We have now left Kyrgyzstan and entered into Kazakhstan.  Within the group, we refer to the three countries we have visited as “the Stans,” because the separate names are so long and tongue twisting to say.

We stopped at a photogenic church by a small lake for a reflection shot. The weather cooperated, with almost no wind, resulting in a mirror-smooth lake surface, and just enough clouds to give the sky some interesting texture.

On our first night in Kazakhstan, a small group drove to a local graveyard late at night to photograph the stars.  I was testing the new “Pure Night star filter” that is designed to eliminate any city lights on the horizon, as well as deepen the color of the sky and increase star contrast.  The images above have only very basic contrast and leveling edits, and look much better than the same images without the filters, so I am impressed on my first test.

The next day we drove to a “village” for lunch where the locals dress in traditional costume, and entertain guests in the traditional ways of Kazakhstan.  We saw them making wool thread (center-left and center-second), watched them have a meal together (lower-left) in a staged setting that nevertheless looked authentic to our cameras. After lunch, we watched the matron of the family make a fried bread similar to a donut that is popular in the region (lower-right).

After lunch, the family entertained us with their horseback prowess. They started with “Atpen audyryspak”, which is basically arm wrestling on horseback, with the object being to pull the other person from his horse (upper-right and center-right). The winner then rears his horse in celebration (center). There were then numerous passes by us with various horseback circus stunts (lower-right plus video at end of this post).

A visit to the Green Bazaar gave us more opportunities to capture vendors and their wares.

Ending with another image from the church reflected in the lake.  This is more of a traditional image, without the tree acting as a frame.

Kazakhstan Dance from Burt Johnson on Vimeo.

While lunch was being prepared, one of the village women began to dance. Before long, both Eric Lindberg and Marla Breitman joined in, making a moment that was just screaming to be captured on video!

Kazakhstan Horsemanship from Burt Johnson on Vimeo.

And we finish with a short video showing the horseback arm wrestling, plus some of the horseback stunts that followed.