So much left to discover

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The Tree of Clouds (New Mexico, USA 2019)
Along our 5 hour drive from Colorado to Santa Fe, I spotted this lonely tree along side the State Road, not far from Taos, New Mexico. Realising the photographic opportunity, I made a mental note of my surroundings to try to stop on our way back, the next day. Located on a curve, overlooking the Rio Grande George in the distance, I had no problem finding the spot and was able to compose a few landscape shots. This is a composite of several vertical shots stitched together as a panorama in Photoshop. This process give me the ability to create very large photographs, using a high quality prime lens, by simply combining “slices” from a scene into a large landscape, without losing details. The resulting scene is over 70 megapixels.
ASTOEN United States 2019 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Colorado Leica Q2 Travel USA
El Santuario de Chimayó (New Mexico, USA 2019
The El Santuario de Chimayo is considered the most important pilgrimage site in the United States. Its popularity owes to the curative powers of the “Tierra Bendita” or “holy dirt” found in a small hole in a precept off the main altar. For nearly 200 years, the dirt is believed by many to have miraculous healing powers over a wide variety of ailments and afflictions.

As the legend goes, in 1810, a member of the local Penitente order was performing his rites when he saw a light emanating from a hillside near the Santa Cruz river. As he approached the light, he was surprised to discover that it was originating from beneath the ground. He started to dig, and found a rather large crucifix bearing a black Christ. He left the Christo sticking out of the ground, and ran back to get his brothers, so they could perform the appropriate benedictions.

The crucifix, known as “Nuestro de Senor de Esquipulas” or the “Black Christ of Esquipulas,” was instantly considered highly sacred and was brought to the nearby church at Santa Cruz in a ceremonial procession and placed in the high altar. The next day, the Christo was gone, and was eventually found in the hole where it came from. This happened three times before the priests, weary of making the procession from Chimayo to Santa Cruz, decided to build a small chapel over the hole where the crucifix was found. Almost immediately, the dirt from the hole started to effect miraculous healing cures.

The story of how a crucifix from Esquipulas, a small town in Guatemala, came to be buried in a remote location in the New Mexico wilderness, was a mystery until someone discovered documents from the Diocese in Durango that tell the story of a Guatemalan priest who had come with the first settlers of Chimayo. The priest from Esquipulas preached to the local Indians and carried around a large crucifix. The Indians rebelled and killed the priest, and he was buried by the settlers, who used the crucifix to mark his grave. In 1810, the Santa Cruz river flooded, and the crucifix and body of the priest were uncovered. Those who remembered the priest exclaimed “That is the padre from Esquipulas!” and that is how the Christo’s origins were known. Interestingly, Esquipulas is also a holy pilgrimage site known for it’s clay which is said to have curative powers, and the site where the crucifix was found was already considered sacred by the Tewa Indians long before the Spanish even arrived.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1030516 Alex Stoen Photography Leica Q2 New Mexico Sanctuario de Chimayo Travel USA
Hiking up Cheyenne Cañon (Colorado Springs, USA 2019)
The hiking trails in Cheyenne Cañon have become our famiy's favorite spot to get some excersise, located only a few minutes drive from the house. The views from the top of the trail are spectacular! I made this panoramic composite by merging 5 vertical photos straight from Lightroom.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography France Leica Q2 Provence Travel
Pueblo de Taos (New Mexico, USA 2019)
Located just north of the modern city of Taos, New Mexico, Pueblo de Taos is an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos-speaking (Tiwa) Native American tribe of Puebloan people. The pueblos are considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. The Taos community is known for being one of the most private, secretive, and conservative pueblos. Natives will almost never speak of their religious customs to outsiders, and because their language has never been written down, much of the culture remains unknown to the rest of the world.

