She defined photography as historians writing with the pictures. She is one of the very few female photographers in Mongolia and we invited her for our interview session. She has graduated Omsk Technological University in 1985 with a degree in photography.
IT IS HARD FOR A FEMALE TO DRAG CAMERA ALONG
From my observation you are more inclined to take pictures of nature and livelihood?
I do indeed like to take pictures related to livelihood, nature and portraits. It is considered as one of the hard genres to take pictures in motion. It is indeed not an easy task to take pictures on the go within the lives of people. While nature picture requires a lot of time and car.
Since when you started your career as a photographer?
I graduated Omsk Technological University, since my student years I started taking pictures with mu fellow Russian classmates. Before that I had never had any experience in photography. My parents sent me my first camera bought from State Department Store it were Zenith. Since that time 27-28 years have passed. In between there were some years during early 90s I took a break from photography.
I guess you have enormous archive of photographs as long as you have dedicated your life to photography?
Indeed. I have three 1TB portable hard disks and many more CDs. Before portable hard drives were available I had my photos on CDs. I used to have my archive at the Youth Technical College, but due to irresponsible management I lost it. The whole history of the college was destroyed.
As I can define the photography I think it is one of the unique professions where there is no notion of retirement?
I agree with you, but for female photographers it is though to drag a camera along. It is at least 7-8 kg. Most of the photographers have developed backaches due to that. As for me I put my three lenses into my backpack and go climbing mountains.
MY PROFESSION IS A POEM WRITTEN WITH LIGHT AND SHADOW
It is great opportunity to do your job in fresh air?
Yes, moreover I like to be among others, because people who are giving me a chance to do what I like.
You seem like a person who process a lot inside.
Many have told me so too. For instance, I would not pay attention to what people say to me as I am doing my job. I observe a lot and think a lot. It is crucial for a photographer to be observant. I think it is a must to be devoted to what you do. If every one will devote them in what they do we can develop very fast.
People say that art is the poetry for eyes. How would you define the photography?
This is the realistic poetry created with light and shadow. There is no photography without light and shadow. On recent Russian TV show they were stating that photographers live long life and the scientist conducted a research and the result was due to the different angle to see the life.
I do agree. It is very obvious that photographers have very different view of life.
Photographers write history and give people the opportunity to think.
Sometimes it seems like the life today will just be a part of lie. It can just fade away. On the contrary, photography lets us to experience the moment again.
Remember when we look at photos of our grandparents, we instantly go back to our childhood years. This is the most amazing quality of a photo.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY RUINED MY PHOTOS
To be in love with a profession is one kind of a blessing?
True. I am always grateful that I had to choose photography.
Most of your works seemed to have a story behind. Does one need skill to interpret a story with a photo? In other words, does it come with experience or one is born with such skills?
I think it is more of the skills that our Russian teachers taught me. My teachers always said that one should think before taking a photo, that one has to think what story a photo should convey to the viewers. On the other hand, I was very artistic child, which may have contributed too. Although I am good at photography, there is a lot of room for improvement.
Should every photo convey a story?
It should. Every photo has a meaning and story behind. For instance, in documentary photo of 1970s it already says something about that times, clothing and hairstyle alone can depict a lot of information of that time.
Where the photography trend will lead?
World trend is more inclined to documentary.
If the artists draw with paint, photographers paint with technology. But lately some may think that once you have good camera and good software to process the image, it is very easy to become photographer?
While painters use paints to describe what is in their imagination, I believe that photography should be apart from the unnatural colors. Recently one of the greatest American photographers, who is 80 now wore a t-shirt with words that “Digital photography ruined my photos.” All his life he used conventional camera and probably the new technology today had bothered him much. I could relate to him very much. Youth nowadays might even wonder what he is talking about.
I think film photographers were more experienced. You had to wait for the right moment, because you have limited number of films and you could not waste them. I guess you would be excited to reveal the photos?
It is like waiting for the grades after the exam. It will be so much exciting when there is no blurring and the colors are exactly how you would have expected. For me I like to take photos how I was taught to. After thinking, planning and feeling.
EVERY ONE WHO TAKES PHOTOS IS WRITING WORLD HISTORY
Some think that having good camera makes one a good photographer. You thoughts on this?
Some would just buy expensive cameras, I would suggest for those beginners to start with half professional cameras. After some experience one can advance to more sophisticated and professional ones. Many use professional cameras to take family photos during the trips. But there are instances when one would win at prestigious photo contest with half professional camera.
