Three years ago, German photographer York Hovest made a promise to the Dalai Lama: that he would travel to Tibet, to places perhaps never seen before by tourists, and take photographs. Last month, Hovest delivered on his promise. With the help of Dr. Andreas Kaufmann and a Leica S2 in-hand, York Hovest set upon an epic journey. Read more about this fascinating story over on Die Welt in the article, "100 Days in Tibet: A Photographer's Promise to the Dalai Lama."
He places the Leica S2, a device weighing around three kilograms, on the tripod. Despite the clouds, the photographer tries to adjust the setting. This, too, is a race against time: Glove off, select the menu options and turn the control dial, glove back on and then warm the gloved hand in his trousers again. He only has a few seconds to work with his free hand. Otherwise he risks no longer being able to move it.