portraits – rene bauer photography

Palestine – Ramallah with Arafat Mausoleum

Palestine. Of course i wanted have at least a glimpse over the walls. To get an own picture of their life and get an idea of the region, its history and its inhabitants.

It was the easiest way to book a tour from Jerusalem. Fortunately the tour guide was a Palestinian who joined the tour bus after the border. He arrived late at the meeting point and gave us already a first idea about the life here. Despite he startet his ride of around 50km to Ramallah two hours earlier, he got stocked at a check-point, where they blocked the road for unknown reasons. We, the tourists, had to wait on a small coffee shop. It gave me the chance to go around the streets to collect first impressions of Ramallah.

Market places are always nice to get in touch with the locals. That was also the first stop in Ramallah. I was surprised about the openness of the people and how friendly they were. They gave me a wink, showed me their display or just smiled friendly. The same in the streets, where sellers were keen to explain what goods, spices or beverages they sell. Most attention caught the guy who sold iced tea in a very effective way.

Once in Ramallah, we also had a short visit to the Arafat Mausoleum. Although Yasser Arafat, the first president of the Palestinian National Authority, wanted to be buried near the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, the Israeli government didn’t allow it. To his honor , the nobel peace prize holder at least got his mausoleum in Ramallah with lots of symbolics.

März 22, 2023März 21, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: culture, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, tradition, urbanlifeTags: arafat, arafatmausoleum, citywalk, market, middleeast, palestine, peopelphotography, people, portraits, ramallah, renebauerphotography, streetlife, streetphotography, tea, tomb, trader, Travel, yasserarafat Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Israel – A Random Day In Jerusalem

Arriving on a new town i like to roam around randomly, drinking coffee in the streets, visiting a market place or hanging around a square and listen to the street musician. Just to get the vibes of the new place. Jerusalem was no exception in that.

The people were busy. Most of them. A few took their time to listen to the street music. Some homeless people were on the streets also, hoping for a Shekel or two, while a soldiers taking a cigarette break. Lots of security units on the squares anyway, but no ones seems to feel threatened or scared. In the opposite, all pretty relaxed and enjoying life. Even when a small demonstration passes by, chanting incomprehensible sayings and waving Ethiopian flags. All peacefully.

Without planning i ended up in the Old Town Jerusalem. Eventually i stood in front of the Western wall with the view of praying Jews and the Dome of Rock. Having already a glimpse on the main attractions of the city, i decided it’s enough for today and headed back to New Jerusalem on search of a tasty falafel meal.

März 16, 2023März 14, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: culture, food, gastronomy, history, HOPE, humansofplanetearth, music, photoshoot, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, tradition, travel, Uncategorized, urbanlifeTags: cafe, citypeople, citywalls, crowd, domeofrock, ethiopia, holyplace, israel, jerusalem, market, marketplace, music, musician, oldcity, oldtown, othodox, people, portraits, religion, renebauerphotography, rockofdome, soldiers, streetlife, streetmusic, streetphotography, Travel, urbanlife, urbanphotography, wailingwall, westernwall Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Israel – Shushan Purim Jerusalem 2023

It’s just happened i was in Jerusalem while the celebration of the Jewish holidays of Shushan Purim.

Already in the outskirts of Jerusalem i’ve seen people with masquerades, funny vehicles and music instruments . I’m told to go to the centre where in the pedestrian zones some street parties going on. Although the holidays are more than only the party and dancing, that’s a most awaited part of it. For more information about the origin of Purim read here!

I was wandering trough the crowd, dancing to music, watching the performances and just enjoy happy people around me …and took a lot of pictures from happy people….

März 15, 2023März 14, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: culture, flower, food, history, HOPE, humansofplanetearth, music, photoshoot, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, tradition, travel, Uncategorized, urbanlifeTags: artist, behappy, celebrate, croewd, dance, family, hapiness, holidays, israel, jerusalem, jewishholiday, mask, masquerade, middleeast, music, party, people, peoplephotography, portraits, purim, purim2023, renebauerphotography, shushanpurim, streetdance, streetparty, streetperformance, streetphotography, Travel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Roma – A Glimpse Of Eternity

A winter day in Rome, known as the eternal city, is perfect for sightseeing. If the sun is shining and the temperatures are mild, even better.

I was surprised how quick i went trough all the entrances and security checks on the main tourist spots.

I’ll spare you all the details of the history and backgrounds, but will link the main attractions to Wikipedia for all those who seek more informations for their own trip to Rome.

For all those ones interested in some pictures, just do it my way: grab a coffee and enjoy what you’ll see:

Februar 25, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: culture, europe, history, reportage, roadtrip, travel, urbanlifeTags: amphitheatre, ancientrome, citylife, colosseum, eternity, europe, italy, pantheon, people, portraits, renebauerphotography, reportage, roma, romanforum, rome, sighseeing, spanishsteps, streetlife, Travel, trevifountain Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

In The Boudoir With Thembi

Can we do some boudoir photography? Thembi asked me.

At least we gave it a try…

September 10, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, culture, Fashion, HOPE, humansofplanetearth, photoshoot, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, Southafrica, Uncategorized, urbanlifeTags: Africa, africanbeauty, africangirl, africanmodel, blackandwhite, blackbeauty, blackgirl, boudoir, girl, lingerie, model, people, photoshooting, portraits, proudafrican, reportage, Southafrica, Travel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

At the pump station – somewhere in South Africa

On our search of a good and cool location for another photo shooting we came across this abandon pump station on a farm. We decided for a rather shabby but sexy look. Maybe a bit like the pin-ups from the 70’s, but darker and less colorful.

Thembi got an old, stained, short trouser and a teared shirt. With her curly hair and a stern look, she posed in front of the huge petrol drum. The gas pipe in the hand she gave a self confident look to the camera.

Despite the serious look, it was all fun and we captured few shots. But decide for yourself…

September 6, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, Fashion, HOPE, humansofplanetearth, photoshoot, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, Southafrica, tinatortuga, travel, urbanlifeTags: Africa, beauty, blackbeauty, blackgirl, farm, fuel, fuelpump, girl, Landrover, landroverdefender, model, overland, people, photoshoot, pinup, portraits, pumpstation, reportage, Southafrica, tinatortuga, Travel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Fine Art Nude In Pilanesberg

It was in a shopping mall outside Pilanesberg Nationalpark, where i met this young, beautiful lady the first time. The talk lead to photography, more specific to beauty and fashion photography, modeling and so on. Thembi admits she wants to have a photo shoot, but there wasn’t any nice location around but Pilanesberg, the beautiful national park with its stunning landscape. The idea of having esthetic photos from her body in beautiful nature raised.

From the start, Thembi was a natural talent. She felt comfortable with the environment, moved smooth and confident and gave that look of a strong woman to the camera. We had so much fun, visited different locations, where it was not only beautiful, but of course, also safe to leave the car. After hours of photo shoot, we brought home a bunch of really nice, interesting pictures, but see, and judge, for yourself.

However Thembi had so much fun, she asked me for more photo shoots, but that’s another story for the next blog. Stay tuned!

August 4, 2022August 4, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, culture, humansofplanetearth, landscape, nature, portrait, Southafrica, travel, UncategorizedTags: Africa, beauty, blackandwhite, blackbeauty, fineartnude, landscape, model, nature, outdoor, people, portraits, Southafrica, Travel 2 Kommentare

May I Introduce You: Tortuga, Tina Tortuga!

Cars, especially travel cars and camper vans, needs to be named by their owners. I always denied this practice for my vehicles. Officially. But since many years I used to think, and tell in secret, if there’s a name for my beloved Land Rover, it must be „Tortuga“, the Spanish word for tortoise.

