There's no need to prove it anymore—Kyrgyzstan is a true paradise for amateur and professional nature photographers. Wild and diverse, the blend of extraordinary landscapes and semi-nomadic culture makes this country a unique and dream destination for photography.

Before traveling to Kyrgyzstan, it can be helpful to better understand what there is to photograph and thus organize your packing around the equipment to bring. To help you make a choice, Enguerran, a photography enthusiast who traveled to Kyrgyzstan with Kyrgyz'What, kindly drew up a list of photography equipment he brought along and shares valuable advice through his experience. We now hand the floor to Enguerran:

Electronic devices

For my trip to Kyrgyzstan, I came fairly well equipped in terms of cameras and camcorders to capture all the shots I wanted. As a passionate travel photographer, it's important for me to have a relatively flexible "kit" to get shots in different forms: environmental or tight portraits, nature and panoramas, night photography (Milky Way), and of course local food...

Cameras

• Sony a6000 (mirrorless): small APS-C sensor body, very lightweight: essential to avoid ending up with a very heavy bag

• iPhone 6

Lenses

• Sony 16-50mm f3.5-f5.6 – The lens I used most for landscapes

• Canon FD 50mm f1.4 (1979) – manual – For portraits with lovely background blur

• Canon FD 200mm f4.0 (1980) – manual – For zoom portraits and "compressing the background"

• Samyang 12mm f2.0 – manual – Used mainly for star/Milky Way photos

Other essential equipment for photographers

• Stabilizer (for video): Zhiyun Crane V1 3 axis Gimbal

• Drone: DJI Phantom 3 Professional

• Flash: Godox V860ii-S + trigger

• Extra batteries – Nothing is more frustrating than missing photographs because of a dead battery. Plus, during the trip, you might spend a night in a tent without a way to charge your devices. And since my Sony isn't known for battery longevity, I brought 3.

• 3 Power banks – Like extra batteries, a power bank is essential for charging a GoPro, phone, or other devices when you don't have the ability to charge normally. The bonus, and an advantage of my Sony body: it can charge batteries directly in the camera, plugged into a power bank. Another practical tip: ask during your trip to charge your power bank directly from a car lighter socket, so you'll always be ready once you arrive.

Photography subjects

In Kyrgyzstan, what's really interesting for photographers is that there are countless things to photograph. While perhaps more renowned for its incredible nature and landscapes, Kyrgyzstan is full of photogenic subjects: its wild fauna and flora, its inhabitants, its cities, its yurts, local cuisine…

Portraits in Kyrgyzstan

It's true that when you think of portraits in Kyrgyzstan, you immediately imagine local people wearing traditional clothing, but you should know that in reality, most people I met were dressed quite Western. I'm not saying you won't meet subjects in more traditional dress, but for that, you'll need to seek out herders and nomadic camps off the beaten path. It's still interesting to see how deeply rooted tradition is in the population, and that even dressed in jeans and t-shirts, some people will still wear the traditional Kyrgyz hat. By participating in some nomadic games, you'll also have the chance to meet local people in their archer or rider clothing. This kind of event is the perfect opportunity for original shots, and the Kyrgyz are quite willing to play along with photography. Do be careful to always ask permission before photographing someone. Chat with them, show them your shots,… taking portraits is also about making beautiful connections and sharing moments, don't forget that. Why not simply observe first, and create a friendly relationship, show your interest in the person and their customs, and build mutual trust. Photography will always come second, and this person will naturally be more willing to participate.

Street and city photography

It's true that we don't go to Kyrgyzstan to visit its cities, yet they offer much to interest photographers. I'm thinking particularly of Osh and Bishkek, and their large markets which offer perfect scenes of daily life. Some small typical villages you'll pass through during your Kyrgyzstan circuit also reveal beautiful street scenes.

Certain monuments will mark your visits and make perfect photographic subjects, like the Burana minaret for example. Be sure to pay attention to exposure and light for city photos and adjust your camera accordingly.

Sports events and other ceremonies

Sports events, national holidays, and other ceremonies are obviously great moments for photography. Don't hesitate to plan your trip to Kyrgyzstan around the different events taking place in the country.

Beyond spending unique moments with the local population and immersing yourself in Kyrgyz traditions, you'll be able to capture stunning action shots. For movement photography, be sure to set the shutter speed on your camera. Certain subjects like riders on their horses or eagle hunters launching their birds of prey require very fast shutter speeds to "freeze the action". Depending on the light, think about setting your shutter speed between 1/500 and faster depending on what you'll be photographing. It's during these events that you can also appreciate the beauty of traditional costumes, as well as the stunning presentation of traditional Kyrgyz dishes, always full of vibrant colors.

Landscapes

Needless to say, when you travel to Kyrgyzstan and are passionate about photography, you can only be thrilled at the prospect of discovering incredible landscapes every day! As soon as you venture out a bit from Bishkek, grandiose landscapes spread out before you. Hiking is surely the best way to discover and enjoy the country's beauty. I particularly enjoyed the Son Kul Lake region where I was able to meet a nomadic family. The place is very photogenic with its yurts, horses, and snow-capped mountains in the backdrop.

Kyrgyzstan is very varied: arid/desert areas, forests, mountains and reliefs, crystalline lakes and rivers,… from the Skaska canyon to the verdant valleys of Grigorievka, it's a feast for the eyes.

The sky, often dramatic, offers striking color contrasts with the landscapes. The light is particular and allows you to create unique photos. Wide-angle lenses are very well suited to offer a fairly broad panorama of the landscape, while zooms or long focal lengths are ideal for isolating a subject.

Kyrgyz fauna

In Kyrgyzstan you encounter many animals, wild or otherwise. The horses that are an integral part of nomadic life here are perfect subjects for beautiful shots. I was also able to observe and capture the beauty of several eagles with their eagle hunter, truly majestic birds.

During my hikes, I also came across marmots several times, a bit curious creatures who don't hesitate to poke their noses out to see what's happening outside the burrow.

For wildlife photography, you often need patience and above all know how to blend in by remaining silent. It can take long minutes or even hours, but it's worth it!

Starry nights

Free from light pollution, nights in Kyrgyzstan are impressively beautiful. I could have spent all my nights observing the stars and capturing the immensity of the shimmering sky. It's not uncommon to see the Milky Way with the naked eye, perfect for getting your bearings and positioning your camera correctly. You'll have plenty of choices for backdrops to add that little "something" to your photo: yurts, mountains, lakes, animals… Here, a tripod is essential for perfect stability. I used my 12mm wide-angle lens at full f2.0 aperture to capture maximum light. For star photos, it's always nice to have a subject in the foreground to give context to your shot. A practical tip for Milky Way photography: it's best to plan the day of your shoot: a moonless night (and cloudless!) to photograph it.

What I would have changed

After this first trip to Kyrgyzstan, if I had to adjust something, I think I would have added a super zoom or a travel-oriented zoom like an 18-135 to my basic kit. This kind of focal length allows you to draw quickly and not miss unforgettable moments while varying angles. I would have taken more time to compose my photos : don't hesitate to take your time, try different angles to give yourself more options and to select later once you're home the best shot. Taking more time to connect with the local population: bringing back beautiful photos is essential if you love it. But being able to tell a story through them is what distinguishes a good photo from a great one for me. Over time you develop greater sensitivity to certain subjects by taking the time to observe, exchange, and understand the environment we're moving through. © Photo credits: Enguerran Zandonai