So much left to discover

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Incense Burning at the Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue, Vietnam 2009)
Incense burning is an ancient religious ritual common to Egypt, India and East Asia. In Buddhism, it is a sacred offering, a way to honor the Triple Gem of the Buddha, his Dharma and the Sangha. The burning of an incense stick resulting in fragrant smoke teaches the necessity to burn away negative qualities within oneself in order to reveal the pure self within.

I captured this at the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved religious sites in Vietnam. Photographing smoke is a difficult process, but can give some very creative results. I shot this in natural light and looked for an angle that would give me a dark background, allowing the incense sticks and smoke to stand out.
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The Unstoppable Maquinas (Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 2018)
Santiago de Cuba was the fifth village founded by Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar on July 25, 1515 and it served as the capital of Cuba until 1553. Nowadays, the old quarter is full of colorful houses, providing the perfect backdrop for my composition of this "máquina", so typical to see in the streets of Cuba.
ASTOEN Cuba 2018 Smugmug 1009101 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel
Bete Giyorgis (Lalibela, Ethiopia 2014)
The Church of St. George is one of eleven monolithic churches in Lalibela in northern Ethiopia. The church was carved from solid rock in the shape of a cross. It's among the best known and last built of the eleven churches in the area. Lalibela, King of Ethiopia, sought to recreate Jerusalem and structured the churches' landscape and religious sites in such a way as to achieve such a feat. The churches are clustered in two major groups, one representing the earthly Jerusalem, and the other representing the heavenly Jerusalem. Located directly between them is a trench representing the River Jordan.
I timed my visit to coincide with Meskel, The Finding of the True Cross festival in late September. This portrait is of one of the festival pilgrims, posing in front of Bete Giyorgis.
ASTOEN Ethiopia 2014 Smugmug 1DX Alex Stoen Photography Canon Canon EOS 1DX Geotagged Lalibela NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Travel Vacation
Happy Year for the Rat! (London, United Kingdom 2017)
The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 blocks (or houses) just like its western counterpart, but with the major difference being that each house has a time-length of one year instead of one month. This year, it's the Year of the Rat, the first of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first. In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children.
Alex Stoen Photography Chinatown Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom Yearoftherooster chinesenewyear
Sunset over Zhaoxing (Guizhou, China 2016)
Zhaoxing is a pretty Dong minority town nestled in a valley a long way away from anywhere. It's full of old wooden buildings, wind and rain bridges, and drum towers, and surrounded by beautiful scenery. It's had its share of government sponsored "Chinese Minority Village" makeover, but still remains pretty authentic.
I captured this portrait of a Dong worker as he was heading home. right around sunset. I could tell he was drained of energy from his long day at work, which contrasted with that of the kids running and playing in the background. Visiting Zhaoxing was one of my favorite moments along my route to discover the ethnic minorities from southern China.
ASTOEN China 2016 Smugmug 1000421 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Zhaoxing
The dome of Santa Ana's church (Sella, Spain 2014)
The church of Santa Ana in Sella dates back to the 15th century. This small picturesque town in the mountains close to Spanish Costa Blanca was founded by the Moors over 1000 years ago. The structure of the small streets and some buildings still show the Arab influence. After the Reconquista, the Moorish population that lived in Sella for centuries was expulsed and Sella became inhabited by Mallorcans. The village is pretty isolated in the mountains but well worth the visit (they also cook an amazing paella!).
ASTOEN Spain 2014 Smugmug 5607 Architecture Church Clouds Costa Blanca Cover Destination Iglesia de Santa Ana Mediterranean Minimalism Mountain town Peculiar Postcard Protection Roof Rooftop Rural Sella Singular Sky Spanish Architecture Street Photography Summer Tiles Travel Vertical Village Warm contrast creative composition curved dome isolated old old architecture picturesque stock tourism visit
The Shifting Sands (Arabian Desert, United Arab Emirates 2017)
After abandoning the mountains of Oman and trekking through the oasis of Al Ain, the final leg of my Arabian journey took me through the shifting sands of the Arabian Desert, majestic and beautiful.
As the sun disappeared behind the horizon, I can't help but be memorized by the soft curving dunes, caressed only by the warm wind. Only as the shadows grow between the dunes can you truly appreciate the beauty of the desert.
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The Crossing (London, UK 2016)
London is always full of photographic opportunities! I made this long exposure (handheld) over at Charring Cross, just as the diminishing ambient light allowed me to "drag the shutter", capturing this city’s constant movement, using the iconic "call boxes" to frame my composition.
Alex Stoen Photography Bus Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm Telephone Booth United Kingdom blur call box charring cross motion
The Cormorant Fishermen of Guilin (Guangxi, China 2016)
One of the highlights of my trip to China was to meet the famous cormorant fishermen of Guilin. Even if the water is too polluted now for fishing to be sustainable, these fishermen remain icons of some sort in this area, prized by many photographers, yet they remain as graceful as ever, even with old age. Their art will eventually be lost, as new generations take over, turning traditions into simple tourist attractions. I’m so glad and honored to have been able to meet the authentic, original cormorant fishermen of Guilin.
ASTOEN China 2016 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation Yangshuo
Crossing the U Bein Bridge (Amarapura, Myanmar 2013)
Easily one of Burma’s most photographed sights, U Bein is the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world, stretching close to 1200 meters across Taungthaman Lake. Crossing the bridge at sunset was one of those magical moments that fills your soul, and reminds me why I'm so passionate about travel.
ASTOEN Mynmar 2013 Smugmug 2750 1DX Alex Stoen Photography Burma Canon Canon EOS 1DX Geotagged Mandalay Myanmar NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Portrait Travel Vacation Yangon
Arrosoir sur la grande fontaine (Puyméras, France 2018)
Last year, I returned to the small Provençal village where I spent so many years of my childhood. Roaming the narrow streets was a great exercise, looking for familiar details to capture and seeing how much has changed over the years and how much still remains the same.

