So much left to discover

Sir John McDougall Gardens (London, United Kingdom 2020)

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

ASTOEN2020Smugmug00089Alex Stoen PhotographyHasselblad X1DIILondonUnited KingdomXCD 3575XSPAN

The Elder from Basha (Guizhou, China 2016)

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

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

ASTOENChina2016Smugmug1009723Alex Stoen PhotographyBashaLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mm

The soft morning light (El Campello, Spain 2020)

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

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

ASTOEN2020Smugmug1004416Alex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteColorsEl CampelloLeica MP Typ 240SpainSummerSummiluxM 35mm

The New Directive (Valencia, Spain 2020)

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

ASTOEN2020Smugmug1004400Alex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteLeica MP Typ 240SpainSummiluxM 35mm

Hsinbyume, Princess White Elephant (Mingun, Myanmar 2013)

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

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The Caravan (Thar Desert, India 2015)

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

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

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Climbing the Longji Rice Terraces (Guangxi, China 2016)

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyChinaGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240LongjiLongji Rice TerracesLongshengSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation

Old Colorado City (Colorado Springs, USA 2019)

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

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

ASTOEN2019Smugmug1020552Alex Stoen PhotographyColoradoLeica Q2TravelUSA

The Underground Cocktail Bar (London, United Kingdom 2017)

I captured this portrait of Ludovica in a small cocktail bar, located in an old abandoned tube station which also served as an air raid shelter in WW2. The entire place is decorated in a post-war context, from the music to the way to the waitresses were dressed. The best seats in the house are set in an old tube coach. It was quite an extraordinary experience, while I'll be repeating again in the near future.

Alex Stoen PhotographyCahootsCocktail BarLeica MP Typ 240LondonSOHOSummiluxM 35mmUnited KingdomVintage

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

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

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyFranceGardLeica MP Typ 240Pont du GardSummiluxM 35mmTravelaquaducroman ruins

Crossing Shadows (Elche, Spain 2010)

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

5DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyBlack WhiteBlanco y NegroCalleCanonCanon EOS 5D Mark IIContradictionsCrossingDarknessEF 24105 f4 L IS USMElcheElxEspañaFlickrGeotaggedGirl walking between buildingsGoogleLightNoir et BlancOpositesSombraSpainStreet Photographybnbwcomposicion creativacontrastcreative compositionfacebooknbshadowsmugmugstockstreet

Sunset over Guardalavaca (Holguin, Cuba 2012)

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

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

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

1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMFlickrFogueresGeotaggedGoogleHogueras de San Juan 2014Mediterranean CultureSant JoanSpainStreet PhotographySummerTravelfacebook

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

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

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Mystical Moments (Bagan, Myanmar 2013)

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

ASTOENMyanmar2013Smugmug4073Alex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsShwesandaw PagodaSunriseTravelVacation

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

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

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The Tree of Clouds (New Mexico, USA 2019)

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

ASTOENUnitedStates2019SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyColoradoLeica Q2TravelUSA

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

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

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

ASTOENJapan2015smugmug4835Fushimi Inari ShrineGatesGeotaggedGoogleHorizontalKyotoMount InariNGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsPunto de FugaRepetitionSeriesTravelVacationVanishing Pointredvermilion torii gates

Limehouse (London, United Kingdom 2017)

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

ASTOEN2017SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom

The Barber (Jaisalmer, India 2015)

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

ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug75291DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMGeotaggedJaisalmerTravelVacation

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

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

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

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Follow the light (London, United Kingdom 2019)

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica Q2LondonTravelUnited Kingdom

The Mursi Young (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)

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

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

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The Mystical Fishermen of Inle (Inle Lake, Myanmar 2013)

As you enter the wide expanse of Inle Lake at the end of a narrow feeder channel, you begin to realise how special the place is. Whenever I get stuck in traffic, or I’m waiting in long lines, I simply think about those moments, where sky and water met, where the fishermen perform over-the-water ballet with conical baskets and oars for props—all while balanced on the bows of their boats. It’s absolutely enthralling. If you ever plan a visit to Myanmar, you shouldn’t miss this remarkable place.

