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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.ASTOENVietnam2009smugmug95135DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyAromaticAromesAsianBurnCanonCanon 5D Mark IICollectionDepth of FieldGeotaggedHueHue CityHumoIncenseIncense BurningIndochinaIndochineLightLumiereLuzOfferingPagodaPurificationPurifyReligionSmellSmokeTempleThien MuThien Mu PagodaTraditionTraditionalTravelbokeheveryday lifeshutterstockwebh
El Guajiro de Santiago (Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 2018)
I shot this portrait of a Cuban farmer on my way back from Santiago, as he was struggling to keep his cattle from crossing the road. The setting sun was bathing the countryside in an amazing light, so I just had to jump out of the car and capture this. It never ceases to amaze me how friendly most Cubans are, being more than happy to pose as I capture their portraits.
ASTOENCuba2018Smugmug1009141Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravel
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2017)
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi 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.
Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #UAE, traveling the sands of time.ASTOEN2017Smugmug1009440Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsSheikh Zayed Grand MosqueSummiluxM 35mmTravelUAEVacation
The Mystical Fishermen of Inle (Inle Lake, Myanmar 2013)
I am saddened by the news of ethnic/religious unrest in eastern Myanmar in the past few years. I have very fond memories of my expedition there with National Geographic, where I explored its enchanting secrets. I captured this on Inle Lake, a place where sky and water meet and 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 was an absolutely enthralling experience. I truly hope to return to this remarkable land soon!
5DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanonCanon EOS 5D Mark IIGeotaggedInle LakeMyanmarNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation
Looking Up (London, United Kingdom 2017)
I started this project a couple of years ago, shortly after moving to London, titled “Looking Up”. It’s based on presenting a different point of view, finding creative compositions around the city’s modern architecture. This is still an ongoing project which I hope to complete by the end of this year.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug1001597Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
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 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?ASTOEN2017Smugmug1001032Alex Stoen PhotographyCahootsCocktail BarLeica MP Typ 240LondonSOHOSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
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.
ASTOENSpain2017Smugmug5916Alex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteCanon EOS 1DXEls EnfarinatsIbi
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!
ASTOENFrance2010Smugmug13695DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 5D Mark IIChristmas 2010Manigod
Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin (Naoshima Island, Japan 2015)
Yayoi Kusama is one of the most acclaimed Japanese artists. She is a precursor of Pop Art and influenced Andy Warhol as well as Claes Oldenburg. Her yellow pumpkin, dotted in black, has become somehow the icon of Naoshima, the Japanese island transformed in a cradle of modern and contemporary art. @travelbabbo and I braved the rain at sunset to get a few shots of the pumpkin just before darkness set in.
ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug6324500pxAlex Stoen PhotographyArtBenesse HouseCanon EOS 1DXEF 2470mm f2.8L II USMFlickrGeotaggedGoogleNGExpeditionsNaoshimaNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsSculptureTravelVacationfacebook
Misfat Al Abriyeen (Al Dhakhiyla, Sultanate of Oman 2017)
Misfat Al Abriyeen is a unique mud brick mountainous village located 1,000 m above sea level on the mountain foothills surrounding wilayat Al Hamra. The village boasts amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys, and old houses built on top of solid rocks, surely as means of providing security during the olden times.
Photo made during #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.ASTOENOman2017Smugmug1007714Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240Misfat Al AbriyeenNGExpeditionsPortraitSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacationstock
Leadenhall Market (City of London, United Kingdom 2016)
Leadenhall Market is a covered market in London, located on Gracechurch Street, standing on what was the center of Roman London. The market dates back to the 14th century and was originally a meat, game and poultry market. You can still see the hooks above some of the store windows!
The ornate roof structure, painted green, maroon and cream, and cobbled floors were designed in 1881. A few scenes of the film “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” were inspired from here to represent the area of London near “The Leaky Cauldron” and “Diagon Alley”.ASTOENUnitedKingdom2016Smugmug1005238Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
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.
ASTOEN2018Smugmug1009101Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravel
The Silk Weaver (Varanasi, India 2015)
Most weavers in Varanasi are Momin Ansari Muslims. Their craft has been passed on from father to son for generations, hand-weaving silk on room-sized foot-powered looms, making the very fashionable Banarasi silk Saree, which many Indian girls dream of wearing for their wedding day.
ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug52711DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBenaresCanonCanon EOS 1DXCultureEF 2470mm f2.8L USMGeotaggedSilk WeaverTraditionTravelVacationVaranasi
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!
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2018smugmug1006278Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
Looking Up (London, United Kingdom 2017)
I started this project a couple of years ago, shortly after moving to London, titled “Looking Up”. It’s based on presenting a different point of view, finding creative compositions around the city’s modern architecture. This is still an ongoing project which I hope to complete by the end of next year.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug1004837Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
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.
ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug1004314Alex Stoen PhotographyAutumnFallGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation
The Hunter 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 in the home of one of their elders, taking advantage of the natural light seeping through an opening in the kitchen. This young man seemed to be pretty popular with the girls!
The Angels of Regent Street (London, United Kingdom 2017)
I was really happy to see the angels return to Regent Street as part of the annual Christmas lighting, spreading their wings all along Regent Street, from Piccadilly Circus to Oxford Circus.
I made this photograph without a tripod, holding the camera steady while standing in the median. I exposed at a higher ISO and a wider aperture which allowed me to keep the shutter speed above the threshold of long exposure - thus avoiding the need to use a tripod. It's important to understand the limits of your camera in order to quickly set yourself up for a shot in challenging lighting conditions.ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug1005976Alex Stoen PhotographyAngelsChristmasChristmas lightingLeica MP Typ 240LightingLondonRegent StreetSummiluxM 35mmTaxiUnited Kingdom
Looking Up (London, United Kingdom 2017)
I started this project a couple of years ago, shortly after moving to London, titled “Looking Up”. It’s based on presenting a different point of view, finding creative compositions around the city’s modern architecture. This is still an ongoing project which I hope to complete by the end of next year.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug1005784Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
Chasing Shadows (London, United Kingdom 2016)
A couple summers ago, I took advantage of the long, rain-free days to explore the streets of London. I captured this scene while discovering the area around St. James Park. Composing around this dark staircase at the end of an alley, its steps leading up to the soft sunset light, I waited for that special shadow to appear, thus completing my mise en scène.
Ephemeral Moments (Alicante Spain (2010)
As the days get shorter, so do the number of leafs left hanging on the trees. They seem to fight an un-winnable battle against time, and nature. When the last leaf falls, winter will be upon us, repeating the yearly cycle we have grown accustomed to. With so much going on in our everyday lives, it's important to know when to take a step back, away from our modern complexities, and let nature take its course, for it has been around much longer than us.
ASTOENSpain2010Smugmug3373655DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyAloneAutumnCaerCanonCanon EOS 5D Mark IICollectionColoresColorfulColorsDeathDepth of FieldDoradaDyingEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMEsperandoFallFallingFeuilleFlickrFragileGoldenGreenHojaLeafMoriendoMuerteNatural BeautyNaturalezaNatureOtoñoPicasaPicassaProfundidad de CampoProject365RamaSeasonsSoledadSuspendidoTiempoTreeTurnoVerdeWaitingbokehbranchcoloridoestacionesfacebookhangingmaderatimeturnwoodyellow
The Tea Ceremony (Miyajima, Japan)
Not too far away from the famous torii gate of Itsukushima, I witnessed a private, traditional tea serving ceremony, also called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha, together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea. Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring all one's attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one's heart. It was a very nice experience.
Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXEF 2470mm f2.8L II USMGeotaggedGoogleJapanNGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation
Happy Diwali (London, United Kingdom 2016)
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is also the occasion for celebrations by Jains and Sikhs as well as Hindus. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps". I shot this at Trafalgar Square in London two years ago, where the local Hindu community held a massive celebration with incredible live shows and amazing food. I highly recommend the experience if you're in London in November!
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2016Smugmug1003307Alex Stoen PhotographyDiwaliEnglandFestival of LightsHinduLeica MP Typ 240LondonStreet PhotographySummiluxM 35mm
Daydreaming (Alicante, Spain 2016)
I made this creative composition of my son 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.
ASTOEN2016Smugmug1005799Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240
The Caravan (Thar Desert, India 2015)
As the sun began to rise of the Sam Dunes of the Thar Desert, the camel caravan slowly continues its journey before the scorching heat 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!ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCamelsCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 1635 f2.8 L II USMGeotaggedSam Sand DunesSunriseThar DesertTravelVacation
Peanut Winnowing (Bagan, Myanmar 2013)
On the road to Mount Popa, I came across these peanut winnowers. While Myanmar might not be the cultural home to the peanut butter sandwich, the peanut is still king here. The historical consensus is that the peanut originated in South America and went global, thanks to Spanish explorers, eventually making its way to Asia, where it still thrives. Here, it’s sprinkled on top of noodles, pounded into salads, made into soup, toasted and served as a snack, and, most of all, pressed into oil. I must have spent 20 minutes with these farmers, some standing on wooden platforms and letting the chaff blow away as they shook a basket full of dried stalks, roots and nuts to the wind. It was truly a unique experience!
