candid photography

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

Cycling Through Madurai: Capturing the Spirit of India on Two Wheels

Madurai, one of the oldest cities in India, is a place where history, culture, and daily life blend seamlessly. From the towering Meenakshi Temple to the vibrant streets lined with bustling markets, every corner of this city tells a story. One of the best ways to experience this energy is by observing the cyclists who weave through the city’s roads—each with their own purpose, their own journey.

The Story Behind the Shot

The image captures a barefoot cyclist in Madurai, glancing directly at the camera as he rides his rickshaw-style bicycle across a bridge. Another cyclist, slightly out of focus, moves in the opposite direction, creating a visual contrast. Behind them, the dry riverbed is dotted with grazing animals, while a green bus moves across the bridge. The scene is a perfect representation of everyday life in India—raw, dynamic, and full of character.

Camera Settings:

  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

  • Lens: EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

  • Aperture: f/6.3

  • Focal Length: 50mm

  • Shutter Speed: 1/800

  • ISO: 200

Cycling Culture in India

Cycling remains an essential mode of transport in many Indian cities, especially for working-class individuals. Whether it’s vegetable sellers, schoolchildren, or rickshaw pullers, bicycles and cycle rickshaws are a lifeline for many. Unlike in Western countries, where cycling is often a hobby or fitness activity, in India, it is a necessity—providing an affordable and efficient way to navigate the often chaotic urban landscape.

Madurai: A Photographer’s Dream

For photographers, Madurai is a goldmine of visual storytelling. The city’s blend of ancient architecture and modern-day hustle makes for captivating street photography. The old markets, the sacred temple streets, and the daily routines of the people offer countless opportunities to capture authentic moments. The best time to shoot? Early mornings when the light is soft, and the streets are alive with activity.

Travel Photography in India

India offers an endless canvas for photographers. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, every region has its unique aesthetic. When shooting in India, it’s essential to stay adaptable, embrace the unpredictability, and interact with the locals to get the most natural and engaging shots. Street photography, in particular, thrives on these unplanned moments—like the one captured in this image. Have a read of this previous blog looking at street photography and travel in India.

Explore More:

📸 My India Flickr Album
🖼 My Getty Images Portfolio

Keywords:

#Madurai #IndiaPhotography #StreetPhotography #TravelPhotography #CyclingIndia #bikes #cyclingphotography #cycling #cyclelife #DocumentaryPhotography #RickshawLife #IndianCulture #ExploringIndia #EverydayLifeIndia #gettyimages #natgeoindia #bikelife

Travel in Black and White (Photo Essay for the Fourth Issue of Dezine Magazine)

I believe that by converting an image to black and white one adds an extra element that is often lost with colour photography.  With landscape photography, converting to black and white can add to the sense of scale and vastness of a scene.  With documentary photography, converting to black and white can make the scene more powerful and alive.  And with people photography, converting to black and white can add to and increase the captured emotion, whether that be happy or sad, lost or lonely.  Photographer, Ted Grant's quote on black and white photography sums this up beautifully:

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls!”

Black and White Photography by Geraint Rowland.

Black and White Photography by Geraint Rowland.

I rarely take a photograph thinking I will convert it into black and white, instead it happens later in the editing stage.  The reason for converting to black and white normally depends on the light in which the photo was taken, but it can also be due to the atmosphere or mood of the image.  Click through the slideshow below, descriptions of each shot can be found beneath:

1.  For a brief moment the light under the pier in Santa Monica was amazing yet it didn't quite work in colour.  Converting to black and white exaggerated the amazing light show and the addition of a photographer in the frame added to the image.

2.  Taken through the window on a road trip through West Africa I captured this boy as we passed through the border between Mauritania and Mali.  His eyes show a lot of emotion which the black and white conversion helps bring out.

3.  Taken during the Day of the Dead Carnival in Mexico City.   Here the black and white conversion adds to the atmosphere and spirit of the carnival.

4.  This confrontation between a shop owner and the Police in Downtown Mexico City is brought to life by the black and whiteconversion.  One can almost feel the tension.

5.  I love how the black and white conversion to this rural scene captured in Cusco, Peru, gives the image a dated and atmospheric feel.

6.  The genuine happiness and innocence of these children in Belen Market, Iquitos, Peru is magnified by the conversion into black and white.  The beauty of the light on the water is also accentuated by this process.

More of my black and white photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, my Twitter, and my Flickr account. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.

Travel & Street Photography Tours in Barcelona

For information on my travel and street photography tours in Barcelona please drop me a line at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.  

I carry out one-to-one and small group sessions regardless of your level, ability or type of camera!  Let's explore the streets of beautiful Barcelona together and capture some of it's magic.  

Street Photography & Street Art Tours in Barcelona.

Street Photography & Street Art Tours in Barcelona.

Get to learn your way around Barcelona whilst taking photos of the architecture, the street art and the locals.  I can take you to the best spots in the City for photography ensuring you return from your trip with great photos.  I can assist with technical or compositional techniques to ensure you achieve better photographs whilst here in Barcelona.  

At the end of these sessions we can review the photos taken in a traditional Catalan Bar over a Vermut or cold Beer or at a Cafe over a Coffee, depending on your preference!  Click through a selection of street shots taken on previous tours in Barcelona:

I am an International Travel & Street Photographer who has exhibited in the UK and South America.  I have held street photography Tours in Peru, London and more recently Barcelona. Contact me if you have any enquiries at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.

See you on the Streets.  Saludos!

More of my street photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, and my Flickr account. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.