travel photography

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

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

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

Hide and Seek: A Moment in The Gambia

Home is more than just walls—it’s the comfort and protection we find within them. In the streets of Banjul, The Gambia, a young girl hides behind her mother, peering cautiously at the camera from the doorway of her home. Her mother stands as both a shield and a source of security, embodying the quiet strength that defines a sense of belonging.

Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, is a compact yet vibrant city, sitting on an island where the River Gambia meets the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its small size, it’s full of life—colorful markets, the call to prayer echoing through the streets, and a community spirit that is felt in every interaction. During my travels in The Gambia and neighboring Senegal, I was fortunate enough to stay with a local family, experiencing daily life from within rather than as just a passing observer. The children were full of energy, always eager to play, pose, or sometimes—like in this moment—shy away from the camera.

Hide and Seek: A Moment in The Gambia - Travel Blog by Geraint Rowland Photography

The Layers Within a Travel Portrait

Travel portraits are more than just faces—they tell stories, reflecting emotions, relationships, and environments. In this particular image, the game of hide and seek adds an extra layer to the scene. The girl’s cautious but curious gaze creates an emotional connection, while the vibrant patterns of her mother’s dress contrast beautifully with her tentative body language. The bold yellow and green fabric dominates the frame, serving almost as a protective barrier, reinforcing the idea of home as a place of safety.

While I captured several images of the children during my stay, this one stood out. It speaks of innocence, the quiet bond between mother and child, and that universal feeling of childhood curiosity mixed with the need for comfort. Moments like these are why I love candid photography—it allows real life to unfold without interference, capturing emotions that might otherwise go unnoticed.

In the following slideshow you can check out more portraits from this time—images of the lively, warm-hearted children I had the pleasure of meeting. The above photograph however, remains one of my favourites from my travels in The Gambia, a reminder that home isn’t just a structure, but the presence of those who make us feel safe.

Camera Details, West Africa Blogs & Keywords from The Gambia

📷 Canon 5D Mark II | 50mm f/1.4 | f/6.3 | 1/320 sec | ISO 250

#Gambia #Banjul #StreetPhotography #TravelPhotography #Africa #CandidPhotography #Photojournalism #SenseOfHome #Motherhood #WestAfrica #PortraitPhotography

Kodaikanal Living: The Pink House on the Hill

Perched on a hillside in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, this pink house stands out against the lush greenery that surrounds it. A local woman goes about her daily chores, tending to her home with quiet diligence. Captured from above, the scene offers a glimpse into everyday life in this South Indian hill town.

Kodaikanal, often called the 'Princess of Hill Stations,' is known for its misty landscapes, scenic lakes, and vibrant local culture. This photograph encapsulates a moment of routine in an extraordinary setting. The rusted tin roof tells stories of years gone by, while the bright blue windows and railings contrast sharply with the warm pink walls. Clothes dry in the sun, water barrels line the side of the house, and life moves at its own steady pace. I stayed in Kodaikanal for almost two weeks towards the end of my six month trip around India. I stayed in the Zostel Kodaikanal which was a great Hostel with excellent staff, I also met some great travellers from India. I joined them on a great road trip to the awesome Zostel Poombarai and we had a lot of fun en route!

The above images were captured on the Canon 5D Mark IV with my go-to-lens, the 50mm f/1.4 lens, the image balances sharp detail with soft natural light. The perspective from above not only highlights the home but also its integration into the surrounding environment, reinforcing the idea that home is more than just a structure—it's a lived experience. Take a look through the slideshow below for some more of my photography from Kodaikanal, I loved that town, it was a definite highlight of my trip around India:

For more of my photography from India, check out my India Flickr album or browse my Getty Images collection. All of my travel images from India are available for sale.

#Kodaikanal #IndiaPhotography #TravelPhotography #HillStation #StreetPhotography #EverydayLife #SouthIndia #Home #DocumentaryPhotography #Canon5DMarkIV #zostel #tamilculture #tamilnadutravel #visitindia #indiabloggers

Lovers by the Sea, Candid Photography in Morocco

Rabat, Morocco—a city where history, culture, and the Atlantic coastline blend seamlessly. The capital of Morocco offers a rich mix of modern life and traditional charm, making it an ideal destination for travellers and photographers alike. With its winding medina streets, expansive coastline, and vibrant street life, Rabat presents endless opportunities for capturing candid, raw moments.