I composed around this watering can, sitting on the fountain, in one of the village's squares. I used a very wide aperture to give the scene some creative depth, and also allowing for a fast shutter speed to capture the water droplets bouncing off the can.
ASTOEN France 2018 Smugmug 1007327 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 Provence SummiluxM 35mm Travel VaisonlaRomaine Vaucluse Village
Tenryu-ji Temple (Kyoto, Japan 2015)
Tenryu-ji is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji, dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo, who had just passed away. The entire complex is amazing, with incredible landscape gardens, enjoyable even if it's raining.
ASTOEN Japan 2015 Smugmug 4672 Alex Stoen Photography Canon EOS 1DX EF 1635mm f2.8 L II USM Geotagged NGExpeditions NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Travel Vacation
The sadhus of Benares (Varanasi, India 2015)
In Hinduism, a sadhu is a religious ascetic or holy person. He is solely dedicated to achieving liberation, the fourth and final stage of life, through meditation and contemplation of Brahman. Sadhus often wear saffron-coloured clothing, symbolising their renunciation, leaving behind all material attachments.

Living as a sadhu is a difficult lifestyle. Sadhus are considered to be dead unto themselves, and legally dead to the country of India. As a ritual, they may be required to attend their own funeral before following a guru for many years, serving him by doing menial tasks until acquiring the necessary experience to leave his leadership.
ASTOEN India 2015 Smugmug 6331 1DX Alex Stoen Photography Benares Canon Canon EOS 1DX EF 2470mm f2.8L USM Faith Geotagged Ghat Holy Men Portrait Religion Sadhu Travel Vacation Varanasi
The Al Alam Palace (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)
Today I learned the news of the passing of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, ruler of the Sultanate of Oman for the last 50 years. When I visited the country 3 years ago, I couldn't help at being impressed by how much he did for Oman and it's people. Here's photo I made of the presidential palace on my last visit.

