A little of Kazakhstan

[dogbunny]

I've been living here since August and I've been meaning to post a few pictures. Photography here has been interesting. I shoot 99% film. I thought I bought enough to use until I worked out/adjusted to the local scene, but I burned through my supply of film within the first month. I was happy to find some Kodak Gold, and most of the shops that sell film also put a sticker on the box for free development of that film. However, the film is ancient and looks it once developed. They also seem to like to scan the film while it is still wet. I really live in the sticks, so this is probably not true in the bigger cities.

I've made a couple freestyle purchases. It kills me to spend more on shipping than on the film, but I think I can get by with just a few purchases a year. My relatives in the States and Japan understand that my standing birthday/Christmas/whatever present is for film. I'll probably pick up a digital something this year, but for now I am just working with what I have.

Does keeping exposed film in the freezer and/or -30c balcony help to preserve film like unexposed film? Does the same principle apply?

Anyway, here are some shots.


At the parade 2


At the playground


At the parade


At the Parade

Cheers,

DB

[oftheherd]

Nice photos. Except for number 2, the color all looks good. Perhaps this is from the film you took with you?

Would love to see more when you have the chance.

[dogbunny]

Yeah, number two is what most of the film looks like that I bought here. I think the rest were from my last roll of Kodak 160 I brought with me. I will post some more as I get more developed. I have all of my B&W developing stuff here, except for a scanner. Once I get that worked out I will be able to post more. Thanks for looking.

Cheers,

DB

[Mark T]

Hey DB, thanks for the pictures. It's always great to see something from more obscure parts of the world. I look forward to seeing some more!
Cheers,


Mark

[Mark T]

PS. The odd colour cast enhances the obscurity too, so I wouldn't worry too much about using the local film. It makes it more authentic in some respects...

[dogbunny]

Here is a little of Kazakhstan's winter. It got about -48C at the coldest this year, but I was told we had less snow than normal. I'm using my recently purchased Ricoh GRD IV. I have a good supply of film, but I still need to work out some kind of scanner. My Nikon scanner is just to big and heavy to ship from the States.


A house near Lake Kopa


My Family


Driving across the lake


The local well

Cheers,

db

[huntjump]

thanks for sharing. i love seeing other parts of the world

[Andrea Taurisano]

Very fascinating photos and interesting post, keep feeding it with your photos.

[pakeha]

regardless of the state of the film or processing, please keep em coming.

[dogbunny]

Thanks for the positive comments. I'll post more as I get more.

Cheers,

db

[raytoei@gmail.com]

nicce..... brrr.. i feel cold looking at it...thanks for sharing.

raytoei
singapore

[dogbunny]

Spring has arrived in northern Kazakhstan, which means the ice and snow turns to mud. Nauryz Meyramy is Persian New Year and is celebrated here. With my fairly recently acquired Ricoh GR IV, I set out to the local festival to try my hand at shooting from the hip. It was my first time shooting from the hip and my first real effort with a 28mm lens. My conclusions were that I like the 28mm focal length--previously I have mostly been a 35mm guy--and that I need more practice shooting from the hip.


girls with pinwheels


all smiles


spring has come by

[dogbunny]

Three more, just cuz.


baby with the band


the performers


horse and buggy

Cheers,

db

[paulfish4570]

i really liked that house/weeds shot from the winter. let's see a shot of people using the local pump.
oh yeah, what are you doing in k'stan?

[dogbunny]

Originally Posted by paulfish4570

i really liked that house/weeds shot from the winter. let's see a shot of people using the local pump.
oh yeah, what are you doing in k'stan?

Thanks Paul. It is funny you say that because I really want to get a shot of that too, but I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time, or at the right place without a camera. I'll make more of an effort to get it right. I'm an American but I work for a specialized school teaching talented young people.

cheers,

db

[paulfish4570]

ah, what a fine assignment, db.

[Peter Wijninga]

There must have been on single 'Playground Factory' in the former USSR since all the playgrounds I've seen in that region look exactly the same!

[dogbunny]

Astana snow storm out the hotel window.


Kokshetau from the snow covered hill.




I really love my Ricoh GR IV, but I still love film more. I think all three of these were on a roll of Ektar.

Cheers,

db

[srichmond]

some very nice images there. well done. particularly like the astana in the show.

i went to Kazakhstan in 2006, but wasn't really there long enough to take photographs.