My name is Pavel Khon. I’m from the beautiful city of Khabarovsk in the Far East of Russia.
Since 2010 I’m based in Bangkok. I work for LSG Sky Chefs (Thailand) Ltd – an inflight catering company that provides food for over 60 airlines from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Being the Key Account Manager & Customer Service Executive by day, I also do event and street photography by night and weekends.
You can find me on Instagram & check out my latest exhibition on Facebook
David - When did you first come to Thailand & what initially brought you here?
Pavel - In 2009, I took a short vacation — a two-day stop in Bangkok followed by nine days in Pattaya. Tourist flights from my home town were very affordable and popular that time, especially to Pattaya. Those 11 days were a twister — unbelievable fruits, spicy street markets, rivers, beaches, waterfalls, tuk-tuks, neon streets, temples and sabai. I dipped my toes into Thailand’s culture, leaving footprints in the sand and memories in my head.
David - What made you stay/ leave?
Pavel - From 2005 to 2010 I worked in an airline industry and on an oil rig — a rough and stressful nomad’s occupation that could take me anywhere. I had almost everything in my life but inner peace. Amidst the rig’s steel and burning snow at 40C below 0, a Lorelei’s song echoed - a melody of tom yam kung nam khon and watermelon smoothies by sea breezes. The song did lure me to depression as I lost a lot after moving to Bangkok! But it’s another story. So! The atmosphere of calmness that wraps around you like Thai silk, and the smiles - warmed my heart unconditionally. I made a choice and returned to Thailand as I craved to feel the heat from Khao Pad Krapow again - the feeling that would take my breath away and make me cry. In June 2010 I landed in the land of smiles and sunsets for good. And cried many times after that…
David - Were you photographing before or was it something you picked up after arriving here?
Pavel - My photography journey was a humble one. A couple of months before arriving in Thailand, I bought a Nikon D60 with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens that I rarely used beyond auto mode. Aperture, shutter priority or ISO were quantum mechanics terms that I dared not to master. To me they were a kind of magic.
Photography was my amateur hobby. I thoughtlessly snapped green drinks in plastic bags, bland street scenes, McDonald’s statues, and the occasional sleeping cats and dogs. Unconsciously, I hungered for taste of control anyway and needed a kick of peppercorn creativity. So, like a night zombie owl colliding with the window, trying to get into my bedroom in my childhood nightmares, I faced my fears and entered the darkness. I started to shoot underground techno, house and drum’n’bass gigs. I’m now a more conscious version of myself. The blur of motion or the freeze-frame of laughter thanks to slow shutter and manual mode - they are no longer a nightmare, but my meditation. I am still raving with light in the darkness though! Still chasing moments, and still learning.
David - If you were photographing previously did Thailand change the way you approach photography?
Pavel - It gave me a chance to explore myself in the photography and beyond.
David - Is there any challenges that you face as a photographer unique to Thailand?
Pavel - Since I started to photograph here, I'm uncertain if the following challenges are unique to Thailand, but: event photography, particularly for freelancers doesn’t often receive the commercial recognition it deserves. This field demands not only an investment of time but also the equipment. The hours spent planning, shooting, and editing are often overlooked by clients. The technical and creative skills needed to produce quality photographs are sometimes taken for granted. Not to mention back, neck and shoulder pain, wrists numbness and issues with eyes. The high cost of maintaining and upgrading photography gear is rarely considered.
These challenges overall contribute to the undervaluation of event photography, making it a difficult for those like me passionate about capturing life’s important moments. Event Photography requires more than just the click of a shutter!
(David - In my experience this past year Pavel, whilst not limited to Thailand, the wage discrepancy to equipment cost and the working conditions make it a far less “rewarding” job than it perhaps is elsewhere for sure. Undervalued is about right. Like the quick build condos, motor vehicles, furniture and plethora of domestic made S.E Asian market items here, photography is just a cardboard imitation, and clients are generally happy with 5/10, good enough or God forbid the beauty filter on their phone. This is a tough gig and would not recommend it as a financially optimum career path.)
David - What small thing, (on a daily basis) inspires you most during your time here?
Pavel - I have a few that come to my mind.
1. Listening to birds singing through the window every morning. I wake up at 6am and hearing them through the dark curtains connects my unconscious dreamscapes to the world beyond the window.
