On trail of snow-capped peaks

Hills have always drawn me in, but there’s something especially captivating about the sight of distant snow-covered peaks. Every winter, these glimmering white summits become my favorite photography subjects. With each peak, varying weather conditions, and different times of day, the landscape is constantly changing. Every day offers a fresh perspective and a new subject to capture.

 

(Is that an early morning snow storm on the peak that I just captured?)

 

A friend of mine once asked why I always end up photographing these peaks from a distance rather than venturing out to explore them up close. Well, that’s a pursuit for the more adventurous souls. I prefer the comfort of my home, stepping out to capture the peaks only to return to my cozy space. If those snow-covered summits were my calling, I might have been a trekker or even a mountaineer—but I’m not. I’m a photographer, deeply moved by their beauty, but content to admire them from a safe distance.

 

 

Every day, the peaks appear to be different from the day before. Even on the same day, different times of the day dress them up differently.

 

(Sunrise on hills – during early autumn, photographed from Maini’s Hill Cottages)

  

(Early morning on Trishul, when the first few rays of golden sunlight lit up the peak)

 

The hills stretch far and wide, making them ideal subjects for a sweeping panorama. To truly capture their grandeur and beauty, a wide panorama that can be printed as a large-sized print is ideal. Anything less risks undermining their majesty.

(Panorama from our water tower)

 

(Nanda Devi peak with clouds)

My favorite snow-peak photos were captured in the early morning or late evening hours, sometimes even long after the sun had set. Timing is as crucial in photographing these mountain peaks as it is with any other landscape. During these hours, when the sun is low on the horizon, the mountains take on a distinct character. Their peaks look stunning, and the colors can seem almost otherworldly.

(View of the hills from Maini’s Hill Cottages – these psychedelic colors were actually there on one fine evening.)

 

Alpenglow or the phenomenon where reflected light lights up the peaks, can be seen many times here. The peaks turn pink to deep orange.

 

(The pink-orange peaks in the late evening. Notice the houses on the left side of the foreground, they have their lights also on)

Explore this collection for more of our stories, told through photographs – Photo Essays