Kazakhstan Travel Essay by Roman Polenin

Today, we’re featuring a stunning travel essay from film photographer Roman Polenin. Scroll below to view the images and read more from Roman about his time in Kazakhstan…

Analog cameras and films used: Canon 7 (Find at KEH Camera or on eBay), Pentax 67 (Find at KEH Camera or on eBay), Yashica MAT124G (Find at KEH Camera or on eBay), Intrepid 4×5 (Find at KEH Camera or on eBay) | Ilford FP4 (Find on Amazon), Ilford HP5 (Find on Amazon), Ilford Delta 100 (Find on Amazon), Kodak Portra 400 (Find on Amazon), Ektachrome 100 (Find on Amazon)

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Kazakhstan Travel Essay

By Roman Polenin

Hello! My name is Roman Polenin. This year, I took a trip to Mangistau, Kazakhstan. Once I saw some photos from there, and I was stunned by the views, the landscapes it has.

This area has a very special and unique atmosphere of a lonesome, deserted, and uninhabited planet, harsh and minimalistic.

It’s not so easy to get to some locations (especially to Karynzharyk), but it was always worth it, the difficulties and risks during this trip. I traveled with a friend of mine without a guide. For me, it was a better way to get familiar with place. It gives me time to explore, enjoy, and take a photographs without any rush.

I was able to spend a couple of nights to see the landscapes in a different light conditions, which was important to me. It really is magical when you see how light changes over time.

I brought all of the cameras I have and a bunch of film to give myself a wide opportunity to capture moments in the way I visualized them.

I shot on 35mm, medium format 6×6, 6×7, and 4×5 camera, which was a new experience for me. I enjoyed for its slow and careful process. I used FP4, Delta 100, Kodak Portra 400, and Ektachrome 100. These are all my favorite choices when I need versatility.

Because of the minimal light pollution, the night sky was always lit brightly with stars. Imagine sitting by a campfire, surrounded by desert and canyons, complete stillness, silent all around, the only sound being the quiet crackling of the fire. Perfect.

But sometimes Mother Nature had her own plans. Blowing our tent with a wild wind, it was a real challenge to set it. The dust was swirling all around, and everything was covered with sand. Well, life can’t be perfect all the time.

The whole trip lasted ten days with visiting all the well-known places in the Mangistau region. Now, it feels like we were there for a month due to the vivid impressions of this wonderland that will remain in our memories for life.

A big thank to my friend from Kazakhstan, Rumi, who took a big role on these photographs and wasn’t afraid to take such a crazy trip with me. Thanks to the team and community of Shoot It With Film for the inspiration and sharing. And thank you, reader, for your attention.

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