So much left to discover

Playful Shadows (Elche, Spain 2010)

I captured this shot in the streets of Elche, in southern Spain. The town was originally settled by the Greeks and then occupied by Carthaginians and Romans. Today, the city has grown to be the largest footwear manufacturer in Spain, and in Europe. Culture has always played an important role in the city over the years, and it's now home to two large universities. In 2000, UNESCO declared the city's 200,000 palm tree orchard a World Heritage Site.

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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 took this 60-second exposure at sunset, using a 10-stop neutral density filter, along with a 0.3 soft graduated filter.

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The sacred Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Torii (Miyajima, Japan 2015)

Considered one of the top three sites in all of Japan, the Itsukushima Torii appears to float when observed at high tide, adding to the sense of place of this incredible and sacred shrine.

Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXEF 2470mm f2.8L II USMGeotaggedNGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation

West India Quay (London, United Kingdom 2017)

London has been a bit gray these days, with an occasional drizzle every now and again. I captured this on my daily commute to work, from the Docklands Light Railway at Canary Wharf as my train was passing over West India Quay. It's hard to imagine how much the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf have evolved over the past decade. A century ago, dozens of clippers would have been moored here, unloading their cargo of tea, sugar, and rum. Today, under the towering shadows of a few symbolic cranes, reminders of an older era, Canary Wharf is now home to the world's leading financial firms.

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Shades Of Autumn (London, United Kingdom 2016)

Fall is probably my favorite time of the year. The heat of the summer has passed and you can feel nature winding down. It's a moment of amazing colors and incredible sunsets, a perfect time to take long strolls through the park. I feel blessed having so many parks around me being in London. This was taken at the Isabella Plantation, a Victorian woodland garden inside Richmond Park, in south-west London.

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Hope, the new star at Hintze Hall (London, United Kingdom 2017)

A stunning 25-meter-long blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling takes centre stage in Hintze Hall, at the amazing Natural History Museum in London.

The female blue whale was named Hope by the Museum staff, as a symbol of humanity's power to shape a sustainable future. Blue whales were hunted to the brink of extinction in the twentieth century, but were also one of the first species that humans decided to save on a global scale.

Having been to the museum several times already, I knew exactly where to go as soon as the museum doors opened, and managed to get a few shots before the main hall got filled with visitors. This is a good example of a situation where HDR photography works well. I took 3 shots, one underexposed to capture the detail of the ceiling windows, a standard exposure of the blue-tone lit whale skeleton, and an overexposed shot to catch the architectural details of the main hall - this procedure is called exposure bracketing. I finally merged the 3 images in Lightroom to produce an HDR photograph.

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Portobello Road Market (London, United Kingdom 2017)

Located in London's Notting Hill neighborhood, Portobello Road hosts an incredibly interesting market, very popular with the tourists. The market began as many other London markets and sold mainly fresh-food in the 19th century; antiques and wares dealers arrived in the late 1940s and '50s, and gradually antiques have become the main attraction of this market, especially on Saturday mornings. The market seems to inherit the lively colors that make Portobello Road and Notting Hill such an interesting place to explore. This lonely leaf on an empty vendor's cart really caught my eye, adding a sense of season to my story of this colorful place.

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As the city awakens (Jaisalmer, India 2015)

Ever so slowly, the soft morning light begins to reveal the details in the narrow streets of Jaisalmer. The city gradually wakes.
Some clean the streets, others make their way to the small local market. It doesn't take me long to realize there is not a single tourist in sight... I feel it's one of those pure moments that end up leaving a mark on my soul...

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Colors of Key Afer Market (Key Afer, Ethiopia 2014)

Located deep in the Omo Valley, the village of Key Afer holds a market every Thursday, attracting tribal minorities such as the Ari, Bonna and Tsemay people who come for livestock. I was surprised to see how colorful the market was, from the local shops to the traditional clothes worn by the different tribes. Exploring Ethiopia with National Geographic Expeditions was really an eye-opener, allowing me to discover a lot about the southern minorities, and how the growing tourism industry is changing their daily lives.

