Jaisalmer’s desert camps are a photographer’s paradise. The Thar Desert landscape, the town (within the fort as well as without), the architecture, the streets, the food, the troupes of artists, the fauna. You have a wide range of interests parading before you when you book luxury camps in Jaisalmer.
For every ambitious traveller, Jaisalmer is always on the to-do-list. Foremost you have the Golden Fort, or Jaisalmer Fort. The approach to the monumental fort is dominated by dancers called Ravan Hatha artistes. By any standards the fort is among the most imposing in the country. Within the confines of the fort, there are plenty of photography opportunities. You can start with the thick walls, the turrets, and views of the town outside the fort. Of course, the temples and buildings inside the fort do not fail to engage our interest.
The streets of the town inside the fort are narrow, quaint, and full of charms. Many buildings have finely carved windows. Some streets are so narrow that opposing balconies touch.
Jaisalmer folks are not camera shy. You definitely should visit the Patwon Ji ki Haveli and the Nathmal Ji ki Haveli. There are a good number of merchants’ homes that are the definition of wealth and opulence. On the inside, these homes are painted and furnished in the most original way.
The Patwon ki Haveli is not too far removed from the fort. There are ancient carvings on the outer walls. On the inside, you can visit as a museum visitor. Room by room you can imagine how the rich merchants’ families lived in the bygone age.
In the adjacent bazaar, you can only be astounded that the original inhabitants of the desert town chose to embrace colours in opposition to the colour of sands. Vendors offer headgear and puppets close to bursting with colour.
On a winter’s morning, you can choose to enjoy boat rides on the waters of the Gadisar Lake. on the lake, you feel you are surrounded by pillared pavilions and chettris.
The many benefits of a camel safari in Jaisalmer
A camel safari in Jaisalmer lets you in on the secret of sunrise/sunset on the dunes. Sam sand dunes are the most frequently visited. However, if you are willing to wait a little more time, the longer camel ride can bring you to Khuri sand dunes. Here, you have the palace nearly all to yourselves. You would be there if you were a photography enthusiast. Not only the desert sunrise or sunset, you also get the chance to photograph dancers.
Anklets sound as the dancer moves gracefully around the bonfire. The partially cupped hands move and forth gently to the music. You cannot pass up on snapping with your camera to record the exoticism of the dress. The bejewelled red top, and a mirror-work filled skirt. Richly embellished in embroidery, the Kalbelia dancer is so engrossed in the dance that you and your companions are transported too.
If it’s sunset you’ve been enjoying, dinner follows. You can photograph the most definitive of Jaisalmer cuisine.
If you feel like a food journalist wondering and marvelling over Jaisalmer cuisine, you would take out the camera. Dal bati churma, aloo parathas, Kher Sangri, laal maas. Of course, depending on the time you have to focus on food, luxury camps in Jaisalmer open the doors to mesmerising culinary delights for you.
Camel safari in Jaisalmer can help you see photography from a wholly different perspective. The camel must be on its knees to mount a camel. You need some imagination so that you can climb over the creature. You hold on tightly to the grips. You are all of a sudden pitched backwards when the camel extends its front legs to stand up. When the camel straightens its back legs, you can expect a similar movement in the opposite direction. If you don’t want to lose balance, you simply must hold on to the grips tightly.
You will, however, mount the camel without problems. Don’t be surprised at the sudden jolt. The time it takes to reach the Khuri sand dunes ought not to seem endless. Knowing the rolling tempo of the camel ride beforehand – at least in your imagination – you will be able to enjoy the ride to the sand dunes.
Once you reach the undulating dunes, you will feel prepared to absorb the sunset (or sunrise, as the case may be). Remember to catch the fleeting image of sand dunes forever in your camera. You will feel entranced as the sand dunes undergo the transformation through half a dozen hues.
The fauna: Jaisalmer’s desert camps are true photographer’s paradise
Setting aside the most obvious subjects for a tourist as a photographer, we can move into niche territory. If you have the time and patience, there are spots in the Jaisalmer desert where you can visit the following:
- Saw scaled viper;
- Sindh toad;
- Agama;
- Hedgehog;
- Sindh Gecko;
- Fat tailed scorpion;
- Keeled rock Gecko; Fringe-toed Gecko;
- Monitor Lizard;
- Antlion;
- Spotted beetle;
- Hardwicke’s lizard;
- Red spotted royal snake;
- Ashy crowned sparrow lark;
- House Sparrow;
- Cinereous Vulture;
- Steppe Eagle;
- Griffon;
- Falcon;
- Grey Shrike;
- Egyptian vulture;
- Desert Courser;
- Greater Hoopoe Lark;
- Isabelline Wheatear;
- Stoliczka’s Bushchat;
- Trumpeter Finch;
- Red tailed Wheatear;
- The Great Indian Bustard.
How to make the most of the photographer’s paradise that Jaisalmer’s desert camps offer?
If you can make the effort, you should have a plan. There’s a tiny checklist you could improvise on.
- Sunscreen, headwear, sunglasses;
- Scarf that you can cool your neck with by wetting;
- Clothing that’s long sleeved;
- Sufficient water;
- The right footwear;
- Solar powered charger for the camera.
Lighting and timing in the desert
Before sunrise and after sunset, you will need bright clouds that permit reflected light to show contrast and volume.
After sunrise and before sunset, landscape scenery is majestic. The golden sand glows, shadows are long, the clouds are full of color. Be careful, though – this light does not last.
Night photography is rewarding, since there’s no pollution. Shooting starry skies is a blast!
You will have to start early, set up the gear, and make the most of the twilight for shooting. You can then wait, and when the light has vanished altogether, start shooting stars. You can combine these shots later on to get one quality photo.
Day photography lets you shoot all day long. You can work your way around dunes.
Conclusion
When you book luxury camps in Jaisalmer, you let yourself into a photographer’s paradise. From architectural curiosities, to peoples and their culture, the cuisine, the fauna, and the landscape of sands, there’s a wide range of subject matter. You could make camels your subject! In fact, one of the most popular times for visiting Jaisalmer is the February Jaisalmer Desert Festival. During these festivities, you will have the chance to see camels parading. There’s a best decorated camel competition, too. Any way you look at it, the sunshine gives Jaisalmer so many hues and silhouettes, you will be compelled to be a photographer for the duration of your stay here.