Many don’t realize that they are shortening their camera life by taking multiple shots at once.
Professional cameras are set to take about 150K shots, while half professional ones have limit of 100K shots. One might think that once the camera does not use films he or she can just take whatever number of shots. My advice would be do not do as many shots as you might want to. Taking a photo is like choosing your grocery at a store.
How do you take criticism?
I like constructive criticism. Many nowadays look after colors. Although it might be trend, it is essential to take realistic pictures. Some would alter colors, such as turquoise sky. Since when we had turquoise sky? Although it is one of the trends, my approach is more realistic depiction of the natural colors.
Lately younger kids are getting interested in photography?
I think this is good. It shows how much youth is influenced by art. If you observe kids who like photography they are very different, they are calmer and tend to be caring. I wish more kids would be interested in photography. Every one who takes photos is writing world history.
HAPPIEST IS THE FAMILY WHO GATHERS AROUND DINNER TABLE SET UP WITH THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
What does bother your? What gives you negative feelings?
People passing by in the streets seem very depressed. While in abroad it is so much different. In Mongolia our people are exhausted. Sometime I think when people will start smile. It only happens during some celebrations and festivities that Mongolians smile. Other than that I mostly see unhappy faces everywhere.
Photographers tend to have great sense of color. What colors are your favorites?
I like pastel colors. Pastel green or soft grey. I don’t like bright colors.
I think the color taste changes as the person goes through different stages in life?
Very true. It is said that once you progress through your life tears happen to increase. Life definitely teaches one a lesson. I personally try to lead very positive and active lifestyle.
How do you think which family is more filled with happiness?
Happiest is the family who gathers around dinner table set up with their hard work and dedication in what they do every day.
What kind of person gives you a light?
I like down to earth people. You can feel all the way through that those people do not have any negativity in them. Even taking their photo is different.
S.BADAMKHAND WORKS WITH HER OWN DESCRIPTION
“NO EXPLANATION”
Theme: Autumn. Leaves were still on trees. It was snowing with big snowflakes. As I have looked through window the streetlight was lighting the big show flakes. I quickly grabbed my tripod and set to take the photo. I was in so much hurry that I didn’t notice I was standing on the balcony in my slippers. People say that this photo is very romantic. I love this one.
Composition: I named it “No Explanation”. Some say if it is raining. But more observant once say it is snow. So it is best that every one would has own interpretation.
“RHYTHM”
Theme: I was on a business trip to Beijing. I noticed those stairs while walking to grab something to eat. I really liked the colors. People would just it and relax. I noticed one girl playing on the stairs. I spent an hour to take this picture as there were many people around and I waited when there will be a perfect moment.
Composition: I named this picture Rhythm. Photography history started with black and white photos. I really appreciated that father and daughter wore black and white. I really like music and during the wait to take this picture I imagined if those stairs were musical. It depicts the rhythm of life. Father leads her daughter through life. It is like life is also music. It can be cheerful or sad at moments.
“DEW”
Theme: Every Sunday I climb the mountains. During one of my trips I noticed dews on spider web.
Composition: It as morning with drizzles. I noticed this scene just under it is like another world.
“RELIGION”
Theme: I was walking behind a monk and a thought crossed my mind to picture his shadow. I more liked the shadow. I could feel how I felt good after taking this one.
“COMPETITION”
Theme: This was taken in a forest. It required only two shots.
Composition: First I named it Up to Life. Then my friend suggested to changing it to Competition as on ladybug was on the bottom and the other one was at the top.
“MOMMY CAME BACK”
Theme: This picture won at the 2007 Photo Contest after Ts.Batzorig as the Photo with best Humor Sense. I myself have a great sense of humor. I like taking those kind of pictures.
“JUNCTION”
Theme: It was taken during my trip to Tuv aimag. We were visiting our relatives and I was just about to have walk after dinner. My spouse pointed up and I could snap this shop. This one brought me Gold medal at Ts.Batzorig contest.
“KIDS OF YELLOW LIGHT”
Theme: This one brought me second place at the contest by Boroldoi Studio named “Our Future is Close”, also won the Photo with Sense of Humor at Ts.Batzorig contest.
“PRAYER”
Theme: This was taked in Qindu, China at the mountain at the height of 3500 m. There are over 9000 stairs leading to the top of the mountain.
Composition: I wanted to convey my wish for global peace.
