So much left to discover

Okunoin cemetery (Mount Koya, Japan 2015)

Okunoin is Japan's largest cemetery. Stretching away to either side, the forest floor is scattered with more than 200,000 stone stupas of all shapes and sizes. Here and there you’ll also find Jizō statues and the occasional war memorial. A large number of historical characters are also buried here, among them the great general Oda Nobunaga.

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The Lost Forest (Vall de Gallinera, Spain 2012)

Long exposure of a lone burnt tree, in what was once a lush forest in the mountains surrounding Alicante. A devastating fire raged through a few years before, and this tree was somehow left standing, perhaps a reminder of what once stood on these slopes. It's so unfortunate and upsetting that many of these fires are intentional to profit from the land reconversion, a crime that usually goes unpunished.

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Discovering The Great Wall (Mutianyu, China 2016)

Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of China and its long and vivid history, the Great Wall of China actually consists of numerous walls and fortifications, many running parallel to each other. The best-known and best-preserved section of the Great Wall was built in the 14th through 17th centuries A.D., during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). I had seen so many different photos of the wall, so I decided to add a creative element to my compositions. It was a long day of hiking, but well worth the effort as we had the wall almost to ourselves.

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Sadhu on the Ganges (Varanasi, India 2015)

I captured this early morning portrait of a Sadhu on the Ganges River while making my way to the Dashashwamedh Ghat, in the ancient city of Varanasi.

In Hinduism, a sadhu is a religious ascetic or holy person. He is solely dedicated to achieving liberation, the fourth and final stage of life, through meditation and contemplation of Brahman. Sadhus often wear saffron-colored clothing, symbolizing their renunciation, leaving behind all material attachments.

Living as a sadhu is a difficult lifestyle. Sadhus are considered to be dead unto themselves, and legally dead to the country of India. As a ritual, they may be required to attend their own funeral before following a guru for many years, serving him by doing menial tasks until acquiring the necessary experience to leave his leadership.

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Memories (Provence, France 2009)

Life may be regarded as a sequence of events, some more important than others, the sum of which will inevitably define who we are. This capture was one of those moments for me, retracing my father's footsteps to this small village in Provence, which he had photographed some 30 years before me. As I watched the sunlight slowly pierce through the frosted valley to illuminate the small village, I came to realize how deep the passion for photography was instilled in me. It was one of those life-changing moments.

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Mystical Moments (Bagan, Myanmar 2013)

It saddens me to hear about the military coup in Myanmar, I hope all my friends there are safe! Burma has always been one of my favorite destinations. I long being able to travel again, and return once more to the breathtaking Bagan Valley…

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

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The Unfinished Mingun Pagoda (Mandalay, Myanmar 2013)

It saddens me to hear about the military coup in Myanmar, I hope all my friends there are safe! Burma has long been one of my favorite destinations. I long being able to travel again, and return once more to the beautiful Mandalay…

Here, three monks climb down from the Mingun pagoda, cracked during an earthquake in 1839 in Mandalay, Burma. 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'm 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 may have looked…

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The Classics (Havana, Cuba 2019)

I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since my last trip to Cuba... Can't wait for these challenging times to pass and get back! 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.

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The Tulip Stairs (Greenwich, United Kingdom 2017)

The Queen's House iconic Tulip Stairs are not only beautiful — they're the first geometric self-supporting spiral stairs in Britain. This 17th-century palace was commissioned by Henry VII and built adjacent to the Tudor Palace of Greenwich.

This is also the location of the Rev R. W. Hardy’s famous ‘ghost’ photograph taken in 1966, which appears to show two or three shrouded figures on the staircase – a phenomenon that has never been explained logically to this day. As I composed my photograph, I did notice a few figures myself but quickly realized they were just tourist peeking their head from the 2nd floor.

Getting the correct exposure was the trickiest part of making the photo in order capture the natural light entering the ceiling lantern and its refraction from the crushed-glass paint, coating the wrought-iron central structure.

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The man from Barna (Jodhpur, India 2015)

The key to capturing emotions is connection. The photographer must connect with the person in front of the lens in order to move the viewer. India is one of those places where breaking the ice is so easy and people just love the attention of being photographed… This portrait was taken in the small village of Barna, in the countryside south of Jodhpur.