As I approached the pueblo, I couldn't help but imagine how the first Spanish visitors may have felt when they originally arrived in 1540 as part of the Francisco Vásquez de Coronado expedition, in search of the rumored Seven Cities of Gold... Throughout the 1600s, cultural tensions grew between the native populations of the Southwest and the increasing Spanish colonial presence, culminating in the killing of the priest and the destruction of the church. Later, during the Mexican–American War of 1847, a force of Mexicans and Taos killed the local governor and marched on Santa Fe. The revolt was suppressed after the rebels took refuge in San Geronimo Mission Church. The American troops bombarded the church, killing or capturing the insurrectionists and destroying the physical structure, the ruins of which can still be seen today in the pueblo's cemetery.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1030439 Alex Stoen Photography Colorado Leica Q2 Travel USA
Old Colorado City (Colorado Springs, USA 2019)
Old Colorado City was founded during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859 and was involved in the mining industry, both as a supply hub and as a gold ore processing center beginning in the 1890s. Residents of Colorado City worked at some of the 50 coal mines of the Colorado Springs area. It was briefly the capital of the Colorado Territory. For many years, Colorado Springs prohibited the use of alcohol within its border due to the lifestyle of Colorado City's opium dens, bordellos, and saloons. It is now a tourist area, with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

I am so happy to be back in Colorado after so many years. So much has changed, yet it's charm is still very much alive!
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1020552 Alex Stoen Photography Colorado Leica Q2 Travel USA
Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kyoto, Japan 2015)
Many visit Japan in spring to witness the famous cherry blossoms, but fall can be just as interesting if not more. Here is Kinkaku-ji, officially named Rokuon-ji, but also known as the Golden Pavilion. It is regarded as one of the most popular Zen Buddhist temples in Japan. According to the religious records, the three-story building holds relics of the Buddha (Buddha's Ashes).
ASTOEN Japan 2015 Smugmug 1002618 500px Alex Stoen Photography Autumn Fall Flickr Geotagged Google Leica MP Typ 240 NGExpeditions NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation facebook
Wadi Aday (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)
Tucked away between the mountains outside Muscat, Wadi Aday is the largest dry riverbed in the area. I captured this posed portrait of Zahra in an abandoned house, alongside the wadi. I wonder how much daily life has changed since the original owners used to live between these mud brick walls.

Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, traveling the sands of time.
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1006735 Abandoned Adventure Arabian Arabian Peninsula Creative Lighting Explore Horizontal Model Muscat Oman Omani Orient Oriental Ruins Staircase Stairs Sultanate of Oman Sun Flare Travel Vacation Wadi Wadi Aday holidays mud brick walls mudbrick stock wooden door
The Popa Taungkalat shrine (Mount Popa, Myanmar 2013)
Fifty kilometers southeast of Bagan in Central Myanmar at the base of Mt Popa (meaning “flower” in Sanskrit) is a solitary peak topped by gold stupas. The Popa Taungkalat shrine is the favored home of 37 Mahagiri Nats or animist spirit entities, statues of which can be found at its base. These spirits were once so important to the country's early Kings that it was essential for them to consult the Nats before commencing their reign.

To reach the top, you need to remove shoes and socks and climb the 777 steps to the summit. Along the way are a multitude of monkeys expecting treats. Sometimes they can get a little aggressive so it's recommended that you keep a tight grip on your possessions!
ASTOEN Myanmar 2013 Smugmug 4523 1DX Alex Stoen Photography Bagan Burma Canon Canon EOS 1DX Geotagged NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Travel Vacation
The sound of dusk approaching (Alicante, Spain 2011)
I shot this while working on a yearlong photo-a-day project which also coincided with a lot of changes in my personal life, reflecting on the important things, and setting new goals. There's nothing more helpful then taking time to walk the countryside and surrounding yourself with nature, in order to listen to your soul.
ASTOEN Spain 2011 Smugmug 206365 5DMk2 Alex Stoen Photography Atardecer Backlight Bloom Canon Canon EOS 5D Mark II Collection Contraluz Depth of Field Dry EF 70200 f2.8 L IS USM Flickr Flor Flower Marchitada Natural Beauty Naturaleza Nature New Life Picasa Picassa Plant Planta Profundidad de Campo Project365 Seco Silvestre Sunlight Sunset Vida Nueva Wilderness Withered bokeh composicion creativa creative composition dof facebook shallow dof
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!
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1005489 Alex Stoen Photography Architecture Concrete Curves Leica MP Typ 240 London Repetition Shadows Staircase Steps SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom creative composition lines red street
Colorful Giggles (Guizhou, China 2016)
I can't believe it's already been 3 years since my trip to discover the ethnic tribes of southern China... While travelling to Rongjiang, I stumbled upon this large group of school kids wearing the local traditional dress on their way to a cultural ceremony. These impromptu opportunities to connect with the locals are usually the ones to be cherished the most!
ASTOEN China 2016 Smugmug 1008821 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 Rongjiang SummiluxM 35mm
Sunrise over Ha Long Bay (Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam 2009)
One of my all time favorite places, Ha Long Bay.
In ancient Vietnamese, Ha Long literally means “descending dragon” and it is originated from a legend of this ancient land.

