Horses, Mongolian Steppe Photograph by Mark Leong, National GeographicAn ocean of green, Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world, with just under three million people in a landmass larger than Alaska. Mongolian culture—physical, mobile, self-reliant, and free—developed out here on the steppe. “When people move to Ulaanbaatar, they bring that mentality with them,” says Baabar, a well-known publisher and historian. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)
Wild Horse, Mongolia Photograph by Chris Neale, My ShotI love the simplicity of this image, which draws you in and keeps you there. There is absolutely nothing fancy about the shot, achieved with a basic 70mm lens. It’s the subject matter that makes it compelling, but in a subtle way. What especially makes the shot for me is the beautiful wave in the horse’s mane and forelock. I also love that the photographer included the open sky and mountain, but without unnecessary drama, showing just that gentle peak and the simple elements of the tree and log. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)
Mongolian Man Photograph by Charles Meacham, My ShotA man in western Mongolia wears a fur-trimmed hat as protection from the bitter cold of winter. Sprawled across mountains and plateaus, Mongolia has an average elevation of 5,180 feet (1,580 meters). Photo Tip: Light coming through cloud cover is diffuse and useful for shooting portraits. So is the light in open shadows.