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Tango on the steps of the Trocadéro (Paris, France 2014)
As long as the weather is good, tango enthusiasts gather on the steps of the Trocadéro overlooking the Tour Eiffel, to dance seductively until twilight. Paris is such a fun place to visit, specially in the late spring/ealy summer. Don't do too much during the day, or you'll miss out on the incredibly nightlife!
The Garden of Europe (Lisse, 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!
ASTOENHolland2015Smugmug3112AmsterdamBeautifulBeautyBloomBlossomBrightCanonColorColorfulCuteFieldFlowerFlowersGardenGreenKeukenhofKeulenhofLandscapeNaturalNatureNetherlandsPetalPlantSpringSunnyTravelTulipsViewWhitebackgroundjardinlovelypinkredseasontulip
The Land of the Rising Sun (Naoshima Island, Japan 2015)
Naoshima Island is home to the Benesse Art Site. Based on the concept of coexistence among nature, architecture, and art, the complex, intended to blend increasingly into the natural environment of Setonaikai National Park as the years go by, was entirely designed by Tadao Ando. Contemporary art is displayed not only within the museum galleries, but also in all parts of the buildings and surrounding area. It is a place where people can explore art, nature, architecture, and their own thoughts in a multi-layered and synergistic fashion. Fortunate guests can stay overnight, and take their artistic immersion to a whole different level! I captured my first Japanese sunrise from the terrace, which seemed to extend all the way to the horizon.
ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug500pxAlex Stoen PhotographyArchitectureArtBenesse HouseCanon EOS 1DXChairsCoupleDeckEF 2470mm f2.8L II USMFlickrGeotaggedGoldenGoogleHorizonKagawaMuseumNGExpeditionsNaoshima IslandNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsPairProfilePunto de FugaSetSilhouetteSunriseTerraceTravelVacationVanishing Pointcreative compositionfacebookinfinitylines
Portrait In the Blue City (Jodhpur, India 2015)
As the Blue City of Jodhpur awakens, its residents begin their daily routine. This is the best time to wander around without attracting too much attention. While exploring the old quarter, close to the Mehrangarh Fort, I made a portrait of this woman who really caught my attention with her colorful sari, but even more so the strength she seemed to express under her calm gaze.
ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug9429Alex Stoen PhotographyBlue CityCanon EOS 1DXGazeGeotaggedJodhpurPortraitRajasthanTravelVacationincredibleindia
The Unfinished Mingun Pagoda (Mandalay, Myanmar 2013)
A local Burmese woman stands by the southern entrance to the Mingun pagoda, cracked during an earthquake in 1839. It was built to house a relic of the Buddha, the brick structure was originally intended to be over 150 meters tall, but a series of factors impeded its completion such as technological challenges associated with such a large project, insufficient labor, because many of the slaves brought over for the construction project escaped, and probably most importantly, a prophecy went around in the Kingdom saying that once the pagoda was finished, the Kingdom would come to an end. I sure this may have led to a deliberate slowdown of the project!
When the King died in 1819 the project was indefinitely stopped and none of his successors resumed work on it. In front of the pagoda facing the river are the remains of two giant Chinthe lions about 29 meters high, guarding the temple… I can't help but wonder how impressive the finished project would have looked like if it had been completed…ASTOENMyanmar2013smugmugBurmaGeotaggedGoogleHorizontalMandalayMandalyNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation
Dassanech Tribal Dance (Omorate, Ethiopia 2014)
The Omo Valley, situated in Africa’s Great Rift, is home to an estimated 200,000 indigenous peoples who have lived there for millennia. The Dassanech (meaning ‘People from the Delta”) inhabit the southernmost region of the valley, where the Omo River Delta enters Lake Turkana.
