Istanbul

Here are a few pictures I took with a compact camera during a visit to Istanbul in January. The city was fascinating, not least from a photography point of view with a coming together of eastern and western cultures and stunning architecture which made for great skylines.
Of all the places I've visited I'd say it's up there with Cuba and Morocco for great locations to take photos. I intend to return armed with my professional camera and dedicate some time at sunrise and sunset, when the light is perfect, to capturing some more the city and its people.













We were lucky enough to be get to enjoy a stay in the Istanbul Swissotel and its amazing views overlooking the Bosphorus river, which separates Europe from Asia.







www.samirhussein.com

Royals Attend Commemorations of The 90th Anniversary of End of WWI

The commemorations took place at a small town called Verdun, a 3 hour drive outside of Paris, which meant leaving at 4am. Horrendous driving conditions ensued as heavy rain lashed it down the whole way. Thankfully a friend of my parents, Angie, was kind enough to make the long drive there and back to give us, but it wasn't at all easy for her, especially leaving at such an early hour.
The rain did finally clear as we reached Verdun and the hour-long ceremony itself provided good opportunities to capture the main royals along side President Sarkozy and Carla. Amazingly, despite a police escourt, the President was actually late arriving to mark the minute silence at the 11th minute of the 11th hour, so that had to be put back.
All-in-all though, a good day's pictures, but a very tiring day as we didn't get back to Paris till later that night. Tomorrow it's back to London for another Royal job as Prince Charles begins one of the many events to mark his 60th Birthday.

Royals Attend Private Banquet In Paris

I spent the day in Paris, which included an excellent lunch, including oysters, before going to the Elysee Palace for Prince Charles and Camilla arriving for a banquet with President Sarkozy and Carla Bruni.
There were the usual minor scuffles between the French and English photographers as we took our positions, but most people got the shots they needed. I stay in France and travel to a WWI remembrance service tomorrow again involving the British Prince and French President and their wives.

Africa Rising Concert - Abuja

Prince Charles and Camilla Visit Poland

I spent a couple of days in the lovely city of Krakow in Poland for Charles and Camilla's trip. The weather was hot, which made travelling around seeing the sites far more pleasant.
Photographing Charles and Camilla's arrival at a church and the subsequent walk about in Europe's largest square was hardly worthwhile as they had no barriers holding the crowds back, meaning the public and Polish photographers swarmed round the Royal couple, leaving no room to shoot.
Later in the day though, the British press were giving a proper position, so I was able to get some nice shots of Charles wearing a kippah (Jewish cap), with Camilla.
After the long day photographing, which had taken us all over the city, we were disappointed to find the airport had no food available once we'd gone through check in, leaving us to savour the sandwiches on Ryan Air as our only nourishment for the day.