Children of the Ocean: A Tabaski Moment on Yoff Beach, Dakar, Senegal

Fifteen Years, One Continent

Fifteen years ago, with a freshly bought digital SLR slung over my shoulder and little idea of what I was doing, I set off on what would become my first major photographic journey.

After some volunteering in Northern Morocco, a group of friends and I hit the road — driving the length of the Country, through the vast silence of the Western Sahara, across the border into Mauritania, and eventually arriving in Bamako, Mali. I ended up staying there for a couple of months, mostly in the capital. I taught at a local school, took a couple of dusty road trips, and pointed my camera at everything and everyone.

In Bamako, I crashed on the couch of two Togolese Brothers. On their advice, I booked a cheap flight to Togo, then carried on overland through Benin and into Ghana.

That trip through West Africa left a mark. It taught me that photography — especially candid, observational, in-the-thick-of-it travel photography — could be more than just making images. It could be a way of seeing, of connecting, of paying attention. You can look at some of my travel images from that West African trip on my Flickr Folder - click here.

Back in Senegal

A decade or so later, I returned to the region — this time spending a couple of months in Senegal and The Gambia. The energy of West Africa was as magnetic as ever. I based myself around Dakar, a city of contrasts: fishing villages and modern malls, Baobab trees and bustling traffic. And then there's Yoff Beach — a wide stretch of golden sand where life happens in public: fishermen mending nets, kids playing football, women in vibrant and beautiful clothing, animals wandering freely, and the surf is pretty good also! Click here to read an earlier view an earlier photography blog I published about Yoff Beach in Dakar.

This is where I captured the photo — a slice of real life during Tabaski.

Washing the Sheep: A Tabaski Tradition on the Senegalese Coast by Geraint Rowland Photography

What Is Tabaski?

Tabaski, also known as Eid al-Adha, is one of the most important religious festivals in the Islamic calendar. In Senegal, it’s more than a celebration — it’s a national event. Families across the country save for months to purchase a ram or sheep for the traditional sacrifice, honouring the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

In the days leading up to Tabaski — Dakar transforms. The city becomes a sea of sheep. Literally. They’re everywhere — tethered along roadsides, herded through narrow streets, waiting in courtyards, even dotting the city’s long Atlantic beaches. It’s a surreal and striking sight, a blend of chaos and tradition that reflects how deeply this ritual is woven into Senegalese life.

Tabaski commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God — and the subsequent mercy shown by the replacement of the child with a ram. In Senegal, the celebration is taken seriously and celebrated communally. Each family, if they can afford it, buys a sheep in the days before the festival. The animal is kept close, often fed and tended to as part of the family, before it is ritually slaughtered and shared — with meat divided among relatives, friends, and those in need.

In 2025, Tabaski will be celebrated on Sunday, June 8th, though, as with many Islamic holidays, this can vary slightly depending on moon sightings. Before the ceremony, the sheep must be prepared — cleaned, blessed, and treated with care.

Children Leading a Sheep to the Sea

This candid image shows a group of young boys leading a sheep into the ocean for a wash. It might look playful — and there’s definitely joy in the scene — but it’s part of a real responsibility. The boys are active participants in the festival, helping their family and community. The sheep resists, digging its hooves into the sand. The kids strain and struggle, laughing as they work together to coax it forward. There’s a sense of ritual, but also spontaneity.

This is what I love about candid, reportage-style travel photography — when real life plays out naturally in front of the lens. No posing. No performance. Just people being themselves, culture unfolding before the lens. The above shot is one of the first I took of the boys before they noticed I was there, untagged and candid it is still my favourite. Upon seeing me I took a few more of the group more posed surrounding the sheep which can be viewed amongst my Tabaski Festival slideshow at the bottom of this blog.

The Shot

Captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and a 50mm f/1.4 lens, the settings were:
ƒ/7.1, 1/1000 sec, ISO 125.

The light was perfect — soft, overcast, flattering - click here to view the image on Flickr. The colours are rich but grounded: the vibrant painted fishing boats in the background, the boys’ shorts and shirts, the black-and-white sheep, the wet sand underfoot. It’s a dynamic frame full of motion and texture. My go-to aperture today of such shots would always be f/6.0 but f/7.1 works great here, the focus of all the boys and the sheep is sharp. Click here to view an alternative Lightroom edit of the image.

A Festival of People

This photo isn’t just about the sheep or even the kids — it’s about community. About cultural moments that involve everyone, no matter their age. It’s about how tradition, religion, and childhood intertwine — sometimes chaotically — in daily life.

These are the scenes I chase as a photographer: unscripted, layered, human. They speak to the wider World — whether through Getty Images sales or platforms like National Geographic and Conde Naste. And they stay with me long after I’ve left the beach.

Yoff Beach, Dakar, Senegal

In places like this, life spills into the open. That’s the beauty of shooting in Dakar — nothing is hidden. And during Tabaski, the city pulses with meaning and memory.

