Taking Street Portraits in Lebanon & the Rest of the World

Whilst in Tripoli in the North of Lebanon I took some nice street portraits and head shots of the local people. I found the people of Tripoli to be very friendly and open to having their picture taken. In fact, several people approached me in the City and asked me to take their photo. I would always show them the photo after I took it on the back of the camera, and send their photo on to them later via WhatsApp if they had it. Click through the slideshow below to view some of the portraits I took in Tripoli, Lebanon:

For me, street portraits are one of the most important parts of travel photography and the best way to describe a country photographically. Taking street portraits requires patience, skill & knowledge of your camera settings, and a love for people. It's the perfect way to capture the essence of a place and its inhabitants, and it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Portraits for me bring back instant memories of a place, and I always regret not taking more. In Tripoli it was very easy to approach the locals for a photo, and I look forward to returning one day for some more portraits. Here is a blog with some more photos from my time exploring Tripoli in Lebanon.

I find out of the way places are far easier when taking people photographs. Tripoli reminded me of my first big travels in the West of Africa fifteen years ago with the people being both curious of the camera and unused to tourism. It is of course important to be respectful when taking street portraits. Always ask for permission before taking someone's photo, and be prepared to explain what you're doing and why.

Before taking the portraits be sure to know your camera settings and if possible set up before hand to ensure you are ready to go when necessary. Always focus on the closest eye when taking portraits or focus on either if taking forward facing head shots. I use select point focus when taking portraits to prevent the focus point from jumping around the face. To ensure a good focus throughout I tend to use f/6.3 to begin with and then widen the aperture when I am happy with the focus. As with all photography I enjoy a wide aperture and the background bokeh it produces, just bear in mind the wider the aperture the harder it is to get a good focus to begin with. I tend to take several different shots with a variety of settings and with different angles to aim for the best shot. I find conversing with the person and adding a little humour helps them relax and bring out their personality bringing the portrait to life. Take a look through the slideshow below for some more of my street portraits and head shots I have taken on my travels:

Street portraits and head shots of strangers taken on my travels have become some of my favourite personal images. They tell a story and instantly remind me of the person, the place and the trip itself. On my next adventure I am going to make it a priority to take more street portraits and by doing some make some further friends on the way. Many of my travel portraits are available for license via Getty Images here. More of my travel photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, my Facebook Page and my Flickr account. Much love and safe travels.

Travel Photography in Tripoli, Lebanon

Welcome to Tripoli, the second-largest City in Lebanon, an extremely interesting location with a multitude of photo opportunities. The city's old souks, historic architecture, and bustling streets make it an excellent destination for those looking to capture the true essence of Lebanon. The coastal areas of the City offer up many different photographic possibilities with beaches, interesting colonial architecture and run down buildings. Tripoli even has off-shore islands including Rabbit Island which are popular with tourists and locals alike, take a boat out from the waterfront. Click through the slideshow below to view some of my images from Tripoli in Lebanon:

One of the must-photograph locations in Tripoli is the Old City. It’s narrow streets and ancient buildings provide a glimpse into the city's rich history and culture. The Old City is a great opportunity for street photography and candid images. I also found Tripoli the easiest place in the Middle East to take portraits of people. In fact, several people approached me and asked for me to take their photo, which I would send on to them later via WhatsApp. Take a look at my blog on street portraits I took in Lebanon and the rest of the World.

The city's vibrant markets are also a great place for travel photography. The colorful stalls and friendly vendors provide a perfect opportunity to capture the local flavor of the city. The Al-Mina fish market is a must-visit for seafood lovers, the surrounding food establishments offer delicious fresh food at affordable prices. Click through the following slideshow for some more of my images from Tripoli in Lebanon:

Finally, don't forget to capture the city's beautiful mosques and churches. The Al-Tell Mosque, located in the Old City, is one of the most stunning buildings in Tripoli. In conclusion, Tripoli is a fantastic destination for travel photography, offering a mix of history, culture, and vibrant street life. It is a World apart from the Capital City of Beirut, so for a different side of Lebanon, get on a bus and head head North to Tripoli!

My photography from Tripoli and Lebanon is available for license via Getty Images here. More of my travel photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, my Facebook Page and my Flickr account. Peace and safe travels.

Some Street Photography in Hong Kong

In 2019 I visited Macau and Hong Kong, my prize for winning the Wanderlust Travel Magazine photo of the year competition in 2018. Here is a previous blog I wrote about some of the street photos I took on that trip in both Hong Kong and Macau.