She defined photography as historians writing with the pictures. She is one of the very few female photographers in Mongolia and we invited her for our interview session. She has graduated Omsk Technological University in 1985 with a degree in photography.
IT IS HARD FOR A FEMALE TO DRAG CAMERA ALONG
From my observation you are more inclined to take pictures of nature and livelihood?
I do indeed like to take pictures related to livelihood, nature and portraits. It is considered as one of the hard genres to take pictures in motion. It is indeed not an easy task to take pictures on the go within the lives of people. While nature picture requires a lot of time and car.
Since when you started your career as a photographer?
I graduated Omsk Technological University, since my student years I started taking pictures with mu fellow Russian classmates. Before that I had never had any experience in photography. My parents sent me my first camera bought from State Department Store it were Zenith. Since that time 27-28 years have passed. In between there were some years during early 90s I took a break from photography.
I guess you have enormous archive of photographs as long as you have dedicated your life to photography?
Indeed. I have three 1TB portable hard disks and many more CDs. Before portable hard drives were available I had my photos on CDs. I used to have my archive at the Youth Technical College, but due to irresponsible management I lost it. The whole history of the college was destroyed.
As I can define the photography I think it is one of the unique professions where there is no notion of retirement?
I agree with you, but for female photographers it is though to drag a camera along. It is at least 7-8 kg. Most of the photographers have developed backaches due to that. As for me I put my three lenses into my backpack and go climbing mountains.
MY PROFESSION IS A POEM WRITTEN WITH LIGHT AND SHADOW
It is great opportunity to do your job in fresh air?
Yes, moreover I like to be among others, because people who are giving me a chance to do what I like.
You seem like a person who process a lot inside.
Many have told me so too. For instance, I would not pay attention to what people say to me as I am doing my job. I observe a lot and think a lot. It is crucial for a photographer to be observant. I think it is a must to be devoted to what you do. If every one will devote them in what they do we can develop very fast.
People say that art is the poetry for eyes. How would you define the photography?
This is the realistic poetry created with light and shadow. There is no photography without light and shadow. On recent Russian TV show they were stating that photographers live long life and the scientist conducted a research and the result was due to the different angle to see the life.
I do agree. It is very obvious that photographers have very different view of life.
Photographers write history and give people the opportunity to think.
Sometimes it seems like the life today will just be a part of lie. It can just fade away. On the contrary, photography lets us to experience the moment again.
Remember when we look at photos of our grandparents, we instantly go back to our childhood years. This is the most amazing quality of a photo.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY RUINED MY PHOTOS
To be in love with a profession is one kind of a blessing?
True. I am always grateful that I had to choose photography.
Most of your works seemed to have a story behind. Does one need skill to interpret a story with a photo? In other words, does it come with experience or one is born with such skills?
I think it is more of the skills that our Russian teachers taught me. My teachers always said that one should think before taking a photo, that one has to think what story a photo should convey to the viewers. On the other hand, I was very artistic child, which may have contributed too. Although I am good at photography, there is a lot of room for improvement.
Should every photo convey a story?
It should. Every photo has a meaning and story behind. For instance, in documentary photo of 1970s it already says something about that times, clothing and hairstyle alone can depict a lot of information of that time.
Where the photography trend will lead?
World trend is more inclined to documentary.
If the artists draw with paint, photographers paint with technology. But lately some may think that once you have good camera and good software to process the image, it is very easy to become photographer?
While painters use paints to describe what is in their imagination, I believe that photography should be apart from the unnatural colors. Recently one of the greatest American photographers, who is 80 now wore a t-shirt with words that “Digital photography ruined my photos.” All his life he used conventional camera and probably the new technology today had bothered him much. I could relate to him very much. Youth nowadays might even wonder what he is talking about.
I think film photographers were more experienced. You had to wait for the right moment, because you have limited number of films and you could not waste them. I guess you would be excited to reveal the photos?
It is like waiting for the grades after the exam. It will be so much exciting when there is no blurring and the colors are exactly how you would have expected. For me I like to take photos how I was taught to. After thinking, planning and feeling.
EVERY ONE WHO TAKES PHOTOS IS WRITING WORLD HISTORY
Some think that having good camera makes one a good photographer. You thoughts on this?
Some would just buy expensive cameras, I would suggest for those beginners to start with half professional cameras. After some experience one can advance to more sophisticated and professional ones. Many use professional cameras to take family photos during the trips. But there are instances when one would win at prestigious photo contest with half professional camera.