ASTOENMyanmar2013Smugmug5DMk2Alex Stoen PhotographyBaganBurmaCanonCanon EOS 5D Mark IIGeotaggedInle LakeNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacation

Torre de Belém (Lisbon, Portugal 2019)

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

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyBlueLeica MP Typ 240LisbonPanoramaPortugalSummiluxM 35mmTorre de Belem

Piña Stop (Holguin, Cuba 2018)

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaDestinationHolguinLeica MP Typ 240MomentsStorytellingSummiluxM 35mmTravel

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

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedNGExpeditionsTravelUAEVacation

The Fortunate Couple (Beijing, China 2016)

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

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation

Dassanech Headdress in Omorate (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)

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

1DXAfricaAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMEthiopiaGeotaggedNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsOmo ValleyOmorateTravelVacation

Monks at the Chaukhtatgyi Monastery (Yangon, Myanmar 2013)

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

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

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

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

The Miao girls from Basha (Guizhoiu, China 2016)

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyBashaChinaGirlsGuizhouLeica MP Typ 240MiaoMiao PeoplePortraitSummiluxM 35mmTribesVillage

Brick Lane (London, United Kingdom 2016)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

London Tower Bridge (London, United Kingdom 2017)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240

Sunset over the Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon, Myanmar 2013)

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

1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedMyanmarNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacationYangon

Naturally Sexy (Holguin, Cuba 2012)

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

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

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

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

Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsOmanSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacationstock

World Sufi Spirit Festival in the Nagaur Fort (Rajasthan, India 2015)

Lit by the sparkling incandescence of a thousand candles, the prestigious 12th-century Ahhichatragarh Fort in Nagaur hosted the World Sufi Spirit Festival, an extraordinary sacred and historical musical journey that carried us to the very origin of a tradition linked to those pilgrims of the past, travelers of the spirit, who brought to civilization a sense of inspiration and meaning.

In order to tell the story of my experience and give a sense of place, I composed wide to include the fort walls on each side, which helped me close the frame. By slowing the shutter speed, I was able to capture the movement of the dancers, as well as expose at a lower ISO, thus reducing sensor noise. All of this would have been harder to achieve had I not been setup on a tripod, which I always take along on my travels.

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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.

ASTOENChina2016Smugmug9293Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXChengyang Wind and Rain BridgeDongEF 1635mm f2.8 L II USMGeotaggedGuangxiSanjiangTravelVacation

Escapade to Regent's Park (London, United Kingdom 2017)

As a heatwave hits London these days, I can't imagine how packed the parks must be, even as we continue under lockdown. A couple years ago, as I explored Regent's Park, I came across this semi-hidden corner, surrounded by trees, which seemed to be an ideal spot to disconnect from the city's busy streets and overpacked tube carriages. Right behind the trees is the park's open-air theatre, which is the oldest, professional, permanent outdoor theatre in all of Britain, a great place to listen to concerts or watch comedy plays in the summer evenings. I wonder how future concerts will be like?

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Nicholson Lake (Crested Butte, Colorado, USA 2009)

Another year has passed without being able to play in some powder. I couldn't help but remember the beautiful snowscapes of Colorado, so pure, covering up any man-made marks, almost making them disappear, such as this small boat dock at Nicholson Lake, almost indiscernible under the thick blanket of snow.

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Komodidad (Holguin, Cuba 2012)

Cuba is full of paradoxes. This storefront really caught my eye. With a 1960's design, "komodidad" (meaning comfortable) was a home improvement store that went out of business and was completely run down when I visited Holguin. Time has gone by, and I hear the store was eventually reopened as an ice-cream shop!

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Greenwich Market (Greenwich, United Kingdom 2016)

Dating back to the 1700's, the market in Greenwich has a very long history. For hundreds of years, traders sold live and dead meat, fish, eggs, butter, poultry, fruit and vegetables. After World War II the wholesale fruit, veg, meat and fish stalls of Greenwich Market went through a gradual period of decline until the 1980s, when the market converted to arts and crafts, inspired by the flourishing example of Camden Lock.

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Amapola en la Ventana (Palma de Mallorca, Spain 2018)

I shot this image in the streets of Palma de Mallorca, also the Pearl of the Mediterranean. As I walked the streets in the city's old town, I'm fascinated to observe the marks of history, still noticeable after the passage of time, whether it be Roman walls, the Moorish patios or the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, history is everywhere! This particular scene (of no historical importance), caught my photographic attention, probably for the composition, the colors, the reflection, all of which drew me to make this photograph.

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The Watcher (Arabian Desert, United Arab Emirates 2017)

A couple of years ago, I was invited to join a very small National Geographic Expedition, travelling through the timeless desert from Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. One of my favorite stops along the way was at the amazing Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It was established by Emiri decree in 2002 and comprises of some 5% of the Emirate's total landmass. Before the park was built, the population of Arabian oryx was teetering on the verge of extinction. The Sheikh's father made the drastic move of shipping the last remaining population to the US to breed them in secure conditions. When the reserve was formed a few years later, he brought them back where their numbers have now tripled. This unprecedented recovery has helped give this ancient desert a new lease on life.

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Closed (Alicante, Spain 2013)

I made this photograph of the doors to Alicante's city hall, built in the 18th century in baroque style by Lorenzo Chápuli. Hidden behind these massive doors are some remarkable rooms such as the Salón Azul styled from the period of Spain’s Queen Isabel, the Salón de Plenos meeting hall and a chapel in which mass is held.

This image forms part of my extensive collection of doorknockers from all around Europe.

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