So here’s to the kids, the sheep, and the sea — and to the small struggles that hold entire stories inside them. Click through the following slideshow to view a few more Tabaski Festival images taken down by the Sea on Yoff Beach in Dakar, Senegal:

#Tabaski #EidAlAdha #SenegalPhotography #YoffBeach #WestAfricaTravel #CandidPhotography #CulturalPhotography #TravelReportage #StreetPhotographyAfrica #GeraintRowlandPhotography #Tabaski2025 #EidAlAdha2025 #sheep

Child’s Play & Holy Cows – Street Life in Varanasi

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | EF50mm f/1.4 USM

India never whispers. It bellows. And nowhere is that more true than the maze-like gullies of Varanasi—one of the oldest living cities on Earth, and a place that punches you square in the senses the second you step foot inside it. Noise, smells, smoke, laughter, devotion, and dung—Varanasi is everything, everywhere, all at once.

I spent a week there five years ago. Long enough to fall under its spell, not long enough to understand it. I wandered the ghats at sunrise, watched the smoke from the cremations curl into the orange sky, drifted along the Ganges in leaky wooden boats chasing different angles of the same sacred scenes. But it was the downtown chaos—the narrow, ancient alleyways—that really got me. That’s where this photo was taken:

Child’s Play & Holy Cows – Street Life in Varanasi by Geraint Rowland Photography

A young boy mid-spin, full of energy and mischief, dances barefoot along the ledge. In front of him, a cow—painted by nature with black and white inkblots—wanders calmly through the mess and magic. In Varanasi, this isn’t strange. This is Tuesday.

Cows are everywhere in India, but in Varanasi they’re more than background—they’re part of the soul. Revered and respected, they move how and where they want. Traffic parts for them. People wait. They own the streets with quiet authority. No leash, no rush, no stress. Just vibes.

This moment—this fleeting blend of childhood and cultural normality—says so much. A woman watches on, unfazed. The scene around her could be centuries old, or shot yesterday. That’s the magic of Varanasi: it’s timeless. Noisy and chaotic, but somehow deeply still underneath it all.

As a street photographer, you chase these moments. And sometimes, if you slow down and let the place breathe, it gives you something honest. Something unrehearsed. A kid playing next to a holy cow in a sunlit alley. Simple. Human. Real. Varanasi, like most of India is fantastic for urban wanderings and street photography, check out an earlier blog I wrote on Indian Street Photography - click here. You can view around one thousand of my India travel images on my Flickr Account - click here. In addition I have thousands of travel images from Varanasi and the rest of India available to license through Getty Images - click here to view. Click here to read a nice article by Explorer Simon Reeve who calls Varanasi one of the most memorable places he has ever visited. Here’s a slideshow with some more of my Cow related images taken in Varanasi, plus a Water Buffalo with a bird on his head because why not?

#varanasi #india #streetphotography #travelphotography #cowsofindia #incredibleindia #childhoodmoments #candidstreet #everydayindia #photojournalism #urbanlife #canonphotography

Duck and Cover: Pollution, Plastics & the British Coastline

A bright yellow bath duck, bobbing along in the murky waters of Southend in the South East of England. It’s the kind of image that makes you double take. Smile. Then squirm. Because that duck shouldn't be there.

This isn’t a staged studio shot. It’s real, captured among the trash washed up or floating in the shallows. And it says everything about the state of our waters — plastic pollution, sewage leaks, environmental neglect. It’s childlike and grim, playful and damning. It’s not just a toy lost at sea. It’s a symbol of the plastic choking our coastlines.

I took this image low level, close to the incoming tide in the late afternoon light. The waves rolled in and out with a rhythmic slap, and the setting sun cast this soft golden haze. But the light can’t mask the shit beneath. This is England’s coast in 2025 — beautiful, broken, full of contrast.

Surfers Against Sewage - pollution along the English coastline!

Camera Details:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
ƒ/9.0 | 50mm | 1/500 sec | ISO 320
Handheld, natural light, shot low level with my camera almost touching the water.

The State of Southend

Southend-on-Sea, once a Victorian gem and still a favourite day-tripper destination, boasts the longest pleasure pier in the World and a stretch of Essex coastline famed for its traditional beaches and bucket-and-spade charm. But look beyond the chip shops and arcades, and you’ll see the cracks forming — quite literally — in the water.

Raw sewage, dumped by profit-hungry water companies, has turned many beaches on the Southend stretch into no-go zones after heavy rain. Since Brexit, UK waters have lost the extra environmental protections once enforced by EU directives. The result? Loopholes exploited, fines dodged, and coastlines left tainted — both physically and politically. For a look at some more of my images taken in Southend-on-Sea check out my Flickr Album - click here.

Sewage, Scandal & Standing Up

It’s not just plastic — it’s piss, poo, and profit.

UK water companies have come under increasing fire for pumping untreated sewage straight into rivers and seas, under the guise of “storm overflows.” Translation: we can’t be arsed to upgrade infrastructure, so we’ll dump the waste and cross our fingers. Southend isn’t alone — it’s just one name on a long, dirty list. The Environment Agency reports thousands of such ‘events’ — a polite term for raw shit in the sea. But people are fighting back.

