Heading to Mongolia soon? You’re making an amazing choice! The country’s vast landscapes, rich culture, and nomadic way of life make it a photographer’s paradise. Whether you’re into professional photography or love snapping quick shots on your phone, Mongolia offers breathtaking sights around every corner. Here’s a guide to capturing the best photos and videos while traveling through this incredible country.
Places in Mongolia You Shouldn’t Miss for Photography
The Gobi Desert
The Gobi is an iconic destination in Mongolia. Massive sand dunes, dramatic cliffs, and endless horizons make it perfect for wide-angle shots. The sunsets and sunrises here are magical, with soft golden light that paints the dunes beautifully. It’s a must for landscape photographers.
Pro tip: Visit the Flaming Cliffs in the early evening when the light turns the rocks a glowing red. It’s one of the best places in the desert for photos. Bring a good zoom lens to capture details on the cliffs.
Lake Khuvsgul
Often called the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia,” Lake Khuvsgul is a photographer’s dream. Surrounded by forests and mountains, the crystal-clear lake offers both stunning landscapes and serene waterscapes. In the fall, the trees around the lake turn beautiful shades of yellow and orange.
For the best photos, head here during the early morning when the lake is calm, and the reflections are perfect. If you love nature photography, don’t miss this spot.
Orkhon Valley
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers beautiful scenery, nomadic culture, and ancient ruins – all in one place. The rolling green hills, the traditional ger camps, and the winding Orkhon River create stunning backdrops for your photos.
If you want to capture local life, this is the place. Early morning shots of herders with their livestock are mesmerizing, especially with the morning mist rolling over the hills. Ask permission before photographing locals; most are welcoming, but it’s respectful to ask first.
Terelj National Park
Just a short trip from Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park is where you’ll find rugged mountain scenery, fascinating rock formations, and lush valleys. The area is popular for hiking, so pack your gear and capture the beauty from a high viewpoint. The park is stunning year-round, but it’s particularly photogenic during autumn when the leaves change colors.
Best time for photos here: late afternoon when the light is softer. Don’t miss a shot of Turtle Rock, one of the park’s most famous formations.
Altai Mountains
If you’re into adventure and extreme beauty, head to the Altai Mountains in the western part of Mongolia. These snow-capped peaks and vast alpine landscapes are unforgettable. You might even come across Kazakh eagle hunters along the way. Their colorful traditional outfits and the majestic golden eagles make for incredible portraits.
The golden hour (right after sunrise and just before sunset) is the best time for mountain shots. Use a wide-angle lens for dramatic landscapes and a zoom for those wildlife photos.
Best Times of Day to Take Photos
Timing is everything. Mongolia’s landscapes can look completely different depending on the time of day. Here are the key recommendations for making the most of your time:
Early Morning
Morning light is soft, with cooler tones and more subtle shadows. This is the perfect time to capture the stillness of landscapes like Lake Khuvsgul or the Orkhon Valley. If you want a peaceful shot of Mongolian steppes, aim for early hours when fewer people are around.
Golden Hour (Sunrise and Sunset)
Photographers love the golden hour because it casts a warm, soft light across the landscape. In Mongolia, deserts like the Gobi or the Altai Mountains seem to glow as the sun rises or sets. Sunset at the Flaming Cliffs is simply magical.
Midday
Midday light is the harshest and creates strong shadows. If you find yourself shooting in the middle of the day, look for shady spots or wait for some cloud cover, which will soften the light. Shooting landscapes around noon is challenging, but it works if you’re focusing on shady areas.
Cultural Considerations When Photographing Locals
Mongolians are generally welcoming, but it’s important to be respectful when photographing them:
- Always ask for permission before taking a photo of a person or their ger (yurt). A simple smile and gesture are often enough to communicate your intent.
- If someone declines, respect their wishes. Not everyone wants their photo taken, especially in rural areas where cameras might feel intrusive.
- Certain religious ceremonies or cultural events may be off-limits for photography. If in doubt, ask a guide or a local for advice.
- When photographing eagle hunters or costumed performers, tipping is sometimes expected. Be ready for that when taking their portraits.
Recommended Photography Equipment for Your Trip
The camera gear you bring depends on how serious you are about your photography. Here’s a list of essentials for most travelers:
- DSLR/ Mirrorless Camera: These are ideal if you want high-quality images and the flexibility to switch between lenses. A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) is great for landscapes, while a telephoto lens (70-200mm) is perfect for capturing wildlife and distant subjects.
- Smartphone: Smartphones today have amazing cameras. Ensure your phone has manual controls or a photo app for adjusting settings like ISO and white balance. Use the built-in panorama mode for capturing Mongolia’s wide-open spaces.
- Tripod: For those long exposure shots like stars or night skies, a tripod is essential. A compact, lightweight tripod is the best option for travel, especially when hiking in areas like Terelj or the Altai.
- Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Mongolia’s remote areas often mean long stretches without electricity. Bring extra batteries and memory cards so you don’t run out of space or power when you’re in the middle of a photo session.
Smartphone Photography Tips for High-Quality Shots
Don’t worry if you’re taking photos with just your phone. Here are some tips to make your smartphone shots stand out:
Focus on Composition
Use the rule of thirds to help balance your shots. Don’t put the subject right in the center all the time. Instead, place key elements along the gridlines (if your phone’s camera allows gridlines, turn them on!).
Avoid Zooming
Zooming on a smartphone often leads to lower-quality images. Try moving closer to the subject instead. If that’s not possible, take a wide shot and crop it later.
Use HDR Mode
HDR (High Dynamic Range) helps to balance light in both shadows and highlights. This is super helpful in Mongolia where lighting can shift rapidly, especially when shooting landscapes against bright skies.
Hold Steady for Low Light
In darker settings like evening or indoor shots, holding your phone steady is essential to avoid blurriness. If you don’t have a tripod, rest your phone on a stable surface or hold it close to your body for more stability.
Editing Your Photos for a Professional Look
Good photo editing can make your images stand out. Here are some tools and tips for polishing your photos after a day of shooting:
- Adobe Lightroom Mobile: It’s free, powerful, and easy to use for editing your photos directly on your phone. Adjust exposure, contrast, and shadows to fine-tune your images.
- Snapseed: This is another free app that allows you to bring out more detail in your photos. Explore the “selective” feature where you can edit specific parts of the image.
- Cropping and Straightening: Make sure your horizons are straight. A crooked horizon is an easy giveaway that the photo hasn’t been cleaned up.
Capturing Videos in Mongolia
If you’re into capturing video footage of your trip, here are a few tips to capture great moments:
- Stabilization: Use a smartphone gimbal or a camera with image stabilization. This will help eliminate shaky footage while walking or riding.
- Capture Short Clips: Shorter clips (10-30 seconds) are easier to edit together once you’ve gathered all your footage. It also keeps the videos more engaging.
- Get B-Roll: Videos of landscapes, local life, rivers flowing, or animals grazing will help you create more dynamic travel videos.
Mongolia is a wildly photogenic country where every turn brings a new opportunity to capture something beautiful. Whether you’re using a high-end camera or just your smartphone, the key is to take your time, chase that perfect light, and respect the people and culture as you document your journey.
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