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Xijiang, home of the one thousand Miao families (Guizhou, China 2016)

Located in Eastern Guizhou, the village of Xijiang is home to the largest Miao community in China. Nicknamed the village of 1000 families, its many traditional dark wooden houses have been restored to their original appearance in a bid to boost tourism.

I captured this moment at the Sightseeing Platform right before sunset. It's the best place to enjoy the panorama of Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village and where many Chinese tourists rent traditional costumes of the Miao people and get their photos taken.

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Sweet 16 (Alicante, Spain 2016)

My son is no longer a boy and is turning into a young man as he celebrates his 16th birthday today! I wish him all the best in this important year to come. I made this creative composition of Jonathan as he was sitting next to the Pasarela del Postiguet, a contemporary pedestrian bridge in Alicante, designed in a curved form and illuminated at night by internal LEDs. It makes for some very creative photography! If you're enjoying a walk along the Playa del Postiguet, below the Castillo de Santa Barbara, you cannot miss it.

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The Ballerina (Havana, Cuba 2019)

During my last trip to Havana, I was able to hook up with a well known and very talented Cuban photographer who managed to set up a ballerina shoot for me in an old colonial house. Just as I expected, it was a very fabulous experience which I will most certainly include in future trips with clients. Havana is full of amazing architecture, allowing for perfect backdrops for photo shoots.

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Evening Prayer at 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, colored 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!

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

On my trip to Cuba this year, I was finally able 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 leaves 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. To make this photo in the harsh afternoon light, I used a 0.9 Neutral Density filter, allowing me to maintain the lens aperture reasonably wide.

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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.

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Notting Hill Carnival (London, United Kingdom 2019)

Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place on the Sunday and Monday of the British summer bank holiday each year. This Carnival is the largest street festival in Europe and originated in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions. The roots of the carnival go back to the Caribbean carnivals of the early 19th century which were all about celebrating the abolition of slavery and the slave trade.

I made this photograph on the carnival's second day, which is usually more colorful, with more floats and incredible costumes! The event is so popular that it attracted a crowd of 2 million! It's an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity. With so many great photos, it was hard to pick up the best ones, but this one stood out to me because of the way it conveys the story, with all its emotions. Looking forward to next year's event!!!

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1000629Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica Q2LondonNotting Hill CarnavalTravelUnited Kingdom

Notting Hill Carnival (London, United Kingdom 2019)

Today marks the second and last day of this year's Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place on the Sunday and Monday of the British summer bank holiday each year. This Carnival is the largest street festival in Europe and originated in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions. The roots of the carnival go back to the Caribbean carnivals of the early 19th century which were all about celebrating the abolition of slavery and the slave trade. Today, the Notting Hill Carnival is huge, attracting a crowd of 2 million! It's an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity. Today's event was just crazy, with loads of great photos, but this shot stood out to me because of the way it conveys the story, with all its emotions. Looking forward to next year's event!!!

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1000666Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica Q2LondonNotting Hill CarnavalTravelUnited Kingdom

Notting Hill Carnival (London, United Kingdom 2019)

Today marks the first day of this year's Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place on the Sunday and Monday of the British summer bank holiday each year. This Carnival is the largest street festival in Europe and originated in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions. The roots of the carnival go back to the Caribbean carnivals of the early 19th century which were all about celebrating the abolition of slavery and the slave trade. Today, the Notting Hill Carnival is huge, attracting a crowd of 2 million! It's an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity. Today's event was just crazy, like a huge explosion of colors, sounds, people making this carnival one of a kind!

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1000217Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica Q2LondonNotting Hill CarnavalTravelUnited Kingdomcarnaval

Discovering The Great Wall (Mutianyu, China 2016)

Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of China and its long and vivid history, the Great Wall of China actually consists of numerous walls and fortifications, many running parallel to each other. The best-known and best-preserved section of the Great Wall was built in the 14th through 17th centuries A.D., during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). I had seen so many different photos of the wall, so I decided to add a creative element to my compositions. It was a long day of hiking, but well worth the effort as we had the wall almost to ourselves.

