Abhijeet Singh shoots the Himalayas in their starlit glory
I have always loved being outdoors. It allows me to live in the present, feel more alive, become more perceptive of the beauty around me. I love to hear the birds, and feel the sun, rain, snow and wind. I love the peace and solitude that being in nature brings, particularly in the mountains. This is why I spend a lot of time there, climbing and shooting.
In current times, they say that good things come to those who hustle. But in night photography, I strongly believe that they come to those who wait to make that perfect picture.
Since the start of my career, I have been fascinated with photography at night. The most interesting thing about shooting in the dark is that you get to see the place in a different setting, in different light. The hues are changing, and so are the views. It has always been amazing to me to see the kinds of colour and light that become visible to your eye.
I find it deeply rewarding, not in a monetary sense, but for the excitement of capturing the beauty that can only be seen once the sun has set. The challenge is finding a subject worthy enough to photograph. Also, capturing the beauty of light in darkness is difficult. And you can’t carry a lot of equipment on such expeditions. Yet you have to get the perfect details of landscape, stars and sky.
As you venture into more and more remote places, it’s not really the equipment but your imagination and hard work that produces images that inspire people to dream. You are committed once you set up the tripod, compose your shot in the dark, hope it is focused on something and then click the shutter.
Self-timer, shutter speed and noise reduction make every single photo a commitment. But with the right subject, it all becomes worth it.
Bara Shingri Glacier, Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, The Milky Way, shot from base camp. 11 pm, August 2015
Munsiyari Village Uttarakhand. 8pm, March 2013
Stok Kangri, Himachal Pradesh. Crossing a moraine in heavy snowfall. 4 am, August 2013
Cathedral Peak, Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh. Full Moon from base camp, Bara Shigri. 8 pm, August 2015
Kuari Pass, Uttarakhand. 9 pm, May 2015
Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh, 10 pm, October 2015
Dumti Peak, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, Venus rising, 3:30 am, October 2015
Kibber Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. First Snow of the season. 9pm, October 2015