Surfers Against Sewage have been on the frontline for years — a grassroots movement turned national force. What started as a small group of surfers protesting filthy waves has become a powerful environmental pressure group campaigning for clean water, plastic-free coastlines, and corporate accountability. They monitor pollution, lobby for legislative change, and educate communities — all while keeping the stoke alive.

Massive respect to them. They’re doing the hard graft — in wetsuits and wellies. Read more about Surfers Against Sewage on their website, buy some merch and if you can afford it, drop them some coin!


Environmental Irony

The image plays with contrasts — something cute and harmless drifting through a seascape that’s far from pristine. It captures the bitter truth of the modern coast: a place once full of life, now too often full of garbage. Toy ducks. Wet wipes. Condoms. Crap. Plastic bottles. All regulars in the filth-streaked theatre of Britain's beaches. More of my ocean and sea images can be viewed on my Flickr Album - click here.

Duck and Cover: Pollution, Plastics & the British Coastline!

Photography That Speaks

This is why I shoot. Not just to capture pretty moments — but to reflect the mess, the madness, and sometimes the madness within the mess. This image doesn’t scream, but it asks questions. And that’s where the power lies. As always, if you want to license or use this image, check my Getty Images collection or drop me a message directly.


#Southend #Essex #UK #coast #plastic #pollution #yellow #duck #ocean #waste #environmental #photography #Canon5DMarkII #SurfersAgainstSewage #Britain #postBrexit #seaside #irony #polluted #beaches #GettyImages

Here Comes the Money Train, Machu Picchu, Peru

Street photography, motion blur & modern tourism in Machu Picchu Pueblo

Camera details:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
ƒ/22.0 | 50mm | 0.8 sec | ISO 200 | Flash off

A train blurs into the station of Machu Picchu in Peru, long exposure photography by Geraint Rowland

There it is — the blue blur of PeruRail rolling into Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes. Not just a train, but a symbol. A modern-day pilgrimage, ferrying thousands of tourists each day from Cusco to the base of one of the world’s most iconic archaeological wonders — Machu Picchu.

I titled this photo Here Comes the Money Train, Machu Picchu. Because that’s what it feels like: a high-speed vessel packed with tourists, influencers, and dreamers all chasing a slice of Incan majesty. The train arrives with a roar, a rush of energy through a small town built on the tourism that fuels it. It’s beautiful and brutal all at once.

Machu Picchu: Beauty with a Burden

Perched high in the Andes at over 2,400 metres, Machu Picchu is a breathtaking 15th-century Incan citadel that somehow escaped Spanish destruction. Discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 (or “rediscovered,” depending who you ask), it’s become a bucket list icon — and with that status comes a steady tide of visitors.

Most arrive via train from Cusco, either on PeruRail or IncaRail. The journey is dramatic, winding through the Sacred Valley past steep cliffs, misty peaks, and dense jungle — ending at this small, riverside town. From there, it’s a short bus ride or long hike up to the ruins. I was lucky enough to spend a week at Machu Picchu, exploring the surrounding peaks and taking photos for the tourism board of the Peruvian Government. Click here to read my blog on my week photographing Machu Picchu. I enjoyed staying in Machu Picchu Town itself, a small run down village, similar in parts to a Favela, that a large majority of the daily visitors to Machu Picchu ignore. From the Town you can get some alternative images of the surroundings, capture some street images and enjoy some local food. From the town you can even brave Putucusi Mountain which begins with a huge and scary near vertical ladder. The hike took me half a day, offered amazing alternative views to Machu Picchu, and best of all I only saw five other hikers all day.

Motion Blur in Street Photography

This shot was all about shutter experimentation. By narrowing the aperture to ƒ/22.0, I dropped the shutter speed to 0.8 seconds — just enough time to turn a moving train into a blur of electric colour and motion, while the man in red stands still and sharp, anchoring the scene. The contrast between movement and stillness is what makes it.

Fast shutter speeds (e.g. 1/1000s) freeze action — good for wildlife, sports, or crisp moments in street work. Slow shutter speeds (like this one) open the door to mood, mystery, and energy. They let light and movement stretch across the frame. It's less about the literal, more about the feeling.

I use the same technique with my ocean abstracts — slowing the shutter right down, while moving the camera to capture the motion of waves in a painterly way. Same idea, different subject. Blur becomes brushstroke. Have a read of my blog about taking abstract motion images by clicking here.

Tourism, Contrast & Chaos

There’s a story in the contrast here. One man stands still, possibly a local, watching the blur of a tourist train scream past. I t’s a quiet moment against a backdrop of movement and noise — a reminder of how places like Machu Picchu are caught between everyday life and the rush of global tourism.

This isn’t your classic postcard shot. It doesn’t scream “I made it to Machu Picchu!” — but it does hint at what it’s like to be there, right in that in-between space. And that’s the kind of moment I’m always chasing with my camera.

💰 Want to license this image or others from Peru?
Check it (and more from South America) via my Getty Images portfolio — every sale helps fund the next misadventure.

🔗 Related reads and images from Peru:

My Peruvian travel images on my Flickr account - click here.

