Much like Bhutan, there’s no need to spend thousands on a Tibet photography tour because you’re most likely going to have a guide with you the entire time that will show you everything any Tibet photography tour will. And before I start, there are some sites, notably the website chinahighlights.com, that will tell you that you can not enter Tibet as an individual and only in groups. This is completely 100% false and what I can only presume is an attempt to make more money by getting you to go in groups.
The main point of the trip was probably photography for me but I’m not going to spend a couple of grand on a Tibet photography tour just so I can hang around with a bunch of photography geeks and told what to shoot, so I geared up with a shitload of film including 10 rolls of Provia 400X, 5 rolls of Fuji Industrial 400 and a couple of rolls of Velvia 50. I also bought along my X-Pro 2, 16mm and 35mm. The landscapes are epic, but unfortunately I had a clear blue sky when I was at Yamdrok Lake and arrived around 11a.m, not great for photographs, but actually I’d rather have blue skies for my own sake and much better than raining or overcast as apparently quite often you can’t see shit. Take a wide angle and also take a telephoto zoom if you have one.
Tibet Photography
For street shots, head to Barkhor Street and park yourself in one spot, any Tibet photography tour or normal tour will take you there. You’ll see so many interesting shots you won’t need to move. If you can’t stand still just wander around slowly and it won’t be long before an interesting opportunity or shot comes your way. I think I shot about 5 rolls of film and a few hundred shots on the X-Pro 2 around Barkhor Square alone, and that’s a lot for me. I spent an hour just walking around taking photos but I could have easily spent at least half a day there and gone back the next day if I had stuck to my original 3 day itinerary. On the other hand, there are only so many shots you can get of people praying, old local ladies and people coming out of smoke.
Photography wise, Tibet was great but sometimes, when you’re in a place like this, you need to put down your camera and just see what’s going on with your eye not behind a camera and appreciate it. No need to take a Tibet photography tour here, your guide will take you to all the best photo places for taking great photos without even knowing it.
Tibet Photography
Sure, a Tibet photography tour might have a few places and spots that might be better, but if you have half a brain you can work these out yourself. If you’ve got any questions about photography in Tibet, contact us or ask via twitter