"Al Alam" means "The Flag" in Arabic. The palace is one of six royal residences of the ruling monarch, Sultan Qaboos. It has a history of over 200 years, built by Imam Sultan bin Ahmed the 7th direct grandfather of the current Sultan. The palace has a facade of gold and blue. It was last rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972. The inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits, but you can stop by the gates in order to try to capture its sense of place. The Al Alam Palace is surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali Forts built in the 16th century by the Portuguese.
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1006536 Al Alam Palace Alex Stoen Photography Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 Muscat NGExpeditions Oman Royal Residence Sultan Qaboos Sultanate of Oman SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation
Hamer wives at a bull jumping ceremony in the Omo Valley (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)
Before a Hamer can marry, he must complete a “rites of passage” ceremony, marking the transition from boyhood to adulthood. The Bull-Jumping (Ukuli Bula) represents a life-changing event, which determines whether a young Hamer man is ready to make the social jump from an immature member of his society to the responsibility of marriage and raising a family
1DX Africa African Alex Stoen Photography Bull Jumping Canon EOS 1DX Culture EF 1635 f2.8 L II USM Ethiopia Geotagged Hamer Keske Look NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Omo Valley Pocket Wizard Tradition Travel Tribes Ukuli Bula Vacation off shoe flash surprise
The Cormorant Fishermen of Guilin (Guangxi, China 2016)
One of the highlights of my trip to China was to meet the famous cormorant fishermen of Guilin. Even if the water is too polluted now for fishing to be sustainable, these fishermen remain icons of some sort in this area, prized by many photographers, yet they remain as graceful as ever, even with old age. Their art will eventually be lost, as new generations take over, turning traditions into simple tourist attractions. I’m so glad and honored to have been able to meet the authentic, original cormorant fishermen of Guilin.
ASTOEN China 2016 Smugmug 0406 Alex Stoen Photography Canon EOS 1DX EF 1635mm f2.8 L II USM Geotagged Travel Vacation Yangshuo
The Carousel of Lights (London, United Kingdom 2018)
I composed this photograph during an evening walk along London's Southbank. Officially called the Queen's Walk, the path takes you from Westminster Bridge, along the south bank of the River Thames towards Tate Modern then back over the river on the Millennium footbridge to St Paul's Cathedral. Along the way, there are countless opportunities for street photography!
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2018 smugmug 1006278 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom
The Colorful Villa Blanca (Gibara, Cuba 2018)
Founded in January 1817, Gibara is also known as "La Villa Blanca" from the color of its colonial architecture and well-planned layout of its streets, houses and parks. Nowadays, the old quarter is full of colorful houses, providing the perfect backdrop for my composition of this "máquina", so typical to see in the streets of Cuba.
ASTOEN Cuba 2018 Smugmug 1008785 Alex Stoen Photography Holguin Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm
The Underground Cocktail Bar (London, United Kingdom 2017)
This is one my favorite "secret" bars in London!
Cahoots is a small cocktail bar, located in what seems like an old abandoned tube station which also served as an air raid shelter in WW2. The entire place is decorated in a post-war context, from the music to the way to the bartenders and waitresses were dressed. It's such an extraordinary experience that even return clients usually come dressed up, immersing themselves even more in what seems like a scene from an old movie! Did I mention they make amazing drinks too?
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1005961 Alex Stoen Photography Cahoots Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom
Arashiyama’s bamboo grove (Kyoto, Japan 2015)
The bamboo grove in Arashiyama is one of those magical places where time seems to stop and where the sense of place envelops you.

The place was very difficult to photograph due to the constant flow of crowds.
I was looking for an angle that would contrast an empty pathway against the busy, complex forest. It took me over an hour to get this shot!
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Sunrise over Ha Long Bay
One of my all time favorite places, Ha Long Bay.
In ancient Vietnamese, Ha Long literally means “descending dragon” and it is originated from a legend of this ancient land.

The legend says that during the old time when the country was newly formed, Vietnamese had to fight against fierce invaders coming from the North through the sea. Feeling sorry for the country, The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her children descending on earth to help ancient Vietnamese people defend the country.

