N. Sukumar, APSA
January 2026 - Thiksey monastery, Ladakh
Original
About the Image(s)
Situated at 11,800' (3600 m) altitude in the Indus valley, in Ladakh, India, the 12-storey Thiksey monastery complex is built in the architectural style reminiscent of the Potala palace in Lhasa, Tibet, and is affiliated to the Gelug (yellow hat) school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Of the two images here, one was taken with my Canon EOS XTi and Tamron EFS 10-24 mm f/3.5-4.5 IS USM lens, and the other with my Vivo V23e 5G phone. They were processed slightly differently - the DSLR image in wider format and warmer tones, while the phone image in cooler tones. I'd like the group's opinion as to which you find better and why.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted
Very interesting complex. Personally, I like the cooler image. It is clean and crisp compared to the greenish yellow cast with the warmer tones , however the wider format adds interest with the mountains in the background. If you remember, which of the images represents the closest to what your eye saw as the tone? Posted: 01/12/2026 09:50:39
I think the main (cooler) image is closer to what my eyes saw WITH my polarized glasses. Posted: 01/29/2026 03:33:28
This reminds me of Potala Palace in Tibet--pehaps similar architecture. I like the image and think the foreground adds interest. I don't want to think about climbing to the top. Posted: 01/20/2026 09:26:55
Of the two images posted I much prefer the main photograph - I feel the wider viewpoint photograph is too yellow in colour cast and certainly devalues the sky.
As I have mentioned to you privately - the Himalaya area is at the top of my bucket list! You state that the altitude here is 11,800 feet which is about the same as the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland, and I felt OK there as long as I took my time! Hopefully we can meet up again next year? Posted: 01/20/2026 16:09:33
As I have mentioned to you privately - the Himalaya area is at the top of my bucket list! You state that the altitude here is 11,800 feet which is about the same as the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland, and I felt OK there as long as I took my time! Hopefully we can meet up again next year? Posted: 01/20/2026 16:09:33
Do let me know whenever you plan to visit. Posted: 01/29/2026 12:18:34
I agree that the smaller image is way too yellow for my taste and the sky does not look good. It looks like a huge monastery but that elevation sounds so difficult to hike. Your inclusion of the details in the front add alot of depth to the image. Nice image and very sharp. Posted: 01/29/2026 11:44:16