travel blogging

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:

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:

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Sunsets of Senegal by Geraint Rowland Photography

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:

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.

Belen Market, Iquitos Peru (Photo Essay for the First Issue of Dezine Magazine)

These photos were taken earlier this year in the village of Belen in Iquitos, Peru.  The entire village is flooded for several months each year by the nearby Amazon river.  The only way to get around is by boat so even the children learn to navigate and paddle in small canoes from an early age.  

Two young girls paddle a canoe in the flooded village of Belen in Iquitos, Peru.

Two young girls paddle a canoe in the flooded village of Belen in Iquitos, Peru.

Our local guide manoeuvred us around in a motorboat for a couple of hours exploring the streets which at that time of the year become waterways.  The area is fascinating, and our journey through it gave us a brief insight into life there.

Around every corner were amazing photo opportunities, with the local people using the river to work, travel and play.  Children would sit selling food and produce to passing boats, Men would offer taxi boat services or fish, and the Women would wash the family clothes in the river.  Some 65,000 people live in the Village of Belen on either moored floating houses or houses on stilts.  It is a very poor neighbourhood with many of the people living in impoverished conditions. Yet those we encountered seemed genuinely happy: laughing, smiling, and greeting us as we passed by.  (Click through the images below)

I took all the photos candidly and found that converting them to black and white gave them more emotion.  For more information on Dezine go to: https://issuu.com/dezinemagazine. 

More of my travel photography from Peru can be found on my website, my Facebook, 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.