Travel Photography in Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut, the Capital City of Lebanon, is a great destination for travel photography with a lot to offer in such a small geographical area. It has an unique blend of culture and history resulting in some stunning architecture, it is located on the coast so provides for some excellent seascape and sunset images. Finally the colourful and bustling city streets provide a wide range of street photography opportunities. Click through the slideshow below to look at some of my photography from Beirut:

A silhouetted image of the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque in the centre of Beirut.

A large Lebanese flag flying against a blue sky in the Capital Beirut.

A wide angled view looking up at both old traditional architecture and a modern high rise in the distance. Taken in the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood of Beirut.

Street art and cityscape of Beirut.

Two local women enjoying the sunset on the Corniche of Beirut.

A residential building in the interesting area of Hamra in Beirut.

The remains of the damaged silos following the Beirut Port explosion in 2020.

New developments being constructed in the Centre of Beirut, viewed through a piece of artwork to remember the Beirut Blast of 2020.

Lots of stray Cats on the streets of Beirut. Here is one sitting on top of a parked car at night in Hamra.

Last year I spent a couple of months in Lebanon at the beginning of my first trip around the Middle East. Despite the current political and financial problems the country is experiencing, I found Lebanon an enjoyable country to visit. The people of Lebanon are friendly, funny and extremely welcoming, and the food is fresh, home grown and delicious. I look forward to returning one day to explore more of the country, and meet more of the Lebanese.

Accommodation wise I started my time in Beirut at the Colony Beirut Hostel which is well located, just a ten minute walk to Armenia Street and Downtown Beirut. The hostel was nice enough, offering box style dorm beds, a nice outdoor shared space, and with friendly and informative staff. The wifi, like everywhere in Lebanon was very slack, with the government only guaranteeing one hour of electricity per household per day, wifi takes a backseat! The Colony Hostel was also located near the Port of Beirut where the devastating blast occurred two years earlier. By chance, on the afternoon of the second anniversary of the Beirut Port blast, further silos collapsed at the site. I was able to capture this moment and document the surrounding area. The 2020 explosion at Beirut’s Port killed over 200 people and wounded a further 7,000. It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. There are still a large number of damaged and vacant buildings throughout the city following the blast. In addition to the Port explosion damage you will see a lot of buildings in Beirut still damaged from the Lebanese Civil War which took place between 1975 and 1990.

Some of my favourite photos from Beirut were taken on the Corniche, a seven kilometre promenade stretching around the peninsula of Beirut. At sunset and during the weekends, there is a lot of activity on the Corniche with local families heading to the beach. It’s a good location for street photography and travel portraits as well as capturing some vibrant sunsets. One of the most iconic landmarks in Beirut are the Pigeon Rocks, which are two massive rock formations standing in the Mediterranean Sea. There’s also a funfair and some interesting abandoned buildings on the corniche which you can explore. Here’s a travel blog I wrote about photography on the Beirut Corniche.

For the latter part of my stay in Beirut I stayed in a small Airbnb studio apartment in the friendly and laid back Mar Mikhael neighborhood. The neighbourhood has plenty of good cafes, bars, and restaurants. Be sure to check out Le Chef, a family run Lebanese restaurant that has been running for over fifty years, amazing food, welcoming staff and very reasonable prices. A few minutes walk from Le Chef and you will find some very interesting buildings to photograph including Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque. Also known as the Blue Mosque, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque is a stunning structure that is the largest mosque in Beirut. The mosque's intricate architecture and beautiful dome make for some great architectural photography.

On a Saturday head to Souk El Tayeb - Lebanon's First Farmers Market, it was here I met local photographer Karim Sakr who sells his excellent photography at the Market. Karim also took me on a couple of photo walks in and around the Hamra neighbourhood which were fun and very interesting. Karim’s Beirut & Lebanon images can be viewed on his Instagram account (@beirut_streets).

In conclusion, Beirut is a city that offers a diverse range of opportunities for travel photographers. Whether you're interested in architecture, street photography, or seascapes, Beirut has something for everyone. And why stop at Beirut, Lebanon is a relatively small country with a lot to offer including: The Unesco World Heritage sites including Baalbek and Byblos, the underground caves of Jeita Grotto, the Jabal Moussa Nature Reserve, some stunning beaches and the interesting City of Tripoli to name just a few. Visit Beirut and Lebanon, take lots of photos, and have fun. Bon Voyage! My photography from Beirut 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. Here is a final Beirut & beyond slideshow with some more of Lebanese photography, enjoy:

A tourist sits and enjoys the impressive ruins at Baalbek in Lebanon.

