On my first day in Senegal I took a ferry from the capital of Dakar to the infamous Island of Gorée. Located two kilometres from the main harbour of Dakar this beautiful but haunting island is one of the must see destinations when visiting Senegal. From the 15th to the 19th century, the island of Gorée was the largest slave-trading centre on the African coast. Click through the slideshow below to view some of the photographs I took on the island:

The beautiful but haunting Island of Gorée, Dakar, Senegal

African children stand in front of the slave house on the Island of Gorée, Dakar, Senegal.

A sheep waits his fate before the Tabaski festival on the Island of Gorée, Dakar, Senegal.

Beautiful backstreets on the Island of Gorée, Dakar, Senegal.

Island of Gorée, Dakar, Senegal.

Waiting for the boat back to Dakar from the Island of Gorée, Dakar, Senegal

Two African boys at sunset on the Island of Gorée, Dakar, Senegal.

Between the 15th and 19th century Gorée Island was ruled in succession by the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French. Gorée is a small island 900 metres (3,000 ft) in length and 350 metres (1,150 ft) in width sheltered by the Cap-Vert peninsula. You can easily walk around the island in half a day exploring the small streets, viewing African arts and crafts and learning about the horrors of the slave trade that existed on the island.

The architecture on the island is characterized by the contrast between the grim slave-quarters and the elegant houses of the slave traders. One of the oldest houses on the island is the House of Slaves built around 1780 - 1784. The house is now a museum and tourist destination used to serve as a reminder of the human exploitation that occurred there and as a sanctuary for reconciliation.

All of my photographs from Gorée island were taken using a Canon 5D Mark 2 and a Canon 50mm 1.4 lens. I have written previous travel blogs from Senegal on: 'Street Photography in Dakar', 'Sunsets of Senegal', and about the 'Beach at Yoff in Dakar.' More of my travel photography from Senegal 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.

Last year I spent a couple of months in Senegal where I experienced some beautiful sunsets. I spent the majority of the time in the capital city of Dakar, but also traveled to Lompoul in the north of the country and Zinguinchor in the southern region. Along with capturing a lot of travel and street photography style shots I also captured some stunning sunsets especially at Yoff beach close to the Airport in Dakar. Click through the slide show below to view some sunsets from Senegal:

Sunsets of Senegal by Geraint Rowland Photography.

A fishermen and his pelicans at sunset in Senegal, West Africa.

A photo shoot takes place at sunset on Ngor island in Senegal.

A boy rides his BMX bike along Yoff beach in Dakar at sunset.

Two dogs playing in the ocean at sunset in Lompoul in Senegal.

Taking sunset photos by Geraint Rowland

A beautiful sunset silhouette image taken on one of the many beaches on the Dakar peninsula in Senegal.

Senegal, like the rest of West Africa I have visited is fantastic for photography. With so many people around there is always something interesting and or unusual to capture. Whilst I was in Dakar they were celebrating the Tabaski Festival. Tabaski is based on Islamic beliefs and culminates with each family sacrificing a sheep and then eating it. There are sheep everywhere in Dakar, tied up on the roadsides, being washed in the Ocean or being sold at markets. Here is a previous blog I wrote on the fascinating beach area of Yoff in Dakar.

In Lompoul in the north there are beautiful remote beaches, interesting fishing towns and a small desert with orange sand dunes where you can camp and take camel rides. To the south lies Ziguinchor, the second largest city of Senegal lying at the mouth of the Casamance river and largely separated from the rest of the country by The Gambia.

Throughout the country I witnessed some beautiful sunsets. Sunsets always seem to be amongst my most liked photos. I think there is something instantly enjoyable about an image of the setting sun, it is something that everyone can relate to. I especially like sunset images that contain an additional element, be it a person or an animal. My favourite sunset image I capture in Senegal was of a fisherman feeding his two pet Pelicans at Yoff beach. I love the composition, the lighting and the added comic nature of these peculiar birds. Whilst in Senegal was travelling without a tripod so had to rely on taking hand held shots or creating abstract images when I ran out of light. Here is a blog I wrote with some tips about taking sunset photos.

More of my travel photography from Senegal 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.