Travel photography - Thangu, North Sikkim

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein

Nature inspires me to paint. When I travel, it is not always possible to create study works or quick sketches as we are constantly on the move. Therefore I photograph the scenes which appeal to me, so that I can refer to it later some day and create beautiful memories by painting them in different mediums. I try to get the best composition possible but if not then I edit the photographs just before I begin my artwork. 

Posted below are a few photographs which we clicked while we were at Thangu. Thangu is a small beautiful village which is about two hours drive from Lachen in North Sikkim.It is situated at a n altitude of 13,500 ft above sea level and most tourists halt here for breakfast and to get acclimatized to the change of altitude before proceeding to Gurudongmar Lake.  From here on to Gurudongmar Lake the altitude increases to 17,800 ft in a short span of three hours. The roads are bad but the beauty of the landscape hypnotizes you. I would love to visit North Sikkim yet again.

At Thangu, North Sikkim

The road further leads to Gurudongmar Lake

The landscape at Thangu, North Sikkim

A cloudy sky at Thangu, North Sikkim

Local women basking in the sun

My database of photographs from different places is growing and I am having fun painting these beautiful places and people. I have not had the opportunity to paint a landscape from Thangu. However I am almost done with a portrait of the woman as above with the scarf. I photographed her from different angles, had a small chat with her and learnt about her life in general. Time was short and it was pleasure to interact with her.

Have you been to North Sikkim? If yes I would love to hear from you and do leave in your comments. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Capturing the landscape at Mandalpatti using Canon 7D

While we were in Madikeri in August this year, we heard one of the local guys mention Mandalpatti as a very beautiful place and situated about twenty kms away from our homestay ( COORG ). I had never heard of this place but decided to google it. Looking at the images we made a quick decision to visit this place where only a four wheel drive can take the tourists across on the steep slopes.

The place is a visual treat for artists, photographers and every other person who loves to be part of nature. I could see all possible shades of green in the grassland which covered the hills like a soft blanket.

Apart from the spectacular views from the hills of Mandalpatti, the winding roads from Madikeri to Mandalpatti itself was a pleasure.

The muddy pathway created to take the tourists around

to capture the stunning views all around.

The hills and mountains covered with grassland.

Clouds touching low almost touching the tips

of the mountain peaks.

Another beautiful view of the western ghats

at Mandalpatti

Another beautiful view of the far off hills

Mandalpatti hills allow you to have a 360 degree view of the hills around. Fortunately the place has not been too commercialised and there are no hotels or homestays in the vicinity. The area is clean and well maintained. Mandalpatti is part of Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary.

If you wish to visit this place ever read some of the reviews in tripadvisor.

The pristine beaches of Goa - Photographs taken by Canon 7D

" Nature never hurries. Atom by atom, little by little she achieves her work."  

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Nature inspires me to create my artworks. I have a big collection of my personal photographs, yet I am always looking forward to click more and the month of August was a month of travelling. I visited Madikeri, Udupi and the beautiful beaches of South Goa.

This time around I made use of my Canon 7D DSLR Camera to click photographs in Auto Focus Mode. Before embarking on this trip I created a small travel sketch book for my pencil and charcoal sketches. I will be posting about it soon along with the study sketches that I created in them.

Given below are photographs of some beautiful pristine beaches in the South of Goa which have been clicked using Canon 7D Camera. The long stretch of white sandy beaches, the transparent blue green waters, the ever changing colours of the sky makes it an ideal destination for all nature lovers.

I visited nine different beaches in South Goa spending some peaceful moments watching the waves hitting the shore. In all it was a very rewarding experience as an artist as I could capture some beautiful seascape scenes which I plan to paint soon.

Sunset at Mobor beach, Goa

Early morning at vaddi beach, South Goa

Varca beach, South Goa