Phantomas
Well-known
I will be traveling to Uzbekistan in June with a purpose of working on a personal photo project. Something that worries me slightly is reading all the reports of treatment of (foreign) journalists in the country. They are being deported by scores, have to smuggle out the material (photo, video, interviews, etc) through fixers, and so on.
Now, I'm not a journalist, but I will be shooting some communities in Uzbekistan around Bukhara and Samarkand. I will also roll into the country with a big fat DSLR, a few lenses, laptop - something that can be classified as a working journo attire.
I think I can orientate myself pretty OK once I'm in the country. What concerns me is wether or not I will have any hustle with a bag full of photo gear at the customs, in and out.
Anyone with some experience traveling to Uzbekistan (Tashkent by plain)? Any tips on the airport customs?
Now, I'm not a journalist, but I will be shooting some communities in Uzbekistan around Bukhara and Samarkand. I will also roll into the country with a big fat DSLR, a few lenses, laptop - something that can be classified as a working journo attire.
I think I can orientate myself pretty OK once I'm in the country. What concerns me is wether or not I will have any hustle with a bag full of photo gear at the customs, in and out.
Anyone with some experience traveling to Uzbekistan (Tashkent by plain)? Any tips on the airport customs?
emraphoto
Veteran
never been in that neck of the woods but from experience elsewhere, dslr, of the large variety, can often prove to be a serious hindrance to photography. not sure if that will effect you in Uzbekistan?
in the past, and currently, i carry my gear in a plain cloth shopping bag and only take it out when using it. i usually avoid photographing people i haven't already introduced myself to... this seems to tone down reactions vs. the anonymous street stuff.
customs is usually on the hunt for sat communications devices vs cameras and laptops. everyone has them now... even in the most obscure places. wouldn't sweat that too much but i can post over on lightstalkers for you if you want.
in the past, and currently, i carry my gear in a plain cloth shopping bag and only take it out when using it. i usually avoid photographing people i haven't already introduced myself to... this seems to tone down reactions vs. the anonymous street stuff.
customs is usually on the hunt for sat communications devices vs cameras and laptops. everyone has them now... even in the most obscure places. wouldn't sweat that too much but i can post over on lightstalkers for you if you want.
Phantomas
Well-known
Thanks, I've done my search eleswhere and looks like photographing in Uzbekistan is a-OK. As long as I don't point my lens at government/military instalations I shoulb be fine and it even seems that people are agreeble about having their photos taken.
That means I should be able to import my gear OK. Customs was my only concern, I have fair amount of experience behaving "properly" when shooting in "strange" countries so that's not a concern.
That means I should be able to import my gear OK. Customs was my only concern, I have fair amount of experience behaving "properly" when shooting in "strange" countries so that's not a concern.
emraphoto
Veteran
smashing, now i know who to ask when i make my way there!
Don Parsons
Well-known
I've spent some time in Tashkent, but only had a small p-n-s camera. Got some great stuff. People are very nice there. I'd downsize that big DSLR, take something smaller. Most of the folks know some English.
Phantomas
Well-known
Thanks Don. Downsizing DSLR would be great but is not an option - I have to shoot digital as I need to produce some results right there and then, and need to get quality, so small digital is also not an option (nor is investment into a quality mirrorless).
Good to know about English, but I also speak Russian which I believe quite a few people still speak there. I'll be in between Bukhara and Samarkand, not so much in Tashkent.
Don - don't be shy about sharing your photos from there
Good to know about English, but I also speak Russian which I believe quite a few people still speak there. I'll be in between Bukhara and Samarkand, not so much in Tashkent.
Don - don't be shy about sharing your photos from there