Many don’t realize that they are shortening their camera life by taking multiple shots at once.
Professional cameras are set to take about 150K shots, while half professional ones have limit of 100K shots. One might think that once the camera does not use films he or she can just take whatever number of shots. My advice would be do not do as many shots as you might want to. Taking a photo is like choosing your grocery at a store.
How do you take criticism?
I like constructive criticism. Many nowadays look after colors. Although it might be trend, it is essential to take realistic pictures. Some would alter colors, such as turquoise sky. Since when we had turquoise sky? Although it is one of the trends, my approach is more realistic depiction of the natural colors.
Lately younger kids are getting interested in photography?
I think this is good. It shows how much youth is influenced by art. If you observe kids who like photography they are very different, they are calmer and tend to be caring. I wish more kids would be interested in photography. Every one who takes photos is writing world history.
HAPPIEST IS THE FAMILY WHO GATHERS AROUND DINNER TABLE SET UP WITH THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
What does bother your? What gives you negative feelings?
People passing by in the streets seem very depressed. While in abroad it is so much different. In Mongolia our people are exhausted. Sometime I think when people will start smile. It only happens during some celebrations and festivities that Mongolians smile. Other than that I mostly see unhappy faces everywhere.
Photographers tend to have great sense of color. What colors are your favorites?
I like pastel colors. Pastel green or soft grey. I don’t like bright colors.
I think the color taste changes as the person goes through different stages in life?
Very true. It is said that once you progress through your life tears happen to increase. Life definitely teaches one a lesson. I personally try to lead very positive and active lifestyle.
How do you think which family is more filled with happiness?
Happiest is the family who gathers around dinner table set up with their hard work and dedication in what they do every day.
What kind of person gives you a light?
I like down to earth people. You can feel all the way through that those people do not have any negativity in them. Even taking their photo is different.
S.BADAMKHAND WORKS WITH HER OWN DESCRIPTION
“NO EXPLANATION”
Theme: Autumn. Leaves were still on trees. It was snowing with big snowflakes. As I have looked through window the streetlight was lighting the big show flakes. I quickly grabbed my tripod and set to take the photo. I was in so much hurry that I didn’t notice I was standing on the balcony in my slippers. People say that this photo is very romantic. I love this one.
Composition: I named it “No Explanation”. Some say if it is raining. But more observant once say it is snow. So it is best that every one would has own interpretation.
“RHYTHM”
Theme: I was on a business trip to Beijing. I noticed those stairs while walking to grab something to eat. I really liked the colors. People would just it and relax. I noticed one girl playing on the stairs. I spent an hour to take this picture as there were many people around and I waited when there will be a perfect moment.
Composition: I named this picture Rhythm. Photography history started with black and white photos. I really appreciated that father and daughter wore black and white. I really like music and during the wait to take this picture I imagined if those stairs were musical. It depicts the rhythm of life. Father leads her daughter through life. It is like life is also music. It can be cheerful or sad at moments.
“DEW”
Theme: Every Sunday I climb the mountains. During one of my trips I noticed dews on spider web.
Composition: It as morning with drizzles. I noticed this scene just under it is like another world.
“RELIGION”
Theme: I was walking behind a monk and a thought crossed my mind to picture his shadow. I more liked the shadow. I could feel how I felt good after taking this one.
“COMPETITION”
Theme: This was taken in a forest. It required only two shots.
Composition: First I named it Up to Life. Then my friend suggested to changing it to Competition as on ladybug was on the bottom and the other one was at the top.
“MOMMY CAME BACK”
Theme: This picture won at the 2007 Photo Contest after Ts.Batzorig as the Photo with best Humor Sense. I myself have a great sense of humor. I like taking those kind of pictures.
“JUNCTION”
Theme: It was taken during my trip to Tuv aimag. We were visiting our relatives and I was just about to have walk after dinner. My spouse pointed up and I could snap this shop. This one brought me Gold medal at Ts.Batzorig contest.
“KIDS OF YELLOW LIGHT”
Theme: This one brought me second place at the contest by Boroldoi Studio named “Our Future is Close”, also won the Photo with Sense of Humor at Ts.Batzorig contest.
“PRAYER”
Theme: This was taked in Qindu, China at the mountain at the height of 3500 m. There are over 9000 stairs leading to the top of the mountain.
Composition: I wanted to convey my wish for global peace.