There's a place on earth where time stands still. A place where a reverence
for nature and the Buddhist religion have preserved a kingdom that is often
referred to as the world's last Shangri-la. A mythical and medieval land
hidden high away in the Himalayas--an Eden called Bhutan.
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Tigers
Nest--My style of photography in the most remote places in
the world requires a lot of physical stamina as well as mental
endurance. Here I had to trek 3000 ft to an altitude of 9000 ft
to be at eye level with one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage
sites in the Himalayan world.
All Photos © 2005, Daryl Hawk, All Rights Reserved
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In early 2004 I was hired by Yarkay Tours to photograph Bhutan, a small country
just south of Tibet and north of India, to create a 60-minute documentary for
Bhutanese and American television using both film and still images. Ever since
I heard of this amazing country six years earlier, my passion was to explore
its land and meet its people. Somehow I felt it was my destiny to go to Bhutan
and now my dream was finally going to come true!
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Thimpu
Ancient Ceremony--Incorporating mood, light, and composition
in as natural a way as possible
will allow you to capture the true spirit of a place.
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Along with a driver and guide, I spent the entire month of November traveling
from the far west to the eastern regions of Bhutan capturing the day-to-day
life of the Buddhist culture, the remote landscapes, imposing architecture,
and powerful nature. Since I was officially considered a royal guest of the
government, I was able to gain extraordinary access to numerous ancient ceremonies,
secret festivals, religious events in monasteries, and the King's birthday
celebration.
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Arrival
Of The Chief Abbott--Something magical happens when good
light, color, composition, and action all come together in harmony
at a given moment in time and to know exactly when to click the
shutter on your camera.
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Traveling and trekking across Bhutan is very challenging and adventurous.
It has very winding roads with 3000-foot
drop-offs. The altitude usually ranges between 6000 and 12,000 ft in most locations.
The farther east you head, the more primitive the sleeping and eating accommodations
become.
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