there. What challenges does the region’s climate and geography pose for photographers?
Tell us a little about yourself. What inspired you to take up photography?
Born in Nainital, I was deeply fascinated by the natural beauty of Uttarakhand. I used to trek, and started mountaineering at a very young age with the encouragement of my father, Late Sri C. L. Sah Thulgharia, who established The Nainital Mountaineering Club (NTMC). My father, who was also fond of photography, knew about my interest in it and gifted me a camera (an Agfa Isoly) before my first trek to Pindari Glacier in 1964. This added wings to my passion, and I started clicking pictures of mountains. In those days, there were no serious photographers in Nainital. There was a photo studio, named Ratan Lal & Sons, whose owner, on my request, taught me the basics of photography, i.e., composition, exposure, developing the film, making the prints, etc. Later, I came in contact of Col. Madhusudanji, who was seriously associated with photography, and inspired by him, in 1985 I participated in a national photography contest for the first time. Although all of my submitted photographs were rejected, I did not feel disheartened, and tried to improve.
In 1990 I had an opportunity to go for a trip to Kailash-Mansarovar. With a Nikon
F-3 camera, I clicked a number of shots with great care during this trip, and had a chance to project my images in a slide show in Moradabad. Padmashree Mr. T. Kashinath, one of the photography greats, attended this show; after its completion, he met me and appreciated my work wholeheartedly. On his suggestion, I started participating in national level contests of photography seriously, and have never looked back since.
Your images showcase the Himalayas in all their majestic glory, while also giving us a closer look at the flora and fauna
Doing a lot of high-altitude treks and mountaineering expeditions lets me visit a lot of remote places, and therefore I have developed a deep interest in nature
photography. Taking good pictures at a high altitude is quite a challenging task. Carrying the camera and equipment on your back is a difficult task to begin with, and then there are issues like rising before dawn to get the correct light, and more. You need to be prepared for all kinds of adverse conditions like rough weather, inhospitable terrain, etc., and must plan your travel well in advance.
The determining factor that makes a photographer stand out is how passionate he is about his interest. Only a determined photographer will pay attention to detail, and be able to overcome all the harsh conditions that the mountains may pose for him.
How much preparation do you make for each shot? Do you compose the image in your head, plan your setup, and then wait for the right moment before shooting, or do you just see something beautiful and snap a picture on the spot?
In order to click a good picture, I believe the planning starts well in advance. You need to be at the right place at the right time with all your equipment in place. However, the light conditions can change rapidly due to frequent weather changes at high altitudes. So, you also need to be on your toes, and adaptable, as you might get an opportunity to click a good picture for a very brief moment only.
What is your opinion on digital editing of light and shadows in images to make them look more dramatic and surreal?
Digital editing of light and shadows is, in my opinion, something that helps to improve the quality of your image. But I believe it is necessary to question the extent to which it is acceptable. Personally, I feel the picture should be shot such that you do not have to edit it later. I always try my best to have natural lighting and colours in my images.