Looking down on the colourful waterways of Jabal Moussa nature reserve located in the Keserwan District of Lebanon.

Last light, sunset over the City of Jounieh in Lebanon.

Jabal Moussa nature reserve in Lebanon.

A big wheel at an old funfair on the Corniche of Beirut, Lebanon.

Colourful wild Bougainvillea flowers contrast with the Lebanese mountains beyond.

A small river runs into the Mediterranean Sea as the sun sets in Jbeil, Lebanon.

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 Competitions, Travel & Lockdown

I have been a bit lazy with my photography blog of late due to the never-ending lockdown, each day being the same and therefore lacking any writing motivation! Having not taken any photos for months I have been delving back into old hard drives and revisiting some old favourites. My stock photography work has been keeping me busy with further image editing, uploading to Getty, and then carrying out the mundane and time consuming admin process required. I now have over 16,000 of my travel photographs available for license on Getty Images and still have several hard drives to get through! As well as the stock photography work I have also entered a few more photography competitions. In addition to potentially winning a great prize, entering photo competitions is a great way of revisiting your photos and seeing what images work well with each other. A couple of weeks ago I entered the Open Walls photography competition for 1854 photography. The theme was, ‘Then & Now’ with the artists being asked to explore the theme in many ways. Through visual imagery the photographers were asked to portray a sense of reflection and to convey the changes that time brings. Click through the slideshow below to view the ten images which I entered for this theme of ‘Then & Now’:

Candid portrait of a sad looking girl in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Black & white side head shot of a Senegalase woman in Dakar.

First steps, a silhouetted travel image of a Mother and her baby on the shore in West Africa.

Street portrait of a young girl in The Gambia.

Silhouetted portraits on the beach at sunset in Dakar.

An Indian girl looks out to the ocean at the end of the day on the beach in Varkala.

Father & Son sit together on the edge of the River Gangs in Varanasi.

Black and white travel image of a hiker on a rock face high above Hong Kong.

A Peruvian girl chews on sugar cane and rests in the shadows on a grassy hill in Huaraz.

When entering photo competitions I normally go through my back catalogue and look out for any images that may be suitable. This normally results in a large collection which I then have to go through to eliminate the weaker images, those which I do not think quite make the cut! These omissions may be based on the photo technique and quality of the image: focus, lighting, composition and so on. In addition I will take out photographs that do not quite fit the themes, although the interpretation is often very vague and up to the photographers imagination. Before entering competitions I will first read the biography of the lead judge to discover his or her style of photography. It may not always be the best taken image that wins a competition, but instead ones that are unique, individual or unusual in some way. Photography competitions must get inundated with thousands of similar images (especially in today’s Instagram age) so if I have something that may stand out or catch their eye I may enter that over a personal favourite. The important thing is to enter in the first place, as if you don’t you certainly won’t be winning. Many photo competitions require fees to enter, but there are still some to be found that are free, or where the fees are very affordable. In addition to the prizes to be won, competitions can introduce you to galleries and other photographers as well as providing you with much needed exposure for your work. If nothing else the selection process for the competition above gave me a nice trip through memory lane, reminding me of some fantastic adventures I’ve had over the past years. It also gave me the opportunity to share rediscovered favourites through my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media accounts. If you are interested in purchasing a print direct, writing a guest blog or exhibiting some of my work please send an email to: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.

On the Streets of Varanasi

Along the banks of the historical Ganges River lies Varanasi, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. It is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and is considered to be one of the holiest centres for Hinduism. 

Image source: Wiki Media

This unique city is made up of stark contrasts — from death and birth, to indulgence and spirituality. Its vigorous spirit has been the source of inspiration for many people who have set foot in the city, not just travellers, but also artists who were influenced by Varanasi.

Bollywood fans might recognise Varanasi’s many stairs and alleys from various films, such as Neeraj Ghaywan's Masaan. The movie traces the lives and eccentricities of its characters that thrive within the ancient city, which is still just as complex and ever changing. Varanasi’s many dualities haven’t just inspired famous movies, as Indian-inspired games also crop up on celebrated gaming communities with European digital portal Slingo being a great example, hosting titles such as Nirvana and Bollywood Story. These games capture starkly different, yet equally captivating facets of life in the city. But no matter how pop culture tries to do it justice, it pales in comparison to the arresting, chaotic beauty of Varanasi in the flesh. That alone makes it worth the visit, but for photographers, this provides a wealth of opportunities to capture the rich local culture. The entire region is full of colour and eccentricity, so you won’t run out of sights to point your lens at.

