So much left to discover

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...

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Palace of Winds (Jaipur, India 2015)

Built in 1799, Hawa Mahal (also known as the Palace of Winds) is essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals without being seen from the outside. Constructed of red and pink sandstone, it was designed in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. Its unique five-storey exterior is similar to the honeycomb of a beehive with 953 small windows called jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework. The lattice also allows cool air from the Venturi effect through the intricate pattern, air conditioning the whole area during the high temperatures of summer. This shot was pretty challenging to pull off as I had to work very low in order to get the angle I wanted, and even though I got there early, I had to wait a while for the soft morning light to illuminate the entire façade.

ASTOENIndia2015Smugmug12451DXAlex Stoen PhotographyCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedJaipurRajasthanTravelVacation

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.

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Piccadillly Circus (London, United Kingdom 2018)

Quick iPhone snap as I was leaving Picadilly Circus tube station. I love how the iconic tiles have been maintained throughout the underground system, giving each tube station a sense of character.

Shortly after this station opened in 1906, 1.5 million passengers were using it. By 1922, the traffic had grown to 25 million passengers, leading to a complete station redesign with a sub-surface booking hall (the 1st station to have one).

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The Arbore Elders (Omo Valley, Ethiopia 2014)

This elder couple posed for me as I visited their village. They are members of the Arbore people, a small tribe that lives in the southwest region of the Omo Valley. The tribe has ancestral and cultural links to the Konso people and perform many ritual dances while singing. Their philosophy and truly inspiring: they believe that their singing and dancing eliminates negative energy and with the negative energy gone, the tribe will prosper - if only all world leaders would think this way...

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Touring the pristine Hsinbyume Pagoda (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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Romeria de Santa Faz (Alicante, Spain 2014)

I captured this candid shot of a pilgrim during the Romeria of Santa Faz a few years ago. This procession which holds a very interesting history. The Veil of Veronica, or Sudarium is a Christian relic of a piece of cloth which, according to tradition, bears the likeness of the face of Jesus - not made by human hand. One of these relics was given by a Vatican cardinal to a Spanish priest who took it to Alicante where it arrived in 1489, at the same time as a severe drought. Carried in a procession on 17 March by an Alicante priest, a tear sprang from the eye of the face of Christ on the veil and rain began to fall, the result of a miracle. The relic is now housed in the Monastery of the Holy Face (Monasterio de la Santa Faz). Every year, the veil is carried in a procession from the Cathedral of St Nicholas to the Monastery of the Holy Face (8km), accompanied by over 250,000 pilgrims.

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Misfat Al Abriyeen (Al Dhakhiyla, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

I shot this portrait of Maria in Misfat Al Abriyeen, a unique mud brick mountainous village located some 1,000m above sea level on the mountain foothills surrounding wilayat Al Hamra. This village was perched above amazing agricultural terraces, old houses built on top of solid rocks. As I lost myself in its narrow alleys, I couldn't help but notice the old wooden doors, so creatively decorated so many years ago.

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Via Reale (Trinidad, Cuba 2012)

Even today, Cuba still feels like time froze decades ago, from the old classic cars to the decaying colonial architecture, but thanks to the resilience of its people, life goes on. The Yank tank or máquina are the words used to describe the many classic cars still present in Cuba with an estimated 60,000 of them still driving the roads today. I captured this classic 1958 Chevrolet in the small colonial village of Trinidad, on the southern coast of the island.

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The Church of St Michael, Cornhill (City of London, United Kingdom 2017)

Located in the middle of the City of London, the church of St Michael has been in existence since 1133. The medieval building, except for the tower, was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and replaced by the present building.

There is a folk tale, dating from the early 16th-century, which tells of a team of bellringers who once saw 'an ugly shapen sight' appear as they were ringing the bells during a storm. They fell unconscious but later discovered scratch marks in the masonry. For years afterwards, these were pointed out as the 'Devil's claw marks'.

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The sacred path through Arashiyama’s bamboo forest (Kyoto, Japan 2015)

The bamboo grove in Arashiyama is one of those magical places where time seems to stop and where the sense of place envelops you.

It was a very difficult location to photograph in, due to the constant flow of crowds. I was looking for an angle that would contrast an empty pathway against the busy, complex forest. My patience eventually paid off after an hour, when I was able to make this creative composition, portraying the terrestrial path beneath the sacred heavens.

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Waves of Colors (Alicante, Spain 2018)

My go-to camera for close-ups is my trusty iPhone. It allows me to compose creatively around even the smallest details, such as this macro of a colorful cactus plant. By getting in close, I eliminated the background which might have been distracting. Instead, I focused on repetitive curves and vivid colors.

Cité (Paris, France 2014)

The Métro station Cité lies underneath the Île de la Cité, one of two islands on the Seine within the historical boundaries of Paris. The station was opened on 10 December 1910 on the section of the line under the Seine between Châtelet and Raspail. The Métro de Paris opened in 1900, during the World's Fair (Exposition Universelle). It expanded quickly until the First World War and the core was complete by the 1920s. Today, it’s 214 kilometers long, serving 303 stations and moving almost 4.3 million passengers every day! It’s by far the easiest way to get around Paris.

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Reflections of the U Bein Bridge (Amarapura, Myanmar 2013)

Easily one of Burma’s most photographed sights, U Bein is the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world, stretching close to 1200 meters across Taungthaman Lake. I shot this while crossing the bridge, with just enough time to hop on a boat and capture the silhouettes against the setting sun. It was truly one of those magical moments that fills your soul, and that you will cherish forever.

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Bete Giyorgis (Lalibela, Ethiopia 2014)

The Church of St. George is one of eleven monolithic churches in Lalibela in northern Ethiopia. The church was carved from solid rock in the shape of a cross. It's among the best known and last built of the eleven churches in the area. Lalibela, King of Ethiopia, sought to recreate Jerusalem and structured the churches' landscape and religious sites in such a way as to achieve such a feat. The churches are clustered in two major groups, one representing the earthly Jerusalem, and the other representing the heavenly Jerusalem. Located directly between them is a trench representing the River Jordan.

I timed my visit to coincide with Meskel, The Finding of the True Cross festival in late September. I captured this environmental portrait of the main priest, posing at the entrance of Bete Giyorgis.

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The poetry of earth (Castilla la Mancha, Spain 2013)

I made this photograph in the province of Cuenca, in Spain's famous region of Castilla la Mancha while on a road trip with my close friend and mentor Jose Benito Ruiz. First we spotted the fields and the grass, making for a great background, then we found the trees, our main subject, and just waited for the clouds to let the sunlight illuminate the scene. Benito and I then looked at each other and knew we had captured a great composition. Having been able to share such a moment with a great friend made it even more special!

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The Call Box (Westminster - London, United Kingdom 2016)

The red phone box is often seen as a British cultural icon throughout the world. The famous K2 model was the result of a competition in 1924 to design a kiosk that would be acceptable to the London metropolitan boroughs. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it became a familiar sight on the streets of the United Kingdom, Malta, Bermuda and Gibraltar. The color red was chosen to make them easy to spot. There are today far more 'red boxes' in tourist city locations than there ever were originally...

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Nuestra Señora de la Alegría (Alicante, Spain 2016)

Spain is known especially for its Holy Week traditions or Semana Santa. Throughout the country, brotherhoods carry magnificent floats with sculptures that depict different scenes from the gospels related to the Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary. On the Sunday of Resurrection, the processions are jubilant with no faces covered, usually carrying sculptures of Jesus and Mary, and including an encounter of those floats. In Alicante, Nuestra Señora de la Alegría leaves the Basílica Santa María and meets with Jesus on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, facing the city’s town hall.

Alex Stoen PhotographyCanon EOS 1DX

The arches of Blackfriars Railway Bridge (London, United Kingdom 2018)

The Blackfriars Railway Bridge crosses the River Thames in London, between Blackfriars Bridge and the Millennium Bridge. Built of wrought iron in 1886, it was originally called St Paul's Railway Bridge until St Paul's railway station changed its name to Blackfriars in 1937.

Every time I pass under it, I pause to admire the symmetry of its massive arches. Today, the light reflecting off the surface of the river gave it a special glow that really caught my eye.

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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.

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The Black Magic of Al Qabasah (Bahla, Sultanate of Oman, 2017)

Bahla Fort is one of the oldest and biggest forts in Oman, and the only fort in the country to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The fort is massive and includes many towers, mosques, and wells. The oldest part of the fort is called Al Qabasah which is a five-story collection of rooms and was built as early as the year 500 BC. Many Omanis believe that at one point in time, the fort was also a school of black magic or alchemy, which the area is also famous for. My guide Malik didn't seem very much at ease and kept close to the entrance for a quick way out.

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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.

Called "Tsubo-syozoku", these kimonos were worn by noble women and princesses some 1000 years ago. Today, it has become a fun and popular custom to dress up and stroll through colorful park while visiting the Daisyoin temple.

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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.

ASTOEN2016Smugmug1005810Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240

Young Hamer Woman at the Keske river crossing (Turmi, Ethiopia 2014)

After a long day exploring the Omo Valley, I got back to the camp with a feeling that I hadn’t captured the portrait I was looking for that day. I decided to walk the riverbed from the camp to the Keske crossing, where I knew the Hamer returning from the Turmi market would cross the river on their way back to their villages. The effort paid off as I made what I feel are my favorite portraits from the Omo Valley, such as this one of a young Hamer woman who was accompanying her mother and sister.

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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.

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A view of the Leliegracht Bridge on the Keisersgracht Canal (Amsterdam, Holland 2015)

Located at the intersection of the Keizersgracht and Leliegracht canals is Keizersgracht 174, the headquarters of the Eerste Hollandsche Levensverzekerings Bank Insurance Company. Built between 1904 and 1905 in the Art Nouveau style of architecture, it gained national monument status in 2001. It was one of the first office towers in the Netherlands. It also served as the international headquarters of Greenpeace for 15 years.

In order to capture the fading light and minimize the noise on the sensor from a higher ISO, I set my camera on a tripod and exposed for 15 seconds at a medium aperture (f/8) allowing most of the scene to remain in focus.

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Westminster Bridge: #LondonUnited one year on (London, United Kingdom 2016)

As we mark the 1st anniversary of the Westminster Bridge terror attack, we remember the tragic loss of life from that day, and we reaffirm our commitment to stand united against terror. While the entire event only took 82 seconds from start to finish, it has had a profound impact on all our daily lives. Tonight, the message #LondonUnited will be projected onto the four locations where terror attacks took place across London last year.

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Almond trees blooming in the wind (Castillo de Penella, Spain 2013)

Today marks the first day of spring! Even though we still winter can still be felt, everyone is a bit more cheerful, looking forward to the better days to come.

I made this photo close to the medieval city of Alcoy in Spain, composing the almond trees in blossom, blowing in the cold wind, against a moonlit sky, filled with stars.

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Desert Rose (Arabaian Desert, United Arab Emirates 2017)

I captured this portrait of beautiful Ayesha in the soft golden light as the sun rose over the sand dunes of the Arabian Desert. This is one of the largest continuous bodies of sand in the world, stretching from Iraq to Yemen, from Egypt to Oman. I stand in the Emirates' first national park, dedicated to conserving the natural beauty and diversity of the Arabian Desert. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is an amazing place created for the protection of those endangered species and for the conservation of the natural desert habitat and heritage.

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The Herengracht Canal (Amsterdam, Holland 2015)

The Herengracht is considered to be the most important canal in the city. In the 17th century, the richest merchants and the most influential regents and mayors of the city lived on this canal. Even today, an address on the Herengracht is seen as prestigious and chic.

One cannot visit Amsterdam without doing a canal cruise, at least once. I chose to do mine during the golden hour, right before sunset, just as the soft warm light battled the growing shadows.

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The Echelons of Society (London, United Kingdom 2018)

I made this photograph during a cold winter night walk along London's Southbank. Every time I pass in front of this staircase at the National Theatre, I pause and reflect on how to compose a creative photo. This particular night, the lighting caught my eye, adding the depth I was missing. Patience and perseverance are key to success!

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The Forbidden City (Beijing, China 2016)

There are now over 500 million bicycle owners in China, representing the largest leap in individual mobility of human history. Even with the fast multiplication of cars and traffic jams generated in urban areas, the bicycle remains the biggest means of individual mobility for hundreds of millions of Chinese.

I made this photograph in the Forbidden City, composing this cyclist against a red wall - a color symbolizing happiness - just as he was mounting his bike. Towering behind the wall was one of the magnificent palaces, royal residences of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

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The Unfinished Mingun Pagoda (Mandalay, Myanmar 2013)

A local Burmese woman stands by the southern entrance to the Mingun pagoda, cracked during an earthquake in 1839. It was built to house a relic of the Buddha, the brick structure was originally intended to be over 150 meters tall, but a series of factors impeded its completion such as technological challenges associated with such a large project, insufficient labor, because many of the slaves brought over for the construction project escaped, and probably most importantly, a prophecy went around in the Kingdom saying that once the pagoda was finished, the Kingdom would come to an end. I sure this may have led to a deliberate slowdown of the project!

When the King died in 1819 the project was indefinitely stopped and none of his successors resumed work on it. In front of the pagoda facing the river are the remains of two giant Chinthe lions about 29 meters high, guarding the temple… I can't help but wonder how impressive the finished project would have looked like if it had been completed…

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Homage to the Sun (Jaisalmer, India 2015)

Sunset in the Thar desert of Rajasthan is something out of this world, the sand turns to gold and the soft light from the setting sun brings out the incredible colours of the traditional dresses. I highly recommend spending a night or two in a desert camp and explore the Sam dunes on camelback.