Capturing Rabat Through Candid Photography

Candid photography thrives in places like Rabat, where life unfolds naturally in the streets, by the sea, and within the souks. In this particular shot, taken along the rugged coastline near Rabat, a couple sits in quiet embrace, framed beautifully by the natural rock formations behind. The land itself acts as a frame, directing the eye toward the couple while adding depth to the composition. In the background, a fisherman perches on a jutting rock, casting his line into the sea—a poetic contrast between solitude and companionship.

The Shot: Technical Breakdown

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Settings: ƒ/9.0 | 85.0mm | 1/200 sec | ISO 160

The choice of the 85mm lens allowed for a natural compression of the scene, bringing both the couple and the fisherman into a cohesive composition. The ƒ/9 aperture ensured that enough detail remained in both foreground and background without distracting from the main subjects. The overcast lighting softened shadows, making the image feel intimate yet expansive.

Street Style and Culture in North Africa

Morocco is a cultural crossroads, where tradition meets modernity. In the streets, vibrant colors, flowing fabrics, and modest yet stylish outfits define the unique street fashion. In this shot, the woman’s peach-coloured headscarf subtly contrasts with the muted tones of the surroundings, drawing attention to the couple without overpowering the composition.

Framing in Photography

Framing is a fundamental element in photography, and this image demonstrates its power. The rock formation naturally cradles the couple within the frame, creating a sense of intimacy. Meanwhile, the fisherman in the background adds an additional layer of storytelling, balancing the image both compositionally and thematically. Here is a photography blog I wrote about framing in photography, especially the compositional technique of a frame within a frame.

The Peaceful Coastline of Rabat

Rabat’s coastline offers a sense of tranquility that contrasts with the city’s bustling medina. The Atlantic Ocean crashes against the rugged cliffs, creating a dynamic backdrop for storytelling. Whether it’s couples enjoying the view, solitary fishermen waiting for a catch, or locals gathering along the shore, the coast serves as a place of reflection, connection, and everyday life.

This image, "Lovers by the Sea, Morocco," encapsulates the essence of travel photography—seeking out the quiet, in-between moments that tell a deeper story. It’s a testament to Morocco’s charm, its people, and the way life seamlessly blends with nature along the shores of North Africa.

Explore More Moroccan Travel Photography

More of my Moroccan travel photography can be viewed on my Flickr page. These images are also available for purchase via my Getty Images portfolio, or reach out directly.

#morocco #travelphotography #rabat #streetphotography #northafrica #oceanview #candidmoments #couplegoals #fisherman #landscapephotography #geraintrowland

Editing, Stock Photography & Photo Competitions

For the last few months I have been in lockdown in Mexico City due to the Covid-19 pandemic so have tried to be productive with my time! Fortunately I had travelled there with a couple of old hard drives, so I was able to catch up on editing from the last couple of years. Editing photos whilst travelling is always something I have been a bit slack with. The last thing you want to do while discovering a new place is to be sitting behind your computer screen editing photos for hours. During my six month trip around India last year I was constantly on the move and therefore had thousands of photos that still required editing.

In addition, I am now making more of an effort to sell photos via Getty Images. It is therefore even more important that I keep on top of the workflow with regards to editing, uploading and key wording to the Getty site. In the last few months alone I have increased my Getty portfolio by several thousand images, whether or not that will equate to anything substantial income wise is yet to be seen in these crazy times. At the least it allowed me to focus on something during the quiet times, improve my editing skills on Lightroom, manage my travel images in a better way, and enter some more photo competitions. Last year I was lucky enough to go on an all expense paid trip to Hong Kong and Macau after winning a travel photography competition in the Wanderlust Travel Magazine.

