This beautiful landscape photograph is one of the stunning photographs of the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo series by Stanislav Petera
Stanislav Petera’s stunning photographs of the Kingdom of Lo are beautiful and captivating. Each one reflects his signature magical atmosphere.
BY SEAN LEYWES
Stunning Photographs of the Kingdom of Lo Mustang
Deep in the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas is an isolated region now known as Lo Mustang. Formerly known as the Kingdom of Lo, the region is located in a valley just 20km south of the Tibetan border in Northern Nepal, in the area known as Upper Mustang. There are five districts in Upper Mustang, and Lo Mustang is the most northern.
For more than forty decades, the region was protected from outside intrusion as a way of preserving the culture of the region. Only a few people were allowed into the region until 1992, when it opened up to foreigners. Since the region opened to outsiders, it has been a major destination for tourists and photographers from across the globe. One of the photographers who has spent time in Mustang is Stanislav Petera, a young fashion and advertising photographer from the Czech Republic. His stunning photographs of the Kingdom of Lo are captivating.
In Search of The Forbidden Kingdom of Lo
Photographing the Kingdom of Lo had been a long-time desire for Stanislav Petera. Watching movies like Samsara, Himalaya, and Kundun, and his interest in stories of Tibetan mystics were, major sources of inspiration for the photographer. Not surprisingly, Petera did not hesitate to seize the opportunity to go and photograph in Lo Mustang as soon as he got the chance. He titled his photography project The Forbidden Kingdom of Lo.
To get to the kingdom of Lo Manthang in northern Nepal, Petera traveled for five days in a jeep on roads that weren’t really roads. With him was his friend, who also served as his assistant and camera operator. The air was so thin that “we couldn’t really breathe, and there were villages that looked like they were from ages long gone.” he recalls. He adds, “There are cows roaming narrow pathways and no internet connection whatsoever.”
Getting Access to the Monastery
A major fascination for many who visit Mustang is the mystery that surrounds its history. So it was for Petera, who spent years researching and preparing for the trip. Expectedly, the photographs from his visit focus on the beautiful monasteries where monks pray every day. Each photograph articulates his intense desire and the cumulating result of his search “for the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo and its mysterious inhabitants.”
Taking photographs in Lo was challenging because of the limit of the permit:
“We only had two days on locations to shoot, then we had to head back because our permit for restricted area expired. The greatest single challenge there was to negotiate with the head of the local monastery. We needed access to temples and monasteries that aren’t open to the public and local monks as models. We succeeded.”
Getting access to the monastery was just the first step. Taking the images needed some innovation and creativity. Since Petera could only take a very minimal setup with him, he had to make do with what he had. “[A]ll my images are created using a combination of natural light (usually just after sunset) and small strobes with orange gels. There were also candles on some of the photos and plenty of smoke from burning incense everywhere.”
Inside the Forbidden Mystical Kingdom of Lo
Petera’s stunning photographs of the Kingdom of Lo are captivating. The Kingdom of Lo is no doubt a place of mystery. The isolation of Mustang from outside influences for decades has helped protect the culture and traditions of the area. The majority of the population still speaks traditional Tibetan languages and still worships, as they have for decades.
Famous Monasteries of Lo Mustang
Buddhism is still the major religion in Lo Mustang, and monasteries, also known as Gompas, continue to serve as important places of worship. Many monks in Lo Mustang use these monasteries for meditation, prayer, and spiritual cleansing. Of all the monasteries, five stand out for many visitors to this walled city of Lo Mustang. The five famous Lo Mustang monasteries are Dragkar-Thegchen Lina Gompa, Chode Gompa, the Monastic Museum, Jampa Monastery, and Thupchen Gompa. These famous monasteries, beyond serving as religious centers, are also museums visitors can explore to learn about this mysterious city.
Mustang has remained unchanged for decades. Its rich and flourishing history is everywhere. The magnificent monasteries, palaces, massive sand domes, and traditional architecture are visible all around the region. Even the traditional system of governance continues to flourish in the face of current outside interventions.
Monks at the Monasteries
Despite the unchanging environment and absence of modern city life, the people are happy, content, and satisfied. Petera’s photographs capture the joy that is inherent in Lo Mustang. Some of the photographs show monks praying at their monasteries. There is devotion and joy.
Petera’s photographs are beautiful and enchanting. Each one reflects his trademark magical atmosphere. Using a unique post-production process and extensive styling, Petera achieves dramatic atmospherics that plays on sharp contrasts. There is a dramatic finish to each image in a way that brings attention to the Dutch masters’ tenebrism.
About Photographer Stanislav Petera
An innovative and creative photographer, Petera rose through the ranks of young fashion and advertising photographers in the Czech Republic to become the one to watch. His signature trademark of magical atmospheres sets him out among his peers.
Unrelenting Desire to Keep Improving
In spite of his achievements in the Czech Republic working with fashion magazines, Petra has been unrelenting in his desire to keep improving. His work has appeared in magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Dolce Vita, and others. After making a name for himself at home, Petera went to Paris, where he improved his craft. While there, he worked with some of the best fashion photographers in the business.
Today, Petra splits his time between Paris and Prague, shooting fashion for prestigious international magazines. You can see more of his works on Behance and on his website.
The Forbidden Kingdom of Lo. Behind the Scenes Video. Video: Stanislav Petera