So much left to discover
Read More
The Oude Kerk (Amsterdam, Netherlands 2019)
The Oude Kerk (meaning Old Church) is Amsterdam’s oldest building and oldest parish church, founded circa 1213 and consecrated in 1306 by the bishop of Utrecht with Saint Nicolas as its patron saint. After the Reformation in 1578 it became a Calvinist church, which it remains today. It stands in De Wallen, now Amsterdam's main red-light district.
I made this composition from the Oudekerks bridge, looking down the canal towards the Grand Catholic church of Saint Nicolas which lays close to the Centraal Station.
Spring is my favorite time of the year to visit Amsterdam!Alex Stoen PhotographyAmsterdamEuropeHollandLeica MP Typ 240NetherlandsSpringSummiluxM 35mmTravelcity
Los Caballos del Vino (Caravaza de la Cruz, Spain 2014)
The history of this unique fiesta is absolutely fascinating and is all about the extraordinary story of the True Cross, in Spanish the ‘Vera Cruz’. This fragment of wood is said to have been part of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified and it has protected the city since the 13th century. The presence of the True Cross in Caravaca is the reason for its status as a Holy City, one of only 5 in the world, on par with Rome and Jerusalem.
The legend dates back to the days of the Knights Templar, who came to the aid of the townspeople. The invading Moorish army had cunningly poisoned the water supply, which flowed into the besieged town, and many people were dying of thirst, as they couldn’t drink the poisoned water. The only liquid that could be found to drink was wine. So the brave knights tied flagons of wine to their horses and ran with them up the hill before the Moorish armies realised what was happening, bringing the precious liquid to the townspeople. The Vera Cruz was bathed in the wine and miraculously the sick and wounded were healed...1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCaballos del Vino 2014CanonCanon EOS 1DXCaravaca de la CruzCultureFiestasGeotaggedGoogleMurciaSpainTraditionTravelfacebook
Playa de Campello (Alicante, Spain 2019)
I was in Alicante for Easter weekend, but the weather did not play nice... it actually rained pretty much every day! I managed to get out on our last day and captured this scene while walking on the boardwalk in El Campello.
Deciding on a minimalist approach, I used the negative space to fill the frame, then carefully composed around the lonely silhouette, keeping the storm-battered palm trees inside the frame to add a sense of scale and depth to the image.ASTOEN2019Smugmug1003771Alex Stoen PhotographyBeachCampelloLeica MP Typ 240MinimalismSandSummiluxM 35mm
Lambeth Bridge (London, United Kingdom 2019)
Built on the site of an old horse ferry crossing, Lambeth Bridge opened as toll bridge in 1862. After the Thames floods of 1928, it had to be rebuilt into the five-span steel arched design it maintains today.
The most conspicuous colour in the bridge's paint scheme is red, the same colour as the leather benches in the House of Lords, which is at the southern end of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge. This is in contrast to Westminster Bridge, which is predominantly green, the same colour as the benches in the House of Commons at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament.
I composed this photograph right before sunset while taking a walk around the Houses of Parliament, choosing a relatively closed aperture to accentuate the starburst of the sun setting in the background.ASTOEN2019Smugmug1001103Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
The Girl in Red (Lao Cai, Vietnam 2009)
As I arrived on the overnight train from Hanoi to Lai Cai, on the border with China, my guide kindly asks: "would you rather go to a market where we'll find 6 different ethnic tribes, very popular with the visiting tourists, or take a 4x4 up the mountains and go to a much smaller market, frequented by just 4 ethnic tribes but with no tourists?". I started questioning his sense of humor, but before long, I was in the front seat of an old jeep, making my way up the muddy roads towards the village of Muong Hum. I'm not sure who was startled first, the little girl riding the family's water buffalo, seeing the jeep emerging from behind the curve, or my driver as I yelled for him to stop so I could jump out, camera in hand to capture this amazing scene, against a backdrop of terraced rice paddies, only days away from harvest. My voyage to Vietnam was truly an eye-opener for me, as I re-discovered my passion for travel photography.
ASTOENVietnam2009smugmug7496AgricultureCanonCanon 5D Mark IICollectionColoresColorsEF 24105 f4 L IS USMFieldsFlickrGeotaggedGirlIndochinaIndochineLao Cai to Muong HumPortraitTravelWater Buffaloanimalchildhoodeveryday lifelifemorningredrojorougewebh
Street Seller in Mayfair (London, UK 2016)
London is a prime location for street photography. I shot this while exploring the streets of Mayfair, a few blocks away from the enchanting Shepherds Market neighbourhood.