Hong Kong is an excellent photographic destination, full of contrasts. Towering skyscrapers and modern shopping malls, winding alleyways and traditional markets, all coexisting in a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. It's a city that never sleeps, and there's always something to capture on camera, making it a great place for street photography. Click through the slideshow below to view some more of my street photos and street portraits in Hong Kong:

The streets of Hong Kong are a kaleidoscope of colors, with neon lights, street art, and colorful shop signs, creating a feast for the eyes. It's a city that's constantly on the move, with people rushing to catch buses, trains, and trams, creating endless opportunities for candid street photography. I highly recommend trying the old trams in the city, sit upstairs at the front for some great views and photo opportunities. One of my favourite Hong Kong images was taken upstairs on one of those trams.

The markets are also a great place to capture the essence of Hong Kong street life, with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to electronics, with crowds of people jostling for space. Whether you're a professional photographer or just starting out, Hong Kong's streets are an endless source of inspiration, offering a fascinating glimpse into a city that's always evolving. I had a great time in Hong Kong, and look forward to returning one day!

Many of my Hong Kong images are available for license via Getty here. More of my travel photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, my Facebook Page and my Flickr account.

Some Travel Photography, Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary in Central Europe, is a stunning destination for travel photographers. The city is known for its rich history, architectural wonders, and natural beauty, making it a photographer's dream come true. The bustling City also offers up many great opportunities for street photography. Click through the slideshow below to view some of my travel photographs taken in Budapest:

One of the most iconic landmarks of Budapest is the Hungarian Parliament Building, a massive Gothic Revival-style structure that sits on the banks of the Danube River. From the opposite bank, you can capture stunning panoramic shots of the building, especially during sunset when the building is bathed in golden light. At night the Parliament Building is illuminated, head down after dark and take a tripod for some long exposures. The Danube itself also a variety of photographic options, the light on the water at sunset is beautiful.

Another must-visit destination for travel photography in Budapest is the Fisherman's Bastion, a unique lookout point with panoramic views of the city. The Bastion's towers, arches, and turrets make for a perfect subject for architectural photography.

For some natural beauty and nature images head to Margaret Island and the City Park. Both destinations are great spots for capturing the beauty of Budapest's green spaces. Margaret Island is a serene park in the middle of the Danube, while the City Park boasts a picturesque lake and a historic castle. Click through the slideshow below to view some of my nature photographs taken in Budapest:

To sum up, Budapest is a destination that offers endless photographic opportunities for the travel photographer. From historic landmarks and incredible architecture to natural beauty, Budapest is an excellent City to practice your photography.

More of my photography from Budapest can be found on my website, my Flickr account, and for license via Getty Images. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or for anything else please send me an email.

Taking Abstract Motion Photographs

Abstract photography using motion as a creative technique is one of my favourite styles of photographic artwork. Normally a photograph will capture an individual still image, and these do often remain the most memorable. However, many beautiful photographs are not static, but contain motion & movement. By deliberately introducing movement a photographer can add fluidity and an element of surrealness to an image. I find this technique especially effective with ocean or seascape abstracts. Akin to a painter using a brush to paint abstract element to a piece of work, a photographer can use their camera to achieve a similar effect. Click through the slide show below to view some abstract seascapes I took earlier this year in Spain:

How to take abstract motion photographs?

Motion blur photographs, also known as ICM (intentional camera movement) photographs, or abstract images are easy to capture. They need no special equipment, not even a tripod, all you need is some patience, and a camera that allows you to adjust the shutter speed. Take a look at a previous blog I wrote on taking abstract art photos. I have sold a lot of my abstract seascapes to individuals via my website, and to companies via my abstract photography selection on Getty Images. If you would like to purchase one of my abstract images, or any of my travel photographs please send me a message or contact me via my instagram page here.

It’s all about the light:

To create abstract motion photographs you will need a slower shutter speed allowing more light into the camera. To avoid overexposure you therefore want to shoot your images in lower light. That is why abstract motion images work so well at sunrise or sunset. At these times of the day you also get the added bonus of the best colours in the sky. There is no magic formula with motion blur images with regards to shutter speed or aperture, as with all photography, practice makes perfect. In fact the favourite ocean abstract I have ever taken was nearly ten years ago in Huanchaco in the North of Peru. The best way to perfect the motion technique is through experimentation: increasing or decreasing the shutter speed, opening or narrowing the aperture and trying different lighting conditions. Due to the difficulty of removing dust spots with certain motion abstract images I try not to use a very narrow aperture. The smaller the aperture (higher the F stop) the more likely it is that dust spots and specks will show up on your image.