ASTOEN2013Smugmug43281DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedMyanmarNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsPortraitTravelVacation
Santisima Trinidad (Alicante, Spain 2014)
The "Santisima Trinidad" was launched in 1769 in the Habana navy yard in Cuba. It was known as "Escorial" due to its magnificence and was the biggest and most armed vessel in the world. The "Santisima Trinidad" took part in a lot of decisive historical events while it was crossing the seas. The galleon was the Spanish flagship in July 1779 during the American War of Independence when Spain and France declared war against the British to support North America. The ship is also famous for its tragic end in 1805 during the Battle of Trafalgar. It sunk 25 miles off the coast of Gibraltar after a massive fight, marking the beginning of the end of Spanish power on the seas. This is a replica, built as a tourist attraction/restaurant, moored in the port of Alicante.
ASTOENSpain2014Smugmug1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DX
Hamer wifes 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
ASTOENEthiopia2014Smugmug04571DXAfricaAfricanAlex Stoen PhotographyBull JumpingCanon EOS 1DXCultureEF 1635 f2.8 L II USMGeotaggedHamerKeskeLookNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsOmo ValleyPocket WizardTraditionTravelTribesUkuli BulaVacationoff shoe flashsurprise
Autumn in Hyde Park (London, United Kingdom 2018)
Fall is now in full swing, so we decided to go to our favorite park in London: Hyde Park created by Henry VIII in the 16th century. The leaves have turned golden and have started to fall, blanketing the ground around the large trees.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2018Smugmug1000475Alex Stoen PhotographyAutumnFallHyde ParkLeica MP Typ 240LondonRoyal ParksSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
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.
ASTOENChina2016Smugmug0406Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXEF 1635mm f2.8 L II USMGeotaggedTravelVacationYangshuo
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.
ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug99931DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedJodhpurTravelVacation
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 exposure was the trickiest part of making the photo in order capture the natural light entering the ceiling lantern and its refraction from the crushed-glass paint, coating the wrought-iron central structure.ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug1005947Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
Through the streets of Lugnudum (Lyon, France 2010)
I captured this on one of my visits to the Vieux Lyon, exploring the old cobblestone medieval streets. This part of town is absolutely fascinating. Lugnudum, now Lyon, was established by the Romans in 43 B.C. and enjoyed prosperity for over 300 years as one of the most important Roman cities, behind Rome of course. In the Middle Ages, Lyon soon became the focus of political and religious power. The old quarter is really enchanting and holds many secrets, many only discoverable through the small passageways called "traboules". Looking at this pigeons fly between these old buildings, I cannot help but imagine the same scene, in the same streets, happening hundreds of years ago...
ASTOEN2010Smugmug3490ArchitectureBirdsBlue skyBuildingsFranceFreedomHistoryLibertyLooking UpLugnudumLyonPerspectivePigeonsSaint JeanSceneSkyStreetsVerticalWindowsWorld Heritage Siteconceptualflyingflying awaylinesmiddle agesmomentmotionoldold quarterpackroman cityview lyonview point
Okunoin cemetery (Mount Koya, Japan 2015)
Okunoin is Japan's largest cemetery. Stretching away to either side, the forest floor is scattered with more than 200,000 stone stupas of all shapes and sizes. Here and there you’ll also find Jizō statues and the occasional war memorial. A large number of historical characters are also buried here, among them the great general Oda Nobunaga.
ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug1003319Alex Stoen PhotographyAutumnFallFlickrGeotaggedGoogleLeica MP Typ 240Mount KoyaNGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsOkunoin cemeteryStatueSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacationcreative compositionfacebook
Autumn in Hyde Park (London, United Kingdom 2018)
Fall is now in full swing, so we decided to go to our favorite park in London: Hyde Park created by Henry VIII in the 16th century. The leaves have turned golden and have started to fall, blanketing the ground around the large trees.
ASTOEN2018Smugmug1000457Alex Stoen PhotographyAutumnFallHyde ParkLeica MP Typ 240LondonRoyal ParksSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
Walk Sprightly Like A Pigeon (London, United Kingdom 2016)
Another photo of Westminster from a walk along the Thames' Southbank last fall. The sun was still too bright for a sunset, but I couldn't resist capturing this pigeon's walk, undisturbed from everyone passing by.
This was one of those street photography situations warranting a quick reaction to capture a peculiar moment, which was only going to last a few seconds.
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The title is based on one of the secrets to longevity, according to Li Ching-Yuen, a Chinese herbalist who had claimed to have lived 256 years old.ASTOENUnitedKingdom2016Smugmug1005954ArchitectureBig BenBirdBridgeHigh KeyHouses of ParliamentLondonPastelPigeonSkySouthbankSunsetThamesUnited KingdomWalkWestminsterWestminster Bridgecitystockstreet
Hamer "Second Wife" in the Woyeto town market (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 of a Hamer "Second Wife" in the small town market of Woyeto. Her "status" is indicated by the metal rings around her neck.1DXAfricaAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMEthiopiaGeotaggedNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsOmo ValleyTravelVacation
Through the Streets of Havana (Havana, Cuba 2012)
As Tropical Storm Michael is building up to be another strong hurricane, it's already dumping up to a foot of rain in western Cuba. I think back of when I made this photograph of the Capitolio a few years ago, shortly after Tropical Storm Debby had passed. The night was calm, and street life was getting back to normal as I captured this reflection while an old classic car was passing by. The area around the Capitolio is just fascinating and full of life, day or night, from the old "maquinas" parked in front of the building to the surrounding lush parks and their amazing storytellers. It's my favorite place in the city!
