Category

Pets & Domesticated Animals

Location

Langtang National Park - Nepal

Gear

Sony A7Rii, Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens - handheld

Description

This majestic mammal was captured on the outskirts of Kyanjin Gompa - a small village in the Himalayas which benefits primarily from yak produce. Yak wool has been used for thousands of years by the locals to make clothing, ropes and blankets. Their milk is used to produce cheese and even their manure is used as fuel for fires. As I wandered around in the late afternoon, I found myself on the outskirts of the village where the livestock are free to wander. I was composing myself for a landscape shot across the valley when the floor below me began to rumble. Turning around, afraid that what I might be feeling was the beginning of an avalanche, I was shocked to see this enormous yak charging towards me. I confidently stood my ground although I was quite terrified, this particular yak was around the size of a Spanish fight bull with extra hair for bulk. He halted, and after a short stand-off moment where the two of us were completely unsure of each others presence, we began to relax realising we meant each other no harm. After an hour or so of me sitting patiently in the dirt observing his movements and character I was able to approach the beast and compose a number of shots. The scene was lit naturally, and although it was hard to work with the dramatically changing light it really assisted me in capturing this moody yet calm emotion I was experiencing and visualising for my image. I feel there was a real connection of acceptance or admiration between the two of us and I feel I really captured that emotion here.

Photographer

Dave Smith

Social Media

Instagram: davewsphotography

Facebook: Davewsphotography

Website: www.davewsphotography.co.uk

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