Should you use a tripod?

Many people prefer to use a tripod when taking abstract motion/ICM photos. When taking abstract seascapes, a tripod can be useful for keeping the horizon straight and avoiding moving the camera too wildly up and down. However, I personally never use a tripod, partly due to laziness, and partly to make the motion more natural and free. Instead just adjust your settings, face the ocean (or subject to be taken) and move the camera from left to right whilst taking your shot.

Editing abstract motion images:

I use Lightroom Classic for all my photography editing including my abstract motion images. To increase the sense of movement I often increase the contrast and clarity, and with regards to colour and saturation I often go further with an abstract than I would with other styles of photography. As with the abstract photography itself, play around with your editing and see what works best for you.

Abstract artwork for sale:

More of my abstract photography can be found on my website, my Flickr account, and for license via Getty Images. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email. Take a look at the following blog about my abstract seascape imagery for sale.

Photography in the Moya Region of Gran Canaria

Towards the end of last year I spent a month living in the North of Gran Canaria. The trip involved gardening & outdoor work, some surfing and a lot of photography. I stayed at the excellent Moyaba Canaries, a new Eco Community site located high above the North coastline in the Moya region. The Canary Islands, part of Spain are an excellent place to escape the British Winter with warm weather year round and cheap daily flights from a number of airports throughout the UK. The Northern region of Gran Canaria is very different from the South with far less Tourism, a much smaller population and wilder more remote landscapes. Agriculture is common in this area and small family-owned farms growing fruit and vegetables are everywhere. Banana plantations are also very popular here, with bananas being one of the island’s biggest exports. From where I was staying the sunrises and sunsets were equally as impressive with vibrant ever changing skies perfect for photography. The town of Moya in the region of Moya is also an interesting place to visit and photograph. A typical Canarian town with the impressive Nuestra senora de la Candelaria Church, and elevated views across the countryside and to the ocean. Click through the slideshow below to view some of my images taken in the Moya region:

It was my third visit to the Canary Islands, having previously been to Gran Canaria and on another trip to Fuerteventura. I will definitely be returning to Gran Canaria as soon as possible to explore more of this beautiful island, to get back in the ocean for some waves, and to take some more photographs. I highly recommend you visit the North coast in addition to the Capital, Las Palmas, and the beaches in the South. If you want a surf lesson, or need to hire a board or wetsuit check out Surf Canaries based on the beach of Playa del Inglés. They are the most professional School on the island with fun instructors who can speak English, German & Spanish. For accommodation and the perfect place to hang out I suggest you check out the Eco Community which overlooks the North Coast, Moyaba Canaries. They have a range of accommodation options, an amazing area of land to hang out in, and they also offer ‘Work Away’ options.

More of my travel photography can be found on my website, Instagram, Facebook Page and my Flickr account. My travel photography from the Canary Islands is available to licence via Getty Images. If you are interested in writing a guest blog for my website please send me an email to discuss. Likewise if you are interested in purchasing or using any of photos from Gran Canaria please send me an email: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.

La costa de Chorrillos, Lima, Perú

Chorrillos es un distrito de la provincia de Lima en Perú y parte de la ciudad de Lima. Toma su nombre de la palabra en español para “chorro de agua”. Está ubicada a un costado de Barranco sobre la línea costera de Lima y tiene diferentes áreas de playa sobre el océano Pacífico.

Playa Pescadores es una pequeña playa pesquera muy activa, un lugar muy interesante para pasar algunas horas observando a la gente y disfrutando del atardecer. A la orilla del mar puedes comprar ceviche fresco (El platillo tradicional peruano hecho a base de pescado crudo marinado en jugo de limón y chile). En el muelle chico se puede ir a pescar cangrejos y pescados pequeños o tomar un paseo en bote por la costa de Chorrillos. Desde ese lado de Chorrillos se puede disfrutar de la vista panorámica de la bahía de Lima, abarcando desde Barranco, Miraflores y mas allá. En días claros, a la distancia se puede ver La Punta y la isla de San Lorenzo en el distrito de Callao.

Justo a un lado de Playa Pescadores hay una exclusiva playa privada con club deportivo llamada Regatas. Es uno de los clubes deportivos más exclusivos en Lima el cual atrae la los peruanos mas ricos y famosos quienes acuden ahí a hacer ejercicio, asolearse y relajarse.

