Not every photo is meant to go into a frame and be hung on the wall. After all photography is just another way to share an experience.
I went to Nepal with the main idea to photograph the landscapes as I usually do, but, honestly, the people were so captivating that I couldn't resist. It's not their looks that captivated me, it's their spirit and way of life. That's why these photos here have a more documental rather then an anrtistic value - the artists are the subjects. I'm rarely inspired to photograph people and I was so happy that theese meetings influenced me so much.
With the recent events that took place in Nepal I feel sharing these photos is the least I could do. I know that the people there are one of the most prepared for such cataclysms not because they are financially stable but because they are spiritually strong - and this is much more important for coping with events of such caliber. That's why I know that they will manage to rebuild everything that was taken away from them.
As usual, when trekking above 4000m. most treks are quite fast since you shouldn't ascend more than 500m. of denivelation. In such days we had plenty of time to walk around, climb local peaks, observe peoples habits. Me and a friend of mine went out for a walk towards the closest peak and noticed a small abandond looking building placed quite far from the village up the hill. Of course we decided to investigate and stumbled upon this old Lama,his son and wife. Around the same time every year the Lama comes to the house, cleans and sometimes changes the cloth in which lies quite an old script consisting of a few thousand pages. Every few hundered or so are stacked together, then wrapped around in cloth and pressed between two wooden boards. He always read the first page of every batch when he opened it before proceeding to the cleaning. We sat there for an hour or so sparsely talking and enjoying a cookie or two which the family offered us.
I remember these little alleyways in Kathmandu which lead to peoples homes directly from the busy streets.
Once you get out of the tourist part of town you can actually enjoy a great walk.
Not really sure what's left of this now...
A normal working day. Just outside of Bandipur - an amazingly beautiful old village near Pokhara.
We called this girl "The Girl with the Oranges". On our way from Jiri to Lukla we stumbled upon her home and her orange garden. Of course we stopped and ate from the almost ripe oranges. On our way back we passed again by the house but she wasn't there - her father explained that she was actually a teacher in the local school and was working at the moment.
People of Bhandar - the place where rivers flow with honey and dreams come true. On our way from Jiri to Lukla we slept in this village and became to love it. On our way back we stayed 2 days there to take a short break instead of doing this in Kathmandu. I truly recommend this village to everyone who is looking for a calm and beautiful place to relax, far from tourists.
Porters.
As a "job" I must say that they are one of, if not the, founding elements of tourism in Nepal. Many people just woudn't make it without their help. On the other hand carrying heavy weight on their forheads is just everyday life for all Nepali people, no matter where they live and in what conditions.
Dressed for Diwali - the Festival of Lights which continues for 5 days.
A Hindu festival we had the privilege to experience in the non-touristy parts of the Himalayas.
We sang, danced, of course gave some money for good fortune and received many smiles and a flower necklace each.
Sometimes it's quite hard to photograph people in Nepal, especially when you don't have experience and you point a zoom lens at them. Looks a bit like a weapon... I really started to learn how to approach people and situations. Noticed this girl just when she was about to climb that tree which was a perfect fit for her dress. Pointed my camera and waited for the moment and the exact second she saw me I pressed the shutter release. Half a second later she hid behind the tree and I shouted - "Too late - I shot you, haha". The local people around us started laughing and she smiled as well.
Little girls on Diwali.
A Nepali fisherman.
Followed him with a kayak for a while trying to get a shot. We spoke for a bit and he invited me and my friend in their house by the lake.
In Phewa Lake near Pokhara, Nepal.
You can also check the other part of HYMAL - scapes, here:
Thank You
