Faces of Nepal

If you're looking to visit a country with friendly people, look no farther than Nepal. Warm smiles and open hearts are easy to come by over here. Its also a great place to capture some memorable portraits. Locals who spotted a camera around my neck often yelled out the request "one photo!" when I passed by. Due to this welcoming attitude, I was able to snap dozens of portraits while in Nepal. Click on the link below to view some of my favorites!

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Mystical Angkor

So many temples dot the landscape of Asia that I thought I'd seen it all, that I was completely "templed out". Accordingly, I didn't raise my expectations ahead of visiting Cambodia's Angkor Wat. But I was wrong. The ancient temples of Angkor are astonishing. I was overcome by a sense of child-like wonder, totally in awe that such a place could exist on Earth. I consider myself fortunate to have visited in the height of the rainy season, when few tourists are around and nature is at its most vivid, adding an extra layer of mysticism to a place that is already as mystical as any. While pictures cannot adequately express the feeling of being submerged in the jungle amongst the ruins, I hope they provide some clue. Please have a look and leave a comment!

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Lake of a Thousand Reflections

You gradually open your eyes and begin to soak in the dreamlike scenery that surrounds you. Glimmering water that mirrors dazzling blue skies and all-enveloping mountains. Dozens of silhouettes in the distance which acrobatically row canoes using one leg while deftly manipulating fishnets with free hands. Children smiling and waving from cherry-stained wooden houses comfortably perched on top of  still waters. Farmers harvesting crops which have miraculously sprouted from floating soil. And everywhere you look, mesmerizing reflections which intensify the surreal beauty of it all. This is Inle Lake, Burma. And even the most imaginative of minds could hardly dream up a place like this.

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The Lost Kingdom of Burma

Some one thousand years ago, one of the greatest cities in the ancient Buddhist world arose in a large plain near the center of modern day Burma. The city was called Bagan, and became the capital of the first Burmese Empire. By the time Bagan fell to Mongol invaders in the 13th century, it was home to an astonishing five thousand temples. In the present, little of the city remains, except for the ruins of many of these pagodas. Even now, Bagan contains more temples in an area the size of Manhattan than there are medieval cathedrals in all of Europe. I spent three days touring this magnificent place by bicycle. Many of the pagodas are beautiful up close, but the real majesty of Bagan can only be appreciated from up high, where the full scope of the site comes into perspective. Ancient temples dot the earth for as far as the eye can see, and from this vantage it's easy to forget that inventions such as the car, airplane, and internet even exist. I hope that these photos capture a little bit of the sense of awe that Bagan inspires.  I'd never heard of this lost kingdom before coming to Burma. But after visiting, I will never forget it.

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Kids of Syria

The more time that I spent in Syria, the more friendly, warmhearted, and smiling individuals I came across. Contrary to the negative, foreboding impression conveyed by the American media, there can hardly be a more welcoming place to visit in the world. It's important to distinguish between the actions of a government and the soul of a people, and I've learned that this is especially true in the Middle East. So, I was happy to have my initial impressions overturned and to acquire a fuller, more positive image of the people of Syria. I hope that these portraits I captured of Syrian children can go a little way towards eroding the unreasonable fears that many harbor towards a people that always seem to end up on the wrong side of the news. As always, comments are appreciated!

Click here to view the High-Resolution gallery (takes longer to load.)

Click here to view the Medium-Resolution gallery.

The Finest Castle on Earth

This is Crac des Chevaliers, the finest castle on Earth. And where is the finest castle on Earth, you may ask?  In Northern Syria, but of course. This medieval fortress was a bastion of the Crusaders and was never successfully besieged. In fact, the Ottoman Empire maintained a garrison here well into the 19th century. Crac des Chevaliers is so well preserved, that if you listen closely enough, you can practically hear the footsteps of soldiers trapped in time. As if that wasn't enough, the castle is a photographer's dream. Pity the analog-age tourist who visited with just a single roll of film. Have a look for yourself...and don't be surprised if you hear faint footfalls of bygone knights echoing across the ages...

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Beauty of Mardin

Most travelers who visit Turkey are advised to stay away from the Southeast. Unfortunately, this region has gained a reputation for violence committed by militant Kurds. But those who skip over this area miss one of the highlights of all of Turkey; the exquisite town of Mardin. Many of the buildings showcase an incredibly intricate style of arabesque stone carving. Dramatically perched on a mountainside overlooking the vast desert plains of Northern Syria, it as if the entire village is an outdoor museum. I visited the town on a day trip while staying in the nearby city of Urfa, and despite the potential for danger, did not regret my decision for a second. I hope that this photo gallery can do justice to the beauty of Mardin. Please enjoy the pictures and leave a comment!

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Visions of the Ottoman

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Please enjoy these images that I took of beautiful mosques in Istanbul and Edirne, Turkey.

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Dreams of Dali

There are some places on Earth so bizarre that you question whether they somehow ended up on the wrong planet. Places that will alternately take your breath away and leave you feeling cold and distant. The southwest corner of Bolivia holds an amazing diversity of these places, and is a magnet for adventurous souls from all over the world.