To reach the village, I had to cross the Omo river in a dugout canoe, so I travelled light, with 2 camera bodies - one with a telephoto-zoom lens and the other wide-angle. With so much dust, the last thing you want to do is to change lenses on the camera and expose your sensor!1DXAfricaAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXDasenechEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMEthiopiaGeotaggedNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsOmo ValleyOmorateTravelTribesVacation
Waterloo Bridge Book Market (London, United Kingdom 2017)
Tucked under Waterloo Bridge on Queen's Walk is one of London's best kept secrets: one of the only outdoor secondhand and antique book markets in southern England. Open daily, rain or shine, many locals come to browse through the hundreds of classics and contemporary titles, comics, maps and prints. My favorite time go is right before sunset, when the sun is low and the light reaches under the bridge illuminating the many rows and stacks of books.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug1009899BooksBridgeCoverCultureDestinationHiddenLiteratureLondonQueen's WalkReadingSaleSecretsTravelUnited KingdomWaterloo Bridgebook marketbrowsediscoverholidaylocallocal secretmarketmomentsecondhandsellstreettitlestucked awaywonder
La Maquina del 53 (Gibara, Cuba 2012)
The first impression you get when you land in Cuba, is that time froze decades ago, from the old classic cars to the decaying colonial architecture, but thanks to the resilience of its people, life goes on. Yank tank or máquina are the words used to describe the many classic cars present in Cuba with an estimated 60,000 of them still driving the roads today. I captured this beauty in the small fishing village of Gibara, on the eastern side of the island.
ASTOENCuba2012Smugmug7215ClassicGibaraHorizontalMaquinaTravelframedold
Solitude (Cancale, France 2015)
We've now been staying at home for a full week. In these are very challenging times, I hope everyone is keeping safe! While we all maintain social distancing, fundamental to get through this pandemic, I urge we all stay in touch with our friends and loved ones. I often find myself daydreaming of better days, such as a summer spent in Brittany a few years ago, where we fell in love with the small town of Cancale, on the northern French coast, not too far from the Saint-Malo. I captured this in the Port de la Houle, incredibly famous for its oysters. Every morning, we would grab a fresh dozen to enjoy in the evening with a glass of Rosé. Keep safe everyone, #stayathome #quedateencasa!
Alex Stoen PhotographyBlueBoatBretagneCancaleFranceLeica MP Typ 240OceanTravelVacationWaterWaves
The Camel Caravan (Arabian Desert, United Arab Emirates 2017)
While exploring the Arabian Desert outside the @AlMaha_Resort, I came across this camel caravan traveling back to camp. I jumped out of the Land Cruiser and raced to the front of the caravan to compose against the setting sun. This is the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), UAE’s first national park. It's a protected environment for the last of the desert wildernesses, setup to preserve its unique and beautiful desert habitat, and the many threatened flora and fauna species within. If you ever travel to Dubai, I highly recommend checking out this amazing initiative.
Alex Stoen PhotographyArabian DesertBest destinationCamel CaravanCamelsDesertDubai Desert Conservation ReserveEmiratesGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240Middle EastNGExpeditionsNational ParkSilhouetteSummiluxM 35mmTravelUAEVacationcaravancreative compositionspecial moments
Cañada de la Leña (Murcia, Spain 2012)
While I lived in Spain, I loved to explore the small rural villages. I captured this scene in Cañada de la Leña, a tiny village with a population of 138. The name most certainly refers to the grapevines that have been surrounding the village for centuries. During the summer, the temperature in this region of Spain has been known to reach 45ºC - the shade from this tree must have provided some relief!
ASTOENSpain2012Smugmug6236AbandonedChairsCountrysideDesertedDoorMurciaPuebloReliefRestRural LifeShadeTravelTreeVillageWalldecaygrapevinesmain streetoldrural scenesmall
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.
ASTOEN2016Smugmug1002934Alex Stoen PhotographyChinaGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravelVacationYangshuo
Le champs des coquelicots (Vercoiran, France 2019)
Last year, I returned to the small Provençal village where I spent so many years of my childhood. Roaming through the surrounding fields and seeing familiar details brought back a sense of nostalgia, yet accompanied by a renewed appreciation for the natural beauty of the smallest things, so often overlooked in our daily bustling lives.
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.
