Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are some of the most spiritually attractive places in the world. This holy place is in faraway Tibet where devotees and photographers come all over.
You are a professional photographer, or you are a passionate traveller having a camera; it will record a once in a lifetime experience to take the beauty of this godly landscape.
It will be possible to use this guide when you want to save the magic of Kailash and Mansarovar in your photos.
Landscape and Lighting Knowledge
The landscape of the things around Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is enormous and untouched, complete with natural contrast. It is a snow-covered peak above a deep blue sky with the crystal-clear waters of Mansarovar representing the mountain on clear days.
Sharp visibility is good because of high altitude and clean air, which is ideal in photography.
Early mornings and late afternoons are the most suitable time of the day to shoot. The sun rays at sunrise and sunset are golden and bring a warm glow and accentuate the divine beauty of the mountain.
Selecting the Appropriate Equipment
One should always carry the right gear but not over pack when doing Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. A manual control DSLR or mirrorless camera will provide an option to control the light and exposure.
Its wide-angle lens is 1024mm to capture the landscape and has a zoom lens of 70200mm which can be used in capturing the mountain details we may see away at distance.
Bring more battery and memory cards, since they are consumed by cold conditions. An entry tripod is necessary when involved with low-light shots and time lapse shots, particularly during sun rise or reflection on a lake body.
In case you have a smartphone, get one with a good resolution with a wide-angle lens that can be clamped onto it to shoot wide. Have a power bank to charge whilst on the road.
Best Spots for Photography
The leading places of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are some of the following:
Lake Mansarovar Shoreline: It is the place to get the ideal reflection of the Mountain Kailash on a clear morning. The water is so transparent as though it were a reflection.
Darchen: The satrting of the Kailash Parikrama. It has panoramic shots of the mountain and the local Tibetan plateau.
Dirapuk Monastery: A good place where one can capture the north side of the mountain Kailash. The mountain is goldened in the dark time of the sunset.
Zuthulpuk Monastery: Perfect south facing and non-busy valley scenery.
Full Moon Night at Mansarovar: When you are in Mansarovar, and when there is a full moon, you cannot afford to miss the chance of having the moon reflected on the lake; it looks enchanted and holy.
How to Take Photos and Make them Stunning?
- Natural light use1 do not use flash but use the light coming through the windows of the sun.
- Add foreground to convey depth and cultural background- pilgrims, prayer flags or yaks.
- Shoot in RAW, this allows you to edit at a later time without damaging any detail.
- Patience: the Tibetan weather is erratic. Wait till you have the right light or a clear sky to capture the ideal shot.
- Do not just shoot at eye level. Attempt to use low angle shots to focus on the height of the mountain or, assuming the use of drones, it is possible to shoot aerial shots.
- Show respect to local traditions. It is a fact that monks or pilgrims do not like close-up shots of them.
Cultural and Spiritual Photography
Kailash is not only about the views but also very spiritual and cultural. Tibetan pilgrims will move around the mountain, spinning their prayer wheels and reciting mantras.
In Mansarovar you can observe followers who are dipping or ritualizing on the beach. These are dramatic situations that show the soul of the journey. Respect them, keep them silent and take them by the throat otherwise they lose their sanctity.
Editing and Revising
On visiting back, apply filters to the photos to make them emphasize the natural beauty of the landscape. Only slight changes in brightness, contrast, and colour tones, leave them natural. It should not be over-edited, which could result in loss of the authenticity.
And lastly, create albums around your songs, which is my first sight of the mountain to my parting. Those photos turn into recollections of a mystical and graphic journey, which can be afforded to only a few people.
