Evening sky over the Annapurna range

Guy contemplates Machhapuchere

This one of Guy is with the legendary Major Rick Beven who, a couple of years ago walked right across Nepal – from Darjeeling in North-East India to Dehra Dun in North West India.

Maj Rick Beven and Capt Guy Norton

Now that I have seen his images, I am desperate to go – so when I am back from Brunei, I will try to find a window to get up there.  The weather might be a problem at this time of year, but I will give it a go.  Therefore, if anyone wants to add a week onto their photoNepal course, we could arrange a guide to get you up there during the best time of the year.  Next year’s photoNepal 2013 might even incorporate this 5 day trek for the hardy among us!

Sunrise over Annapurnas

Holy Man at the Goorkha Palace

The weather was not very kind because, although it didn’t rain, there was significant haze so no mountains to be seen – you can see most of the Annapurnas, Lamjung and Ganesh mountain ranges normally – and November this year should be the best time to see them in all their magnificence.

The town of Goorkha in the haze

I also used the opportunity to call in on one of our pensioners – and lovely old man who despite his age (92 years old) is still healthy and mobile, although totally reliant on the welfare pension he receives from the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Welfare Pensioner

I was also trekking with Dr James Cave who conducted a small medical clinic at the ex-Gurkha Area Welfare Centre run by the Gurkha Welfare Scheme.

Dr James Cave OBE at the GWS Welfare Centre

The town of Goorkha is beautiful, with a magnificent and tasteful museum and old cobbled streets.

The small palace

I can’t wait to get there when the mountains are providing the backdrop!

Potential Gurkhas

Girl Carrying water

Carrying Water

As you all know this year we are hoping to make a significant donation to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

We are happy to see them mentioning our workshops on their official website.

You can read about us HERE

The Gurkha Welfare Trust logo

Johnny & Joanna

On Wednesday, I took her up to a small village called Tiplyang (about 5 hours to get to by road from my house, but we only took 20 minutes to get there!)

The HLS in Tiplyang

Tiplyang is hugely important as it is the village where Lt Tulbahadur Pun VC lived; and he died last year.

Joanna’s father, Maj Jimmy Lumley, was Tulbahadur’s Officer Commanding when he won his VC; so it was lovely that she was able to be at the opening of the memorial in the village.  The family of Capt Michael Allmand were also present (He won his VC posthumously in the same action).

The UK Defence Attache reading Tulbahadur's VC Citation

Not only that, Joanna contributed a significant amount of money, along with the Allmand family, to the Gurkha Welfare Scheme so we could build a much needed new secondary school, and the villagers all turned out to thank us.

Villagers from Tiplyang

It was a blisteringly hot day, and Joanna was simply excellent – such a good ambassador for us, and was clearly very moved by the day.

Joanna entertaining the crowds with her Nepali

The weather for photoNepal 2012 in November will be just as bright, sunny and clear, but thankfully not nearly as hot!

Welcome to our new photographers who have signed up – watch this space for further updates…and for the rest of you; don’t leave it too long, the places are going!

I have just updated our website with some new stunning photos from our photoNepal instructor, Chris Terry. You can find more photos on his team page

I absolutely love them!

All the best,

Seb

Not sure if you know, but it’s Johnny’s birthday today!

Birthday boy!

We wish you all the best, enjoy your day! – Seb and Chris

We thought you might want to see a short video from Nepal.

So here it is, our first video update from Nepal: and a few words from Johnny!

All the best,

Seb

I have some great news about our photoNepal 2012 workshop.

We have been given the opportunity to upgrade the package and we will spend ALL nights in hotels.  This is great news and will allow us a very comfortable base in very nice hotels (not the usual trekking tea-houses).  We are very grateful to our sponsors!

We will also keep the early booking discount and the price will remain at £1150 per person! 

From April you will see some information about our workshop in Photo Professional and Advanced Photographer magazines.

