Trip to Himachal!

Drishti School of photography, as the name says provides vision around the nature for fine arts in photography. The flamboyant nature encapsulates several cast of art. The techniques and the principles of vision to identify these form of art is what is thought in Drishti School of Photography. One of such learning we experienced practically was during our workshop trip to motherland of nature in India-“The Himalayas”. The paragraphs describes in short, the memorable moments of the trip.

The joy an expectation for the trip began a week before the travel with necessary trainings by Goutam on Do & Don’ts in the trip, what to expect and the types of themes that we need to concentrate. All set and shopping done for branded gears such as Lafuma, we all started out to airport with great expectation and a smile. It was first time experience of snow for most of them in the group and hence everyone was keen and knew they would experience extravagant scenario

It was around 11:45 AM when we arrived in Delhi airport; taxi was waiting and we all started our journey straight towards Manali stopped over for an excellent brunch with Paratha and Dahi in Harayali Dhaba on the highway. We travelled till dawn by which we covered a long distance crossing major cities like Chandigarh, Kurukshetra and had ended our first day in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.

The next day journey started around 8 AM and this was the day when we initiated our workshop. We reached Naggar, known for a beautiful palace which was sold for a gun to British. We started the workshop with architecture theme and candid shots. Lots of artistic architectural pictures were shot and luckily there was a festival procession in palace which gave us opportunities to take several candid shots, festival and travel shots. It was lunch time and being industrious we were badly in search for a mid day meal, Ha and finally an Italian Restaurant for the rescue. During the meal, we discussed about the mistakes we continued to perform and clarified many doubts in how to target a subject, frame and capture it. We decided to target a single theme/ subject and entire group would together study to take different cast of art and in process to be an SME J Subject Matter Expert. The day finally ended in Manali, booked a comfortable lodge an enjoyed a fantastic dinner. All tired stretched their legs to the fullest of their bed.

Having enjoyed the flamboyancy, the group was excited for the next day morning. We started the day early, woke up to find and capture the first snow filled mountains from a distance. As committed we studied the subject and composition under the guidance of Goutam and were pretty much happy with it. From this day we started to enter the most awaited snow filled regions and it started from a place called Rohtang Pass. With totally packed tourist not even a feet to move it was a place of ice filled charisma with no place for sorrow. We experienced the first touch of snow with the closest of distance and composed the first version of snow based pictures. We reached Chatru the same day and decided to halt for night. We tented along the sides of river bed. Chatru is located almost at the core of Himalayas and staying at night no wonder will be HOT...oh I mean Chill to core and in this climate the group decided for a night photography J all except me and Chetan gave a try and I dared for the morning. Early morning, I got up and experimented couple of low shutter speed shots on the river beds. By early 8 AM most of us had started their experiments and gathered together for guidance on Landscapes by Gautam. Had our breakfast and continued the journey towards Kaza.

The journey from Chatru to Kaza via Batal and Chandratal was one among the best trip. The scenic beauty was to their core best. The flamboyant beauty of nature was such that, we were tired clicking shots of nature. You turn around and you find more than a 1000 compositions. What to take and what note, made us remember the basic composition rule...ha now that’s ImportantJ. Around Kaza, we travelled to places like Kye and Kibber. Kye and Kibber are known for its monastery and worlds high altitude villages. We spent a 2 nights and a day in Kaaza and started the journey towards Shimla via Tabo, Sumdo, Chango, Nako lake and Kufri. We stayed overnight in Taboo and also tried night photography. On the journey to Shimla we experimented more of Candid and Portrait photographs.

We reached Shimla around evening and for coupe of members in the group it was the end of a fabulous trip. 2 member had to leave to Bangalore the same day Night. Mr Ravi, a renowned business man with whom we had an opportunity to travel, sponsored our stay in a 3 star accommodation in Shimla. I thank and appreciate his generosity and kind attitude. He departed us the same day to continue his journey towards Bangalore. We enjoyed the night and next day scouted in and around Shimla for Candid and Architectural shots. We visited Shimla market and nearby tourist destination called Chile.

For me and Chetan, today was the end of Trip to Himachal. We took the night Volvo towards Delhi and the night I slept with memories of the extravagant Trip, truly remarkable moments that hardly few among us can cherish and enjoy. A truly magnificent journey called a “Trip to Himachal”.