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The Ballerina (Havana, Cuba 2019)
During my brief 3-day stop in Havana, I was able to hook up with a well known and very telented Cuban photographer who managed to set up a ballerina shoot for me in an old colonial house. Just as I expected, it was a very fabulous experience which I will most certainly include in future trips with clients. Havana is full of amazing architecture, allowing for perfect backdrops for photo shoots.
ASTOEN2019Smugmug7480Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXCubaHavanaTravel
Street Photographer (Havana, Cuba 2019)
Central Havana is heaven for street photographers. At every corner, you can find spontaneous moments of the city's daily life. My favorite time to get lost in the city is right before sunrise and around sunset, when the light is soft and golden, like in this photograph that I took of my wife, while the sun was setting over the Cuban capital.
ASTOENCuba2019Smugmug1001733Alex Stoen PhotographyHavanaLeica MP Typ 240Street PhotographySummiluxM 35mmTravel
The Classics (Havana, Cuba 2019)
I am once again in Cuba for 2 weeks of scouting locations for a future photo tour. This was shot in front of the Capitolio, still under refurbishment after 5 years. With so many big hotels opening around the Parque Central, the classic car drivers have setup their camp there to catch all the tourist. Outside the city center, hiring a local "maquina" is still 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.
ASTOENCuba2019SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXCapitolioCarsClassicHavanaTravelVintageWide Angleclassic carscreative compositioniconstourism
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
The Colorful Villa Blanca (Gibara, Cuba 2018)
Founded in January 1817, Gibara is also known as "La Villa Blanca" from the color of its colonial architecture and well-planned layout of its streets, houses and parks. Even so, Gibara's biggest asset, according to visitors, are its people, which are described as cooperative, friendly, affectionate, and proud of their village and of its history. It is said that Admiral Christopher Columbus had remarked of Gibara's environs that “it is the most beautiful land that human eyes saw.”
ASTOENCuba2018Smugmug1008765Alex Stoen PhotographyHolguinLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mm
Solid Reference (Villajoyosa, Spain 2014)
I shot this long exposure of the navigation light marking the entrance to the old port of Villajoyosa, a fascinating town on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Dating back to the bronze age, it was well situated along the major trade routes under the Greeks and the Romans. During the Middle Age the coast was uninhabited because of the constant pirate raids, and in the 8th century the Southeastern coastal regions, known as Levante, were Islamized. In the 14th century, the king of Aragón (Jaume II), founded the present town.
ASTOENSPAIN2014Smugmug00091DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXCrepusculoLarga ExposicionLighthouseLong ExposureMarSeaSunsetVillajoyosa
The Mursi Elder (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.ASTOENEthiopia2014smugmug1DXAfricaAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXEF 1635 f2.8 L II USMFaces of AbyssiniaGeotaggedGoogleMilitia VillageMursiNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsOmo ValleyTravelTribesfacebook
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
Winter Lights at Canary Wharf (London, United Kingdom 2019)
This past week, Canary Wharf hosted Winter Lights once again, with more than 30 installations showcasing artists from around the world.
I composed this shot from Jubilee Plaza, looking toward the river Thames, and the new high-rises nearing completion. I chose a slow shutter speed, and manual focus, and waited patiently for a train to pass on the Docklands Light Railway, crossing the old docks now surrounded by the tall buildings of London's financial district.
Using a tripod, I exposed for 2s to capture enough light as well as the motion of the train travelling over the bridge between Herron Quays and Canary Wharf Station.ASTOENUnitedKingdom2019Smugmug7344Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXGreat BritainLondonUnited Kingdom
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
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
The Magnificent Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto, Japan 2015)
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.
One of the main objectives of my trip to Japan was to capture the row of vermilion
torii gates that straddle the paths at Fushimi Inari Shrine but 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.ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug1002996Alex Stoen PhotographyAutumnFallGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation
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