As I stood there dressed in Hmong celebratory regalia holding a shot of homemade rice whiskey about to lead a dance among highland villagers, I pondered our serendipitous turn-of-events. I signed up for a trek in the mountains of Laos to see waterfalls and nature […]
All posts filed under: Photography
My Top 10 Photos of 2019
Each December, I sort through my photos from the last 12 months and pick my ten best. This exercise allows me to reflect on the year and also see if my photography is improving. During the process, I rediscover old photos buried in the pile, […]
21 Leftover Photos from Uzbekistan
Here are a series of portraits and snapshots of Uzbekistan that didn’t make it into my other photo essays from the country. Instead of leaving them on my hard drive where no one will see them, I decided to put them on my blog where…almost […]
Uzbekistan in Black and White
Uzbekistan is a great country for black and white photography enthusiasts. The bright desert light creates deep shadows and stark contrast, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. The bold yet simple architecture serves as a perfect backdrop for stylish people. And at night, […]
21 Photos of Samarqand, the Most Impressive City in Uzbekistan
Samarqand is the most impressive city in Uzbekistan. Indeed, with gargantuan mosques, ornate mausoleums, tree-lined streets, and sprawling parks, it is one of the most impressive cities anywhere. Yet, it was my least favorite city in Uzbekistan, mainly because it is spread out and quite […]
21 Photos of the Ancient Silk Road City of Bukhara
I awoke my first morning in Bukhara before dawn, bundled up to brave the chilly autumn air, and walked out of my guesthouse without a plan. I wanted to take photos, but I didn’t know where to start. In the distance, the illuminated Great Kalon […]
21 Photos of Khiva, The Spectacular Walled City in Remote Uzbekistan
In the remote southwest corner of Uzbekistan lies the spectacular town of Khiva. Surrounded by an imposing wall, and packed full of tile-encrusted mosques, minarets, madrasas, mansions, and mausoleums, the city is one of the world’s best-kept secrets. But it won’t stay a secret for […]
Western Oklahoma in Photos, Part IV
Let’s finish off this series with a few black and white shots. This concludes my series of photos from Western Oklahoma. Thanks to everyone who took the time to look at these photos and comment. Next, I’ll be writing about my three-week trip […]
Photo Essay: The Monks of Thailand
When I first moved to Thailand, I felt nervous when taking photos of monks or talking to them because I didn’t know the etiquette, but over the years I have met many fascinating monks and found that they are often approachable, well-traveled, and dedicated men. […]
Introducing the Jeff Bell Online Photography Workshop
I am now offering an Online Photography Workshop. I bet a bunch of questions just popped in your head, like: What is an online photography workshop? My Online Photography Workshop is an eight-week, one-on-one course, conducted via Skype. Each week there will be a slideshow […]
Photo Essay: The Brick Factories of Dhaka
I stood on a bluff on the outskirts of Dhaka and looked out over a bleak scene – fields of bricks, punctuated by chimneys coughing up black smoke, stretched out to the horizon. I walked down the hill and went into the first brick field – […]