Here is an example:

photoNepal full page ad

We are also updating the website with Travel & Gear section with some more information about travelling and living in Nepal. We will also let you know what to take and how to prepare for your photographic adventure.

All the best, and Happy Easter!!!

Seb

6th Gurkha Gurung brothers!

Capt Kulbahadur was born in 1920 and joined 2/6 Gurkha Rifles in the British Indian Army a few days after his 18th birthday. At the outbreak of the WW2, he was transferred to newly formed 3/6 GR.  He saw a great deal of active service both on the North West Frontier and then in Burma with General Wingate’s “Chindits”. In April 1944, Kulbahadur was awarded the Military Medal for his courageous actions when his Company Commander was killed. He was engaged in hand-to-hand close-combat with Japanese soldiers; he killed 4 of them during this action. He was also involved in the battle of Mogang in 1944, where 2 members of 3/6 GR were awarded the Victoria Cross; Capt Michael Allmand and Rfn Tulbahadur Pun.

Captain Kulbahadir Gurung MM

Both Kulbahadur and his wife (who is also 92 years old) are very strong, active and happy.  Kulbahadur’s routine starts with about an hour’s walk every day, and he still visits his home village regularly despite the very demanding uphill walk.

Kulbahadur’s brother was a Subidar Major in 2/6 GR and retired as an Honorary Lieutenant.

I think the answer lies in not understanding the language of photography: light.

The formula for correct exposure is to make 18% grey look like 18% grey– a rule that will apply to all of us who want to capture and document the reality as it is. But that’s not the only way of creating photos.

What will happen if you will make that card look 10% grey? Well, you will start interpreting the scene. You can overexpose your photo, get rid of shadows, celebrate highlights and lift the whole scene. Or do the opposite, invoke darker moods, play with gentle flicks of light on a black canvas, leaving plenty of content up to the viewer’s imagination. And that for me is the beauty of our profession: we can all shoot the same thing and end up with completely different image.

Natural light at dusk

Light is a beautiful form of energy and for us photographers light is everything. And, as Joe McNally would say, we need to be eloquent when using it. We can create tension, drama, express the mood of the scene – all one flash and click away.

Mastering light comes from understanding theory backed with a lot of practice and actual shooting. Only this combination will bring you noticeable progress in the shortest possible time. I still haven’t found a book about lighting that wouldn’t summarise its content with:

…so that’s what we have to say; now go and shoot!

But sometimes we are trying too hard. I know plenty of talented photographers who were using multiple lights to create their photos and not doing it well: because they didn’t know the basics of lighting.

Why not start with something so obvious that makes perfect sense: with just one source of light.

Ambient light with one flash through softbox

Look at the sky, how many suns do we have? It’s the way the universe and nature are lighting our world. And look how well it makes the world look. One sun gives us so many different lighting scenarios. It can be harsh, soften by clouds, warm during sunrise… As photographers we can use the available light at its best or emulate this with our flashes, softboxes, umbrellas and gels.

I’m a big fan of simple lighting. One light can create amazing effects and looks very professional – if you know how to use it. I’m specialising in working on location, where – most of the times – I need to work quickly and deliver the results fast. Carrying a lot of gear is often not practical, that’s why I often use just one speedlite or flash head for my work. To be honest, at least 50% of my work visible on my website was created with just one source of light!

One flash, ND filter, ambient light and cold white balance

During photoNepal workshops we will be developing our skills and pushing our limits in every photographic aspect.

We will be creating some stunning images of Nepalese landscapes, making portraits of amazing people and practicing street and wildlife photography. We will go through theory, lighting scenarios and then we will take that knowledge and apply it in the field. We will move from natural light to flash lighting, making it harsh, soft, edgy, wrapping, directional, bounced, flattering, dramatic and moody – all of this with minimum amount of gear and maximum creativity. Through understanding of composition and lighting we will, day after day, become better photographers.

I’m very passionate about teaching photography and I can’t wait to meet you all. Let’s make some stunning photos together!

See you soon!

Sebastian