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Czy pijesz piwo? Do you dink beer? (Wroclaw, Poland 2019)

Beer in Poland has been brewed for well over a thousand years! Little did I know that Poland is Europe's third-largest beer producer after the UK and Germany. I made this portrait of Natalia who kindly served us a few rounds of the local beer. Before World War II, Wroclaw was actually named Breslau, a German city since the 13th century which explains the Bohemian culture I saw around the city.

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Wroclaw's historic City Hall (Wroclaw, Poland 2019)

This past week, I made a business trip to Wroclaw, my first visit to Poland. Located at the intersection of two long-existing trading routes, the Via Regia and the Amber Road, it was one of the centres of the Duchy of Poland, and briefly, in the first half of the 13th century, the centre of half of the divided Kingdom of Poland. German settlers arrived in increasing numbers after the Mongol invasion, and Wrocław eventually became part of the Kingdom of Bohemia. After the War of Austrian Succession, the Silesian region was added to Prussia, and later part of the German Empire. After World War II, Wrocław and most of Silesia were transferred to Poland. I made this panoramic shot of the city's main square and historic Town Hall by stitching 5 vertical photos taken in rapid sequence in order to reduce the ghosting effect caused by moving elements.

ASTOEN2019SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyCity HallHistoricLeica Q2PolandTravelWroclaw

Colorful Old Havana (Havana Cuba, 2019)

Havana was founded by the Spanish 500 years ago in 1519, in the natural harbor of the Bay of Havana. It became a stopping point for the treasure-laden Spanish galleons on the crossing between the New World and the Old World. As I walk through the narrow streets of Old Havana, time seems to stop, or crawl... Many buildings have fallen into ruin in the latter half of the 20th century, but it's nice to see that a growing number are being restored. I composed this photograph as the sun was setting and people were hurrying home, not paying much attention to a tourist taking photos of old cars. The colors in this scene really struck me so I tried to frame my shot around them. The lady passing in front wasn't just pure luck. As I framed the photo, I saw here coming in the corner of my eye, and simply waiting for her to step into the frame to complete the shot. She may have felt guilty for stepping in front of my shot, but I was grateful she did!

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Vilnius Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislaus (Vilnius, Lithuania 2019)

The Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius is the most important Catholic building in Lithuania. It is situated in Vilnius Old Town, just off of Cathedral Square. Dedicated to Saints Stanislaus and Ladislaus, the church is the heart of Catholic spiritual life in Lithuania.
There are a lot of stories and legends when this Basilica was constructed.
Some state that it was built by the great King Mindaugas in the 13th century. Other legends are telling that the Cathedral is standing in the ancient pagans sanctum, where Thunder God Perkūnas was worshiped. When king Mindaugas was baptized, he ordered the Basilica to be built in this location to show his loyalty to Christianity. Some say that after Mindaugas death, the Cathedral was turned into a pagans sanctum again.
St. John Paul II started his historic visit to Lithuania with a prayer at the Vilnius Cathedral Basilica, which he called “the beating heart of the Lithuanian nation”.

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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...

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The Tree of Clouds (New Mexico, USA 2019)

Along our 5 hour drive from Colorado to Santa Fe, I spotted this lonely tree along side 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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El Santuario de Chimayó (New Mexico, USA 2019

The El Santuario de Chimayo is considered the most important pilgrimage site in the United States. Its popularity owes to the curative powers of the “Tierra Bendita” or “holy dirt” found in a small hole in a precept off the main altar. For nearly 200 years, the dirt is believed by many to have miraculous healing powers over a wide variety of ailments and afflictions.

As the legend goes, in 1810, a member of the local Penitente order was performing his rites when he saw a light emanating from a hillside near the Santa Cruz river. As he approached the light, he was surprised to discover that it was originating from beneath the ground. He started to dig, and found a rather large crucifix bearing a black Christ. He left the Christo sticking out of the ground, and ran back to get his brothers, so they could perform the appropriate benedictions.