2. A street vendor selling coffee next to my condo. Every morning on my way to work, we greet each other with smiles and say '“sawasdee krub”. It’s one of the morning rituals that sets up my day.
3. People waiting at bus stops, lost in their thoughts or mobile phones. I see stories in their faces. Every wrinkle carries a poem, I think.
4. Sunsets on Koh Phangan and misty sunrise of Phu Chi Fa.
5. My flip-flops and tan all year round. These simple pleasures ground me once I start thinking about the snowy winters.
6. My wife and her smile - she is the most honest, straightforward, inquisitive, goal-oriented, dedicated, and loving person. She inspires me to be a better version of myself.
7. A digital embrace across countries – daily “good morning” messages from my lovely mom. Her wishes are always full of encouragement, helping me to face the day with resilience. Love you mama!
David - Is there something perhaps larger or more poignant that you took from your time here?
Pavel - Of course! It’s a word “poignant “. I had to look it up in the dictionary and google translate it to my mother tongue to understand the question. Reflecting on my time here, I started to see more beauty in simplicity, and transcendence in connections and distance. Through hard times and losses, you cherish the existence and gifts/challenges life gives you.
David - What makes this country so fascinating to photograph for so many people?
Pavel - Thailand is a country of contrasts, colors, textures, aromas, fusions, traditions and ecstatic expressions. It’s visually fascinating and cosmopolitan. It’s like a rhapsody. I’m thankful it’s not just a fantasy but a real life to me.
David - Is there a certain location here in Thailand that you hold dear to your heart?
The most sacred and mysterious of all landscapes – my inner self. I don’t go there as often as I should but whenever I manage to focus and reach it, I’m the happiest and the most peaceful soul alive. And Koh Mak island!
David - Please share a photographic technique or philosophy, a tip for someone reading this.
Pavel - Be inspired by your surroundings and new people you meet. Be genuinely interested in their lives, because photos are made with the eye, heart and head - as Henri Cartier-Bresson said.
Watch out for stage lasers – those bastards can fry your camera pixels in a millisecond and char your sensor like scorched steak. I got mine fried 2 times for the past half a year.
David - A question I always ask is what relationship do you have with the viewer and how does that affect you when shooting?
Pavel - When I look through the lens, I try to see more than a scene but a mood, and energy. Both the viewer and I, as well as people or scenes captured can be joyful, fractured, hopeful, lost or secure. If I can catch that energy flow then I’m able to photograph more enthusiastically and daring. If I still feel reserved (I naturally am) it’s hard for me to focus and fully enjoy the process. I become overwhelmed with shutter, aperture, ISO, composition and speed-light exposure. It becomes a kind of nightmare!
David - Please share a sentimental photo from your time here and what makes it sentimental to you.
Pavel - I would like to share this photo, but without any explanation. I would only keep the title: “2019: Transcendent Connection Of Generations”.
David - Bonus “Gear Talk” question, what equipment do you use and how does that help with your photography?
Pavel - The dark side seduced me in 2009 with the Nikon D60. Since then, I’ve replaced a few Nikon camera bodies until I settled on the D750, which I still use for night events if I need to use flash with AF assist beam, which does not work with Nikon Z cameras. My newest companion is the Nikon Z6ii, which I use during the daytime or in low-light conditions without a flash. I have several lenses, including the 14mm f/2.8, 13mm f/1.4 Z, 20mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4, 105mm f/2.8, and 70-200mm f/2.8. These lenses serve as my eyes, helping me share my vision. I use all of them regularly. As an introvert, I use my camera as a shield that helps me to be more open, engaging, and less awkward.
I have no upcoming projects yet, but I’m thinking about both street and portrait photo walks and exhibitions.
I can’t help mentioning that I’m still extremely happy to have organized a Group Street & Portrait Photo Exhibition called ‘Road to Mango Art Festival’ last month. Mike from Sathorn 11 Art Space and I came up with the rough idea when I visited his bar one night, after a portrait photo walk I organized during the day. Later for this project I arranged two street photo walks and one portrait session with models in March and April. Afterward, we held a photo review meetup and selected images for the exhibition. Finally, at the exhibition opening night, we chose two photos for the Mango Art Festival. I’m grateful to all the photographers and models who took part in our project. Special thanks to Mike and the sponsors who replied to my requests and supported us with lucky draw gifts. And big up to all the guests - you packed Sathorn 11 on Thursday night - love you all!