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This story was originally published on Nikon Asia's Learn & Explore blog.

A story of tradition and legacy sparking modern day success, 'Taking Aim' was shot exclusively on the D4S by Nikon ambassadors Scott Woodward and Michael Rogers. The story follows a young Bhutanese girl, travelling the roads of her ancestors to deliver traditional yak butter tea to her father.

When Nikon first contacted Scott about test-driving the new D4S, he recounts knowing instantly where he wanted to take it.  Coining his style as “Choose Your Own Adventure Photography”, he knew Bhutan’s rolling hills are a mecca of inspiration, begging to be tapped into.

Bhutanese culture has long celebrated the sport of archery, with communities gathering to observe, sing, dance and drink as men dress in traditional ghos send arrows flying. This inspired Scott and his team instantly – “We thought that there was nice synergy between them through the legacy of archery in Bhutan.  We wanted to create a story that took inspiration from both the history of traditional archery while including Bhutan’s contemporary female athletes.”

Traversing the vast landscapes of the Himalayas is challenging in itself, being rich in vast mountain planes and a lively Bhutanese culture.  It’s not a journey for fainthearted, considering the 4,000 meter trek, with the added task of transporting production equipment onto location.  With the help of Ian Mangiardi, a trekking specialist, the team was left in good hands.  Battling the heat, cold and unfamiliar grounds they began their journey into the Himalayas.

Using the latest features of the D4S, they were able to capture luminescent lighting in dark interiors, all without losing the brilliant colours adorning people and places. Much of the cast in the narrative film were locals from the countryside eager to join in.  “People watching our crew work were very supportive and kind.  We had some serious production equipment, like a 35-foot jib that was pretty unusual to see out in the Bhutanese countryside, so that certainly caused some head scratching and curiosity amongst our observers.”

The short film shares the importance of home, the people that make it your sanctuary, the traditions we uphold and our duty to keep it alive.  Mixed in with sweeping scenes of Bhutan, you get the sense of Bhutanese lifestyle existing in

harmony with nature.  The journey takes us from the country side, riverbeds and bustling market stalls, before we see the metaphorical passing of the torch and sharing of legacy.

Affection for Bhutan and the Bhutanese heritage is not only alive in the 'Taking Aim' story, but was ever present in the people they underwent the journey with.  One of the oldest Bhutanese guides that they lovingly referred to as “Yak Man” was quick in forming a friendship with Scott and the crew, showing them his herding techniques whilst sporting traditional Yak hair sunglasses -- a patch of hair wrapped around the eyes of the wearer.

“Additionally, our Production Assistant and Fixer in Bhutan, Sonam Tshering (ST), is also Bhutan’s national mountain biking champion.  He tutors young riders on the weekends and we required four young boys for our bridge scene in ‘Taking Aim’; they are ST’s mountain biking protégés.”

These are the people that inspired a story of love and culture, old and new adventures.  We can only hope to see more of what makes Bhutan such a captivating place.

See more of our film and photography from Bhutan here.