The crucifix, known as “Nuestro de Senor de Esquipulas” or the “Black Christ of Esquipulas,” was instantly considered highly sacred and was brought to the nearby church at Santa Cruz in a ceremonial procession and placed in the high altar. The next day, the Christo was gone, and was eventually found in the hole where it came from. This happened three times before the priests, weary of making the procession from Chimayo to Santa Cruz, decided to build a small chapel over the hole where the crucifix was found. Almost immediately, the dirt from the hole started to effect miraculous healing cures.

The story of how a crucifix from Esquipulas, a small town in Guatemala, came to be buried in a remote location in the New Mexico wilderness, was a mystery until someone discovered documents from the Diocese in Durango that tell the story of a Guatemalan priest who had come with the first settlers of Chimayo. The priest from Esquipulas preached to the local Indians and carried around a large crucifix. The Indians rebelled and killed the priest, and he was buried by the settlers, who used the crucifix to mark his grave. In 1810, the Santa Cruz river flooded, and the crucifix and body of the priest were uncovered. Those who remembered the priest exclaimed “That is the padre from Esquipulas!” and that is how the Christo’s origins were known. Interestingly, Esquipulas is also a holy pilgrimage site known for it’s clay which is said to have curative powers, and the site where the crucifix was found was already considered sacred by the Tewa Indians long before the Spanish even arrived.

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1030516Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica Q2New MexicoSanctuario de ChimayoTravelUSA

Hiking up Cheyenne Cañon (Colorado Springs, USA 2019)

The hiking trails in Cheyenne Cañon have become our famiy's favorite spot to get some excersise, located only a few minutes drive from the house. The views from the top of the trail are spectacular! I made this panoramic composite by merging 5 vertical photos straight from Lightroom.

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Pueblo de Taos (New Mexico, USA 2019)

Located just north of the modern city of Taos, New Mexico, Pueblo de Taos is an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos-speaking (Tiwa) Native American tribe of Puebloan people. The pueblos are considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. The Taos community is known for being one of the most private, secretive, and conservative pueblos. Natives will almost never speak of their religious customs to outsiders, and because their language has never been written down, much of the culture remains unknown to the rest of the world.

As I approached the pueblo, I couldn't help but imagine how the first Spanish visitors may have felt when they originally arrived in 1540 as part of the Francisco Vásquez de Coronado expedition, in search of the rumored Seven Cities of Gold... Throughout the 1600s, cultural tensions grew between the native populations of the Southwest and the increasing Spanish colonial presence, culminating in the killing of the priest and the destruction of the church. Later, during the Mexican–American War of 1847, a force of Mexicans and Taos killed the local governor and marched on Santa Fe. The revolt was suppressed after the rebels took refuge in San Geronimo Mission Church. The American troops bombarded the church, killing or capturing the insurrectionists and destroying the physical structure, the ruins of which can still be seen today in the pueblo's cemetery.

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1030439Alex Stoen PhotographyColoradoLeica Q2TravelUSA

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 am 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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Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kyoto, Japan 2015)

Many visit Japan in spring to witness the famous cherry blossoms, but fall can be just as interesting if not more. Here is Kinkaku-ji, officially named Rokuon-ji, but also known as the Golden Pavilion. It is regarded as one of the most popular Zen Buddhist temples in Japan. According to the religious records, the three-story building holds relics of the Buddha (Buddha's Ashes).

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Wadi Aday (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

Tucked away between the mountains outside Muscat, Wadi Aday is the largest dry riverbed in the area. I captured this posed portrait of Zahra in an abandoned house, alongside the wadi. I wonder how much daily life has changed since the original owners used to live between these mud brick walls.

Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.

