Interview with Mamun Zaman

Mamun Zaman is a photographer from Bangladesh who has experienced Pendle Hill as a YALDer (Young Adult Leadership Development program participant) and resident student, and now is a summer intern. His photographs illustrate this article and the Pendle Hill June 2011 website homepage and e-newsletter. In this interview with Shirley Dodson he talks about photography, spirituality, and Pendle Hill.

Mamun, how did you become interested in photography?

I grew up observing and sensing things around me. Often I could connect myself with what I saw and reflect on my impression of it. I wanted to capture the moments that spoke to me. I used to observe the timing, lighting, and angles. I could sense the preciousness of that particular moment. Then I started to capture the moment or the vision in my mind. So I would say I started taking photographs even when I could not afford to have a camera. There were so many images and moments I used to capture through my eyes and save in my mind.

You have photographed spectacular landscapes, including mountains in the Himalayas, and have taken remarkable portraits of a wide variety of people. What photography opportunities stand out for you as the most memorable and important?

I love taking pictures of people. It’s amazing how vibrant the expression and body language can be. I enjoy overcoming challenges, and taking photographs of the desired expressions of people is a challenge for sure. Expressions change so fast. So my eyes look for the second I will connect myself with the expression of the person. And then the second I connect myself with the expression, I capture it in my camera.

I also like to take abstract photos – fine art photography. I enjoy experimenting with light and shapes. Some of my recent photographs are suffused with surreal lighting. (Examples are in Mamun Zaman’s summer 2011 photography exhibit in the Tree Rooms of Main House at Pendle Hill. More are on his website.)

You grew up in a Muslim family in Bangladesh. When you first came to the United States, what most impressed you? Was there anything that surprised you?

Growing up in a Muslim family and coming to USA has been a rich experience for me. Seeing a photograph of the USA and coming to the USA and taking photographs are radically different things! What most impressed me was that I got to feel how big and diverse the country is, which I surely could not sense before coming here. The accents, gestures, foods, and many other things are different from one region to another. I'm still exploring the diversity of the culture here in the USA.

What brought you to Pendle Hill?

I was raised in an environment where spiritual practice has minimal exposure. But I knew I was trying to have a deeper connection to my soul. I was waiting to find space in my life for the opportunity to connect with my spiritual side. However, I could not reach out to be grounded with myself even though I sometimes felt I was very close to integrating my body, mind, and soul. Then I had the opportunity to come to Pendle Hill through the YALD (Young Adult Leadership Development) program. I learned about Pendle Hill through my sister, who was part of the Resident Study Program. I was not familiar with Quakerism before coming to the USA. I looked for a lot of information online and then I had a very strong sense that Pendle Hill would be the place where I would be able to connect with myself.

How would you describe your experience as a participant in the Young Adult Leadership Development program (YALD)?

YALD will always be a memorable part of my life. I was going through a lot in my life during the program, besides trying to observe and balance the cultural issues. YALD gave me some really good friends with whom I could reveal and share my spiritual side throughout the whole summer. I felt like it was the foundation for being myself. The staff in the Pendle Hill community has held me in the Light all the time I have been here. This has been a pleasant experience for me. I don't think I have ever been loved this much in my whole life.

What was the highlight of your Resident Study Program year (2011-2012)?

For me the Resident Study Program was an extended version of YALD. I had more time to be with myself, to reflect, and to integrate my experiences into my life. The pace was slower. I enjoyed taking Elaine Emily’s course, Exploring Healing in the Quaker Tradition, and Beth Popelka’s course, Theatre of the Oppressed: Re-Imagining the Spect(actor),which helped me to step out of my comfort zone and experience some things I wasn’t comfortable experiencing, and learn from those experiences.

You now serve as a member of the Pendle Hill summer staff. As you look to the future (recognizing that plans can change), what do you hope to do over the next few years?

It's a privilege for me to have the honor to serve Pendle Hill community as a summer hospitality/garden intern. I feel more connected to the community as I realize that I have a responsibility to take care of the whole community in my particular position. I have come to realize that I'm going through a long transition in my life. Through my time at Pendle Hill, with Quaker practice in my spiritual life, I have a better sense than I ever had before. I look forward in my future to further training and education in photography so I can continue developing my skills.

For more information on Pendle Hill's Resident Study Program, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or read more about our opportunities.

For more photos by Mamun Zaman, visit his website.