Some of my Peruvian images taken with an Anamorphic lens - click here.

The Q’eswachaka Bridge Building Festival near Cusco, Peru - click here.

#geraintrowlandphotography #machupicchu #motionblur #streetphotography #travelperu #perurail #slowshutter #canon5dmarkii #gettyimages #moneytrain #aguascalientes #incatrail #oceanabstracts #shutterexperiments

Havana Street Portraits: Cuban Girls in the Doorway

There’s something about Havana. The heat, the hue, the hustle. It’s in the walls, the windows, the faces you pass without names. Havana, the Capital of Cuba truly is a photographer’s dream, there are literally great shots to be had around every corner. I took this image, one of my favourite from Havana around five years ago when I was out there exploring the streets. Somewhere on my walkabout I discovered these two Girls, presumably twins sitting in a doorway of their Father’s store or shopfront. It may have been a bakers or a car mechanics, I have no real recollection. I just remember seeing the two girls and taking a couple of shots candidly which captured their great expressions below:

Street Portraits of Havana, Cuba by Geraint Rowland Photography

One of my favourite images from my Cuban trip, I love the way both of the Sisters are looking towards the camera, both with different expressions. The one on the left more stunned and staring, the one on the right starting a smile, both girls dressed in the same clothing. For me this travel image is street photography in its truest form: Nothing added, nothing staged, everything real. I had to crop the image tight as there were some distractions to the right of the girls, but I wanted to keep the aspect ratio at the classic 3:2. Sometimes you have to take the frame of the moment during street photography and candid reportage, as you often don’t have the time to situate yourself perfectly.

The image was captured with my Canon 5D Mark IV, which I had recently purchased second hand, and the ever-trusty 50mm f/1.4 — my street stomping sidearm. The light? Natural. The moment? Unrepeatable. It’s also a quiet reminder — That the streets speak to those who listen. The people of Cuba are very expressive, I collected some great street portraits whilst I was out there, but as always I wish I had taken more! Here is a photography blog I wrote about some of the street portraits I took while in Havana. That photography trip to Cuba did a lot for my photography and paid dividends with the captures that I collected. The obvious one being the low level, wide angle image of the vibrant pink classic car I took down on the seafront of Havana after a rain storm. This image won me a trip to Hong Kong and Macau via the Travel Magazine Wanderlust. You can view that image and read about the win on my blog here.

Cuban Street Portraits in Black and White by Geraint Rowland

Want to use this image or story?

All of my travel and art images are available to license via Getty Images.
💰 Prints & enquiries: www.geraintrowland.com/contact
🖼️ Follow my ongoing street stories on Instagram: @geraint_rowland_photography
📍Location: Havana, Cuba
📷 Gear: Canon 5D Mark IV + 50mm f/1.4

Keywords: #Havana #streetphotography #Cubanpeople #sisters #candidphotography #kids #travelphotography #wanderlust #wanderlustmagazine #colourportraits #GeraintRowland #travelblog #photoblogger #50mm #Cubanculture #streetlife

Masterclass Review – How to Be Truly Creative (Alister Benn via PhotoWhoa)

1. Introduction

When PhotoWhoa reached out to me to review another one of their Masterclasses—after my previous review of Ian Plant’s excellent Travel & Nature Photography Masterclass —I took my time choosing. I was intrigued by several: one on capturing street portraits, another tracing the evolution of street photography. But in the end, I was pulled toward something deeper—Alister Benn’s "How to Be Truly Creative".

As a travel photographer for Getty Images, my focus has always been on storytelling. From religious rituals in India to minimalist seascapes along the British coast, my photography has appeared in exhibitions across London, Spain, Cuba, and Peru. And what drew me to this course was its promise to help photographers reconnect with their inner voice—something I believe separates a good image from a lasting one.

How to be 'truly' creative a Masterclass by Alister Benn

How to be ‘truly’ creative, a Photography Masterclass by PhotoWhoa and Alister Benn

2. Masterclass Overview

This isn't your run-of-the-mill photography tutorial. There's no talk of megapixels, tripods or camera bags. Instead, Alister Benn guides you through a rich and reflective journey into creative expression through photography. Alister grew up in the Highlands of Scotland, and is now based on the West coast of Scotland where he has been teaching photography for over twenty years. His mission is to help photographers reconnect with their voice, their instincts, and their emotional responses to the world. It’s not about the technical perfection of an image, but the energy and presence it conveys. Topics covered include:

  • The 5 Triggers Of Engagement – why we are attracted to certain things.

  • The Creative Photography Lessons- Hierarchy Of Engagement.

  • Creative and expressive processing.

  • Mood in minutes…

Alister Benn teaching photography in beautiful Scotland through his company Expressive Photography

The course is cleanly structured, progressing through themes of emotional engagement, visual awareness, abstraction, and interpretation. It's broken down into digestible modules that you can work through at your own pace, each one rooted in ideas that challenge conventional thinking.