Image source: Pixabay

Go down the ghats during sunrise

On your way down to the holy river, you’ll find a series of stairs called ghats. In Varanasi, there are roughly 100 of them around, with each having its own name, history, and purpose. If you head towards the ghats about an hour before sunrise, you’ll be treated to a surreal view of the sun peaking from the waters and slowly bathing the landscape in light. It also happens to be the quietest time in the city, with fewer crowds. But of course, witnessing rituals of life and death are a different experience to be had altogether, so watch out for them but make sure to document them respectfully should you choose to take photos. 

Image source: Pixabay

Explore the Gali

Another unique attraction in Varanasi is their Gali, an extremely narrow alley usually lined with vendors and people passing by. Though you might have to elbow your way through during busy hours, you’ll enjoy the play of light beams and shadows on your walk.

Image source: Wiki Media

Make the most of the background noise

Some photographers prefer clean and clutter-free backdrops for their photos, but that’s a bit of a rarity in the constantly bustling metropolis that is Varanasi. Don’t worry though because whatever goes on in the background can only add more colour and life to your shots. Traveling Family Blog notes that Varanasi is not for the faint-hearted. It can get chaotic, but it’s all part of the city's signature vibrancy. When capturing the dynamic Varanasi environment, fix your aperture settings so everything is kept in focus, despite all the movement. Everywhere, you’ll find street cows, street vendors, children, and so much more that will fill up your frames.

Image source: Pixabay

Visit during festival season

For an even more rewarding trip, you can visit Varanasi during a festival such as Dev Deepawali, also known as the Festival of Lights. It happens every year during the month of November, with thousands of devotees coming together to immerse themselves in the holy Ganges. Most surreal is when they offer lit-up lamps to the Ganga — an act they call Deepdaan. Every single step of the ghats lights up as the sun goes down, which makes for a truly majestic sight.

Image source: Wiki Feed

This was a guest blog written by Gabriella Esposito, a freelance writer. If you are interested in writing a guest blog or other forms of collaboration please send an email to: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com. More of my travel photography can be found on my website, my Instagram, my Facebook Page and my Flickr account.

Travel Portraits by Geraint Rowland

During my travels I often capture people around the world in a candid manner in their natural environment.  As my confidence has grown and my photographic skills have improved I have begun taking more portrait photographs.  These are often what are called 'environmental portraits', a portrait taken in the subject's usual environment and which normally include the surroundings as well as the person.  More recently I have also started taking 'head shot' style portraits, a tighter cropped image where the focus is on the persons face only.  For my head shots I normally ask the person for their permission first.  Click through the slideshow below to view some of my travel portraits:

Peruvian Portrait by Geraint Rowland, Cusco.

A head shot portrait taken in La Habana, Cuba.

Portrait of a beautiful elderly lady in Arequipa, Peru.

Classic Cuban Portrait by Geraint Rowland, Havana.

African Child Portrait by Geraint Rowland, The Gambia

Candid Portrait during Mexico's Day of the Dead.

Peruvian portrait in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.

Cuban Portrait by Geraint Rowland Photography.

An environmental portrait taken in Mexico City of one of it's many Organ Grinders.

A candid portrait of a traditionally dressed Bolivian woman.

With the majority of travel portraits above I asked for permission for the image to be taken. Often in touristy areas you are required or asked to pay for such portraits as was the case in Cusco, Peru, and Havana, Cuba.  The image of the Mexican girl in the Day of the Dead makeup and the final image of the Bolivian lady were the exceptions as both were caught candidly.  The beauty of head shots and or tightly cropped portraits is that you minimise the clutter in the background of the image.

All of the portraits were taken using a Canon 5D (Mark 2 or 4) and the majority were with the Canon 50mm 1.4.  Other lenses used were the Canon 85mm 1.8 and the Sigma Art Lens 135mm 1.8.  All of the images were taken using natural light and without the use of a flash.  The images were often taken with a shallow depth of field to create a pleasing background and draw attention to the persons face.  Images of people from around the world fascinate me, I think that they tell you more about a place than a landscape ever can.  In the future I want to focus more on portraits and improve my skills in this area of photography.  

More of my travel photography can be found on my website, Instagram, Facebook Page and my Flickr account.  If you would like any more information about any of my images please send an email to: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.