To be like Steve McCurry
Going to Sri Lanka I had a little plan – I wanted to take a picture of the Srilankan stilt fishermen similar to the photo of Steve’a McCurry, my favourite photographer. I knew, of course, that it wouldn’t be as perfect as Steve’s picture was, I just dreamed, it would be a little similar.
Those fishermen catch fish sitting on poles fixed in the coral reef and balancing on a height of about two meters. Sometimes they have to wait long hours in this uncomfortable position to see any fish.
Read more »
The medieval charm of Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is the real gem of the Kathmandu Valley. Called the “City of Culture” it is a true architectural beauty full of ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples, palaces, courtyards and many religious sites. Some beautifully carved buildings date back to the 12th century, and although many of them were destroyed in the earthquake in 1934, they have been renovated, so there’s still a lot to admire in this town.
The longest in the world
The 1200 meters long teak bridge called U Bein is considered to be the longest structure of this kind in the world. I always take such sentences with a pinch of salt, so I can only confirm, that the second teak bridge I had the opportunity to see, was much shorter.
New Year in Istanbul?
The fifth biggest city in the world is situated on the two banks of the Bosporus connecting Europe and Asia. Ages ago it was known as Byzantium, then Constantinople and it used to be the capital of four different empires, now it is the cultural, economical and financial centre of Turkey – a place where the new is mixed with the old, and tradition with modernity. Welcome to Istanbul.
Patterns on the sand
This is a place, where you can spend an unforgettable night beginning with a golden sunset, followed by staring for hours at the thousands of stars visible in the sky and finally being enchanted with the golden light of the early morning. While in Oman you cannot miss its desert called Wahiba Sands.
The power of a smile
It’s not that difficult to imagine this situation. It’s the last day of my trekking in the Himalayas, so I’m dirty and exhausted. I’m coming back to Lukla, because I have my plane to Kathmandu from there the next day. It is sometimes surprising for me, even now, but at this time Kathmandu was the place of my dreams.
I meet this lady somewhere on a trail from Namche Bazaar to Lukla. She works as a porter so she has a heavy basket on her back. She’s having a break now so I decide to do the same and we end up sitting together. My Sherpa model is relaxed until I take out my camera, but then she becomes very serious.
Read more »
Two banks of the Nam Ou
I reach Nong Khiaw late in the evening. Tired after a day long journey I can only notice encouragingly lit riverside bungalows, small restaurants and the long bridge connecting the two parts of the village, which you can’t miss.
Getting old on Bali
She was sitting on the steps of the Pura Beji, a Hindu temple in Sangsit on Bali and selling frangipani flowers used by Balinese Hindus as sacrifices for local deities.
Read more »
Essaouira – beautifully designed
The first sound you hear is a constant singing of seagulls and the noise of a strong wind called “alizee” there.
Add grilled sardines, dozens of blue boats and excellent quality music and you have all that makes Essaouira so exceptional.
The Beginning
I began late. Sometimes I think that it was definitely too late. Now I can only regret all those missed opportunities. I can’t turn back the clock, but fortunately I can try to catch up.
It happened in Cuba. I remember that day very well. My throat was so dry because of my strong emotions and I wasn’t able to control my shaking hands. It was a real miracle that my first portrait wasn’t spoilt.
My Cuban model was sitting on one of the streets of old Havana. There were more people like her – posing for tourists with thick cigars in their mouths. But this particular woman seemed to be special for me. I really do not know what so attracted my attention. Red flower? The blue hat? Maybe the yellow wall?
But for the first time in my life I was brave enough to approach her and explain that I would like to take a picture.
She agreed. And then I took my first portrait.
Pangong Tso’s grandfather
Grandfather Gongma lives in a tiny village situated by a Himalayan lake. The name of the village is Spangmik and it has barely a dozen houses. It is so small that it tis not worth to delivering post there – it needs to be collected from a few dozen kilometers away.
Most villagers earn money by selling their crops, however sometimes tourists rent rooms in their houses. Unfortunately not many tourists decide to stay overnight in Spangmik, many of them prefer only a one day trip to see the Pangong lake. Guests come only in summer, because winter at an altitude of over 4300 meters above the sea level is very severe.
Probably the oldest resident of Spangmik is grandfather Gongma and the years and months are passing quietly for him. He lives with his son and a daughter in law, but his two granddaughters live in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. They were sent to school there, because there’s no school in Spangmik.
Grandfather Gongma loves to sit on a bench in the front of his house and warm himself in the sun. He’s glad to see every passing day.
Green is all around
Sri Lankans love Nuwara Eliya because of its mild mountain climate. They come there with their families to take some rest from the heat of the surrounding island.
Portraits of the Akha women
They are one of the main hilltribes inhabiting the Golden Triangle area. You can meet them in the mountains of Laos, Myanmar, China and northern Thailand. Some of you will find the Akha people peculiar or exotic, but for me they are people, for whom I feel a special fondness.
Start
It’s a shame to admit that it took me over a year to start writing this blog…
Fortunately it is finally done so I would like to invite you to read and see not only my travel photo stories but also other posts if it happens that they’ll appear here.
Enjoy!
Recent Comments