1DX500pxAlex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXFlickrGeotaggedGoogleInle LakeMyanmarNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacationfacebooksmugmug
La Cumpleañera (Daxu, China 2016)
A huge Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, my partner in crime, my muse, my best friend! As the years go by, you are just as gorgeous as the first day we met!
I hope all your wishes come true!ASTOENChina2016Smugmug1004057Alex Stoen PhotographyDaxuGeotaggedIsisLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation
The Children of Jinka (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)
In 2014, I visited OMO CHILD, a home that cares for Mingi (cursed) children abandoned/sentenced to death by their tribes. The practice is slowly disappearing thanks to efforts like OMO CHILD. I had a chance to see the school in Jinka, where local and Mingi children were educated together…what an incredible experience. I came across this beautiful girl on her way home after school.
For more information on Mingi children and the ongoing efforts to protect them, I recommend you have a look at http://omochild.org/.ASTOENEthiopia2014Smugmug1DXAfricaAlex Stoen PhotographyAspirationCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMFaces of AbyssiniaFlickrGeotaggedGirlGoogleJinkaNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsOmo ValleySchoolTravelVacationfacebookinnocence
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.
The key elements seemed to come together, the light, the tide, the sky, the clouds... I managed to pull a 30 second exposure at mid-day using a 10-stop neutral density filter, along with a 0.3 soft graduated filter, smoothing out the water and capturing the slight movement of the clouds.ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug6773AmazingAsiaBest destinationBreathtakingCloudsDevotionGateIslandItsukushima Shinto Shrine ToriiLong ExposureLuckMiyajimaMiyajima IslandMomemtPeacePerfectionReligionSacredSeaSense of PlaceShintoShrineSkyToriiTranquilityTravelVacationWaterblurcreative compositioniconicspecial moments
Fountain of Life (Rajasthan, India 2015)
Deserts are known to be inhospitable, yet they also hold unimaginable colors. Few realize that the Thar Desert is the most densely populated desert in the world, home to over 40% of Rajasthan's population.
I captured this shot close to the India-Pakistan border, after attending the annual Desert Festival and Camel show, held in Jaisalmer.ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug84231DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMGeotaggedSunsetThar DesertTravelVacation
A view of the Leliegracht Bridge on the Keisersgracht Canal (Amsterdam, Holland 2015)
Located at the intersection of the Keizersgracht and Leliegracht canals is Keizersgracht 174, the headquarters of the Eerste Hollandsche Levensverzekerings Bank Insurance Company. Built between 1904 and 1905 in the Art Nouveau style of architecture, it gained national monument status in 2001. It was one of the first office towers in the Netherlands. It also served as the international headquarters of Greenpeace for 15 years.
In order to capture the fading light and minimize the noise on the sensor from a higher ISO, I set my camera on a tripod and exposed for 15 seconds at a medium aperture (f/8) allowing most of the scene to remain in focus.1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyAmsterdamCanalsCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 1635 f2.8 L II USMHollandStreet PhotographyTravel
Soupe à l'oignon (Paris, France 2014)
The iconic hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre in Paris has been home to many artists over the years, including Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh to name a few, not many can afford to live there anymore these days.
I captured this candid photograph in the streets below the famous Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, where the best way to discover these historic and interesting neighborhoods, is to just get lost in the maze of its steep and cobbled streets.ASTOEN2014Smugmug65661DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMFlickrFranceGoogleMontmartreParisSpringStreet PhotographyTravelWeekend in Parisfacebookholidaytourismvacacion
Spiritual Moments at the Shinbinthalyaung reclining Buddha (Bagan, Myanmar 2013)
Burma is a land full of mystical places, legends and myths that have been shaping the culture for hundreds of years. In the dusty plain of Bagan, home to thousands of pagodas built over the last thousand years, I came across this scene of two novice monks meditating at reclining Buddha of Shinbinthalyaung. It was a truly captivating moment, full of peace and tranquillity, free of worries or burden. I was really amazed how long that feeling stuck with me, even after I returned to my daily office routine. I can hardly wait to return to the enchanted land of Myanmar, hopefully in the next few years.
