About the Image(s)
Background: Tiger Nest is one of the most sacred temples in Buddhism. It was originally built in 1692 and has been rebuilt several times due to fires. It is located on a cliff at 3,120 meters (10,240 feet) in the Paro Valley. The trail to reach it is 4.2 km long and involves about 700 meters of elevation gain. Along the way, there are many opportunities to photograph the valley. It took us 2.5 hours to get there, and we also visited a temple about 200 meters higher up. The temple is one of the most visited sites in Bhutan, but there are strict rules. Once inside, all cell phones and cameras must be deposited outside, as photography is strictly prohibited. The place is truly full of spirituality, and I am happy I was able to make the climb and visit it. This image is nothing special, as you can find many similar ones online, but it is still one of those photos you want to have regardless.
Technical information: Fujifilm GFX 100S ii, with Fujinon 45-100 mm f/4 @ 45 mm, f/11, 1/50 s, ISO 80 with a polarizer filter. Once I got to this spot I wait for an hour to get some side light. I wish I I could have some clouds, but… you can not always have what you want.
Post processing: this is essentially an out of the camera image. Just did few minor adjustments such as opening shadows and black and increase contrast.
Nigel Dalton
The sense of achievement going up there must have been wonderful, especially with more views on the way. I'd be interested to see more of those Michele.
You're absolutely right about it being the shot you want to take. There's sometimes a bit of snobbishness around photographers who comment that "everyone takes that picture". Well, if it was like this, they would wouldn't they? I'd like to have taken that. Posted: 04/08/2026 15:40:06
Michele Borgarelli
Thank you Nigel, I much appreciate your input and I have to say, I am happy with this image because at the end it took a lot of efforts to get there!
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/09/2026 13:21:05
Spring Zhang
This is a beautiful travel image, has a very exotic feel. The sky has a very beautiful blue, but I feel it's taking up a lot of space for being featureless. I wonder if cropping to the top of the light-colored boulder atop the monastery would reduce some of the dominating effect of the sky. The greenery on the right side of the monastery is also very prominent. I would de-saturate it a bit to let the eyes focus on the monastery more. My two cents. Posted: 04/08/2026 15:48:54
Michele Borgarelli
Thank you Spring for sharing your thoughts on this image. Regarding your comment on the sky, the amount of sky in the image is about 20% of all image. I think the blue sky in this instance is helping to provide the idea of serendipity and also to place the temple close to the sky. Colors in Buthan are striking from the way people dress to nature. So while they are likely a bit saturated, and I have decreased saturation in my post process, also because the polarizer, I think the green is balanced. However, I guess this is always a personal choice and preference.
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/09/2026 13:25:24
Tom Buckard
Michele, gorgeous, gorgeous image. Extremely striking! Hate saying I wouldn't change a thing but I will say it anyway. I second all the Nigel said. Sorry Michele here comes the questions. How did you get this angle or view? Was it a rocky path to get there or a road? How on earth in 1692 did they get all the materials up there to build the Tiger Nest? Thanks Michele... Posted: 04/08/2026 15:52:51
Michele Borgarelli
Thank you Tom for your kind comment. From my conversation with the guide, the monk used to cut the trees there (all temple is made of wood) and also they used horses. The place really conveys a mystic feeling. Also, this is not the original, mostly of the temples in Bhutan have been rebuilt because they got fired (their are oil lamps in every room) or because the earthquake that hit the country few years ago. About getting this angle, is was easy... the trail has a very nice view point exactly whee I took this image. The problem is to get to the temple then you need to go down and up again...
best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/09/2026 13:29:43
Tom Buckard
Thank you so much Michele, love the background information... Posted: 04/09/2026 14:33:06
Mike Patterson
Striking image, perfectly composed. My only critique is that I think the sky is too dark. Maybe adjust your polarizer so that it doesn't turn it into what appears an abnormally shade of blue, even for such a high altitude. I'm with Tom: How in the world did they build this in 1692?? Posted: 04/09/2026 13:15:14
Michele Borgarelli
Thank you Mike, much appreciated your comments. Regarding the sky I can see your point, however, remember that at 3,120 meters the air is much cleaner and the skies appear with a saturated blue regardless. We are becoming so used to our pale skies that tend to forget how the sky can be. I will try to de saturate the sky a little however,
best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/09/2026 13:32:18
Dennis Lee
This image captured the scale of the temple using a strong portrait orientation and emphasizes the balance of the architecture on the cliff edge. Positioning the temple on the lower-left of the frame helps guide the viewer's eye from the greenery to the temple and up the natural rock face. The image is really sharp with a high level of detail. There is high contrast and vivid colors without blowing out the highlights, giving it a professional "postcard" aesthetic. Posted: 04/16/2026 00:10:07