One standout concept for me was his Hierarchy of Engagement, a framework that helps you reflect on why you take photographs in the first place—what draws you in, and what holds your attention. It asks you to go beyond just looking and to start feeling your way through photography.

Beautiful landscape images by Alister Benn, check out his Photography Masterclass via PhotoWhoa

3. Instructor’s Teaching Style

Alister is calm, philosophical, and completely unpretentious—a rarity in a space that can sometimes feel overly technical or ego-driven. His teaching doesn’t hit you like a lecture; it lands more like a conversation, the kind you’d have while walking through misty Scottish hills with a camera slung over your shoulder.

He invites reflection rather than reaction. You’re not being told how to shoot—you’re being encouraged to pause, feel, and respond to your environment. His delivery has a meditative, almost hypnotic quality that lets the material really sink in.

What sets him apart is his ability to draw connections between photography and other creative mediums. He speaks of rhythm like a musician, of layering like a painter, of silence and space like a poet. These analogies help break you out of the rigid "rules" mindset and bring you back to the emotional core of image-making.

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present.

His tone throughout is generous and open, and even when tackling more abstract concepts, it never feels waffly or out of reach. Instead, it feels like he’s helping you remember something you already knew, deep down, but maybe forgot under the noise of trends, presets, and the algorithm.

Learn to appreciate nature and the World around you with Proffessional Photographer Alister Benn

4. Video Quality & User Experience

The production values are solid: sharp visuals, clean sound, clear on-screen examples, and useful breakdowns in Lightroom. PhotoWhoa's platform is easy to use and keeps your place as you move through the lessons. Whether you binge it or dip in and out, the course is built to suit your flow.

Ask yourself why are you making photographs in the first place? What is your purpose…

5. Content Relevance & Depth

What impressed me most is how universally relevant the material in this course is. Whether you shoot city streets, mountain ranges, or abstract textures, the creative principles apply. Alister explores:

  • Using aspect ratios to influence mood and interpretation

  • How light, geometry, and atmosphere can transform an image

  • The emotional language of temperature, contrast, tint, and luminosity

One particularly thought-provoking section dives into aspect ratios—how the frame itself changes the story you’re telling. Alister breaks down the psychological and compositional differences between classic formats like 4:3, cinematic wides, and panoramic crops. This hit home for me. I’ve always leaned into framing instinctively, but never consciously examined how aspect ratio alone can steer a viewer’s emotional response.

Several years ago, I delved into the world of anamorphic lenses and wrote a couple of blogs, including this one on cinematic wide-angle landscape photography, exploring the unique results possible when using anamorphic glass. In contrast, the square format—so beloved by Instagram—brings a punchy symmetry and instant balance. I’ve embraced it in several works on my Instagram, particularly when experimenting with minimalism and colour contrast, especially in my abstract seascapes. You can explore more of my abstract seascapes on my website at the following page.

Another insight that stood out was Alister’s take on flipping images—rotating or mirroring them to open up new emotional or compositional interpretations. As someone trained to see such moves as ‘cheating’ or unnatural, it challenged some long-held habits. But seeing it done tastefully and purposefully in his workflow was eye-opening. It made me realise that the only real rule in expressive photography is this: does it feel right?

In another memorable section, Alister demonstrates in Lightroom how small tweaks to contrast or warmth can completely shift a photo’s emotional tone. A woodland scene from the Canary Islands transforms from inviting to haunting with just a subtle adjustment to the temperature slider.

It’s a simple but powerful reminder that every tool in the digital darkroom carries emotional weight. It’s not just about editing—it’s about storytelling.

Changing the mood, feel and emotion of an image by using the Lightroom sliders

6. Uniqueness & Value

There’s no shortage of tutorials out there promising sharper shots, cleaner edits, or Lightroom hacks. But that’s not what this course is about. What Alister Benn offers is something far more valuable: a route back to meaning.

It’s rare to find a photography course that asks more of you than just turning dials or chasing trends. Alister encourages you to step off the conveyor belt of social media validation and start tuning into what really drives your creativity. He reminds you that good photography isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about presence, awareness, and voice.

In a world that often pushes photographers to conform to trends, this course pushes you to rebel. Thoughtfully.

And that resonated. In an era where algorithms seem to decide what “works,” it’s easy to lose your gut instinct. To forget that photography is, at its best, an act of emotional honesty. This course doesn’t give you templates or formulas—it gives you permission. Permission to be bold, to experiment, to break your own habits. To be quiet, if that’s what the shot calls for.

That’s what makes this Masterclass stand out. It’s less a toolbox and more a compass.

And personally, I found it reinvigorating. It reminded me that expressing mood, story, or soul through an image isn't something you copy—it’s something you cultivate.

In his PhotoWhoa Masterclass Alister Benn explains how to add depth and emotion to images using Lightroom

7. Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. This is the kind of Masterclass that lingers. It won’t just teach you how to make better photos. It will help you remember why you picked up a camera in the first place.

For me, it felt like a much-needed reset—a reminder that photography is less about rules and more about resonance.