While the mighty enemies were attacking the mainland, The Mother Dragon and her children suddenly appeared and incinerated the enemies with their divine fire and giant emeralds. The emeralds from the dragon’s mouth were scattered around the battlefield on the sea and formed an invincible defensive wall that left enemy battleship fleet sinking. Thanks to the dragons, the Northern invaders were finally swept away and the peace finally came back the South East Asian country once again. After thousands of years, the wall of emerald turned into island and islets of different sizes and shapes.

Vietnam is such a unique and amazing country. A land rich in colors, incredible food, and friendly people. I can't wait to get back and discover more of its hidden treasures!
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A Breath of Sunlight (Trinidad, Cuba 2012)
My wife took me to Cuba a few years ago to meet her parents. On the way, we stayed in the very picturesque town of Trinidad, located in the middle of the island. Trinidad is Cuba’s best preserved colonial town which is also a UNESCO heritage site since 1988. Like most colonial towns, Trinidad is amazing with brightly colored buildings and cobblestone streets.
ASTOEN Cuba 2012 Smugmug 7063 5DMk2 Alex Stoen Photography Canon Canon EOS 5D Mark II Trinidad stock
Novices at the Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon, Myanmar 2013)
I came across this group of novice monks while attending the festival of lights at Myanmar's sacred Shwedagon Pagoda. During this celebration held each November throughout the country, at midnight, on the day of the full moon, 9999 candles are ceremoniously lit. What an amazing experience!
ASTOEN Myanmar 2013 smugmug 1DX 500px Alex Stoen Photography Burma Canon Canon EOS 1DX Culture EF 1635 f2.8 L II USM Fabric Flickr Fun Geotagged Google Monks NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Novice Monks People Portrait Shwedagon Pagoda Society Street Photography Travel Vacation Yangon buddhism facebook
Take me away... (Alicante, Spain 2008)
I made this composition over 10 years ago, before I started getting into Travel Photography and storytelling. As I revisit my image archive every now and again, this photo always catches my eye. Taken one spring evening at dusk, I tried to capture how the colorful sky contrasted with the growing shadows. In the middle of all the darkness, the runway lights of Alicante airport seemed to invite me to take off, spread my wings, and discover the world!

Getting back into photography, after spending many years without touching a camera, was a true blessing, allowing me to evolve both as an artist and as a person into who I am today.
ASTOEN Spain 2008 Smugmug Airport Alicante Clouds Color Dusk From Dusk till Dawn Geotagged Guidance Night Path Position Runway Sky Sunset Take me away Travel Vanishing Point Vertical despegar landing lights navegation stock takeoff
The Mystical Fishermen of Inle (Inle Lake, Myanmar 2013)
As you enter the wide expanse of Inle Lake at the end of a narrow feeder channel, you begin to realise how special the place is. Whenever I get stuck in traffic, or I’m waiting in long lines, I simply think about those moments, where sky and water met, where the fishermen perform over-the-water ballet with conical baskets and oars for props—all while balanced on the bows of their boats. It’s absolutely enthralling. If you ever plan a visit to Myanmar, you shouldn’t miss this remarkable place.
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La Maquina (Holguin, Cuba 2019)
The first impression you get when you land in Cuba, is that time froze decades ago, from the old classic cars to the decaying colonial architecture, but thanks to the resilience of its people, life goes on. Yank tank or máquina are the words used to describe the many classic cars present in Cuba with an estimated 60,000 of them still driving the roads today. I captured this beauty in Holguin, Cuba’s third largest city, renown for its city parks and squares.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1003070 Alex Stoen Photography Cuba Holguin Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel
Els Enfarinats (Ibi, Spain 2017)
The annual festival of Els Enfarinats (meaning "the floured ones" in Valencian) takes place in the town of Ibi in Alicante, Spain on December 28, as part of celebrations related to the Day of the Innocents. In the day-long festival, participants dressed in mock military uniforms stage a mock coup d'état, under a blaze of fireworks, flour bombs and eggs.

