lavanya’s picture
Picture shows winter thrills naturally.
Seeing these kind of picture it self feel like in freeze.
I vote for Lavanya’s picture. Because while seeing these kind of picture it self, give feel like we are in freezer.
Marvelous. Pic
covers,.. various conditions of the Himalayas on different mountains…..
Extra ordinary photo by Niyati Hemani
I vote for ameya’s pic..
Thank you for the amazing critiques on my landscapes. Honoured to have 3 of my images featured!
I voted for sushma srinivas…Marvellous awesome lost for adjectives
nice click niyati…
Niyati’s photo the best
Hi maliya is our soldier
I vote for Everest Base Camp Niyati Hemani’s photograph
I vote samitha vivek super photography
Awesome
I Vote for Sushma srinivas-sandakphu
nice
I vote for sushma srinivas…. nice click
Vote to samitha vivek
Nice photos
I vote for Sushma Srinivas
I vote for the susma
I vote for sushma srinivas
I vote for sudha srinivas
I vote for Sushma Srinivas
I vote for sushama srinivas – sandakphu – An insight to life style of mountain dweller
I vote for susma
I vote for sushma srinivas
I vote for Sushma
I vote for sushma Srinivas.
Everything is just perfect and awesome
I vote for sushma Srinivas
Shez amazing
I vote for sushma Srinivas
Bombb pics
I vote for the susma srinivas
I vote for susma srinivas
I vote for sushma
I vote to sushma srinivas
I vote for susma srinivas
I vote to sushma picture was nice
I will vote to sushma, picture was nice
Classy Picture
Vote for Sushma
I vote for sushma srinivas.
What is the closing time for poll?
My vote is for sushma srinivas
I voted for SANDAKPHU
Sushma Srinivas Image is very cool
My vote is for Sushma srinivas
Awesome pics. I vote for Sushma Srinivas Sandhakphu village.
I vote for Sushma Srinivasa…..
My vote is for Sushma Srinivas
All pics are amazing
I vote for Sushma Srinivas
My vote is for Sushma Srinivas