A la vuelta de la bahía se tiene la pequeña y alejada playa de La Herradura la cual fue un lujoso centro vacacional en el siglo XIX. Ahora en la playa hay varios restaurantes donde se puede disfrutar de la cocina tradicional peruana mientras se disfruta el atardecer. Esta playa también alberga uno de los mejores lugares para el surf en Lima. La marea necesita crecer para funcionar como debe y ha sido lugar para muchas competencias internacionales de surf.

En el camino entre el malecón de Chorrillos y La Herradura se pasa frente a la saliente rocosa El salto del fraile. Aquí se localiza un restaurante con el mismo nombre proveniente de una leyenda de amor prohibido que tiene un trágico final. La leyenda involucra un amor joven que resulta en embarazo y al joven hombre siendo enviado a un monasterio y obligado a convertirse en fraile para el perdón de sus pecados. En estos tiempos se pueden encontrar a los locales recreando la leyenda. Hombres de la localidad se visten como monjes y se tiran desde el precipicio al peligroso mar. He escuchado rumores de que al menos un hombre ha muerto intentando este clavado. Un lugar fascinante sin embargo. Trataré de regresar en las siguientes semanas para capturar más saltos.

Más de mis fotografías de Lima pueden ser encontradas en mi sitio web, Instagram y mi cuanta de Flickr. Si te interesa comprar alguna impresión, usar alguna imagen en línea o te gustaría obtener mas información, por favor envía un correo a geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.

www.geraintrowland.co.uk

www.geraintrowland.co.uk

Travel Photography and Abstract Art Prints for Sale 

I now have several of my abstract art prints for sale via the ETSY shop of Linda Wisdom Photography. The abstract photographs can be printed on any material and shipped to anywhere in the World, they look great blown up large and printed onto canvas. In addition to my ocean abstract images the store also sells some of my most popular travel images from India, Africa and Peru:

Linda has been running her successful ETSY shop for several years where she sells some of her award winning iconic London street images. Linda is a professional photographer & lens based artist, specialising in fine art street, urban and lifestyle photography. She has been a part of many successful exhibitions including the London Photo Festival in Borough, Photo City London in 2017. Linda won 'Best Street Life' category with the British Life Photography Awards 2016 and was commended again in 2018. Her portfolio focuses on creatively capturing candid people, lifestyle, urban & city environments that convey a clear message, visual impact, or storytelling themes. If you are interested in street photography and are ever visiting London be sure to contact Linda for one of her fascinating street photography tours of the City.

In addition to my abstract seascapes, I also have several of my most popular travel images for sale via Linda's Etsy store. These include: a cheeky Llama photobombing the view of Machu Picchu, posing Monkeys in The Gambia and several classic Indian travel photos from Varanasi and the Taj Mahal.

So if you would like to purchase an abstract art image, a travel photograph or a classic piece of London life go to the Etsy store right now! More of my abstract photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, my Twitter and my Flickr account.

Fotografía en blanco y negro en el pueblo de Belén, Iquitos, Perú!

Estas fotos fueron tomadas en el pueblo de Belén en Iquitos Perú. Algunas formaron parte de un foto ensayo previo para la revista Dezine. El pueblo de Belén es parte de Iquitos, la metrópoli más grande del Amazonas peruano. El pueblo entero es inundado por las aguas del río Amazonas a lo largo de varios meses. La única forma de llegar es en bote por lo que incluso los niños aprenden a remar y navegar en pequeñas canoas desde pequeños. Haz clic en las imágenes a continuación para ver una selección de fotos del pueblo de Belén:

El pueblo de Belén está repleto de oportunidades de tomar fotografías extraordinarias. Los habitantes locales usan el río como fuente de trabajo, transporte y diversión. Los niños se sientan junto al río a vender comida y mercancía a los botes que van pasando, los hombres ofrecen botes como taxi o para la pesca, mientras que las mujeres lavan la ropa en el río. Alrededor de 65,000 personas viven en Belén, ya sea en casas flotantes ancladas o elevadas en pilares. Es un vecindario donde muchas de los habitantes viven en condiciones de pobreza.

Puedes encontrar más de mis fotografías de viaje en mi página web, Instagram y mi Página de Facebook. Si estás interesado en comprar alguna de mis fotos impresas, utilizar alguna imagen en la red o necesitas más información, envía un email a: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.