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The Popa Taungkalat shrine (Mount Popa, Myanmar 2013)

Fifty kilometers southeast of Bagan in Central Myanmar at the base of Mt Popa (meaning “flower” in Sanskrit) is a solitary peak topped by gold stupas. The Popa Taungkalat shrine is the favored home of 37 Mahagiri Nats or animist spirit entities, statues of which can be found at its base. These spirits were once so important to the country's early Kings that it was essential for them to consult the Nats before commencing their reign.

To reach the top, you need to remove shoes and socks and climb the 777 steps to the summit. Along the way are a multitude of monkeys expecting treats. Sometimes they can get a little aggressive so it's recommended that you keep a tight grip on your possessions!

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The sound of dusk approaching (Alicante, Spain 2011)

I shot this while working on a yearlong photo-a-day project which also coincided with a lot of changes in my personal life, reflecting on the important things, and setting new goals. There's nothing more helpful then taking time to walk the countryside and surrounding yourself with nature, in order to listen to your soul.

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Confusion (City of London, United Kingdom 2017)

Working right next to City of London's Barbican complex, is such a treat!!! The area is a prominent example of 1970s British brutalist architecture, redeveloping an area devasted by WWII bombings. The concrete estate consists of several tower blocks, terraces, grouped around a lake and green squares. Today, the estate also hosts The Barbican Centre, the largest performing arts center of its kind in Europe. Every day, as I commute between the concrete buildings, I never cease to be amazed by photographic opportunities and creative compositions offered by this type of architecture!

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Colorful Giggles (Guizhou, China 2016)

I can't believe it's already been 3 years since my trip to discover the ethnic tribes of southern China... While travelling to Rongjiang, I stumbled upon this large group of school kids wearing the local traditional dress on their way to a cultural ceremony. These impromptu opportunities to connect with the locals are usually the ones to be cherished the most!

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Sunrise over Ha Long Bay (Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam 2009)

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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The Oude Kerk (Amsterdam, Netherlands 2019)

The Oude Kerk (meaning Old Church) is Amsterdam’s oldest building and oldest parish church, founded circa 1213 and consecrated in 1306 by the bishop of Utrecht with Saint Nicolas as its patron saint. After the Reformation in 1578 it became a Calvinist church, which it remains today. It stands in De Wallen, now Amsterdam's main red-light district.

I made this composition from the Oudekerks bridge, looking down the canal towards the Grand Catholic church of Saint Nicolas which lays close to the Centraal Station.

Spring is my favorite time of the year to visit Amsterdam!

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Los Caballos del Vino (Caravaza de la Cruz, Spain 2014)

The history of this unique fiesta is absolutely fascinating and is all about the extraordinary story of the True Cross, in Spanish the ‘Vera Cruz’. This fragment of wood is said to have been part of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified and it has protected the city since the 13th century. The presence of the True Cross in Caravaca is the reason for its status as a Holy City, one of only 5 in the world, on par with Rome and Jerusalem.
The legend dates back to the days of the Knights Templar, who came to the aid of the townspeople. The invading Moorish army had cunningly poisoned the water supply, which flowed into the besieged town, and many people were dying of thirst, as they couldn’t drink the poisoned water. The only liquid that could be found to drink was wine. So the brave knights tied flagons of wine to their horses and ran with them up the hill before the Moorish armies realised what was happening, bringing the precious liquid to the townspeople. The Vera Cruz was bathed in the wine and miraculously the sick and wounded were healed...

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Playa de Campello (Alicante, Spain 2019)

I was in Alicante for Easter weekend, but the weather did not play nice... it actually rained pretty much every day! I managed to get out on our last day and captured this scene while walking on the boardwalk in El Campello.

Deciding on a minimalist approach, I used the negative space to fill the frame, then carefully composed around the lonely silhouette, keeping the storm-battered palm trees inside the frame to add a sense of scale and depth to the image.

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1003771Alex Stoen PhotographyBeachCampelloLeica MP Typ 240MinimalismSandSummiluxM 35mm

Lambeth Bridge (London, United Kingdom 2019)

Built on the site of an old horse ferry crossing, Lambeth Bridge opened as toll bridge in 1862. After the Thames floods of 1928, it had to be rebuilt into the five-span steel arched design it maintains today.