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Cherished Roots (Vaison la Romaine, France 2011)

I grew up in Puyméras, a small village of Provence, a place where the pace of life is quite different. Whenever I felt stressed, riding the crowded London tube to work, I just closed my eyes and drift back to the carefree days of my youth, if only for a few minutes, enough for my soul to take a deep breath. Photography helps me immortalize those moments of “fresh air”, taking me back in time, or to a different continent, and allowing my soul to breath again.

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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.

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The Windows (Arches National Park, Utah 2021)

During our road trip back from California, we stopped at one of our favorite places: Arches National Park. My objective this time was to compose the North and South Window arches under the soft and magical winter sunrise. Shoutout to @travelbabbo for the recommendation.
Located next to the Colorado River, Arches National Park is home to over 2000 natural sandstone arches, formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

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The Goma ritual of consecrated fire (Mount Koya, Japan 2015)

As the priest sits in front of the fire, he has an array of bowls, tongs, and other ritual instruments in front of him. He uses tongs to stack small but carefully cut pieces of kindling. He uses long sticks with small cups at the end to place spices, seeds and other items on the fire, all of which are very symbolic. All the while, a monk is chanting in the corner while the priest mumbles words and whispers what one assumes are prayers and incantations.

The ritual, which lasts about a half-hour, builds in intensity. At one point, the monk in the corner begins striking a taiko drum. The monk is making all kinds of hand signs, I notice, as he goes through the ritual, each of which having an esoteric meaning.

He eventually gets to one part of the ceremony where he picks up many small pieces of kindling, each of which are carefully cut to approximately the same length and size. I later come to find out that there are 108 of these pieces of wood that are thrown on the fire, representing the Buddhist belief that there are 108 "attachments" in this world from which we need to free ourselves.

Meanwhile, the drumming continues, along with the chanting. The fire grows larger and larger, burning away both the wood and - symbolically - our impurities.

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La Esplanada de España (Alicante, Spain 2017)

I can’t believe it’s already been three years since my last Christmas in Spain… Really hoping to be able make it back next year!

The heart and soul of Alicante is the grand Esplanada de España. Stretching around the marina, this elegant boulevard with its red, black and cream tiles, all 6.6 million of them, refuses to be ignored. It is the most famous of all Alicante's promenades and the most historic. It was the brain-child of the municipal architect José Guardiola Picó who, in 1867, created the ideal area to perfect the romantic Spanish custom of the paseo (an evening stroll). With dramatic marble tiles depicting the waves of the Mediterranean and four rows of palm trees offering shade even in the heat of summer, it is a sight to behold!

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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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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.

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Through the shadows 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.

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The Miao Girl (Guizhou, China 2016)

The Miao live primarily in southern China's mountains, in the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Hainan, Guangdong, and Hubei. The small village I visited organised a welcoming ceremony, along with the traditional Lusheng dance, after which I managed to make a few portraits of very friendly villagers. Traveling off the tourist track can be so rewarding!

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Arashiyama’s bamboo grove (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.

The place was very difficult to photograph due to the constant flow of crowds.
I was looking for an angle that would contrast an empty pathway against the busy, complex forest. It took me over an hour to get this shot!

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The Millwall Docks (London, United Kingdom 2020)

As the weather get cooler across the American Rocky Mountains, I decided to look through the final images I took in London this summer, before we moved away. I made this composition last July on a walk around the Millwall docks. It's hard to imagine that only a decade ago, the Isle of Dogs was not this colorful and lively! Built in 1868, it was used mainly for timber and grain until the 1960's when it was those activities were relocated downriver. Today, you can hardly notice the docks' industrial past, as most of the area has been reconverted to offices and housing. I’m really grateful for having been able to call London my home for a few years.

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Memories of Summer (El Campello, Spain 2020)

I can't believe it's already been five months since our trip to Spain's Costa Blanca... I made this photograph on the beach in the morning to catch the soft and warm light after sunrise. These colorful beach cabins have always caught my eye and allow for some creative compositions. As with almost all my images, color plays an integral part in my photography.

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Portobello Road Market (London, United Kingdom 2017)

Located in London's Notting Hill neighborhood, Portobello Road hosts an incredibly interesting market, very popular with the tourists. The market began as many other London markets and sold mainly fresh-food in the 19th century; antiques and wares dealers arrived in the late 1940s and '50s, and gradually antiques have become the main attraction of this market, especially on Saturday mornings. The market seems to inherit the lively colors that make Portobello Road and Notting Hill such an interesting place to explore. This lonely leaf on an empty vendor's cart really caught my eye, adding a sense of season to my story of this colorful place.

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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. This portrait is of one of the festival pilgrims, posing in front of Bete Giyorgis.

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Colors at the Ryōan-ji garden, home to the Seven Imperial Tombs (Kyoto, Japan 2015)

Several years ago, I traveled to Japan to photograph the fall colors. This photograph was composed in the Ryōan-ji garden, considered to have the finest surviving examples of kare-sansui. Adjacent to the garden is the Daiju-in, or the first temple, which served as a mausoleum for several Japanese emperors. Their tombs are grouped together in what are today known as the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryōan-ji.

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Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona, USA 2020)

On our return trip from California back to Colorado, we stopped at breathtaking Grand Canyon to enjoy sunrise and a drive along the south rim road. I couldn’t help but stop at every single view point along the way, each offering a different perspective of this world wonder, under the soft rising sun. I composed this photograph at Navajo Point, on the east side of the canyon.

This was definitely not my first visit to the Grand Canyon, but each one is as special as the first time I travelled here, over 40 years ago. I’m already counting the days for our next trip!

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Happy Diwali (London, United Kingdom 2016)

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is also the occasion for celebrations by Jains and Sikhs as well as Hindus. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps". I shot this at Trafalgar Square in London a few years ago, where the local Hindu community held a massive celebration with incredible live shows and amazing food. This year, I’m sure the celebrations will be significantly different! Let’s all be safe and celebrate together when this is “over”!

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Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah, USA 2020)

On a recent road trip to California, we stopped at Bryce Canyon to enjoy a hike along the amazing Queens Garden trail. The Hoodoos rock formations seemed to form an orchestra of beauty in the soft late afternoon light. I'm so glad we took the time to stop at these National Parks in Utah, each one is unique and breathtaking.

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The Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge (Guangxi, China 2016)

Built in 1916 to provide shelter during inclement weather, the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge spans the China's Linxi River at Sanjiang. Surprisingly, the Dong builders of this bridge did not use any nails or rivets. Instead, the talented Dong people used many dove-tailed pieces of wood. Though a century old, it’s still very sturdy and in the right light, it even looks like a brilliant rainbow crossing over the river. I captured this moment at sunset, when the golden light was reflecting on the rice paddies below the village, creating a truly magical scene.

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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.

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The Autumnal colors of Hyde Park (London, United Kingdom 2016)

Fall is probably my favorite time of the year. The heat of the summer has passed and you can feel nature winding down. It's a moment of amazing colors and incredible sunsets, a perfect time to take long strolls through the park.

I haven't posted in a while, it took me a few weeks longer than expected to settle after our big move! Hopefully, I'll be able to get out into the Colorado Rockies and capture some amazing landscapes soon...

I made this photograph of London's Albert Memorial in Hyde Park, the largest of London's four Royal Parks, created by Henry VIII in the 16th century.

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The Cham Stele (My Son, Vietnam 2009)

Located one hour from Hoi An, the My Son sanctuary was the religious centre for the capital of the Champa Kingdom. The majority of it was built in the 10th century. It lies in a valley surrounded by mountains, and served as a base for the Viet Cong during the war, resulting in extensive bombing. The brick temples that are still standing are amazing.

I found this stele while walking around the sanctuary. A beautiful piece of Cham culture.

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Muttrah Fish Souq (Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

Located in the old commercial quarter of Muscat, the Muttrah Souq in Muscat has seen an immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on the way to India and China. As I wondered the fish market, close to the port, a local porter pointed me towards the pier, where the wish was usually offloaded from the small boats. Sure enough, I came across this group of fisherman who was removing today's catches from the net. It was a moment I would most definitely have missed had I not decided to check out the backstage of the Muttrah Fish Souq.

Photo made during a #NGExpeditions trip to #Oman, travelling the sands of time.

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Fountain of Life (Rajasthan, India 2015)

Deserts are known to be inhospitable, yet they also hold unimaginable beauty.
Few realize that the Thar Desert is the most densely populated desert in the world, home to over 40% of Rajasthan's population.

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

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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.

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Parked (London, United Kingdom 2016)

I captured this candid shot on one of my visits to the Columbia Road Flower Market. The whole area around Shoreditch is a fascinating place to wander around the different markets, the hipster shops, the graffiti alleyways and to grab a salt beef beigel or enjoy a curry in Brick Lane.

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Cala de la Mallaeta (Villajoyosa, Spain 2011)

I made this nocturnal long exposure in a small cove on the Spanish coast, close to Alicante. Taking photos at night totally different than during the day. You are a lot less impulsive, and take the time to carefully compose your shot, using light (natural and added) to create something interesting. It may take you a few tries to get everything right, but once all the elements come together, a piece of art emerges...

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Lac des Sapins (Tarare, France 2010)

Happy Birthday to my sister! I really miss our summer family reunions, especially this year. I hope you are having a great time and we can't wait to see you!

Portrait of Anne and Marilou, at the Lac des Sapins, near our grandparents' home in Tarare.

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Puerto de Santa Pola (Alicante, Spain 2020)

We just returned from a week in southern Spain to see our family and friends. It felt good to get out of our London home and get a change of scenery, I think we all needed it! On this trip, we stayed in the fishing town of Santa Pola, usually quite touristy in the summer, but not this year. We felt safe as everyone was wearing a mask and took social distancing seriously. I made this photo in the port area at sunset. The fishing activity is back to normal, and all the restaurants are serving some amazing fresh seafood dishes. I'm really hoping that everything will normalize soon and we can get back to traveling, but it looks like we might have to wait a while longer...

ASTOEN2020Smugmug0000210Alex Stoen PhotographyAlicanteHasselblad X1DIISanta PolaSpainSunsetXCD 3575color toningmaritime. fishing

Discovering Jabreen Castle (Bahla, Sultanate of Oman 2017)

During a recent National Geographic Expeditions journey to Oman, traveling the sands of time from Muscat to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we took some time to explore 17th century Jabreen Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Oman. What makes this castle so unique is that it was built during a time of peace, constructed as a palace by a ruler who was passionate about science and art and that made it the most beautiful historic castle found in the Sultanate. The castle is three stories tall, features two towers, numerous receptions halls, dining areas, meeting rooms, a courtroom, a library, and classrooms. The interior design of the castle features decorated windows, wooden balconies, arches with inscribed Arabic calligraphy, and breathtaking ceiling artwork.

As I explored the interiors of the castle, this door leading to one of the palace courtyards really caught my attention, inviting the warm outside light to penetrate inside the cool interior of the halls, full of shadows. This made for a good location to shoot this portrait of Maria.

ASTOENOman2017Smugmug1007949AdventureArabianArabian PeninsulaBacklightBeautyCastleDetailsDoorExploreFocusFollowFortFrameIntricateLightOmaniOpenOrientOrientalPatternPortraitScarfShadeShadowsSharpStanding outSultanate of OmanSunlightTravelVacationVerticalWelcomeWelcomingheadscarfholidaysinvitingredred dressstock

Vilnius Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislaus (Vilnius, Lithuania 2019)

The Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius is the most important Catholic building in Lithuania. It is situated in Vilnius Old Town, just off of Cathedral Square. Dedicated to Saints Stanislaus and Ladislaus, the church is the heart of Catholic spiritual life in Lithuania.
There are a lot of stories and legends when this Basilica was constructed.
Some state that it was built by the great King Mindaugas in the 13th century. Other legends are telling that the Cathedral is standing in the ancient pagans sanctum, where Thunder God Perkūnas was worshiped. When king Mindaugas was baptized, he ordered the Basilica to be built in this location to show his loyalty to Christianity. Some say that after Mindaugas death, the Cathedral was turned into a pagans sanctum again.
St. John Paul II started his historic visit to Lithuania with a prayer at the Vilnius Cathedral Basilica, which he called “the beating heart of the Lithuanian nation”.