Have you had a similar experience somewhere special?ASTOENMyanmar2013smugmugBaganBurmaGeotaggedGoogleNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsPortraitTravelVacationVertical
La Epoca (Holguin, Cuba 2018)
Founded as San Isidoro de Holguín in 1545, the city was named after its founder Captain García Holguín, a Spanish military officer. Holguin is now the third largest city in Cuba and renown for its city parks and squares. I composed this scene of two classic "maquinas" at Parque Calixto Garcia, in front of the old department store called La Epoca, which made for the perfect backdrop for this beautiful 1952 Chevy Bel Air.
Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaDestinationHolguinLeica MP Typ 240MomentsStoriesSummiluxM 35mmTravel
The Path to Freedom (Cancale, France 2015)
Summer in Brittany a few years ago was just amazing. As we endure what seems like an endless winter in London, I think back to the days we spent in the small town of Cancale, on the northern coast of Brittany, not too far from the Saint-Malo. I captured this in the Port de la Houle, incredibly famous for its oysters. We would grab a fresh dozen every morning to enjoy in the evening with a glass of Rosé.
Alex Stoen PhotographyCancaleCoolFranceFreedomLeica MP Typ 240OceanOpenPierSeaSolitudeSummiluxM 35mmWalkWoman
Birthday Man! (London, United Kingdom 2020)
My son turns 23 today! I can't believe how fast he's grown into the man he is today. Growing is not always easy, but you've overcome the many challenges thrown at you. Stay strong, chin up, be proud of who you are and always remember you can count on my support! Love you kiddo!
ASTOEN2020SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyLeica Q2LondonTravelUnited Kingdom
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.Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240Misfat Al AbriyeenNGExpeditionsOmanPortraitSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacationstock
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.
ASTOENUnitedArabEmirates2017Smugmug2731Abu DhabiAl Ain PalaceGeotaggedHorizontalNGExpeditionsTravelUAEVacation
The Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge (Guangxi, China 2016)
Built in 1916 to provide shelter during inclement weather, the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge spans the China's Linxi River at Sanjiang. Surprisingly, the Dong builders of this bridge did not use any nails or rivets. Instead, the talented Dong people used many dove-tailed pieces of wood. Though a century old, it’s still very sturdy and in the right light, it even looks like a brilliant rainbow crossing over the river. I captured this moment at sunset, when the golden light was reflecting on the rice paddies below the village, creating a truly magical scene.
ASTOENChina2016Smugmug1001028Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXChengyang Wind and Rain BridgeDongGeotaggedGuangxiLeica MP Typ 240SanjiangSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation
Dia de Playa (El Campello, Spain 2018)
Are you as anxious as I am for winter to be over? I made this creative composition from the boardwalk of El Campello, a fishing town on the Mediterranean Costa Blanca.
Deciding on a minimalist approach, I used the negative space to fill the frame, then carefully composed around the different lines, focusing on the repeated elements, and then waited for someone to walk on the water's edge to add a sense of scale and depth to the image.ASTOEN2018Smugmug1006558Alex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteBeachCosta BlancaDestinationEl CampelloHorizonLeica MP Typ 240SpainSummiluxM 35mmTravel
The Yellow Sari (Agra, India 2015)
As the sun slowly set over the Agra’s Red Fort, a local woman in a yellow sari observed from riverbank facing the Taj Mahal. I was amazed to find out that saris can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, which flourished during 2800–1800 BC. Another interesting fact is that there are more than 80 recorded ways to wear a sari. The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with the loose end of the drape to be worn over the shoulder, baring the midriff.
ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug20771DXAgraAlex Stoen PhotographyBeautyCanonCanon EOS 1DXCountrysideEF 70200mm f2.8 L IS USMEleganceGeotaggedPortraitSunsetTaj MahalTravelVacationWomanYellow Sarioff camera flash
A leasurely stroll through Ritsurin Garden (Takamatsu, Japan 2015)
Designed in the 17th century, the Ritsurin Garden is one of the largest parks in Japan and is unrivaled for its exquisite and historic pine trees. There is a lovely cluster of about seventy maple trees whose gold and red colors create a truly majestic atmosphere.
ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug6239Alex Stoen PhotographyBridgeCanon EOS 1DXEF 2470mm f2.8L II USMFall ColoursGeotaggedGoogleModelNGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsPocket WizardRitsurin GardenTakamatsuTravelVacationfacebookkimonored
Brixton's Magic (London, United Kingdom 2017)
Brixton is such an amazing place. Located in South London, it’s eclectic and mildly chaotic and possibly the only place in the capital where you’ll find a church with a tapas bar in its crypt! I captured this in POP Brixton, an independent shipping container village overflowing with street food stalls, restaurants, bars, shops & events. I was on my way out when I noticed the magical light coming through the plastic meat locker curtains allowing for some amazing silhouetted shots.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017Smugmug1009669Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdomvisitbritain
Muttrah Fish Souq (Muscat, Oman 2017)
Last day in Muscat. Before leaving the country's capital, we stopped at the Muttrah Fish Souq close to the fishing port. As I wandered around, a local pointed me to the pier, where the wish was usually offloaded from the small boats. Sure enough, I came across this group of fisherman who was removing today's catches from the net. It was a moment I would most definitely have missed had I not decided to check out the backstage of the Muttrah Fish Souq.
Photo made during #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.ASTOENOman2017Smugmug1007121Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation
Xijiang, home of the one thousand 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, it’s many traditional dark wooden houses have been restored to their original appearance in a bid to boost tourism. As the sun set over the main square, the faint sound of music caught my ear. I eventually came across the three colourful singers who agreed to pose for a quick portrait.
Alex Stoen PhotographyChinaGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation
Pasarela del Postiguet (Alicante, Spain 2014)
The Pasarela del Postiguet is a pedestrian bridge in Alicante, that has a curved form and is 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.
1DX500pxAlex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteCanonCanon EOS 1DXComposition ExercisesEF 1635 f2.8 L II USMEjercicios de ComposicionFlickrGeotaggedGoogleNightNochePaseo MaritimoPathPlaya del PostiguetSpainStreet Photographycreative compositionfacebookred shoessmugmug
Desert Rose (Arabian Desert, United Arab Emirates 2017)
I captured this portrait of beautiful 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. I stand in 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.
Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsSummiluxM 35mmTravelUAEVacation
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!
ASTOEN2017Smugmug1005489Alex Stoen PhotographyArchitectureConcreteCurvesLeica MP Typ 240LondonRepetitionShadowsStaircaseStepsSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdomcreative compositionlinesredstreet
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
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.
ASTOENCuba2018Smugmug1009101Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravel
Bete Giyorgis (Lalibela, Ethiopia 2014)
The Church of St. George is one of eleven monolithic churches in Lalibela in northern Ethiopia. The church was carved from solid rock in the shape of a cross. It's among the best known and last built of the eleven churches in the area. Lalibela, King of Ethiopia, sought to recreate Jerusalem and structured the churches' landscape and religious sites in such a way as to achieve such a feat. The churches are clustered in two major groups, one representing the earthly Jerusalem, and the other representing the heavenly Jerusalem. Located directly between them is a trench representing the River Jordan.
I timed my visit to coincide with Meskel, The Finding of the True Cross festival in late September. This portrait is of one of the festival pilgrims, posing in front of Bete Giyorgis.ASTOENEthiopia2014Smugmug1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedLalibelaNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation
Happy Year for the Rat! (London, United Kingdom 2017)
The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 blocks (or houses) just like its western counterpart, but with the major difference being that each house has a time-length of one year instead of one month. This year, it's the Year of the Rat, the first of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first. In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children.
Alex Stoen PhotographyChinatownLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited KingdomYearoftheroosterchinesenewyear
Sunset over Zhaoxing (Guizhou, China 2016)
Zhaoxing is a pretty Dong minority town nestled in a valley a long way away from anywhere. It's full of old wooden buildings, wind and rain bridges, and drum towers, and surrounded by beautiful scenery. It's had its share of government sponsored "Chinese Minority Village" makeover, but still remains pretty authentic.