The legend says that during the old time when the country was newly formed, Vietnamese had to fight against fierce invaders coming from the North through the sea. Feeling sorry for the country, The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her children descending on earth to help ancient Vietnamese people defend the country.

While the mighty enemies were attacking the mainland, The Mother Dragon and her children suddenly appeared and incinerated the enemies with their divine fire and giant emeralds. The emeralds from the dragon’s mouth were scattered around the battlefield on the sea and formed an invincible defensive wall that left enemy battleship fleet sinking. Thanks to the dragons, the Northern invaders were finally swept away and the peace finally came back the South East Asian country once again. After thousands of years, the wall of emerald turned into island and islets of different sizes and shapes.

Vietnam is such a unique and amazing country. A land rich in colors, incredible food, and friendly people. I can't wait to get back and discover more of its hidden treasures!
Bay Beauty Calm Color Colors Dawn Dragons Halong Halong Bay Immense Indochina Jade Jade Sea Kayak Legends Limestone Limestone Islands Shades Sunrise Sunset Superb Thousand Islands Travel UNESCO Vietnam Wide Angle World Heritage Site World Wonder pink pinkish stock tones wow
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 Photography Amsterdam Europe Holland Leica MP Typ 240 Netherlands Spring SummiluxM 35mm Travel city
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...
1DX Alex Stoen Photography Caballos del Vino 2014 Canon Canon EOS 1DX Caravaca de la Cruz Culture Fiestas Geotagged Google Murcia Spain Tradition Travel facebook
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.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1003771 Alex Stoen Photography Beach Campello Leica MP Typ 240 Minimalism Sand SummiluxM 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.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1001103 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United 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.
ASTOEN Vietnam 2009 smugmug 7496 Agriculture Canon Canon 5D Mark II Collection Colores Colors EF 24105 f4 L IS USM Fields Flickr Geotagged Girl Indochina Indochine Lao Cai to Muong Hum Portrait Travel Water Buffalo animal childhood everyday life life morning red rojo rouge webh
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.
ASTOEN 2016 Smugmug 1006120 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 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.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2017 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom visitbritain
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.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1003119 Alex Stoen Photography Cuba Holguin Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel
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!
ASTOEN Holland 2015 Smugmug 1DX Alex Stoen Photography Amsterdam Canon Canon EOS 1DX Composition Exercises EF 70200 f2.8 L IS USM Flickr Flowers Garden Keulenhof Primavera Spring Travel Tulipanes Tulips Vertical facebook jardin stems
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.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1001355 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 Lisbon Portugal SummiluxM 35mm Travel
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!
ASTOEN Oman 2017 Smugmug 1006287 Alex Stoen Photography Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 NGExpeditions Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation
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.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2016 Smugmug 1004257 Alex Stoen Photography Chinatown Leica MP Typ 240 London Street Photography SummiluxM 35mm United 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.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 7442 Alex Stoen Photography Canon EOS 1DX Cuba Havana Travel
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!
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Cuba Guardalavaca Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel
The tabacco farmers of Viñales (Pinar del Rio, Cuba 2019)
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 1002350 Alex Stoen Photography Cuba Leica MP Typ 240 Pinar del Rio SummiluxM 35mm Travel Viñales
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Cuba Holguin Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel
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.
