Some of you might already be aware that Arun Bhat, the Co-founder of Darter Photography recently won the prestigious Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA) in Dubai. He got the first prize in the main category “Colors of Life “
I have seen the picture that got the first prize on Arun’s laptop in Spiti, just a week or so after he has clicked it. I vividly remember talking to him about this mesmerizing picture of young monks enjoying a break in the KiMonastery in Spiti valley.
A few days ago I was chatting with Arun on phone and congratulated him about his prestigious award (which BTW carries a prize money of USD 25000).
As I always like to pick Arun’s brain about how to take better pictures I asked him more questions as always but this time it was more specific about this particular image once again and as always Arun patiently answered all my questions. So I thought of why not share the same with all the readers of Darter Photography.
Hence dear reader here is a summary of my chit chat ( or interview if you want to be formal) with Arun Bhat
Prasad: Hey Arun Congratulations on winning such a prestigious award and such a beautiful image.
Arun: Thank you Prasad
Prasad: Arun I remember seeing this image earlier on your laptop during our Spiti trip, please do share your story about the image.
Arun: IN the summer of 2014, I spent a week living with the monks in Ki Monastery last year, observing and photographing the monks when this image was made. I watched these young monks come out to play every evening, and spent considerable time with them before I caught this beautiful moement.
But this is not an isolated visit to Spiti. I first came here in 2006, and have returned many times ever since. Some of you may be aware that I also lead photography tours to Spiti every summer. The summer of 2014 was my fifth visit to the valley.
Prasad: Yes we have seen your pictures of monks from different parts of world please do share more about this.
Arun: In the last five years or so, I have developed a growing fascination to everyday life of Buddhist Monks. I have spent considerable amount of time watching them when they pray, work, seek alms or go through their daily chores.
It is also a happy coincidence that the countries I have visited exploring as a travel photographer in the last few years–Bhutan, Myanmar and Cambodia–have a thriving population of Buddhist Monks. In India, I have also spent time in the monasteries at Ladakh, Zanskar and Spiti.
I still do not know what attracts me to be in their presence – whether it is their simple lifestyle, a compassionate outlook towards everyone or their spiritual practices. Even when I can’t pinpoint a reason, I can always sense a powerful energy around them and I strongly feel that there is much that the world can learn from them.
Child Monks in Ki Monastery
Prasad: Wonderful. I can see that you have a very high respect for the Buddhist Monks and they are much more than a photography subject for you. We can feel the joy and laughter of the young monks in the picture and no wonder the picture won such a prestigious award.
Well Arun congratulations once again and thanks for sharing your insights about how you made this beautiful picture.
Arun receiving his award in Dubai
About HIPA:
The crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched HIPA as an initiative to actively support those dedicated artists and enthusiasts who chose life as their limitless canvas, and the lens as their colorful paintbrush through which they convey the true beauty and power of photography.For more information, please visit www.hipa.ae