ASTOEN2019SmugmugAlex Stoen PhotographyBaltic StatesLeica Q2LithuaniaTravelVilnius

Dinner in Pontocho (Kyoto, Japan 2015)

Pontocho is one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas. It is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, next to the Kamogawa River. The alley is packed with restaurants on both sides offering a wide range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine and highly exclusive establishments that require the right connections and a fat wallet.

This was my first experience with Kobe Beef, renowned for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. It didn't disappoint!!!

ASTOENJapan2015Smugmug1003170Alex Stoen PhotographyAutumnFallGeotaggedKyotoLeica MP Typ 240NGExpeditionsNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsRestaurantSummiluxM 35mmTravelVacation

Street Seller in Mayfair (London, UK 2016)

Life in London is slowly picking pace. The vast majority of workers continue to work from home, but you can feel a push to get the inner city's economy to start up again, such as the pubs, restaurants, food markets etc, any business that depends on the city workers actually working in the city...

I made this portrait a few years ago while exploring the streets of Mayfair, a few blocks away from the enchanting Shepherd Market neighbourhood.

ASTOEN2016Smugmug1006120Alex Stoen PhotographyLeica MP Typ 240SummiluxM 35mm

The Welcoming Ceremony (Kaili Province, China 2016)

Maintaining old customs, Miao people held a welcoming ceremony for us as we entered the village. During the ceremony, the entire village stood in lines, wearing their full costumes, greeting us by presenting us a cup of "block-the-way" wine (three times before reaching the town square!!!). Miao girls will sing a "block-the-way" song, the words of which is mainly about their happiness to welcome a friend coming from afar. Following the dances, the elders sang and offered each other a cup of wine. It was truly a remarkable experience!

Alex Stoen PhotographyChinaGeotaggedKailiLeica MP Typ 240MiaoRural LifeSummiluxM 35mmTraditionTravelVacationWelcoming Ceremonyethnic group

La Ville des Huîtres (Cancale, France 2015)

Cancale is two towns in one with a traditional village on the hill and Port de la Houle below where most of the fishing activity takes place. Boulangeries and patisseries are on the hill; hotels and restaurants are down below. This port town is most famous for its oysters, with its origins going all the way back to Roman times when the soldiers of Julius Caesar ate them. The same oysters are now a national delicacy, so much so that the town square proudly displays a statue of women washing oysters in baskets located in front of Eglise Saint Méen.

ASTOENFrance2015Smugmug1000588Alex Stoen PhotographyBretagneBrittanyCancaleGeotaggedHuitresLeica MP Typ 240OystersSummiluxM 35mmTravel

Three Novice Monks from the Shwekyin Monastery (Mandalay, Myanmar 2013)

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

As I composed this photograph, the tall columns behind the novices really caught my attention. I chose a vertical format, allowing the scene to disappear into the space above: human/child minimalism versus the religion/infinity.

ASTOENMyanmar2013Smugmug1DXAlex Stoen PhotographyBurmaCanonCanon EOS 1DXGeotaggedNatGeoNational Geographic ExpeditionsTravelVacationYangon

In the Shadow of Time (Poncha Springs - Colorado, USA 2009)

I shot this old Ford Maverick on a road trip to Mt Crested Butte in Colorado. As I stopped for gas, I noticed the old abandoned card, a tree growing beside it, the Antiques sign in the back, and snow all around, waiting for the sun to help it melt away. It was an easy-to-miss composition, but keeping an eye out for these types of scenes can yield some creative results! I'll hopefully be back in Colorado within a few months, looking forward to a new chapter in my life.

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Windless Inspirations (Alicante, Spain 2010)

I really miss casting off and raising the mainsail for a beautiful day out on the water (not much wind on that particular day). Being able to completely disconnect allowed me to add some perspective to my thoughts, reaching difficult conclusions and making life-changing decisions. I composed this photograph several years ago, on a sailing trip in the Mediterranean Sea off the Spanish Costa Blanca.

ASTOEN2010Smugmug40DAlex Stoen PhotographyAtardecerBoatCanonCanon 40DCieloEFS 1785 f45.6 IS USMFlickrMarMastMediterranean SeaPeaceSail boatSailingSkySpainSunsetTranquilityWaterWindlesssail boat heading towards sunset