ASTOEN Cuba 2019 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 Panorama SummiluxM 35mm Travel Viñales
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.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Cuba Leica MP Typ 240 Pinar del Rio SummiluxM 35mm Travel Viñales
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.
ASTOEN 2019 Smugmug 7480 Alex Stoen Photography Canon EOS 1DX Cuba Havana Travel
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.
ASTOEN Cuba 2019 Smugmug 1001733 Alex Stoen Photography Havana Leica MP Typ 240 Street Photography SummiluxM 35mm Travel
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.
ASTOEN Cuba 2019 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Canon EOS 1DX Capitolio Cars Classic Havana Travel Vintage Wide Angle classic cars creative composition icons tourism
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!
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1005489 Alex Stoen Photography Architecture Concrete Curves Leica MP Typ 240 London Repetition Shadows Staircase Steps SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom creative composition lines red street
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.”
ASTOEN Cuba 2018 Smugmug 1008765 Alex Stoen Photography Holguin Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 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.
ASTOEN SPAIN 2014 Smugmug 0009 1DX Alex Stoen Photography Canon Canon EOS 1DX Crepusculo Larga Exposicion Lighthouse Long Exposure Mar Sea Sunset Villajoyosa
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.
ASTOEN Ethiopia 2014 smugmug 1DX Africa Alex Stoen Photography Canon Canon EOS 1DX EF 1635 f2.8 L II USM Faces of Abyssinia Geotagged Google Militia Village Mursi NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Omo Valley Travel Tribes facebook
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.
ASTOEN Japan 2015 Smugmug 500px Alex Stoen Photography Architecture Art Benesse House Canon EOS 1DX Chairs Couple Deck EF 2470mm f2.8L II USM Flickr Geotagged Golden Google Horizon Kagawa Museum NGExpeditions Naoshima Island NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Pair Profile Punto de Fuga Set Silhouette Sunrise Terrace Travel Vacation Vanishing Point creative composition facebook infinity lines
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.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2019 Smugmug 7344 Alex Stoen Photography Canon EOS 1DX Great Britain London United 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.
ASTOEN India 2015 Smugmug 2077 1DX Agra Alex Stoen Photography Beauty Canon Canon EOS 1DX Countryside EF 70200mm f2.8 L IS USM Elegance Geotagged Portrait Sunset Taj Mahal Travel Vacation Woman Yellow Sari off 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.
ASTOEN China 2016 Smugmug Alex Stoen Photography Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation Yangshuo
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.
ASTOEN Japan 2015 Smugmug 1002996 Alex Stoen Photography Autumn Fall Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 NGExpeditions NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions SummiluxM 35mm Travel Vacation
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.
ASTOEN Vietnam 2009 smugmug 9513 5DMk2 Alex Stoen Photography Aromatic Aromes Asian Burn Canon Canon 5D Mark II Collection Depth of Field Geotagged Hue Hue City Humo Incense Incense Burning Indochina Indochine Light Lumiere Luz Offering Pagoda Purification Purify Religion Smell Smoke Temple Thien Mu Thien Mu Pagoda Tradition Traditional Travel bokeh everyday life shutterstock webh
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.
ASTOEN Cuba 2018 Smugmug 1009141 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 SummiluxM 35mm Travel
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.
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1009440 Alex Stoen Photography Geotagged Leica MP Typ 240 NGExpeditions Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque SummiluxM 35mm Travel UAE Vacation
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!
5DMk2 Alex Stoen Photography Bagan Burma Canon Canon EOS 5D Mark II Geotagged Inle Lake Myanmar NatGeo National Geographic Expeditions Travel Vacation
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.
ASTOEN United Kingdom 2017 Smugmug 1001597 Alex Stoen Photography Leica MP Typ 240 London SummiluxM 35mm United 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?
ASTOEN 2017 Smugmug 1001032 Alex Stoen Photography Cahoots Cocktail Bar Leica MP Typ 240 London SOHO SummiluxM 35mm United Kingdom

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