Welcome to the 11th edition of the Featured Photographer monthly post. Please meet Muhammad Tanwir, also known with artist name as Tanwir Jogi. Tanwir is a tour operator and photographer at The Trekkerz in  Lahore (Pakistan). He has been exploring the best nature of the country that perhaps unknown to many people. Let’s find out more through the following interview and his amazing images as presented in this article.

I have been following Tanwir’s Flickr Page for a while and keep being amazed when viewing his images of Pakistan. I have been wondering about Pakistan and seeing his pictures like a proof how rich the country is with incredible untouched nature. The following image, for instance, it was taken by Tanwir on May when he and his Trekkerz team were on the way to frozen Saif-ul-Maluk lake. He explained to me that it is really a rare shot because most of the time roads are closed in the season. As the road opens people rush to the area and you can see such virgin and white snow, it has always been difficult to trek in snow and due to chilling cold.

Trekkerz on the way to Frozen Saif-ul-Maluk

Tanwir’s works have been exhibited at the French Cultural Centre Karachi, Lums University, Alhamra Art Gallery, and at an Austrian University. He found the most memorable exhibition was in Al Hamra Art Gallery in all Pakistan Photographic Society Exhibition. Please join me in celebrating his talented work and his beautiful country through the following interview…

How do you define your photography style?
I love to be known as Landscape Photographer but not limited to that only, Portraits, Events, Weddings, Architecture and macro photography are also my passion, but mainly my work is in Landscapes Photography as I had been doing hiking since long, so landscape photography is my first love.

Who has inspired you to take pictures?
My inspiration for the photography was Gulraiz Ghauri, in my early age, we saw his beautiful pictures of Pakistan which inspired me to take more beautiful pictures of my homeland and then Flickr was a great source of inspiration where we saw great pictures from some great photographers.

How long have you been taking pictures?
I started photography in 1993 with the Fim Camera and in 2006 with the Digital Camera.

What is your favorite camera gear: the camera and lens when traveling to the nature area?
While in the remote areas I prefer a Point & Shoot camera but for the quality reasons I had to take DSLR, I love my 50 D with a wide angle lens when I shoot Landscapes.

Where have you been traveled in Pakistan just for photography?
I have travelled extensively throughout the Pakistan, which includes from sandy beaches of Arabian Sea to high peaks of Karakorams & Himalayas, but since I am student of Archeology, so my particular interest is architecture and archeological sites, I have travelled all over the Pakistan to find such sites Like Moenjodaro, Thatta, Ranikot, Nangarparkar, Thar Parker, Makli, Choukandi, Taxila, Takhtbai, Harrapa, Tilla Jogian, Katas, Merlot, Bhera, Chinut, Kafikot and numerous other places. In the mountains I have done almost all big treks and lakes of Pakistan, Like K2 Base camp, Rush, Lake, Karomber Lake, Kutwal Lake, Deosai Plains, Naran Valley, Kashmir, Swat and many others.

From all of the places in Pakistan, which place in Pakistan that has touched your heart most as a photographer?
In the Pakistan, My favorite place as a photographer is Broghal Valley on the way to Karomber Lake, in this area, there are several lakes and lush green valleys and lovely meadows, colors of nature at its best and unspoiled. There are sapphire blue lakes with crystal clear waters and beautiful meadows with yaks grazing there. Moreover, this place is along with the Wakhan Corridor, so there is the amalgamation of cultures. For a photographer it is like heavens, whatever is in your sight, see and just click, there will be beautiful shots all around, that’s why Broghal Valley and its Lakes are my favorite places.

Nanga Parbat from Fairy Meadows

Do you have a favorite place in Pakistan?
Nanga Parbat is famous as Killer mountain, and its really killer in its looks but actually many climbers lost their lives on this mountain, Fairy Meadows under the shadows of Nanga Parbat is one of the best mountain views on earth, can you imagine, a water stream in the lush green meadows, sheep grazing there and thick pine forest and above all you have a magnificent view of an eight thousand meters peak; Nanga Parbat, what else you need in the life. I had been there many times, but still, I want to go there again and again.

Which area in Pakistan that you recommend for traveling?
Hunza and Skardu are best areas, as Hunza is culturally very rich apart from its natural beauty and high mountains all around and Attaabad Lake which is nearby Hunza is a fantastic place to visit. In and around Sakardu beauty is scattered, Khaplu, Shigar, Hushe, Deosai, Kharpuchu Fort and River Indus near Sakardu all are fantastic sites for the photographers, and these are all accessible by road.

How about the safety to travel to Pakistan?
Pakistan is a diversified land; it has all types of landscapes, from sea to sands and from fertile green fields to high snowy mountains, but only a few foreigners know much about it beyond media impressions of guns and drugs, violence and lawlessness. In fact, it offers some of the world’s most mind-blowing landscapes, the kaleidoscope of cultures and very generous people. It is a site of some of the earliest human settlements, home of an ancient civilization rivaling those of Egypt and Mesopotamia, and the crucible of two of the world’s major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Any best months to visit Pakistan as travelers?
Now, most of the areas are accessible all around the year but still, the best season is from May to October.

Shawar Sheer, on the way to Karomber Lake

Do you want to leave a special message to readers about photography and travel in Pakistan?
Please come and explore our country, Pakistan is a diversified land, it has all types of landscapes, from sea to sands and from fertile green fields to snowy high mountains, but only a few foreigners know much about it beyond media impressions of guns and drugs, violence and lawlessness. In fact, it offers some of the world’s most mind-blowing landscapes, the kaleidoscope of cultures and very generous people. It is a site of some of the earliest human settlements, home of an ancient civilization rivaling those of Egypt and Mesopotamia, and the crucible of two of the world’s major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Mountaineers have appreciated the land for centuries, the best-known attractions are in the province of Khyber Pukhtun Khawa and Gilgit Baltistan, a knot of great mountain ranges – the Hindu Kush, Pamirs, Karakorum and Great Himalaya – with the densest concentration of five 8000 meters high peaks on earth including K2, second only to Mount Everest.

Can’t get enough of Tanwir’s Photography? Do you wish to visit Pakistan for its nature and culture?

Please visit his Flickr Page at Tanwir Jogi Photography. If you wish to go hiking and trekking in Pakistan, please consider his business, The Trekkerz, as he and his team know where is the best place to visit in Pakistan.