It was a very messy morning but extremely fun to shoot. I played it safe and carefully egg/flour proofed my DSLR using a waterproof bag which I covered with a camera “skin” along with a clear UV filter to protect the lens.
ASTOEN Spain 2017 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Alicante Canon EOS 1DX Els Enfarinats Ibi
The Girl in Red (Lao Cai, Vietnam 2009)
As I arrived on the overnight train from Hanoi to Lai Cai, on the border with China, my guide kindly asks: "would you rather go to a market where we'll find 6 different ethnic tribes, very popular with the visiting tourists, or take a 4x4 up the mountains and go to a much smaller market, frequented by just 4 ethnic tribes but with no tourists?". I started questioning his sense of humor, but before long, I was in the front seat of an old jeep, making my way up the muddy roads towards the village of Muong Hum. I'm not sure who was startled first, the little girl riding the family's water buffalo, seeing the jeep emerging from behind the curve, or my driver as I yelled for him to stop so I could jump out, camera in hand to capture this amazing scene, against a backdrop of terraced rice paddies, only days away from harvest. My voyage to Vietnam was truly an eye-opener for me, as I re-discovered my passion for travel photography.
ASTOEN Vietnam 2009 smugmug 7496 Agriculture Canon Canon 5D Mark II Collection Colores Colors EF 24105 f4 L IS USM Fields Flickr Geotagged Girl Indochina Indochine Lao Cai to Muong Hum Portrait Travel Water Buffalo animal childhood everyday life life morning red rojo rouge webh
Magical Mornings (Manigod, France 2010)
One of the most magical moments of the year is to wake up to a snowy landscape on Christmas day, then open your presents with your loved ones. As I never take anything for granted anymore, I truly appreciate these small special moments and treasure them more than any present I could receive. Merry Christmas to all!
ASTOEN France 2010 Smugmug 1369 5DMk2 Alex Stoen Photography Canon Canon EOS 5D Mark II Christmas 2010 Manigod
The Color of Love (Agra, India 2015)
As the morning mist slowly gave way to the soft light from the rising sun, illuminating the white marble of Mumtaz Mahal's paradise-like eternal house, only then can you really appreciate the true beauty of this world wonder, built out of love and dedication.

Did you know that the Taj Mahal takes on different coloring at different times of the day? It changes from a pinkish hue in the morning to a milky white in the evening, then becomes golden at night when lit by the moon. They say the changing color resembles the changing mood of females - in particular, the Emperor's queen.
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Via Reale (Trinidad, Cuba 2012)
Even today, Cuba still feels like time froze decades ago, from the old classic cars to the decaying colonial architecture, but thanks to the resilience of its people, life goes on. The Yank tank or máquina are the words used to describe the many classic cars still present in Cuba with an estimated 60,000 of them still driving the roads today. I captured this classic 1958 Chevrolet in the small colonial village of Trinidad, on the southern coast of the island.
ASTOEN Cuba 2012 Smugmug 7188 5DMk2 Alex Stoen Photography Canon Canon EOS 5D Mark II Trinidad Via Reale
Solid Reference (Villajoyosa, Spain 2014)
I shot this long exposure of the navigation light marking the entrance to the old port of Villajoyosa, a fascinating town on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Dating back to the bronze age, it was well situated along the major trade routes under the Greeks and the Romans. During the Middle Age the coast was uninhabited because of the constant pirate raids, and in the 8th century the Southeastern coastal regions, known as Levante, were Islamized. In the 14th century, the king of Aragón (Jaume II), founded the present town.
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Westminster Bridge (London, United Kingdom 2016)
Rainy days make for some interesting and creative street photography. This was shot on Westminster Bridge, facing the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Here's an interesting fact: there are two main halls where Parliament sits: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The benches in the House of Commons are made of green leather – the same shade of green in which Westminster Bridge, just outside, is painted. The custom goes back 300 years, but the current House of Commons was destroyed in the London Blitz during WWII and rebuilt in 1945.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2016 Smugmug 1003747 Alex Stoen Photography Big Ben Bus Houses of Parliament Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm motion blur mouvement red slow shutter
The Maiko (Kyoto, Japan 2015)
Kyoto is the heart of Japan’s geisha world. In Kyoto, however, fully-fledged geisha are properly called geiko. Young ladies, usually between the ages of 15 and 20, train for five years to become a geiko. During this period, they are known as maiko.
Today, only a few hundred true geishas remain in Kyoto.

Meeting one of Kyoto’s geishas was truly a magical and memorable experience.
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The Tulip Stairs (Greenwich, United Kingdom 2017)
The Queen's House iconic Tulip Stairs are not only beautiful — they're the first geometric self-supporting spiral stairs in Britain. This 17th-century palace was commissioned by Henry VII and built adjacent to the Tudor Palace of Greenwich.

This is also the location of the Rev R. W. Hardy’s famous ‘ghost’ photograph taken in 1966, which appears to show two or three shrouded figures on the staircase – a phenomenon that has never been explained logically to this day. As I composed my photograph, I did notice a few figures myself but quickly realized they were just tourist peeking their head from the 2nd floor.

Getting the correct white balance was the trickiest part of making the photo in order not to lose the magical blue glow, created as the natural light entered the ceiling lantern and gets refracted from the crushed-glass paint, coating the wrought-iron central structure.
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom
The Forbidden City (Beijing, China 2016)
There are now over 500 million bicycle owners in China, representing the largest leap in individual mobility of human history. Even with the fast multiplication of cars and traffic jams generated in urban areas, the bicycle remains the biggest means of individual mobility for hundreds of millions of Chinese.

I made this photograph in the Forbidden City, composing this cyclist against a red wall - a color symbolizing happiness - just as he was mounting his bike. Towering behind the wall was one of the magnificent palaces, royal residences of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
ASTOEN China 2016 Smugmug 1007071 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)
The Grand Mosque in Muscat is one of the most beautiful and extravagant modern mosques in the world. It first opened in 2001 and took six years to build. It features an amazing blend of Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles, and also hosts one of the world’s largest handmade Persian rugs and one of the world’s biggest chandeliers, with 600,000 shining bright Swarovski crystals and weighing some 8,5 tons!
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1006193 Alex Stoen Photography Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 NGExpeditions Oman SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation
Piña Stop (Holguin, Cuba 2018)
Last year we hired a classic car to drive us from Pesquero to Holguin, and stopped on the way to pickup some fresh fruits. I made this composition of my wife choosing a ripe pineapple. I was so happy to see these private businesses flourish around Cuba.
ASTOEN Cuba 2018 Smugmug 1008368 Alex Stoen Photography Destination Holguin Leica MP Typ 240 Moments Storytelling SummiluxM 35mm Travel
The Taungthaman Lake at Sunset (Amarapura, Myanmar 2013)
Easily one of Burma’s most photographed sights, U Bein is the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world, stretching close to 1200 meters across Taungthaman Lake. I captured this shot right before sunset, as the small boats manoeuvred around the lake. The soft light was just magnificent. This was truly one of those magical moments that filled my soul, and that I will cherish forever.
1DX 500px Alex Stoen Photography Burma Canon Canon EOS 1DX Flickr Geotagged Google Mandalay Mandaly Myanmar NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Travel Vacation facebook smugmug
The Arbore Elders (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)
This elder couple posed for me as I visited their village. They are members of the Arbore people, a small tribe that lives in the southwest region of the Omo Valley. The tribe has ancestral and cultural links to the Konso people and perform many ritual dances while singing. Their philosophy and truly inspiring: they believe that their singing and dancing eliminates negative energy and with the negative energy gone, the tribe will prosper - if only all world leaders would think this way...
ASTOEN Ethiopia 2014 smugmug 1158 1DX Africa African Alex Stoen Photography Arbore Canon Canon EOS 1DX Couple Creative Lighting Culture EF 1635 f2.8 L II USM Elders Flickr Geotagged Google NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Omo Valley Parents Pocket Wizard Portrait Tradition Travel Tribes Vacation facebook hut off shoe flash
The Call Box (City of London, United Kingdom 2017)
The red phone box is often seen as a British cultural icon throughout the world. The famous K2 model was the result of a competition in 1924 to design a kiosk that would be acceptable to the London metropolitan boroughs. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it became a familiar sight on the streets of the United Kingdom, Malta, Bermuda and Gibraltar. The color red was chosen to make them easy to spot. There are today far more 'red boxes' in tourist city locations than there ever were originally... I found this one while exploring the labyrinth of streets between Bank and Liverpool Street, in the City of London.
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Emerging shadows at Nizwa Fort (Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman 2017)
Nizwa is an ancient city in northern Oman. It sits on a plain characterized by seasonal rivers and palm plantations. Known for its impressive castle, Nizwa Fort, with its huge cylindrical tower built in the 17th century to defend the city's position on a major trade route, the city also hosts one of the oldest markets in the Sultanate, Nizwa Souk, lined with handicrafts stalls and silversmiths working in small shops. As the sun slowly sets over the ancient town, the mud brick walls take on an orangish tone, before becoming totally enveloped by the emerging shadows.
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1007394 Alex Stoen Photography Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 NGExpeditions Oman SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation stock
Pilgrimage at the Shinomiya Shrine (Miyajima, Japan 2015)
Two Japanese girls in traditional pilgrim dresses make their way to the Shinomiya Shrine, under the brilliant canopy of autumn leaves in Momijidani park.

Called "Tsubo-syozoku", these kimonos were worn by noble women and princesses some 1000 years ago. Today, it has become a fun and popular custom to dress up and stroll through colorful park while visiting the Daisyoin temple.
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La Peculiar Tienda de Heredia (Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 2018)
Located in the heart and soul of Santiago, a few steps away from the historical Parque Cespedes, this tiny shop sells all kinds of souvenirs, from half-century old books to vinyl records, military medals or political stickers. Recognizing the opportunity for a creative composition, I strike up a conversation with the shopkeeper, who agrees to pose for me at the entrance, pretending to read a book that he later gave to me. It was a challenging photograph to make, requiring exposure bracketing to maintain details from the dark interior, as well as the from the bright street outside, resulting in a natural looking HDR.
ASTOEN Cuba 2018 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Canon EOS 1DX Travel
Baby it's cold outside (London, United Kingdom 2016)
With winter around the corner and with temperatures dropping to freezing levels, it's difficult sometimes to find the motivation to get out during the weekends. As we approach the shortest day of the year, we are always on the lookout for a sunny day to get out and enjoy any one of London's numerous parks. I made this portrait of my wife in Bishops Park, Fulham, where we braved the cold in search of the last colors of autumn.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2016 Smugmug 1004056 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom
The Tutu Boutique (London, United Kingdom 2016)
Once night, I was on my way home when I saw this small storefront in the corner of my eye. I found it so captivating as if it was trying to tell a story. I can almost imagine the mannequin coming to life in the middle of the night, while no one is looking and dance to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2016 Smugmug 1005464 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom
The man from Barna (Jodhpur, India 2015)
The key to capturing emotions is being able to connect with the person in front of the lens. This takes time, practice, patience and above all, respect. India is one of those places where breaking the ice is so easy and people just love the attention of being photographed… This portrait was taken in the small village of Barna, in the countryside south of Jodhpur.
ASTOEN India 2015 Smugmug 9993 1DX Alex Stoen Photography Canon Canon EOS 1DX Geotagged Jodhpur Travel Vacation
Punting boats at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse (Oxford, United Kingdom 2018)
Last summer, we took advantage of a bank holiday and escaped the capital city to spend the day in Oxford, known worldwide as the home of the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

I made this image of the punting boats at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse on the River Cherwell, just before they were hired away by the queuing tourist.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2018 Smugmug 1007711 Alex Stoen Photography Boats Fine Art Leica MP Typ 240 Magdalen Bridge Boathouse Oxford River River Cherwell SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom city of dreaming spires creative composition punting boats

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