I captured this portrait of a Dong worker as he was heading home. right around sunset. I could tell he was drained of energy from his long day at work, which contrasted with that of the kids running and playing in the background. Visiting Zhaoxing was one of my favorite moments along my route to discover the ethnic minorities from southern China.ASTOENChina2016Smugmug1000421Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmZhaoxing
The dome of Santa Ana's church (Sella, Spain 2014)
The church of Santa Ana in Sella dates back to the 15th century. This small picturesque town in the mountains close to Spanish Costa Blanca was founded by the Moors over 1000 years ago. The structure of the small streets and some buildings still show the Arab influence. After the Reconquista, the Moorish population that lived in Sella for centuries was expulsed and Sella became inhabited by Mallorcans. The village is pretty isolated in the mountains but well worth the visit (they also cook an amazing paella!).
ASTOENSpain2014Smugmug5607ArchitectureChurchCloudsCosta BlancaCoverDestinationIglesia de Santa AnaMediterraneanMinimalismMountain townPeculiarPostcardProtectionRoofRooftopRuralSellaSingularSkySpanish ArchitectureStreet PhotographySummerTilesTravelVerticalVillageWarmcontrastcreative compositioncurveddomeisolatedoldold architecturepicturesquestocktourismvisit
The Shifting Sands (Arabian Desert, United Arab Emirates 2017)
After abandoning the mountains of Oman and trekking through the oasis of Al Ain, the final leg of my Arabian journey took me through the shifting sands of the Arabian Desert, majestic and beautiful.
As the sun disappeared behind the horizon, I can't help but be memorized by the soft curving dunes, caressed only by the warm wind. Only as the shadows grow between the dunes can you truly appreciate the beauty of the desert.ASTOEN2017Smugmug2926AbandonedAloneArabiaArabian DesertBeautifulBreathtakingCurvesDesertDesert SafariDesertedDubaiEmiratesHorizontalMomentsSandSand dunesSexyShadowsSoftSolitudeSunsetTravelUAEUnited Arab EmiratesVacationWarmWindattractivecaressedcopy spacecreative compositionholidaylostsafarispecial momentssustainable tourismtrip of a lifetime
The Crossing (London, UK 2016)
London is always full of photographic opportunities! I made this long exposure (handheld) over at Charring Cross, just as the diminishing ambient light allowed me to "drag the shutter", capturing this city’s constant movement, using the iconic "call boxes" to frame my composition.
Alex Stoen PhotographyBusLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmTelephone BoothUnited Kingdomblurcall boxcharring crossmotion
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.
ASTOENChina2016SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravelVacationYangshuo
Crossing the U Bein Bridge (Amarapura, Myanmar 2013)
Easily one of Burma’s most photographed sights, U Bein is the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world, stretching close to 1200 meters across Taungthaman Lake. Crossing the bridge at sunset was one of those magical moments that fills your soul, and reminds me why I'm so passionate about travel.
ASTOENMynmar2013Smugmug27501DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedMandalayMyanmarNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsPortraitTravelVacationYangon
Arrosoir sur la grande fontaine (Puyméras, France 2018)
Last year, I returned to the small Provençal village where I spent so many years of my childhood. Roaming the narrow streets was a great exercise, looking for familiar details to capture and seeing how much has changed over the years and how much still remains the same.
I composed around this watering can, sitting on the fountain, in one of the village's squares. I used a very wide aperture to give the scene some creative depth, and also allowing for a fast shutter speed to capture the water droplets bouncing off the can.ASTOENFrance2018Smugmug1007327Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240ProvenceSummiluxM 35mmTravelVaisonlaRomaineVaucluseVillage
Tenryu-ji Temple (Kyoto, Japan 2015)
Tenryu-ji is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji, dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo, who had just passed away. The entire complex is amazing, with incredible landscape gardens, enjoyable even if it's raining.
ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug4672Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXEF 1635mm f2.8 L II USMGeotaggedNGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation