Fired with enthusiasm after a day spent in the striking beauty of the Isle of Skye in March 2008, an after dinner discussion by the founders led to the birth of Photo Travel Review Magazine. Our idea was to produce a web-based resource for photographers with advice and information about places to visit, with or without the help of dedicated tour organizers. We wanted to include ideas about interesting locations within an area, how to get there, where to stay, when to go, etc.

Over the course of the past 18 months, it has become apparent that there are many of you out there who want to share your own experiences of travel, photography and the search for light. Photo Travel Review Magazine now has articles about 32 different countries and six continents. To those who have contributed articles over this time we offer our gratitude for your time and effort and we hope that you continue to find joy in your art and your travels. To those who would like to contribute your own experiences we look forward to hearing from you.

In this our 100th article we wanted to revisit some of the highlights of Photo Travel Review Magazine since it began in April 2008.

From the remote regions of Alaska to the vibrant city of Hong Kong, from the incredible mountains of Patagonia to the heat and dust of an African safari and from Peru, with it’s relics of ancient civilizations to the ultra modern in the classic European capitals of Rome and Paris, we introduce you again to some of those stories now shared because of an after dinner conversation.

We start where the concept was born:

Scotland – The PTR Team Goes to Elgol

By the PTR Team

We begin this post, our 100th at PTR, with an article by the PTR Team.

One of the most photographed places in Scotland is located at Elgol on the Isle of Skye.  Early last year, the PTR Team (Bill, Claire, and Melanie) got together and spent a week photographing different locations, one of them was Elgol.  The article is special because it was at this location that the whole idea of Photo Travel Review Magazine came about!

This article is about how individual photographers interpret the same place in different ways.  How composition, the use of a camera for different effects, how different perspectives of the same scene result in totally different outcomes, and how experienced photographers often deviate from one another when capturing light.

Patagonia, that legendary place . . .

By Rafael Rojas

Before going there we had big plans for reflected peaks in glorious light. Once we arrived, we understood they are very difficult to get, due to the strong and frequent winds. The only solution is to be patient and perseverant. I still remember going to the very same spot in Fitzroy range waiting for a morning without wind. It happened once in a week…but it was worth it. Anyway, normally absence of wind means very clear skies and stable weather…and that is a perfect recipe for dull and un-moody photos of this place.

China, Yunnan Province

By Alister Benn

The world is getting smaller; half a day and we are half the world away. We can check our e-mails on our mobile phones or even watch the mid week sports on the commute home from work. Increasingly we talk about getting away from it all, finding our inner peace, challenging our minds and bodies outside of our comfort zones.

My wife and I elected to take the “get away from it all” seriously and live now in a quiet corner of Yunnan Province in South West China. Located at 2400m (7874 feet), the town of Lijiang is a World Heritage Site with a wonderfully preserved Old Town (Dayan) and the looming giant of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rising to a height of 5,596 m (18,359 ft) to the north. The unique Naxi (Na-shee) culture and the scenery attract hundreds of thousands of Chinese and overseas tourists every year; all of them “getting away from it all.”

England – The Lake District

By Melanie M

The English Lake District has long been associated with tourism. Since the earliest days visitors have strived to convey the images from their minds’ eye to others. Some in words as with the Lakes Poets, some by painting including Turner and Constable, and as the process developed more latterly with photography. George Abraham and his sons were perhaps the earliest photographers of renown in the area (circa 1887). They recorded landscapes and mountaineering images, some of which can be seen in their old premises the now George Fisher store in Keswick.

Tourism is now the primary source of income to the area, but it is not difficult to escape the crowds in pursuit of images to take home with you.

France – La Défense, Paris

By Jure Kravanja

I won’t tell you anything new if I say that Paris is a unique city. Each and every street has its splendor. However, what I am trying to seek in an urban photography is the feeling of loneliness. In my opinion, the encompassing loneliness brings out the best of the cityscape photography, especially if the architecture is more on a minimalist side. This is indeed the case with La Défense. Large squares with little detail are surrounded by glassed business and administration buildings with almost geometrical shapes, making it an ideal setting for the sense of loneliness.

Wales – Llynnau Cregennen, Snowdonia

By Claire Carter

It was the second morning visit that everything came together. It is worth noting that nothing on the drive up had suggested that it was going to be a fruitful journey. The sky seemed too clear. It wasn’t especially still either but as we rounded the last turn we saw that the dip the lake is in was full of mist and clouds were hugging one peak. We had struck gold – we were in the right place and probably the only place in miles where the conditions were showing any drama.

The next hour was a delight. We struggled as the mist came and went causing condensation on lens and grads. The rising sun gave exposure challenges and lenses had to be changed to make the most of changing conditions.

Editor’s note:  The photograph shown was made by Claire during this trip, and was selected by the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year Take a View Competition as the Awards Book Cover Image published by the competition.  The competition is regarded as among the best in the world.  The PTR Team is especially proud of Claire’s distinction.

Siberia, Land of Snow, Sky, and Space

By Herman Cater

I was very impressed with the infinity of the country. The beauty is in the space. I found many subjects from landscapes to portraits and covered themes ranging from people at work to religion.

Pit-Jah being an oil town has some wealth but as yet no hotels. I stayed in what can be described as a container that the workers are housed in. It was warm and functional but not accessible to tourists. It is not a place where a visitor can just turn up; you really need the help of someone who knows the locality who can organise accommodation in advance for you. There are some agencies that do tours within Siberia but as you can imagine it isn’t really on the main tourist map.

The Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda

By Mike Johnson

We flew from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Kigali, the capital in Rwanda.  We spent a night in Kigali at the Hôtel des Mille Collines, originally famous as Dian Fossey’s home base and later made famous by the movie Hotel Rwanda.  It was an interesting night with open windows, strange sounds and the excitement of being in Africa for the first time.

The gorillas live among five volcanic peaks called the Virunga Mountains.  The countries of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo intersect in the mountains.  Here is an image from our lodge the first night.  You really get the feeling of “Gorillas in the Mist”.  There are reported to be fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining, and none in captivity.  Our group was impressed with the apparent concern over preserving these wonderful animals.  Subsequent news from the area hasn’t been as happy as the biggest threat continues to be human encroachment of the gorillas natural habitat.

Photographing the Big Island of Hawaii

By Rick Decker

You’re going to Hawaii and spending a week on the Big Island.  You’ve seen those pictures of beautiful beaches with white sand, blue skies, and lush greens, classic waterfalls and girls in hula.  You probably think taking photographs on the most diversified of the Hawaiian Islands is a piece of cake. After all, the guidebooks say that it has something like 23 or 25 the world’s 28 microclimates.  It has huge mountains towering over 13,000 feet, gorgeous blue water, beautiful sand beaches, rainforest jungle, ocean cliffs, grasslands, spectacular tropical flowers, orchids, a smattering of deserts, and an active volcano that is pouring lava (much of the time) into the ocean.  Voila – National Geographic here you come.

South Africa – Self-drive safari?

By Neil Burton

To see the most famous of Africa’s inhabitants, including the Big Five, people often spend a small fortune for specialty tours and safaris. But here is how you can do it on a budget, and at all times be in complete control of where you go and how long you stay in any given spot.

Your accommodation within the park needs to be booked prior to entering, this was formerly done by ringing the SANparks office or through a travel agent, but thankfully South African National Parks now have an internet booking system. The system is completely up-to-date and is a brilliant way to plan and book your trip, it took me ten minutes!

Alaska, Silver Salmon Creek Lodge

*****

In addition to the articles summarized above and many more, Photo Travel Review Magazine has also enjoyed the contributions of photographers in our Featured Photos Page.  Some of the best photographers in the world have contributed to this page.  We hope to see it grow in the months ahead.  Here are three especially compelling images.

The Fireball
(Alvord Desert, Oregon)

By Marc Adamus

Personal Website

The Gift
(Khumbu region, Nepal)

by Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson Gallery

The Power of One
(Moeraki, New Zealand)

By Kah Kit Yoong

Personal Website

Lost in a Warming World

By Dennis Bromage
Personal Website

Congratulations to Dennis Bromage for his photograph “Lost in a Warming World.”

Dennis describes his work:

“Polar bears on an ice flow around 60 miles off the coast of Svalbard, in the high arctic summer. The Cubs are around 6 months old and face an uncertain future in a word that is fast changing around them. LOST?

“I hope the image illustrates the vulnerability of these stunning creatures struggling for survival in the most fragile environment on the planet. The title is intended to ask a question rather than make a final statement as hopefully there is still time to make a difference.”

The editors of Photo Travel Review Magazine agree.  All of us should be asking questions about what is affecting our world.  This image speaks loudly of the affects of Global warming and the changes that are occurring world wide.

Anyone can enter the contest.  Details are here.

Travel Photo of the Year Contest

Sponsored by Essential Photo Gear

Playing with Skull

Haim Ziv

Kenya

Congratulations to Haim Ziv, November Winner in the Travel Photo of the Year Competition.  One may visit his website here.

Judges considered the eye contact of young lion and skull to be unique.  Excellent composition and beautiful light enhanced this entry.

The contest is sponsored by Essential Photo Gear – photo gear designed by photographers.  Mr. Ziv will be receiving his choice of a fleece cover or flash bag from the company.

To enter the Photo Travel Review Magazine Travel Photo of the Year Contest  click here and attach your photograph to an email message.  Please submit only one photograph each month.  Selections for a particular month may be made from previous month’s entries.

– The PTR Team

Claire’s image was commended and will be featured as the Awards Book Cover Image to published by the competition. It will be displayed as an exhibition print at London’s National Theatre. In addition, it will appear on the exhibition banner & invitations.

Llynnau Cregennen, looking to Cadair Idris, Snowdonia, Wales by Claire Carte

Her image was first shown here in her article about Wales.

Melanie’s photograph will be published in the Competition Awards Book and as a print at the same London’s National Theatre exhibition.

The Old & The New, Talacre by Melanie

Her image was made during her photo travel holiday written about in the Photo Travel Review Article Anglesey.

The Landscape Photographer of the Year Competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious contests in the world.  Photo Travel Review Magazine is pleased that a work first displayed here was commended by the judges of the competition and will receive prominent display in high quality publications.

San Antonio Missions National History Park

By Hector D. Astorga

The Alamo in San Antonio is the most recognizable building in the State of Texas. Every Texan and most Americans, knows the history of the famous battle between the independence seeking Texans and the Mexican Army led by General Santa Ana. What most people don’t know is that the Alamo is only one of the original five missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century. The missions were established to convert the local native Indians to Catholicism, and also to extend Spain’s dominion northward from New Spain (present day Mexico). The missions flourished in the mid to late 1700’s but by the mid 1800’s the need for the missions dimished and the missions were secularized and their lands distributed among the inhabitants and the churches transferred to the secular clergy. The missions are a main factor in the history of Texas and the core foundation for the development of the city of San Antonio. The local community has been preserving the missions since 1920 and in 1983 the San Antonio Missions National History Park was established.

Read Article.

Poland and Slovakia in Summer

by Claire Carter and Hania Franek

Claire: A few years ago I was lucky enough to meet up, on the Isle of Skye, with some people who had driven all the way from Poland to join us on a photo shoot. Following this we have all met several times in different locations and have become good friends.

Hania Franek, who lives in Gliwice, invited me to join her this summer on a two week trip to Poland and Slovakia. Hania has a real love of the mountains, especially her beloved Tatras.

Hania: After some discussion we decided to head to two destinations, the Pieniny Mountains in Southern Poland and the Slovakian part of Tatra Mountains.

Read Article.

Guest Article – Photographing the Big Island of Hawaii

By Rick Decker

You’re going to Hawaii and spending a week on the Big Island.  You’ve seen those pictures of beautiful beaches with white sand, blue skies, and lush greens, classic waterfalls and girls in hula.  You probably think taking photographs on the most diversified of the Hawaiian Islands is a piece of cake. After all, the guidebooks say that it has something like 23 or 25 the world’s 28 microclimates.  It has huge mountains towering over 13,000 feet, gorgeous blue water, beautiful sand beaches, rainforest jungle, ocean cliffs, grasslands, spectacular tropical flowers, orchids, a smattering of deserts, and an active volcano that is pouring lava (much of the time) into the ocean.  Voila – National Geographic here you come.

Read Article.

La Défense. Paris. France.

Interview with Jure Kravanja by Claire Carter

Jure Kravanja has already been featured at PTR giving us a fabulous article about Iceland. Here he tells us about a location that couldn’t be more different and shows his versatility and ability to see things many would overlook.

La Défense is a major business district in the city of Paris, bordering Neuilly-sur-Seine, west of the city itself. The district is at the westernmost extremity of Paris’ 10 km long Historical Axis, which starts at the Louvre in Central Paris and continues along the Champs-Élysées, well beyond the Arc de Triomphe before culminating at La Défense.

The district holds many of the Paris’s tallest high-rises and is Europe’s largest purpose-built business district.

Read Article.