Radical simplicity and living (and photographing) abroad

[David R Munson]

I have come upon the opportunity to go to Mongolia for a year or two to work, explore, and make photographs. I've been thinking a lot about the logistics of all of this, including what gear to take and whatnot. What I've essentially come to is going the route of radical simplicity. A duffel bag with clothes, one camera, one lens, a 50-pack of HP5, and a few notebooks. No digital camera, no computer (I'll buy a cheap laptop when I get over there), just the barest of essentials.

I'm curious about experiences others might have had with adopting this sort of simplicity, either in travel or living abroad for a year or two, both in terms of photographic equipment and otherwise. What did you do? How was it? Thoughts? Tips?

So, what say you forum?

 

[rez]

wow. i admit i am jealous of this opportunity. i can't say i have ever embarked on anything like this so i can't really provide much insight, but i wish you good luck. (and hope you decide on bringing at-least a propack of color film)

 

[Tuolumne]

How will you get your film developed?

/T

 

[visiondr]

First, the nerdy photo stuff. That's 1850 exposures (if you get about 37/roll as most do). Divided by one year's worth of days and you get ~ 5 shots per day. That could be just about right if you're prudent. Make it a mechanical camera. Take a selenium cell meter (a Weston would be great).

I've never done anything like this. All I can say is; what an opportunity!

 

[maddoc]

I came with only one suitcase to Japan (nearly five years ago), planned to stay for only one year and brought only the barest essential with me. The essential included a P&S digicam ... :bang:

The experience (and possibility to extend) made me decide staying longer and brought me back into analog photography and finally range-finder cameras. Photography-wise I would never have been so productive when I wouldn't have gone that way. 🙂

 

[David R Munson]

Two things I should note. First, the 50 rolls of HP5+ would be what I would use to get started. I have friends in Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing all of whom could help me source more film when I need it. Second, I would be developing the film myself in my apartment. No enlarger, I'm sure, but a friend of mine has already offered to ship me a usable negative scanner from Tokyo when I need it.

 

[kievman]

Hey Dave

Can you speak Chinese?

Michael

 

[Tuolumne]

Two things I should note. First, the 50 rolls of HP5+ would be what I would use to get started. I have friends in Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing all of whom could help me source more film when I need it. Second, I would be developing the film myself in my apartment. No enlarger, I'm sure, but a friend of mine has already offered to ship me a usable negative scanner from Tokyo when I need it.

I guess developing it yourself rules out any color film, as suggested above. But if you get a scanner, you will need a computer, too, and you said you weren't bringing one. Stuff begets more stuff. Maybe a good, working RD-1s would be better. You only need a few memory cards instead of boxes of film, and if you scan you will need a computer anyway, which will serve for the R-D1. Remember when people went around the world with just a notebook and sketchpad. Man, that's the way to go, but I can't even draw a decent stick figure. 😱

/T

 

[David R Munson]

Michael: No Chinese, but I'll learn as much Mongolian as I can while there.

T: I'll shoot some color film, it'll just be delayed a little in processing. As for the computer, I'll pick up a basic laptop once there. Nothing fancy, just enough for writing and scanning.

 

[projectbluebird]

I'd pack one extra body, or make sure a friend can send you one. Just in case.

 

[mfogiel]

Take a look at this guy's work, I think he only uses an M7+35mm lens and Tri-X:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmanuel_smague/sets/72157602152277025/

 

[shimokita]

I guess I would be tempted to take an inexpensive dslr with one good lens in addition to any equipment you would pack. Maybe an older model that has lost the out of the box shine.

Likewise I would be tempted to take an old laptop (for e-mail etc), unless you are thinking of picking one up that includes local language.

Should be a great experience.

CLH

 

[Tuolumne]

Take a look at this guy's work, I think he only uses an M7+35mm lens and Tri-X:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmanuel_smague/sets/72157602152277025/

These were superb!

/T

 

[anoldsock]

Do you mind sharing with us how you came about this opportunity to work abroad? Also, have you narrowed down what gear to bring?

I quit work and spent about 8 months traveling different parts of the world. I say the more simple you can make it the better your experience will be. You don't want to be bogged down with too much stuff. You may feel that you might miss out on something you left behind, but I think it allows you to be more in touch with your surroundings, which is after all the point of traveling, is it not?

From an artistic perspective, i guess you can say that simplifying your gear will force you to be more creative to convey your photographic message.

 

[Pherdinand]

Ask member RML.
He spent a lot of time in Mongolia, living and photographing, having a wife and a kid from there.

Anyway, as far as I understood, it's not the end of the world.

 

[amateriat]

As I started reading this thread, I thought of my little Konica Auto S3, which is currently getting a serious once-over at Nippon Photo Clinic in Manhattan (including conversion to use S76 silver-oxide batteries for AE metering); I could easily see myself making-do with that for an extended period somewhere. I remember spending the better part of two weeks in France years ago with nothing but a Nikon p/s, and came back with some wonderful images. If I'd had that Konica at the time, I'd have truly gone to town, but it's all relative...I had what I needed, and, moreover, what I had didn't get in the way of the experience of being there.

A lighter load = a lighter spirit (hopefully). Best wishes for your trip!


- Barrett

 

[David R Munson]

Do you mind sharing with us how you came about this opportunity to work abroad? Also, have you narrowed down what gear to bring?

I don't mind at all, especially since I cannot for the life of me fall asleep. Gotta love when something grabs your mind so wholly as to preclude normal circadian rhythm...

Anyway, my sister and brother-in-law actually live in Ulaanbaatar, having originally gone to Mongolia with the Peace Corps. They went, came back, he got his masters, and then they returned. I went for two weeks last summer and loved it. It's no utopia, but wonderful in its way and I've been looking for ways to go back since then. When I go (assuming I do, which I think I will), I'll be teaching English by day, and making photographs and writing most of the rest of the time. I am fortunate in that I have my sister and her husband there to help me out and actually make this feasible.

I'm 26, my life is overly (and unnecessarily) complicated at the moment, and I need this. My mind needs time and room to air, my photography needs new direction, and my sanity needs the change of venue.

Equipment-wise, I'm planning to take a 35mm rangefinder with one lens. If budget permits, I'll pick up an M3 with a 50mm Summilux
like I had briefly back in college, but more than likely I'll go with a Voigtlander R3M, 40mm f/1.4 with hood, and the trigger winder for the body. Two reels and a developing tank will ride along in my checked bag. I have spent most of my photographic life making my images with a 35mm SLR and a 50mm lens, but for this chapter I feel the rangefinder would suit me better.

 

[steamer]

Ooops Just saw your answer, 26 is young and foolish enough to recover from whatever you might do there and you have family in UB so no worries go for it, Just be aware that it is mighty chilly in the winter.

 

[chikne]

Take a look at this guy's work, I think he only uses an M7+35mm lens and Tri-X:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmanuel_smague/sets/72157602152277025/

Thanks for that!

 

[Roger Hicks]

A great deal depends on how important the photography is. I've only ever spent a few weeks in this sort of situation (in Dharamsala) but as photography was one of the main reasons I was there I normally took at least two cameras.

IF (as I hope) I can make it out there for the 50th anniversary of Lhasa Uprising Day (March 10th 2009) I'd expect to take 3 Leicas (MP and M4P for film, M8 digi) and my wife would take two cameras too.

At least one digi is essential if you are shooting what you might call 'illustrations' (reports of demonstrations, etc.) and so you can give people pictures FAST, whether as personal gifts or for use (I'd be shooting some propaganda alongside my personal stuff). I may well take an HP A612 printer for the same reason.

Cheers,

Roger