First Impressions

Apr 03 2017

7 First Impressions of Amsterdam, Netherlands
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After passing through a couple of cities in Scandanavia, I took an overly complicated train ride down to Amsterdam, Netherlands from Copenhagen. It was a city I’d experienced many years ago, but never really with my camera. For me, Amsterdam has two very different sides and experiences depending how you want to enjoy it. There’s the crazy, anything goes side it’s famous for with the red light district, coffee shops and partying. Yet, there’s also a very scenic, calm and beautiful side to the city. Canals, bridges, boats, bicycles, flowers, charming seventeenth-century homes and even plenty of quiet. You don’t hear about this side as much as the other, but it’s just as much there.

For street photography, this means you can experience and capture a diverse mix of characteristics. Either way, Amsterdam is one of the more unique cities around and makes for a great city to walk around with your camera.

So here are my first impressions of Amsterdam, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Mar 01 2017

7 First Impressions of Copenhagen, Denmark
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After Stockholm, my next city up north was Copenhagen, Denmark. Due to budget, trying to fit in Oslo didn’t look smart so this was my last stop in Scandinavia this time. To be honest, visiting anywhere up here is not a great idea if you’re worrying about money. It can get very expensive and Copenhagen is up at the top, but there’s plenty to love about the city that makes it worth the cost, if you can spare it.

While Copenhagen is even more expensive than Stockholm, it brings an edgier, more hip vibe. It shares some similarities with its scenery and architecture, but brings a different feeling when exploring its streets. While still very scenic, it’s not quite as pretty as many parts of Scandinavia, but more than makes up for it in character, which I found even more photogenic for street photography. It’s also a compact city made for walking as much as any out there.

So here are my first impressions of Copenhagen, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Jan 31 2017

7 First Impressions of Stockholm, Sweden
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

I’d never made it up to any of the Scandinavian countries before, but since summer had just begun and I was already up in Moscow, I decided it was as good of time as any to capture some of it. So in early July, I took a flight from Moscow to Stockholm, Sweden to see what it was all about.

Exploring Stockholm on foot gives a tranquil feeling for a photo walk. There’s a mixture of older architecture, modern lifestyle, and beautiful nature all in a city that gives a very organized vibe. The city is also spread across multiple islands so you’re surrounded by water whatever direction you decide to take. It gives an interesting and relaxing atmosphere for street photography.

Beneath this picturesque yet modern exterior, there’s more character to find in Stockholm, though, if you look for it. So here are my first impressions of Stockholm, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Dec 28 2016

7 First Impressions of Moscow, Russia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the second largest city in Europe by population. It’s an urban, cosmopolitan city of the highest level, with more than enough glitz to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of European and Russian that makes it stand out on its own. And the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen.

So here are my first impressions of Moscow, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Dec 05 2016

7 First Impressions of Saint-Petersburg, Russia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

One of the most common questions I get is “what is my favorite city for street photography?” I find positives and things I like and miss in every city I go to. Cities are different and it’s impossible for me to name one best city. But I do have a few that stick out in my memory and Saint-Petersburg is one of them. It’s also the city that causes many people the biggest surprise when I mention it. While they know all about cities like Istanbul, London or Havana, they usually ask me to explain “Why Saint-Petersburg?”

Well, there’s just something magical about Saint-Petersburg. The canals, pastel colors, incredible architecture, bridges, islands, hundreds of parks, and more give it this atmosphere that has to be experienced. The life and people are full of character too, but it’s a diverse mix of character.

For more details behind some of what I love about this city, here are my first impressions of Saint-Petersburg, from a personal street photographer perspective…

Nov 02 2016

7 First Impressions of Bangkok, Thailand
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

*My time in Bangkok came before the recent passing of Thailand’s long beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The nation is now observing a 30-day period of mourning and I’d like to wish the people the best while dealing with their great loss.

In-between leaving Vietnam on my way to some work in Russia, I decided to stop in Bangkok, Thailand. I’d been before years ago, but only as a short stop before visiting the beaches for vacation. So it was my first time really exploring the city for some photography. Bangkok is one of the more well-known cities in Asia and if you’ve seen much of the quality street photography coming out lately, Thailand has been producing much of it. While I couldn’t find much street photography info online for Bangkok, outside of the main tourist section, I luckily had some help from some of these local photographers in the street photography community here.

Bangkok is known for the Grand Palace and temples, amazing cuisine and street food, wild nightlife and backpacker streets, and a mix of grit, lights and big city life in Thailand. Much of this is easily found around certain areas, but navigating around Bangkok looking for street photography spots can be exhausting if you don’t know where to go.

So here are my first impressions of Bangkok, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Oct 17 2016

7 First Impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

While living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, I made sure to make a trip up to the capital of Hanoi. I’d heard a lot of good things from locals, especially photographers, so I was excited to see another side of the country. I also met up with Hanoi’s very own Chu Việt Hà, who thankfully showed me around his city. I’d recommend everyone check out his work, if you haven’t already. Super talented.

Hanoi quickly grew on me and while I love Saigon, I’d have to say Hanoi is even better for photography. It has a more old world atmosphere full of character that’s hard to beat. It’s also extremely walkable and has some can’t miss spots that you can go to over and over again.

So here are my first impressions of Hanoi, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Oct 05 2016

7 First Impressions of Hong Kong
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

Unfortunately, I haven’t had great luck with weather in Hong Kong. Mostly clouds and rain instead of sun. And while that can be frustrating, clouds can’t cover the fact that Hong Kong is a one of a kind city full of character, variety and interest. A densely populated multi-cultural city that shows the future in one direction and the past in another, all wrapped up into one of the better big city experiences I’ve had. Clouds and all.

So here are my first impressions of Hong Kong, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Sep 12 2016

7 First Impressions of Kathmandu, Nepal
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After a month in India, I flew from Mumbai to Kathmandu, Nepal. Outside of temples and a starting spot for mountain trekking, I was going in without much real knowledge of the city, especially for street photography. The internet was no help and I’d yet to meet a photographer that had shot there. So that was an experience in itself, but mostly a good one. Kathmandu is unlike any city I’ve been to, filled with culture, scenery and a unique atmosphere. With enough time spent exploring on foot, there’s plenty to find.

So here are my first impressions of Kathmandu, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Aug 15 2016

7 First Impressions of Mumbai, India
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

My last stop on my most recent trip to India was Mumbai. It wasn’t my first time in India’s biggest city, but first time really focusing on photography. Mumbai is so full of life and places to shoot that you could spend years here and not see everything, but I gave it some extra time for as much self-exploration as possible to finish off my trip. And luckily, I had some local street photographers to help along the way.

So here are my first impressions of Mumbai, from my personal street photographer perspective…