ASTOEN2012SmugmugArchitectureBlue HourCarClassicCubaHavanaHistoryLa HabanaLong ExposureNightPuddleRainReflectionsTransportationTravelblurdirectionmotionmotion blurmouvementslow shutterstreettime
Oku-Iya Kazurabashi bridge over the Iya river (Iya Valley, Japan 2015)
In the past, suspension bridges made of mountain vines (kazurabashi) were one of the only ways to easily move people and goods across the river of the of the Iya Valley. History is unclear about their origins, but legends say that they were either first raised by Kobo Daishi, founder of the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism, or created by Heike refugees hiding in the area after their defeat in the Gempei War (1180-1185) as a means of quickly cutting off access to the valley. 13 bridges once spanned the valley, but only three survive today.
ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug100500pxAlex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXEF 2470mm f2.8L II USMFlickrGeotaggedGoogleNGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacationfacebook
Where the land meets the sea (Lang Co, Vietnam 2009)
Lang Co is an amazing island-like stretch of palm-shaded white sand, with a turquoise lagoon on one side and 10km of beachfront on the other. As we drove from Hue to Hoi An, this scene of a fisherman's canoe at the edge of the lagoon caught my eye. Had I not had my camera at the ready as we crossed the bridge, I would have likely missed the shot!
ASTOENVietnam2009smugmug5DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyAloneBeachBoatCalmCanonCanon 5D Mark IIChina BeachCollectionDanangEF 24105 f4 L IS USMGeotaggedHue to Hoi AnIndochinaIndochineLang Co BeachRestingSandSandySereneSolitaireSolitudeTravel
Monk at the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery (Inle Lake, Myanmar 2013)
After navigating the shallow waters of Inle Lake and documenting its mystical fishermen, I visited the teak wood monastery of Shwe Yan Pyay, where I made this photograph of a young monk peeking out of the building's distinctive oval windows. In all my travels around the World, I honestly feel Myanmar is one of the few places left where the simple pleasures of travel remain intact. I long for the opportunity to return to this remarkable land soon!
ASTOENMyanmar2013Smugmug89751DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation
The Autumnal colors of Hyde Park (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.
I made this photograph of the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park, the largest of Londonn's four Royal Parks, created by Henry VIII in the 16th century.ASTOENUnitedKingdom2016Smugmug1003936Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
Desert Rose (Arabian Desert, United Arab Emirates 2017)
I captured this portrait of Ayesha in the soft golden light as the sun rose over the sand dunes of the Arabian Desert. This is one of the largest continuous bodies of sand in the world, stretching from Iraq to Yemen, from Egypt to Oman. Dubai has created the Emirates' first national park, dedicated to conserving the natural beauty and diversity of the Arabian Desert. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is an amazing place created for the protection of those endangered species and for the conservation of the natural desert habitat and heritage.
ASTOENUnitedArabEmirates2017Smugmug3570Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedNGExpeditionsTravelUAEVacationstock
The Carpetmaker (Jodhpur, India 2015)
In the countryside south of Jodhpur, not far from the village of Nandwan, you'll find this special carpetmaking community. I photographed the couple of represented and sold the colorful handcrafted carpets. All proceeds from the sales go back to the community.
ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug01291DXAlex Stoen PhotographyArtisansCanonCanon EOS 1DXCarpetsColorfulCommunityCoupleEF 2470mm f2.8L USMFlickrFloorGeotaggedHandcraftJodhpurLocal BusinessPocket WizardRajasthanTraditionTravelVacationoff camera flashposedseller
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.
ASTOENChina2016Smugmug0266Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXEF 1635mm f2.8 L II USMGeotaggedTravelVacationYangshuo
Le Bouquet (Lyon, France 2015)
This is one of the first images I made after picking up a Leica rangefinder camera, 3 years ago. I quickly discovered I had to return to the basics of photography and start over. This whole experience allowed me to concentrate on the process of making a photo, taking my time to achieve a finer result.
ASTOENFrance2015Smugmug1001045Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mm
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 Morning Ritual (Agra, India 2015)
As the sun slowly rose above the magnificent Taj Mahal, piercing through the morning fog, a magical soft light illuminated normally unseen moments at the mosque, like this sweeper, cleaning before the massive crowds of tourists swarm this World Wonder.
ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug19821DXAgraAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedTaj MahalTravelVacation