Fenced Sun: The Dance of Light in Jbeil

The interplay of light, shadow, and form often reveals unexpected beauty in the simplest moments. This photograph, taken on the coastline of Jbeil, North of Beirut in Lebanon, captures such a moment as the sun sets.

A branch, tangled in the geometry of a chain-link fence, assumes an almost human quality, its twisted shape reminiscent of a dancer frozen mid-pose, silhouetted against the warm glow of twilight. Its form contrasts with the rigid lines of the fence, creating a visual dialogue between nature’s fluidity and the structured constraints of manmade barriers.

Shot with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and an EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, I used an aperture of f/6.3, a shutter speed of 1/800, and ISO 100. These settings allowed me to capture the sharp detail in the branch while preserving the smooth gradient of the evening sky. The balanced exposure highlights the delicate tones of the sunset and the stark elegance of the silhouettes. I slightly edit all of my photos in Lightroom to enhance their natural tones and bring out their full potential.

For me, this image speaks of contrasts and coexistence — freedom and restriction, movement and stillness. The branch, though seemingly confined, dances in its own way, a quiet yet powerful metaphor for resilience and expression.

To see more stories told through light, shadow, and travel, check out my Flickr collection, follow me on Instagram, or explore my Getty Images collection.

Keywords: #Lebanon #Jbeil #SunsetSilhouette #MinimalistPhotography #TravelArt #CanonPhotography #GoldenHour #AbstractLight #GeraintRowlandPhotography

In Her Eyes: A Candid Moment in Dhaka

Travel portraits have a unique way of speaking directly to the soul, none more so than this evocative image I look in Dhaka, the Capital of Bangladesh. The subject, a young child, seems lost in a world of unspoken thoughts. With a quiet gaze and delicate features framed by slightly disheveled hair, this portrait invites us into a story untold, where curiosity and uncertainty linger side by side.

Don't Despair, Portraits of Bangladesh

A photograph can speak a thousand words, and this one whispers of quiet resilience and the weight of life. This portrait, a cropped shot of a candid I took of a sad-looking girl in the centre of Dhaka, Bangladesh, captures an unguarded moment of thoughtfulness and emotion.

The photograph’s black and white treatment amplifies the emotional weight, stripping away distractions and emphasising raw emotion. The blurred backdrop—a mixture of soft textures and indistinct shapes, works to isolate the subject. Taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and an EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, due to low light conditions on the day, I chose an aperture of f/3.2 at 50mm, 1/200 shutter speed, and a high ISO of 1600. These settings blurred out the background subtly drawing the viewer’s focus to the subtle details of the child’s expressive face. The soft tones and shadows enhance the melancholic mood, creating a raw and intimate image that feels almost timeless. Here is a colour version of the image with more surrounding space, the muted colours telling their own story of the scene.

This image captures more than just a face; it captures a moment. It’s a testament to the power of portraiture in revealing the beauty and complexity of the human spirit. Whether a fleeting moment of introspection or an enduring thought, the depth of this child’s expression transcends language and culture, speaking directly to the viewer is as much about what isn’t shown as what is. The blurred surroundings of Dhaka’s bustling streets fade into the background, placing the viewer in the girl's world, if only for a moment. Her expression tells a story that words might struggle to convey, a mixture of strength and vulnerability that resonates on a universal level.

For more of my portrait work and travel photography, follow me on Instagram and Twitter. Each face tells a story, and each story adds to the journey. Photographing people in the candid moments of everyday life always reminds me of the quiet connections that bind us. This portrait, for me, captures the resilience of youth against the backdrop of a challenging environment.

Keywords: #Dhaka #Bangladesh #CandidPhotography #TravelPortrait #CanonPhotography #NaturalLight #Humanity #StreetPhotography #GeraintRowlandPhotography