ASTOEN2016Smugmug1006120Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mm
St Dunstan-in-the-East (City of London, United Kingdom 2017)
This is one of my favorite hidden gardens in London. It's located inside the ruins of an old church, in the middle of the City of London. Originally built in about 1100, it was severely damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666, patched up, then rebuilt in 1817 only to be almost completely destroyed in the Blitz of 1941. Only the church's tower and steeple survived the bombs' impact. Of the rest of the church, only the north and south walls remained. Following the war, it was decided not to rebuild St Dunstan's, and in 1967 the City of London Corporation decided to turn the ruins of the church into a public garden, which opened in 1971.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2017SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdomvisitbritain
Sustainable Transportation (Bayamo, Cuba 2019)
During much of the 16th century, Bayamo was one of Cuba's most important agricultural and commercial settlements of the island. Although the city was nearly destroyed during the Spanish-Americain War when the local residents prefered to burn themselves with the town instead of surrendering to the Spanish forces (Cuba's national anthem "La Bayamesa" is inspired from this).
Today Bayamo is an under-recognized world leader in sustainable transportation. Per a UN study, only 15% of commuters rely on motorized transport almost three times as many rely on the more than 500 licensed horse-drawn carriages generally following fixed routes. The rest of the non-pedestrian traffic is bicycle and bicycle-taxi.ASTOEN2019Smugmug1003119Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaHolguinLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravel
Tulip Heaven (Keukenhof, Netherlands 2015)
Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is considered the world's most beautiful spring gardens with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths filling over 32 hectares with incredible colors. Timing your visit is a must if you are going to avoid the big crowds!
ASTOENHolland2015Smugmug1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyAmsterdamCanonCanon EOS 1DXComposition ExercisesEF 70200 f2.8 L IS USMFlickrFlowersGardenKeulenhofPrimaveraSpringTravelTulipanesTulipsVerticalfacebookjardinstems
Ribeira da Naus (Lisbon, Portugal 2019)
Last month I spent a weekend in Lisbon's old quarter. It wasn't my first visit to the Portuguese capital, but it was amazing to see how much the city had changed since I was last there, almost 40 years ago. I shot this at the Ribeira da Naus, an old Navy boatyard by the popular Cais das Colunas and Praça do Comércio overlooking the Tagus river.
ASTOEN2019Smugmug1001355Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240LisbonPortugalSummiluxM 35mmTravel
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)
I shot this portrait of Sarah in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Being the only mosque open to non-Muslims means it's very touristy so arriving early and beating the crowds was key in getting the right portraits in this amazing place. It's one of the most beautiful and extravagant modern mosques in the world featuring an amazing blend of Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles, and it also hosts one of the world’s largest handmade Persian rugs as well as one of the world’s biggest chandeliers, with 600,000 shining bright Swarovski crystals!
ASTOENOman2017Smugmug1006287Alex Stoen PhotographyGeotaggedLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsSultan Qaboos Grand MosqueSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation
The Smoke Break (London, United Kingdom 2016)
London is always a prime location for street photography. I captured this in Chinatown, by Leicester Square. I first noticed the chef smoking, his pose, the green background, then the yellow lanterns. My mind raced to process these elements as I brought the viewfinder up to my eye.
ASTOENUnitedKingdom2016Smugmug1004257Alex Stoen PhotographyChinatownLeica MP Typ 240LondonStreet PhotographySummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom
Cruising through Havana (Havana, Cuba 2019)
It’s our last day in Cuba after two weeks of cruising around the island meeting fantastic people and discovering great photo opportunities! I shot this in central Havana, where 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.
To make this shot, I used a wide 16mm lens on my full-frame DSLR and positioned myself right next to the driver as he was stopped at the traffic light.ASTOEN2019Smugmug7442Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DXCubaHavanaTravel
Sunset over Playa Pesquero (Guardalavaca, Cuba 2019)
Caribbean sunsets have always been extraordinary to me ever since I was a sailor in the Navy, navigating through these seas. The last two weeks in Cuba have been wonderful, discovering new places and revisiting others. The fine white sand and clear waters at Playa Pesquero 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!
ASTOEN2019SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyCubaGuardalavacaLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mmTravel
The tabacco farmers of Viñales (Pinar del Rio, Cuba 2019)
ASTOEN2019Smugmug1002350Alex Stoen PhotographyCubaLeica MP Typ 240Pinar del RioSummiluxM 35mmTravelViñales
The tabaco farms of Viñales (Pinar del Rio, Cuba 2019)
Pinar del Rio is home to some of the most well known tabaco farms, especially around Viñales. During my visit, I came across this farm still under construction, that will be used to dry the leafs during two months prior to the elaboration of cigars or cigarettes. This photograph is a panoramic composite of 6 images, shot vertically and stitched together during post-processing.
ASTOENCuba2019SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240PanoramaSummiluxM 35mmTravelViñales
The tabacco farmers of Viñales (Pinar del Rio, Cuba 2019)
On this trip to Cuba, I finally managed to get to the tabaco fields of Viñales, in Cuba’s famous province of Pinar del Rio. This was the season’s first crop, with the best leafs destined for cigar making. The second crop is then used for cigarettes. Growing tabaco is no easy job, with the farmers working all day to meet the government production cuotas. To make this photo in the harsh afternoon light, I used a 0.9 Neutral Density filter, allowing me to maintain the lens aperture reasonably wide.
ASTOEN2019SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyCubaLeica MP Typ 240Pinar del RioSummiluxM 35mmTravelViñales
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