‘Make Mood in Minutes’ with your photography using Alister Benn’s Photography Masterclass via PhotoWhoa.com

8. Where to Find It

Check out Alister’s excellent insights into photographic creativity below:


👉 How to Be Truly Creative by Alister Benn on PhotoWhoa

If you’re looking to refresh your creative vision or simply need a spark, give it a go. If you are interested in attending one of Alister’s Expressive Photography Workshops & Events click here. Alister’s Workshops are in high demand and in exciting and adventurous place including: Namibia, the Canadian Rockies, Iceland and of course Scotland.

#photographycourse, #creativephotography, #alisterbenn, #photowhoa, #photographytips, #artofseeing, #visualstorytelling, #geraintrowlandphotography #expressivephotography

Feathered Architects: Nest Building English Birdlife

Lately, I’ve found myself more and more fascinated by the birds flitting around my Mother’s garden in Shoeburyness, Essex, England. With a bit of seed experimentation and some patience, they’ve started showing up more regularly — and over a few Mornings last week, I noticed a couple of Wood Pigeons up to something purposeful. They were entering the thick conifer trees at the side of the garden, disappearing and reappearing with twigs in their beaks. Sure enough, they were building a nest — laying the groundwork for the next generation, right there in the back garden.

A Wood Pigeon pauses from nest building to pose for a quick photo in Essex, England.

Wood Pigeons are the big lads of the British garden bird world — plump, mellow, with that pinkish-grey chest and a flight style that’s heavy on the flap. You’ll often spot them waddling across lawns or bouncing between fence posts. Different from the slimmer, slightly more dainty collared doves — who have that signature black collar and a softer coo. Where collared doves feel delicate, wood pigeons have presence. They’re less shy, less skittish — and clearly not too fussed about nesting in eye-level shrubbery if the spot’s right. Food wise they don’t seem too fussy and they often appear to be working alongside the Magpies for some food, letting the more aggressive Magpies shake the bird feeders whilst the Wood Pigeons happily scoop up the leftovers.

Conifer trees, especially the thicker, mature types, offer brilliant shelter. They stay green year-round, provide cover from wind and predators, and their dense branches make a great base for twiggy nests. Timing-wise, late spring is prime season for activity — with Wood Pigeons sometimes raising multiple broods a year if the conditions are good. Click through the slideshow below for some more images from the Wood Pigeon Morning sessions:

The images on this photography blog were captured with the Canon 5D Mark IV and the absolute dream that is the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art lens. Razor-sharp, dreamy falloff, and perfect for garden wildlife when you want reach and isolation without hauling a massive telephoto around. The first and favourite image I took just as the pigeon looked straight at me with its twig moustache — a perfect mix of purpose and personality. I cropped in tight in Lightroom and edited using one of their presets.

This little garden project was unplanned but surprisingly rewarding — a reminder that you don’t always need to travel far to find beauty, behaviour, and a story worth shooting.

#woodpigeon #gardenbirds #birdlife #birdphotography #canon5dmarkiv #sigmaartlens #englishgarden #birdwatching #birdfeeders #wildlife #birds

Photo|Frome 2025 – 'inEquality' Photography Exhibition

I was recently honoured to have three of my photographs included in the Photo|Frome Festival as part of the ‘inEquality’ Exhibition, hosted at the excellent Roseberry Road Studios in Bath, England, UK. It’s always a buzz to see your work printed large and in good company, but even more so when the theme digs into something real—something that matters.

The 2025 edition of Photo|Frome brings together a diverse group of national and international photographers, each offering their own visual response to the timely and urgent theme of inequality. Whether economic, cultural, environmental or human, the imbalance is everywhere. The exhibition doesn’t claim to solve it, but it does demand we look.

Roseberry Road Studios, one of the newer venues for the festival, is a working creative space that fits the tone perfectly—raw, real, and grounded. The festival as a whole spans 14 free exhibitions across the town, with workshops, talks, photowalks, portfolio reviews and a ‘Faces of Frome’ portrait studio creating space for conversation and community. It’s great to see photography being used this way—free to view, open to all, and unafraid to ask hard questions.

My three selected images each take a slightly different approach to the theme of inequality, drawn from my travels over the last decade:

1. Sunday Morning, Kailash Colony, New Delhi
Captured on my most recent trip to India, this overhead shot shows several families approaching a car at a junction in the Kailash Colony area of Delhi, asking for food and money. It’s a quiet but confronting moment—routine for many, but hard to ignore. Shot looking down from the roof of my Hostel, it offers a removed, observational view that mirrors the distance many people feel from such realities.

2. Trash on the Streets of Cusco
Taken a decade ago while I was living in Peru, this image captures a woman in traditional Andean clothing rummaging through a pile of rubbish in central Cusco—the so-called gateway to Machu Picchu. Again viewed from above, the contrast between the city’s tourist veneer and the daily grind of local life speaks volumes about what gets seen and what doesn’t.

3. Contrasting Scenes of India, A Varanasi Ghat
One of my earliest shots from India, this scene from Varanasi’s Asii Ghat feels like a microcosm of the country’s layered contrasts. Again taken from above, the frame includes a group of Western Tourists sitting and chatting, local women in colourful traditional clothing having a break from work, a homeless, amputee beggar lying sleeping next to a large cow. It’s a surreal clash—privilege and poverty, devotion and despair, all sharing the same ancient steps in uneasy harmony.