The most conspicuous colour in the bridge's paint scheme is red, the same colour as the leather benches in the House of Lords, which is at the southern end of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge. This is in contrast to Westminster Bridge, which is predominantly green, the same colour as the benches in the House of Commons at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament.

I composed this photograph right before sunset while taking a walk around the Houses of Parliament, choosing a relatively closed aperture to accentuate the starburst of the sun setting in the background.

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1001103Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom

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.

ASTOENVietnam2009smugmug7496AgricultureCanonCanon 5D Mark IICollectionColoresColorsEF 24105 f4 L IS USMFieldsFlickrGeotaggedGirlIndochinaIndochineLao Cai to Muong HumPortraitTravelWater Buffaloanimalchildhoodeveryday lifelifemorningredrojorougewebh

Street Seller in Mayfair (London, UK 2016)

London is a prime location for street photography. I shot this while exploring the streets of Mayfair, a few blocks away from the enchanting Shepherds Market neighbourhood.

ASTOEN2016Smugmug1006120Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mm

St Dunstan-in-the-East (City of London, United Kingdom 2017)

This is one of my favorite hidden gardens in London. It's located inside the ruins of an old church, in the middle of the City of London. Originally built in about 1100, it was severely damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666, patched up, then rebuilt in 1817 only to be almost completely destroyed in the Blitz of 1941. Only the church's tower and steeple survived the bombs' impact. Of the rest of the church, only the north and south walls remained. Following the war, it was decided not to rebuild St Dunstan's, and in 1967 the City of London Corporation decided to turn the ruins of the church into a public garden, which opened in 1971.

ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdomvisitbritain

Sustainable Transportation (Bayamo, Cuba 2019)

During much of the 16th century, Bayamo was one of Cuba's most important agricultural and commercial settlements of the island. Although the city was nearly destroyed during the Spanish-Americain War when the local residents prefered to burn themselves with the town instead of surrendering to the Spanish forces (Cuba's national anthem "La Bayamesa" is inspired from this).

Today Bayamo is an under-recognized world leader in sustainable transportation. Per a UN study, only 15% of commuters rely on motorized transport almost three times as many rely on the more than 500 licensed horse-drawn carriages generally following fixed routes. The rest of the non-pedestrian traffic is bicycle and bicycle-taxi.

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1003119Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaHolguinLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravel

Tulip Heaven (Keukenhof, Netherlands 2015)

Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is considered the world's most beautiful spring gardens with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths filling over 32 hectares with incredible colors. Timing your visit is a must if you are going to avoid the big crowds!

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Ribeira da Naus (Lisbon, Portugal 2019)

Last month I spent a weekend in Lisbon's old quarter. It wasn't my first visit to the Portuguese capital, but it was amazing to see how much the city had changed since I was last there, almost 40 years ago. I shot this at the Ribeira da Naus, an old Navy boatyard by the popular Cais das Colunas and Praça do Comércio overlooking the Tagus river.

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1001355Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LisbonPortugalSummiluxM 35mmTravel

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

I shot this portrait of Sarah in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Being the only mosque open to non-Muslims means it's very touristy so arriving early and beating the crowds was key in getting the right portraits in this amazing place. It's one of the most beautiful and extravagant modern mosques in the world featuring an amazing blend of Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles, and it also hosts one of the world’s largest handmade Persian rugs as well as one of the world’s biggest chandeliers, with 600,000 shining bright Swarovski crystals!

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The Smoke Break (London, United Kingdom 2016)

London is always a prime location for street photography. I captured this in Chinatown, by Leicester Square. I first noticed the chef smoking, his pose, the green background, then the yellow lanterns. My mind raced to process these elements as I brought the viewfinder up to my eye.

ASTOENUnitedKingdom2016Smugmug1004257Alex Stoen PhotographyChinatownLeica MP Typ 240LondonStreet PhotographySummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom