So much left to discover

Kashi, the City of Light (Varanasi, India 2015)

Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Benaras, is the cultural capital of India. Varanasi is a melting pot, where both death and life come together. Dating to the 11th century B.C. (that’s over 3000 years!), this is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. It draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Lonely Planet describes the city as “one of the most blindingly colorful, unrelentingly chaotic and unapologetically indiscreet places on earth”. Not everyone is prepared to visit this incredible city, where the circle of life overpowers all of your senses. My local guide’s words sum if it perfectly: you don’t visit Varanasi, you live Varanasi. It was truly a life-changing experience for me. Pilgrim at the Gai Ghat (Varanasi, India)

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The Ritsurin Garden Teahouse (Takamatsu, Japan 2015)

Dating back over three centuries, Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya-style teahouse that was used by successive generations of feudal lords. The origin of the name derives from a line in an old Chinese poem: "When I scoop up the water, I hold the moon in my hands.” This teahouse is the central building of the whole garden, and the view of the South Pond, as seen from the rooms of this teahouse, is a magnificent scene that can be experienced nowhere else…

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The Harvest (Sapa, Vietnam 2009)

In just over 2 months, the terraced rice fields of Sapa will be turning to gold, ready to be harvested. The region is host to many hill tribes, lush vegetation, and Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam. During my 6 hours trek into the valley below the old French colonial outpost, I came across some of the country's friendliest people and breathtaking landscapes!

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Old Millwall Docks on the Isle of Dogs (London, United Kingdom 2020)

The weather has been very kind to us these past few days, so we decided to get out for a walk today, this time around the old Millwall Docks on the Isle of Dogs. It's hard to believe that this was once a rural and relatively wild area of marshland, mainly used for animal pasture, and now the Isle of Dogs is the financial hub of London. Home to the impressive skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, this area has seen some massive changes and events over the centuries and is well worth a visit if you want to see how old and new London can live side by side.

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The tobacco farmers of Viñales (Pinar del Rio, Cuba 2019)

During my last trip to Cuba, I finally managed to get to the tobacco fields of Viñales, in Cuba’s famous province of Pinar del Rio. This was the season’s first crop, with the best leafs destined for cigar making. The second crop is then used for cigarettes. Growing tobacco is no easy job, with the farmers working all day to meet the government production quotas. I made this photo during sunset, as the soft sunlight gently caressed the top of the tobacco leafs and highlighting the farmer, who seemed surrounded by field around him.

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1002350Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaLeica MP Typ 240Pinar del RioSummiluxM 35mmTravelViñales

Herengracht, the Gentlemen's canal (Amsterdam, Holland 2015)

The Gentlemen's canal (Herengracht) is considered to be the most important canal in Amsterdam. In the 17th century, the richest merchants, the mayors and the most influential regents of the city resided on this canal. An address on the Gentlemen's canal is still considered to be prestigious. Even Amsterdam's mayor's official residence is on this canal at 502. Almost all the bridges are light at night, allowing for some amazing long exposure shots!

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The daily quest for spiritual credit (Yangon, Myanmar 2013)

I captured this scene while I was attending the annual festival of lights at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

Every evening, more than a dozen men and women walk in a tight row in front of Myanmar's most revered Buddhist pagoda, sweeping the vast marble terrace in unison in hopes of keeping it clean for barefoot pilgrims. To these volunteers, this is not a chore but a noble act, one they carry out eagerly in an effort to gain merit, or spiritual credit.

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Vive la France!

Today France celebrates its National Day commemorating the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. It's a day full of celebrations, parades and fireworks. French communities throughout the World get together to celebrate with food.... and wine!

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The Goma ritual of consecrated fire (Mount Koya, Japan 2015)

As the priest sits in front of the fire, he has an array of bowls, tongs, and other ritual instruments in front of him. He uses tongs to stack small but carefully cut pieces of kindling. He uses long sticks with small cups at the end to place spices, seeds and other items on the fire, all of which are very symbolic. All the while, a monk is chanting in the corner while the priest mumbles words and whispers what one assumes are prayers and incantations.

The ritual, which lasts about a half-hour, builds in intensity. At one point, the monk in the corner begins striking a taiko drum in the corner. The monk is making all kinds of hand signs, I notice, as he goes through the ritual, each of which having an esoteric meaning.

He eventually gets to one part of the ceremony where he picks up many small pieces of kindling, each of which are carefully cut to approximately the same length and size. I later come to find out that there are 108 of these pieces of wood that are thrown on the fire, representing the Buddhist belief that there are 108 "attachments" in this world from which we need to free ourselves.

Meanwhile, the drumming continues, along with the chanting. The fire grows larger and larger, burning away both the wood and - symbolically - our impurities.

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Sir John McDougall Gardens (London, United Kingdom 2020)

Back in London after spending a few days in Spain, which we truly enjoyed. As daily life's pace begins to pick up here, I continue to work on my photography, such as this Hasselblad XSPAN ultrawide composition taken close to home on my morning walk. I'm interested in seeing how these panoramic images can be used in visual storytelling. It's a complex process, not all compositions work in this style, but one needs to exercise it before being good at it. Let's see how this project evolves!

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The Elder from Basha (Guizhou, China 2016)

Deep into mountains of southwest China's Guizhou province, lives a unique and ancient subgroup of the Miao tribe, named "Basha." Some 2,000 men and women of this tribe still live in wooden houses, practice centuries-old customs, and hold unique beliefs. The Basha people are the only group in China allowed to carry guns.

I shot this portrait of one of their elders, who invited us into his humble home. I was really happy to see how much the young were looking up to him. Don’t be fooled by his serious look… he had quite a sense of humour!

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The soft morning light (El Campello, Spain 2020)

Our week on the Costa Blanca is going by quickly so we decided to get onto the boardwalk early and shoot in the soft morning light. This morish building has always caught our eye over the years, so it was fit to compose around it for this shot. As with almost all my images, color plays an integral part in my photography.

Shot with a Leica M-P (Typ 240) and a Summilux 35mm ASPH.

ASTOEN2020Smugmug1004416Alex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteColorsEl CampelloLeica MP Typ 240SpainSummerSummiluxM 35mm

The New Directive (Valencia, Spain 2020)

Quick day trip to Valencia, camera in hand. It felt good to be back on the streets, attentive to my surroundings, looking for backgrounds, creative compositions and special moments. That part of my brain had been resting for too long, and I very much welcomed the exercise! In this scene, I composed around the lines and waited for a moment. I'm sure I could have worked the scene a bit longer, but I'm quite happy to have been able to visualize these compositions, and putting my artistic brain cells to work.

ASTOEN2020Smugmug1004400Alex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteLeica MP Typ 240SpainSummiluxM 35mm

Hsinbyume, Princess White Elephant (Mingun, Myanmar 2013)

The Hsinbyume Pagoda is a large pagoda on the northern side of Mingun in Sagaing Region in Myanmar, on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River. The pagoda's design is a great departure from Burmese pagoda design norms. It is based on descriptions of the mythical Sulamani pagoda on Mount Meru, and the lower parts of the pagoda represent the mountain. Seven concentric terraces represent the seven mountain ranges going up to the Mount Meru according to Buddhist mythology. Once again, getting there early in the morning allowed me to enjoy the entire place to myself!

ASTOEN2013Smugmug22451DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedMandalyMyanmarNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacationYangon

The Caravan (Thar Desert, India 2015)

As the sun sets over the sand dunes of the Thar desert of Rajasthan, the camel caravan prepares to camp before the cold of the desert night sets in.

I captured this shot close to the India-Pakistan border, after attending the annual Desert Festival and Camel show, held in Jaisalmer. If you visit Rajasthan, I highly recommend spending a night or two in a desert camp and exploring the Sam dunes on camelback, it's an experience out of this world!

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Climbing the Longji Rice Terraces (Guangxi, China 2016)

Also called the Dragon Backbone’s Rice Terraces, Longsheng has some of the most amazing rice terraces in all of China. I captured this portrait of an ethnic Yao woman, as she was hiking up the trail, snaking around the maze of rice terraces surrounding Longji.

Alex Stoen PhotographyChinaGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240LongjiLongji Rice TerracesLongshengSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation

Old Colorado City (Colorado Springs, USA 2019)

Old Colorado City was founded during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859 and was involved in the mining industry, both as a supply hub and as a gold ore processing center beginning in the 1890s. Residents of Colorado City worked at some of the 50 coal mines of the Colorado Springs area. It was briefly the capital of the Colorado Territory. For many years, Colorado Springs prohibited the use of alcohol within its border due to the lifestyle of Colorado City's opium dens, bordellos, and saloons. It is now a tourist area, with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

I was so happy to be back in Colorado after so many years. So much has changed, yet it's charm is still very much alive!

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The Underground Cocktail Bar (London, United Kingdom 2017)

I captured this portrait of Ludovica in a small cocktail bar, located in 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 waitresses were dressed. The best seats in the house are set in an old tube coach. It was quite an extraordinary experience, while I'll be repeating again in the near future.

Alex Stoen PhotographyCahootsCocktail BarLeica MP Typ 240LondonSOHOSummiluxM 35mmUnited KingdomVintage

Le Pont-du-Gard (Occitanie, France 2018)

In the first century AD, Nîmes, a prosperous Roman colony, saw its population growing to 20,000 people. At the foot of the Mount Cavalier, the Nemausus fountain no longer sufficed in providing the city with its daily needs in drinking water, let alone in supplying the baths, fountains and many gardens. It was decided to build an aqueduct to channel water from the source of the Eure in Uzés all the way to Nîmes: 50 kilometres of channels dug out of the earth to install the pipes. Along the way, the Gardon River proved to be a difficult obstacle, overcome by the construction of the Pont du Gard.

A few years ago, I was able to retrace some of the footsteps I took almost 35 years before, when I visited this same place with my parents and siblings. A lot has changed since, there's no more vehicle traffic across the aqueduct and it's now classed a World Heritage Site by Unesco, but I was happy to see the magnificent Roman masterpiece of engineering still stand just as tall today as it did we I saw last saw it over three decades ago!

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Crossing Shadows (Elche, Spain 2010)

In photography, light and shadow are key. One cannot be without the other. Shadows can add a lot to a photograph. They can emphasize emotions, create surreal images, and be used in a variety of ways. While strong use of shadows in color photographs tends to be mostly used in silhouettes, it can also appear in a variety of other forms in color photos as well. In my opinion though, shadows are most powerful when used in black and white photographs.

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Sunset over Guardalavaca (Holguin, Cuba 2012)

The fine white sand and clear waters at Guardalavaca make it one of the most pristine beaches of the Caribbean island of Cuba. It's no wonder the pre-Columbian tribes made settlements nearby. Swimming in the warm waters at sunset was truly an unforgettable experience!

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Hogueras de San Juan - Bonfires of San Juan (Alicante, Spain 2014)

Alicante celebrates the arrival of summer with the Bonfires of San Juan. In an atmosphere of music, color, fireworks and extravagance, thousands of people experience this annual fiesta which pays tribute to fire. The celebrations conclude the night of the 24th, effigies (ninots) are burnt to the ground all around the city. It's truly an amazing experience!

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2017)

This architectural work of art is one the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for an astonishing 40,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24 karat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the world’s largest chandeliers –10 meters in diameter, 15 meters in height and weighing twelve tons. The mosque's first ceremony was the funeral of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed, who is buried at the site. Photographing the place is not easy. Getting there early and beating the crowds is the only way to these creative compositions.

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Mystical Moments (Bagan, Myanmar 2013)

The temple-strewn plains of Bagan have existed for nearly a thousand years. It was King Anawrahta (1044-1077) who started the building of temples on this dusty plain, and it continued with each successor for hundreds of years. According to the ancient texts, there are 4446 temples in the area but the UNESCO survey of 1988 show only 2230 remain. Even with the number halved, the sheer density of temples is a marvel to behold. I carefully climbed the Shwesandaw Pagoda before dawn in order to get the best possible vantage point to capture the mystical sunrise over the ancient plains of Bagan. Seeing the golden light pierce through the morning haze to reveal the incredible pagodas was truly one of those moments I will cherish forever.

ASTOENMyanmar2013Smugmug4073Alex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsShwesandaw PagodaSunriseTravelVacation

Moments of Reflection (San Juan de Alicante, Spain 2010)

Ten years ago, while I was living in Spain, I'd regularly go out cycling in the countryside. On one of these trips, I came across this old chair leaning against a tree, in the late afternoon light. It felt like a good resting spot, detached from the complexities of life, a place to reflect on hard decisions to make. Lockdown will soon be over in the UK, I can hardly wait to pack my bags and start traveling again!

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The Tree of Clouds (New Mexico, USA 2019)

Last year we made a road trip to Santa Fe. Along the way, I spotted this lonely tree on side of the state road, not far from Taos, New Mexico. Realising the photographic opportunity, I made a mental note of my surroundings to try to stop on our way back, the next day. Located on a curve, overlooking the Rio Grande George in the distance, I had no problem finding the spot and was able to compose a few landscape shots. This is a composite of several vertical shots stitched together as a panorama in Photoshop. This process give me the ability to create very large photographs, using a high quality prime lens, by simply combining “slices” from a scene into a large landscape, without losing details. The resulting scene is over 70 megapixels.

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The Magnificent Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto, Japan 2015)

One of the main objectives from my trip to Japan was to capture the row of vermilion
torii gates that straddle the paths at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Since early Japan, Inari was seen as the patron of business, traditionally worshipped by merchants and manufacturers. Each of the torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha is donated by a Japanese business. First and foremost, though, Inari is the god of rice.

Due to the extreme popularity of the site, the only way to avoid the masses and “pull off” the shot was to get there early in the morning, as soon as the shrine opened to the public.

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Limehouse (London, United Kingdom 2017)

Limehouse takes its name from the limekilns that operated from the mid-14th century, converting Kentish chalk into quicklime for the capital’s building industry. From the late 16th century ships were built at Limehouse and traders supplied provisions for voyages. With the growth of its docks, Limehouse acquired an immigrant population and became London’s first Chinatown. The Chinese community was never very large but it gained a reputation for gambling and opium-smoking and Limehouse provided the backdrop for the Dr Fu Manchu films.

ASTOEN2017SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom

The Barber (Jaisalmer, India 2015)

Getting lost in the narrow streets Jaisalmer was one of my favorite experiences during my journey through Rajasthan. I love to get out early, as the city slowly wakes. While some clean the streets, others set-up their market stalls, children prepare for school, and the corner barber awaits his first client. This is usually the time when I make my best photographs. The light is soft and everyone is usually too busy to take notice of a lone westerner, allowing me to record the daily choreography that has been perfected over the course of so many years.

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The Salt Marshes of Mont-St-Michel (Normandy, France 2013)

One of the specialty food in Normandy is Agneau de Pré-salé or Salt Marsh Lamb. Agneau de pré-salé is lamb that graze on salt marshes and the meat from the lamb has a unique flavour and tenderness.

Normandy is one of the four agneau de pré-salé areas in France and its salt marsh lamb comes from livestock grazed on the marshland surrounding Mont-St-Michel. Sheep have been reared in the Mont-St-Michel Bay since the 11th century. An interesting trivia is that during that time, there was a law that dictated that the abbey monks had the right to pick the best ewe from every farm. So we now know that the monks ate the best lamb on the land.

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Follow the light (London, United Kingdom 2019)

Had you told me 6 months ago that we were about to be in lockdown for over 3 months, I would have never believed you, yet here we are... It's not been easy, but we were able to self-isolate all this time, minimizing any risk to our selves and others. We now contemplate what comes next as restrictions on movement begin to ease... Where will you travel to first? We chose Spain to spend a few days with family and friends. I'm so looking forward to the change in atmosphere...

Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica Q2LondonTravelUnited Kingdom

The Mursi Young (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)

The Mursi are a Nilotic pastoralist ethnic group that inhabits southwestern Ethiopia deep inside the Tama Wildlife Reserve. Surrounded by mountains between the Omo River and its tributary the Mago, the home of the Mursi is one of the most isolated regions of the country.

Photographing the Omo Valley tribes has become a tricky affair. Now that thousands of photographers have passed through the various villages, the tribes' people now expect/demand to get paid for every photograph taken (double if you use a flash). I found it very difficult to connect with the people, especially in the Mursi tribe, but still managed to get a few decent portraits like this one.

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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.

ASTOENMyanmar2013Smugmug5DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanonCanon EOS 5D Mark IIGeotaggedInle LakeNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation

Torre de Belém (Lisbon, Portugal 2019)

Officially called the Torre de São Vicente, this 16th-century fortification served both as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. It was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and for the sailors, it was the last sight of their homeland. It was built during the height of the Portuguese Renaissance under the reign of Manuel I. The Tower of Belém is a cultural reference, a symbol of the specificity of Portugal at the time, including its privileged exchange with other cultures and civilisations.

I made this composition by stitching 3 vertical images taken with a Leica MP240 and a Summilux 35mm.

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Piña Stop (Holguin, Cuba 2018)

A couple of years ago, we hired a classic car to scout for photographic locations on the eastern side of the island and we stopped on the way to pick up some fresh fruits. Hiring a local "maquína" is by far the cheapest way to get around. The business of taxi hires is still going strong with an estimated 60,000 of them, but the road ahead is full of uncertainties as the local economy adjusts after the collapse of Cuba' main fuel supplier, Venezuela. Nonetheless, I was happy to still see some private businesses flourishing around Cuba such as this roadside fruit stand.

Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaDestinationHolguinLeica MP Typ 240MomentsStorytellingSummiluxM 35mmTravel

Al Ain Palace (Al Ain, United Arab Emirates 2017)

Known as the Al Ain Palace Museum, the former home of the late UAE founder, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Palace was once a political and social hub. Built in 1937 and then renovated in 1998, the building finally became a museum in 2001 and now houses a large collection of material about the ruling family.

Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedNGExpeditionsTravelUAEVacation

The Fortunate Couple (Beijing, China 2016)

In China the red color is a symbol of prosperity and good health so the brides begin their new journey by carrying fortune with them. In India too, the brides also wear red as it is considered the symbol of love and passion as well as wishing for a happy and long life with her husband.

I captured this just outside the Forbidden City, where many newlywed couples go for their photo sessions. There so many of them that they had to take turns at each photo location!

Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation

Dassanech Headdress in Omorate (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)

The Omo Valley is located in Africa’s Great Rift Valley and is home to an estimated 200,000 indigenous peoples who have lived there for millennia. I captured this portrait in the small village of Omorate, home of the Dassanech tribe. There are some 20,000 Dassanech (meaning ‘People from the Delta”). They inhabit the southernmost region of the valley, where the Omo River Delta enters Lake Turkana.

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Monks at the Chaukhtatgyi Monastery (Yangon, Myanmar 2013)

Myanmar is the most religious Buddhist country in the world, with somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of the population practicing Buddhism. From as young as seven years old, the boys of Myanmar train as novice monks. Growing up together in their ancient monasteries they form a brotherhood of close connections. They eat, pray, become educated, play and live together, for what will become decades as they form a new family that spans many generations.

ASTOENMyanmar2013SmugmugBurmaBurmeseDevotionFaithHeritageMonasteryMonksPortraitReligiousSimple LifeSimplicityTravelVacationYangonbuddhabuddhismspirituality

The Herengracht and Leliegracht canals at dusk (Amsterdam, Netherlands 2015)

The Herengracht canal is considered to be the most important canal in Amsterdam. In the 17th century, the richest merchants, the mayors and the most influential regents of the city resided on this canal. An address on the Herengracht canal is still considered to be prestigious. Even Amsterdam's mayor's official residence is on this canal at 502. I made this image at the intersection of Herengracht and Leliegracht canals, as the bridges were light and the colors of the sky at dusk hadn't yet faded away into the night.

ASTOENNetherlands2015Smugmug3461AmsterdamArchitectureBridge Built StructureBuilding ExteriorBuilt StructureCanalCanalsCapital CitiesColour ImageDuskHerengrachtHollandIlluminatedIncidental PeopleLens FlareLong ExposureNightOn The MoveOutdoorsReflectionSkyStreet LightStreet PhotographyTouristTravelTravel DestinationsTreeVerticalWalkingconnectionmotionphotography

The Miao girls from Basha (Guizhoiu, China 2016)

I captured this portrait of these two Miao girls in the village of Basha, located deep into mountains of southwest China's Guizhou province. The Basha is a unique and ancient subgroup of the Miao tribe. Some 2,000 men and women of this tribe still live in wooden houses, practice centuries-old customs, and hold unique beliefs. An interesting fact is that the Basha people are the only group in China allowed to carry guns (for hunting). I couldn't understand what the girls were talking about, but I think it was about boys...

Alex Stoen PhotographyBashaChinaGirlsGuizhouLeica MP Typ 240MiaoMiao PeoplePortraitSummiluxM 35mmTribesVillage

Brick Lane (London, United Kingdom 2016)

London’s Brick Lane has a fascinating history and is one of the most popular places to visit in the East End today. Brick Lane used to be a poor slum area in the past and was in the very heart of Jack the Ripper territory.

The street might have gotten its name when brick and tile manufacturers set up shop in the 15th century. The street later became a popular location for breweries. The famous brewing family, the Trumans, started their business there. Its proximity to Spitalfields saw an influx of French Huguenots when they were driven out of France, also in the 17th century. The street and the surrounding area became well known for its weaving and tailoring. Like much of the East End, this area was a haven for immigrants moving into London to escape persecution abroad or looking for a better life. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was best known for its Irish and Jewish population.

Today, the community living in and around Brick Lane is predominantly Bangladeshi. The street is a great place to go for a curry, especially if you want to try traditional and authentic cooking!

Alex Stoen PhotographyBrick LaneLeica M Typ 240LondonPaintingStreet PhotographySummiluxM 35mmTravelUnited Kingdomgraffiti

Kashi, the City of Light (Varanasi, India 2015)

Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Benaras, is the cultural capital of India. Varanasi is a melting pot, where both death and life come together. Dating to the 11th century B.C. (that’s over 3000 years!), this is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. It draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Lonely Planet describes the city as “one of the most blindingly colorful, unrelentingly chaotic and unapologetically indiscreet places on earth”. Not everyone is prepared to visit this incredible city, where the circle of life overpowers all of your senses. My local guide’s words sum it up perfectly: you don’t visit Varanasi, you live Varanasi. It was truly a life-changing experience for me.

1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBenaresCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 50mm f1.4 USMGeotaggedIndiaTravelVacationVaranasi

London Tower Bridge (London, United Kingdom 2017)

Along with Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, the Tower Bridge tops Great Britain’s list of architectural icons that make up London’s distinctive skyline. It was designed and constructed in the 1880s to handle the population explosion in London’s East End.

A fun fact not everyone knows: even though it looks like it was built of stone, the bridge's framework is made of more than 11,000 tons of steel. The granite and stone were added to the bridge’s exterior to prevent the modern structure from clashing with the nearby Tower of London and other historic architecture.

Supposedly, witnessing the Tower Bridge opening brings good luck because it's such a rare occurrence (or you can also guarantee your luck by checking the Bridge Lift Times on the official Tower Bridge website).

To make this image, I shot a series of vertical photographs which I later combined in post to form a panorama.

ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug35mmArchitectureBest destinationBirdBlueBoatBridgeCity of LondonCityscapeCloudsCrossingHistoricLondonMonumentPassagePostcardRiverSkySummerSunnyThamesThames RiverTour attractionTower BridgeTower of LondonTransportTravelUnited KingdomUrbaniconiconicperfect dayspecial momentsstory tellingtourismvisitbritain

The Queen's Walk (London, United Kingdom 2016)

London is always a prime location for street photography. This was shot on the south bank of the Thames, along the Queen's Walk, in front of the National Theatre. The big red wooden wall really caught my eye so I waited for the right moment to "happen".

Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240

Sunset over the Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon, Myanmar 2013)

The Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, as it is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas. Pilgrims, on their way up the steps of the pagoda, buy flowers, candles, coloured flags and streamers. These are placed at the stupa in a symbolic act of giving, which is an important aspect of Buddhist teaching. In November, a festival of light is held throughout the country, and on midnight, on the day of the full moon, 9999 candles are ceremoniously lit. What an amazing experience!

1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedMyanmarNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacationYangon

Naturally Sexy (Holguin, Cuba 2012)

Captured in my father-in-law's garden in Cuba, right after a tropical rainstorm had passed. Summer is usually a rainy season, but the storms don't usually last long and allow for a lot of sunny (and hot) days. Few realise how big the island actually is, with each area having its own micro-climate. My favorite thing about the rainstorms is how fresh nature smells afterwards!

ASTOEN2012smugmug80415DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyBeautyBellezaBelleza NaturalCanonCanon EOS 5D Mark IIColorsCubaDropsEF 2470mm f2.8L USMEncantosEscoteFrescuraGeotaggedGotasGreenHojasHolguinIslaIslandLluviaNaturalNatural BeautyNaturalezaNatureParaisoParaiso CubanoPlantaRainRain DropsSexySilvestreStreet PhotographyTravelVacacionesVerdeWaterWildWildernessbokehcoloridodelicadodelicateedgeexoticfacebookfotografia callejerafreshnessmacroshallow dof

The Bronze Age Tombs of Al-Ayn (Ad Dhahirah, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

Lined up dramatically atop a rocky ridge, the beehive tombs of Al-Ayn are one of Oman’s most celebrated prehistoric sites, representing one of the most complete and well-preserved ensembles of necropolises from the 3rd millennium BC worldwide. Little is known about these stone structures or the culture that constructed them. The archeologists have concluded they formed a necropolis, even though not a single human or animal bone has been recovered from the monuments... To make this image, I shot a series of vertical photographs which I later combined in post to form a panorama.

Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsOmanSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacationstock