TRAVEL/PLACES: Thomas Masat, 46, Merchandising/Design VP, San Francisco, CA

“This was my first time to Kathmandu. Although I have traveled for work through India and Southeast Asia, I have never had a few days on my own with my camera. Every square and corner of Kathmandu and the surrounding towns is filled with color, religion, spectacle, movement, and light. It was overwhelming! I had a wonderful guide, and when I could afford to just wander and "see" I did, photographing and trying to avoid taking typical travel photos. As we passed this Stupa, the guide was telling me about the meaning of each colored prayer flag, and each of the 5 mantras printed on a particular color, and I happened to look up at the Stupa spire. Its white exterior was blinding in the noonday sun, but I realized the flags were acting like color gels in the bright light. The flags were translucent, I imagined, from the wind chanting the mantras, as the tattered cloths fluttered in the wind. To the surprise of my guide, and me, I dropped to the ground to get the right perspective, and took a few snaps.”

flickr.com/photos/thomterifx

Tech Specs: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 70–200mm f/2.8 IS Canon lens; 1/3200 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100.