All three images are connected by a literal angle—shot from above—but more importantly by the social divide beneath the surface. These aren’t posed or dramatic scenes, just slices of life that speak quietly but clearly to the subject of inequality.

Thanks again to the Photo|Frome and Roseberry Road Studios for selecting my work and for giving space to the kinds of stories that need to be seen. There are plenty more examples of inequality in my travel photography, to view more of my India selection take a look at my Flickr collection here.

#photojournalism #documentaryphotography #travelphotography #inequality #streetphotography #everydaylife #IndiaPhotography #PeruPhotography #visualstorytelling #humancondition #photofrome #roseberryroadstudios

PhotoWhoa Travel & Nature Photography Masterclass by Ian Plant

1. Introduction

When it comes to online photography education, PhotoWhoa has built an impressive catalogue of masterclasses for creatives at every level.  From Post-Wedding Photography and The Art of Composition to Light Painting, Old-School Street Photography, and even Fine Art with AI, it’s a dynamic digital classroom for the visually curious.

I’ve spent the last fifteen years working as a travel and nature photographer—exhibiting in Peru, London, Wales, and Cuba—and contributing to Getty Images.  When PhotoWhoa invited me to review their Travel & Nature Photography Masterclass by Ian Plant, I was keen to see if it could deliver fresh techniques and inspiration that match my on-the-road experience.

PhotoWhoa Travel & Nature Photography Masterclass by Ian Plant

PhotoWhoa Travel & Nature Photography Masterclass by Ian Plant

2. Overview of the Masterclass

Instructor: Ian Plant, whose landscape and nature work has appeared in Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, and Landscape Photography magazines. You can find out more about Ian on his website here.

Length & Format: Roughly 80 minutes, broken into digestible modules so you can jump in and out at your own pace without losing context.

Gear & Tools: Ian uses a variety of lenses—particularly wide-angle optics—to illustrate creative composition, but stresses that you don’t need top-end kit to achieve stunning results.

Core Content:

  • A proven three-step process for crafting expressive, story-driven photos

  • Creative use of light (high contrast, backlighting, lens flare)

  • Shooting in extreme lighting conditions and exploration of reflections

  • Wildlife basics and wider-angle storytelling for travel photography

  • Techniques for finding patterns, shapes, and abstract contrasts in nature

Travel Photographer Ian Plant's Three-Step Process

Discovery - Revelation - Transformation - Ian Plant’s 3 Step Photography Success formula

3. Instructor’s Teaching Style

Ian’s delivery is friendly, jargon-free, and highly engaging — like shooting in the field with a trusted mentor. He balances clear explanations with thoughtful intelligence, often referencing his own images to show how and why a shot works.

He introduces the important concept of “Taking vs. Making” photographs — encouraging you to capture your subject, but then creatively elevate it through composition, lighting, and timing.

Ian demonstrates a powerful work ethic — scouting the perfect locations, pinpointing the ideal spot, and hitting the right light — and shares those insights so you can replicate the process.  His teaching is thoughtful, positive, and constantly encouraging experimentation.

Stunning landscape image by Photographer Ian Plant

Stunning landscape image by Travel Photographer Ian Plant

4. Video Quality & User Experience

The production values are excellent: crisp, high-definition video and clear audio make for a distraction-free learning experience.  The platform interface is intuitive — modules load quickly, you can pause or rewatch sections at will, and navigating between lessons is seamless.

I tried accessing the course on both my Mac and my iPhone, and both ways worked absolutely fine without any issues.  This flexibility ensures you spend your time lesrning, not puzzling over menus.

Exclusive photography masterclasses by PhotoWhoa

5. Content Relevance & Depth

Ian covers both fundamental and advanced techniques, making the course valuable for photographers with some experience under their belts.  You’ll learn to:

  • Experiment with camera settings — aperture, shutter speed, ISO — to shape mood and depth of field

  • Use wide-angle lenses to create dynamic perspectives and storytelling depth

  • Embrace “poor” weather — mist, rain, fog, snow, heat haze — to add atmosphere rather than hiding from it

  • Apply the Art of Inclusion in composition, harmonizing every element in the frame

  • Creatively manipulate light — including backlighting, high-contrast light, and artistic lens flare

While beginners will find inspiration, a basic understanding of the exposure triangle will definitely help maximize the learning experience.

Learn to take stunning landscape images with a PhotoWhoa photography Masterclass

6. Uniqueness & Value

What sets this masterclass apart is Ian’s consistent focus on creative vision over rote technique.
Key standout concepts include:

  • Cognitive Dissonance: Crafting images that compel viewers to pause and explore

  • Reflections & Mirroring: Using water and reflective surfaces to add depth and intrigue

  • Symmetry: Aligning elements for immediate visual impact

  • Atmospheric Conditions: Using weather creatively to add character and mood

  • Patterns, Colours, and Shapes: Spotting abstract contrasts in nature to build artistic compositions

The final section of the course was particularly close to my heart: abstract photography.
While I personally work extensively with intentional camera movement (ICM) for abstract seascapes, Ian’s approach opens new creative doors.  He encourages photographers to look for natural patterns, contrasting colours, and organic shapes in the environment, offering endless possibilities for artistic interpretation.

Ian’s artistic mindset — seeing photography as a means to create, not just document — flows through the entire course.  He reminds you that photography is not just about what you see, but about what you want the world to see through your eyes.

Learn abstract nature photographic techniques with Ian Plant

7. Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely.  Whether you’re a hobbyist seeking fresh inspiration or a seasoned pro looking to reinvigorate your work, this masterclass delivers both practical techniques and a creative shift in mindset.  Ian Plant doesn’t just teach camera settings — he teaches you to think like an artist.

If you want to create photographs that leave a lasting impression — not just another travel postcard — this course will give you the tools, techniques, and motivation to do exactly that.

Best suited for:
Photographers who want to elevate their travel and nature work through expressive, creative storytelling — and who are ready to experiment, think differently, and shoot with passion.

Elevate your travel photography with a PhotoWhoa Masterclass today

8. Where to Find It

Jump into the Travel & Nature Photography Masterclass by Ian Plant today at PhotoWhoa:


👉 Travel & Nature Photography Masterclass – PhotoWhoa

Enjoy the journey — and don’t forget:

Stay curious, stay creative, and most importantly, have fun!

#IanPlant, #PhotoWhoa, #Masterclass, #LearnPhotography, #PhotographyTips, #TravelPhotography, #NaturePhotography, #PhotoInspiration, #PhotographySkills, #CreativePhotography #learnphotography #photographyschool #education

Monkeys & Macaques of Shimla: Ice Cream Thief

While exploring the lively main square of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, I witnessed a moment of perfect street wildlife serendipity. A Rhesus Macaque had snatched an ice cream from an unsuspecting tourist and was calmly enjoying it on a bench, entirely unfazed by the surrounding crowds.

I kept a respectful distance — these monkeys can be quite bold — but managed to capture a few decisive frames of the scene as the Macaque sat proudly, cone in hand, relishing its prize. It was a brief yet captivating encounter, one that speaks to the wild charm and unpredictability of street life in India.

Rhesus macaque monkey eating stolen ice cream in Shimla, India

A Rhesus Macaque Monkey eating a stolen ice cream in Shimla, India

One of the alternate Monkey images from this moment licensed today via Getty Images — a small but satisfying sale that reminds me of the value in staying observant and camera-ready at all times, especially in places as vibrant and chaotic as India.

Image Details and Camera Specs:
📍 Shimla Main Square, Himachal Pradesh, India
📷 Canon 5D Mark IV | 50mm f/1.4 lens
ƒ/5.0 | 1/500 sec | ISO 250

This scene is part of a broader series I’ve been developing, documenting the relationship between urban wildlife and public spaces throughout India. From Cows lounging on a ghat in Udaipur, to monkeys enjoying sunset at the Taj Mahal, it’s a celebration of the surreal, often humorous intersections of nature and the everyday. Take a look at the following slideshow for some more Maque Monkey Madness I captured on my trip to Shimla:

Shimla, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a town that offers more than just breathtaking views and colonial charm. The bustling streets are a blend of old-world architecture and the vibrant energy of its locals, making it a must-visit for any traveller. Known as the 'Queen of Hills,' Shimla’s cool, crisp air and lush green surroundings make it a perfect retreat from the heat of India’s plains. But it's not just the views and the cool weather that make Shimla a fascinating destination; the wildlife here adds a layer of intrigue and sometimes, a bit of chaos.

One of the most memorable moments of my visit to Shimla was catching that Rhesus Macaque in action. This cheeky Monkey had swiped an ice cream cone from a tourist and was leisurely devouring it on a nearby bench, completely unfazed by the surrounding crowd. It’s moments like these that make Shimla’s streets feel alive with a mix of humor and unpredictability, with the larger-than-life Monkeys adding a sense of wildness to the otherwise quaint setting. Whether it’s watching these Monkeys swagger across rooftops or seeing them interact with the tourists and locals, Shimla’s Monkeys — particularly the big, tough ones — are part of the town's charm, always keeping you on your toes.

If you ever find yourself in Shimla, be ready for encounters with both the urban landscape and the playful (and sometimes mischievous) Macaques. Whether you’re sipping tea on the Mall Road or exploring the more remote parts of the hill station, Shimla offers a perfect blend of culture, nature, and a dash of wildness — the perfect setting for capturing moments that are both beautiful and unexpected.

Check out more of my Indian Travel Photography:


🖼 Getty Images Portfolio

📷 My India Photos on Flickr

📷 Geraint_Rowland_Photography - Instagram

#Shimla, #Monkeys, #Macaques, #WildlifePhotography, #StreetPhotography, #HimachalPradesh, #IndiaTravel, #IceCreamThief, #RhesusMacaques, #TravelPhotography