Photo Competitions

The majority of photo competitions that I have entered in the past tend to be travel related, although on occasion they have also been of street photography or portraiture. I recently entered another travel related photography competition for the cover of SUITCASE magazine. The theme of the competition was ‘Freedom’ and SUITCASE were allowing a great amount of creative freedom in how the photographer interpreted that notion. There was a nice cash prize to be had along with having your image used on the cover of the next issue as well as a double page feature inside the magazine. I spent several hours going through my old travel images reminiscing, and looking for any which meant ‘freedom’ to me. I then asked the opinion of friends and family to narrow down my shortlist to the following selection of freedom related travel images:

'Freedom' Travel Photo Selection

The photo I decided to enter was the first in the slide show, taken last year at 'Suicide Rock' in Hong Kong.  It was the most recent photo taken on my shortlist and the one that resonated with me the most. Here is the story behind the picture:

Last year whilst visiting Hong Kong I met up with Anthony, an outdoor enthusiast, born in Hong Kong and brought up in the United Kingdom.  Anthony managed to persuade me and a friend to hike the notorious 'Suicide Cliff'.  

 Located at 600 meters the viewpoint offers spectacular views over Hong Kong.  While keeping a safe distance from the edge and experiencing some vertigo I took this photo of Anthony strolling around the large rock without a care in the World. 

 I wanted to capture the essence of travel and freedom found in the great outdoors.  I also wanted to portray the contrast between nature and development evident in Hong Kong: Peace & solitude in a concrete jungle.   Hopefully people can look at the image and escape the mundane realities of life even if only for a few fleeting moments.  With hope, imagination, and a little effort we can all experience true freedom.  

For the competition the photo entries had to be in vertical/portrait orientation.  Currently I tend to take the majority of my photos in landscape format especially ones in which I want to show the sheer scale of the surroundings such as in the 'Suicide Cliff' image.  I will bear this in mind in the future when I am out taking photos to cater for different end uses for my photography.  The photo also had to be in colour, understandable for a magazine cover, especially for travel.  I have since edited the original image into black and white which I think adds to the overall scale of the place and precariousness of the hike.

‘Suicide Cliff’, one of the many hiking trails in Hong Kong.

‘Suicide Cliff’, one of the many hiking trails in Hong Kong.

More of my travel photography can be found on my website, Instagram, Facebook Page and my Flickr account. If you are interested in writing a guest travel or photography blog for my website please send me an email to discuss. Likewise if you are interested in purchasing any of my travel or abstract images, please send me an email: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.  

Travels Around Morocco (Photo Essay for Dezine Magazine)

Morocco is one of my favourite places to visit and is excellent for photography.  It has a variety of landscapes from the rocky coastline, empty deserts, snow capped mountains, and bustling towns & cities.  The people are friendly, the food delicious and the travel is cheap.  For people in the UK I always think of Morocco as being the closest place that you can fly to that has the biggest cultural differences to home. This blog was published as a photojournal for the online magazine Dezine.  Click through the slideshow below to view my travel photographs taken around Morocco:

The first time arriving in Morroco can be a bit of a culture shock!  Marrakech for example is an ambush on the senses: street performers approach you with snakes and monkeys, dark twisting alleyways entice you until you get lost and a constant buzz seems to radiate throughout the city.  However, it is good fun, safe and always makes for interesting experiences.  A few years ago I returned to Morocco for a couple of weeks with a friend.  Starting in Marrakech we moved on to the Atlas Mountains for some solitude before heading to the coastline and visiting the cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra and Meknes. Below is a description of the photos in the slideshow above in the order they are seen with links to the individual images on my Flickr account:

1.  Golden hour at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square and market place in Marrakesh's medina quarter.

2.  Berbers, are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa.  Three locals enjoying the view from their backyard in the Atlas Mountains.

3.  Locals play on the beach at Casablanca while the sun sets.

4.  The Hassan II Mosque or Grande Mosquée Hassan II is on the coastline of Casablanca and is the largest mosque in Morocco.  

5.  A man enjoys nature and solitude in front of the Atlantic Ocean on the coastline close to the city of Rabat.

6.  A bodyboarder heads to the beach for a surf in Kenitra in the North of Morocco.

7.  A local enjoys the view of the coastline from the colourful cliffs of Rabat.

I have written several previous travel photo essays for Dezine which can be found on their website. More of my travel photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, my Facebook and my Flickr account. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or collaborating in any way please email: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.