„Tortuga“ is not beautiful, but adorable, slow, but strong, nice green, but colored inconspicuous.

My friend Christa told me from a lady, who makes stickers for cars. After a few gin tonics and nice talks, I decided to give my motorized travel companion finally an official name. Now it was to find a nice turtle pictogram or drawing to put it on Tortuga as a sticker. It should be simple, rather cute, but not too childish. I found something appealing, I think. Watch the pics and tell me your opinion on the comments, please.

Marloth Park, the place for the official naming ceremony, couldn’t be better. Free roaming wildlife all over the estate. Lots of green, lush trees and a beautiful riverside to walk or having a sundowner with friends. A spot which means freedom, security and lifestyle at same time.

My friend Christa honored me to be the godmother of Tortuga for this event. After she helped me with the stickers, we got a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate that event. From now an, my Land Rover discovering the world with me not nameless anymore, but as

Tortuga, Tina Tortuga!

#tinatortuga

Tina Tortuga (#tinatortuga) is officially named 🙂

Januar 23, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, landscape, nature, reportage, roadtrip, Southafrica, tinatortuga, travel, Uncategorized, urbanlife, wildlifeTags: Africa, africaoverland, bushlife, Landrover, landroverdefender, landscape, marlothpark, nature, overlander, portraits, reportage, Southafrica, tinatortuga, travelblog, wildlife, zebra 1 Kommentar

The Beach Of Mozambique In Times Of Corona

The waves crashing to the rocks at the shore. Uninterrupted, everlasting energy of mother nature. It’s the first sound I hear when I wake up. The cool breeze brings me to the sandy beach. A tractor is pulling a boat for a fish trip to the sea. Those fishermen are early birds too, or are they called ‚early fish‘ then?

At the end of the beach the sun rises between the rock and the ocean. Very slow and deliberately the first rays hit the rocks, caress the waves and finally warm my skin. Beautiful colors unfold and pushing the dark of the night aside. The day started just now.

It’s weekend and since Maputo isn’t too far away from Ponta Do Ouro, many weekend visitors are expected. Loads of pick-up cars with picnic-families, sun-seekers and partygoers falling into town and beach. There’s just one obstacle: the beaches are closed for swimmers and sunbathers due the covid pandemic. It is allowed to walk on the beach, though.

Couples, families and groups of friends are moving along the beach. Among them are police forces watching no one steps into the water or even dare to swim. As soon a few dove their toes too deep in the water a sharp whistle brings them back to dry sand. But this is not stopping them from chitchatting, playing in the sand and making photos from each others.

With my camera in hand, I notice the gazes of three friends making selfies. Do you want me to take a photo of the three of you, I asked. A quick answer confirmed it. And so begins the first of many spontaneous photo shoots. There are kids, jumping around, friends want to immortalize themselves in the picture, families enjoy an image as souvenir. Other photographer showing proudly their camera, while girls showing me their best beach poses. I can’t tell when I saw last time so many smiling faces, so much laughter by jumping for the photos.

Only when the sun sets, the last light was fading, the beach emptier from the day visitors. The silhouettes of the last group disappears in the dark and the hidden crabs taking over the beach again. In the distance party music echoes across, but soon even this ends due the curfew. The last thing I hear are waves crashing to the rocks. Uninterrupted, everlasting.

Januar 15, 2022Januar 15, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, HOPE, humansofplanetearth, landscape, nature, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, travel, Uncategorized, waterTags: Africa, beach, beachboy, beachfun, beachgirl, beachlife, beachparty, fisherman, fun, goodvibes, indianocean, nature, ocean, overland, people, portraits, reportage, shore, sunrise, Travel, waves Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Kasenda Crater Lakes

The landscape around Kasenda is scattered with old craters. Many of them filled with water. Some are hidden behind thick bushes and forests, other ones open with fields to their shore. Hiking and traveling around the area gives new stunning views almost behind every corner.