To make this photograph, I placed my model on top of a dune, while I composed low. As she faced the setting sun, the soft light allowed the colors of her dress to really pop.

Taken close to the India-Pakistan border, after attending the annual Desert Festival and Camel show, held in Jaisalmer.

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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 bartenders and 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?

Alex Stoen PhotographyCahootsLeica MP Typ 240LondonSummiluxM 35mmUnited Kingdom

The Ritsurin Garden Teahouse (Takamatsu, Japan 2015)

Dating back over three centuries, Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya-style teahouse that was used by successive generations of feudal lords. The origin of the name derives from a line in an old Chinese poem: "When I scoop up the water, I hold the moon in my hands.” This teahouse is the central building of the whole garden, and the view of the South Pond, as seen from the rooms of this teahouse, is a magnificent scene that can be experienced nowhere else…

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Silvius Brabo in the Grote Markt (Antwerp, Belgium 2018)

The medieval city of Antwerp is full of wonders such as the 16th-century Guildhouses at the Grote Markt and its statue of Silvius Brabo, the mythical Roman soldier who is said to have killed a giant, the story of which is used to explain the city's name ("handwerpen" meaning hand throwing).

I made this panoramic composite consisting of 5 vertical images, a technique I use often when I just travel with my 35mm Leica Summilux lens and need to capture wider scenes, like this one of Grote Markt, in the city's historic center.

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

After navigating through a narrow feeder channel, you suddenly enter the wide expanse of Myanmar's Inle Lake, and you immediately realise how special the place is... I have very fond memories of the expedition I took there with National Geographic a few years ago, where I explored its enchanting secrets, 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!

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Happy #InternationalWomensDay from ITB (Berlin, Germany 2018)

A woman is an epitome of beauty, wisdom and care. She has climbed the mountains and dived into the ocean; she has matched the steps with every man in the world. Today, we celebrate the power of women, their rights and role in our lives and society.

Happy International Women's Day! Feliz Día Internacional de la Mujer!

I captured this portrait of a couple Catrinas, mortal beauties from the Day of the Dead, haunting the halls in Berlin's World Travel Fare today.

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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 Chinese Linxi River at Sanjiang. Surprisingly, the talented Dong builders of this bridge did not utilize any nails or rivets, using instead 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 rainbow crossing over the river.

As I walked along water's edge in the early morning, I came across this traditional water wheel, used to irrigate the numerous rice paddies surrounding the small village of Sanjiang.

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Dia de Playa (El Campello, Spain 2018)

Are you as anxious as I am for winter to be over? I feel I had a taste of spring during my last weekend trip to Spain. I made this creative composition from the boardwalk of El Campello, a fishing town on the Mediterranean Costa Blanca.

Deciding on a minimalist approach, I used the negative space to fill the frame, then carefully composed around the different lines, focusing on the repeated elements, and then waited for someone to walk on the water's edge to add a sense of scale and depth to the image.

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La Cumpleañera (London, United Kingdom 2018)

A huge Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, my partner in crime, my muse, my best friend! As the years go by, you are just as gorgeous as the first day we met!
I hope all your wishes come true!

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Paseo de Marti (Havana, Cuba 2012)

The first impression you get when you land in Cuba, is that time froze decades ago, from the old classic cars to the decaying colonial architecture, but thanks to the resilience of its people, life goes on.

The area around the Capitolio is just fascinating and full of life, day or night, from the old "maquinas" parked in front of the building to the surrounding lush parks and their amazing storytellers. It's my favorite place in the city!

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Soupe à l'oignon (Paris, France 2014)

The iconic hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre in Paris has been home to many artists over the years, including Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh to name a few, not many can afford to live there anymore these days.

I captured this candid photograph in the streets below the famous Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, where the best way to discover these historic and interesting neighborhoods, is to just get lost in the maze of its steep and cobbled streets.

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Alpian Serenity (Manigod, France 2010)

I made this composition in the French Alps, not far from the Mont Blanc. The snow-covered scenery felt so pure and peaceful in the soft morning light, that I still remember it today while scrolling through my photo archive from several years ago.

In order to capture as much detail as possible, I choose to bracket my exposure and merge the images into an HDR photograph. This type of post-processing works well in high contrast scenes, like this snowy mountain landscape.

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Nicholson Lake (Crested Butte, Colorado, USA 2009)

As a blizzard hit London today, 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 undiscernable under the thick blanket of snow.

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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.

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Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (El Campello, Spain 2018)

London is freezing under a polar vortex at the moment, so we were so glad to find some sun and warmth on the Spanish Costa Blanca if only for a couple days. The soft light this evening was such a delight to feel. It caught my eye as it gently caressed the bell tower of this small church, located in the fishing town of El Campello.

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