Artist’s Website

Of him, the Agora Gallery has said:

“Both a classical music composer and a renowned photographer, Spanish artist Martin Zalba Ibáñez merges his experience in these mediums to create stunning photographs that depict breathtaking vistas and yet so much more. The influence of music drives his compositions, as he strives for harmony of color, rhythm of perspective, melody of framing, orchestration of processing, and the counterpoints of shadow and light. His photographs are digital and processed via computer, giving him a versatility that allows him to infuse his own particular style into each image.

“As a result, his landscapes are surreal and otherworldly, allowing the viewer a glimpse into magical vistas where virtually anything is possible. Stark geographical features are set against a brilliance of color and light that implies limitless space and potential. For Ibáñez, ‘the soul of light . . . the sound of the shadows . . . the distance of color,’ are the aspects he seeks to uncover in his photographs and share with the world.”

(Photographs Courtesy Martin Zalba Ibáñez, © Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved)

Comments are in Spanish and English, English translation courtesy of Martin’s son.

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Tormenta

 Las Bardenas de Navarra (Spain) es un lugar muy especial donde hacer fotografías porque parece que pertenece a otro planeta y se pueden hacer fotografías muy especiales del cielo estrellado. En esta foto vemos una gran tormenta que viene desde lejos, parece que ocurre en otro mundo. No evité mojarme…

Foto de larga exposición con f 5,6, ISO 400 y 3 minutos de tiempo de exposición y posterior procesado en photoshop.

Storm

 ”Las Bardenas de Navara” (Spain) is a unique place to take photographs because it seems like being another planet and very special pictures of the starry sky can be taken. In this photo we see a great storm which comes from far away, it looks like happening in another world. I couldn’t avoid the rain…

Long exposition photo with f 5’6, ISO 400 and 3 minutes of exposition time. Later processing in Photoshop.

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Caseta de José Manuel

Es una fotografía de las Bardenas de Navarra. Enseña una cabaña de pastores de ovejas. Allí se refugia el pastor cuando hace la transhumancia. Aquella noche hacía mucho viento y frío, había luna llena y las nubes iban muy deprisa en el cielo. Allí es muy fácil meditar mirando a las estrellas…

ISO 200 f 5,6 y 10 minutos de exposición

José Manuel’s Hut

It is a photo taken in Las “Bardenas de Navarra.” It shows a sheep-shepherds’ hut, place where the shepherds rest while guiding the seasonal migration. That night was very windy and cold, the moon was full and the clouds were moving fast in the sky. To meditate while looking into the stars is very easy there…

ISO 200 f 5’6 and 10 minutes of exposition

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Aurora

Ver las auroras boreales es una experiencia única en la vida de una persona y de un fotógrafo. Mi viaje a Islandia fue una vivencia mística de la naturaleza. Tuve mucha suerte y pude hacer muchas fotos de las auroras boreales. Allí no se ve la mano del hombre, la naturaleza está en su estado más puro…

La técnica de estas fotografías es complicada porque las auroras se mueven mucho y desaparecen en seguida…

Dawn

To see aurora borealis is a unique experience in the life of a person and photographer. My journey to the Island was a mystic experience in nature. I was lucky and could take lots of photos from the northern lights. There the human actions can’t be appreciated, nature is in its purest state…

The technic for taking these photos is complicated because the auroras are always moving and disappear soon…

ISO 1600 f 2’8 and 19 seconds of exposition.

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 Consuegra

Los molinos de viento de Castilla son muy famosos en el mundo, sobre todo por su relación con el Quijote de la Mancha. Esta foto está tomada en una noche de luna llena, había muchas nubes y me gustó ver las estrellas dentro de las aspas del molino. Allí está, solitario, hablando con el cielo…

ISO 1600 f 2,8 y 25 segundos de tiempo de exposición

Consuegra

 The windmills of Castilla are famous all around the world, chiefly because of its relation with “Don Quijote de la Mancha.” This photo is taken in a full moon night, there were many clouds and I enjoyed seeing the stars into the mill’s sails. There is it, alone, speaking to the sky…

ISO 1600 f 2’8 and 25 seconds exposition time.

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Las Catedrales

Lugo está en Galicia, al norte de España. Tiene una costa abrupta que siempre está azotada  por el mar. Las Catedrales es una playa muy famosa, sobre todo este arco que vemos en la foto. Lo especial de esta foto es el arco iris que produce la luna. Sólo aparece en condiciones muy especiales de luz, humedad y altura de la luna en el cielo. A simple vista no se ve porque es de noche pero con la larga exposición en la cámara de fotos, aparece con por arte de magia…

ISO 1250 f 5,6  y 60 segundos de tiempo de exposición

The Cathedrals

 Lugo is in Galicia, northern Spain. It has an abrupt coast which always is punished by the sea. The Cathedrals is a famous beach, mainly because of the arc that we can see in the photo. The personality in this photo resides in the rainbow produced by the moon. It only appears in very special conditions of light, dampness and height of the moon in the sky. Without aid it can’t be seen because of the night, but with the long exposition in the camera it appears as if by magic…

ISO 1250 f 5’6 and 60 seconds exposition time

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Portio

Portio está en Cantabria (costa norte de España) y   pertenece a la “costa quebrada” porque está llena de enormes rocas que el mar ha erosionado a lo largo de miles de años creando un paisaje irreal que nos transporta a otros mundos. Es una costa peligrosa y es difícil llegar hasta la orilla del mar. Esta foto está hecha en verano, cuando el mar está más tranquilo…

ISO 640 f 2,8 y 50 segundos de tiempo de exposición

Portio

Portio is in Cantabria (northern coast of Spain) and belongs to the “Costa Quebrada” because it is full of huge rocks that the sea has eroded during thousands of years creating an irreal landscape which carries us to another worlds. It is a dangerous coast and it is difficult to get to the seashore. This photo is taken in summer, when the sea is calmer…

ISO 640 f 2’8 and 50 seconds exposition time.

_____

One can hear the fabulous classical music themes of Martin Zalba Ibáñez as one views his majestic works, full of both tone and harmony; rapsodies that uplift the heart. Photo Travel Review Magazine recognizes Martin as among the best landscape photographers in the world today, his images are hauntingly beautiful, surreal — transcending the ordinary into the extraordinary. When viewing his works, one steps into a different world, filled with magic and soul.  His works are worthy of viewing again and again.

His Flickr website is here.

One can see and purchase his works at this website.

Many of his images may be seen here.

His work has been displayed internationally, and recently it was featured at the Agora Gallery in New York.

Greg Widmeyer is an amateur photographer.  During the day, he’s a market researcher; analyzing data and writing reports.  He enjoys traveling with his family and photography…particularly landscape and nature photography.  After many years’ hiatus, he’s recently discovered digital photography and trying to learn about post-processing raw files.

The Walled-City of Segovia Spain

If you’re ever in Madrid and need a break from the art museums, typical tourist sites, and high-end Spanish cuisine, schedule time for a day trip to Segovia. It’s a picturesque, walled-city just an hour north of town with a long history. One can uncover sights and reminders dating back to the Romans, the Moors, a Jewish community, and medieval Spaniards.

Getting there can be half the fun. Of course, you could rent a car or take the high-speed train, but we choose to take the bus. Most of the passengers are locals, so communicating can be a little problem. Just make sure you brush-up on a little Spanish so you can buy the right ticket, board the correct bus, and disembark at the proper stop (“tres billetes al Segovia, por favor”). There is an express bus route (La Sepulvedana bus from Paseo de la Florida), with only a few stops, that gets you from Madrid to Segovia in an hour. You’ll see views of the Spanish countryside—sometimes beautiful and sometimes industrial along this route. The walk from the bus station in modern Segovia to the ancient city is a short 5 minute walk. If you take the train from Madrid instead, its station is a 20 minute walk away and probably worth a cab ride. There will be plenty of walking within the walls of the hilly town.

Leaving the bus stop, walking north in present-day Segovia it looks like a normal, small city. Stop by the small information booth to get a map and make inquiries. Continue just steps further, and seemingly out of place, standing in front of you is an ancient Roman aqueduct 30m high and over 800m long. Amazing that so much of it is still standing after nearly 2000 years.

Turning west, you ascend into the walled city. Of course you’re directed up the winding narrow main street, with a variety of tourist shops. But keep going, there are many other side streets to wander with quirky little shops and local restaurants to explore. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to take pictures of unique doorways, street corners, or the local residents. We even happened upon a little restaurant that served hamburgers (American style). The town is so picturesque; you even have “a view” from the restaurant bathroom out to the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains.

The local Alcazar, Arabic for Spanish castle, is located in one corner of the walled-city overlooking the ancient fields of farm and pasture. You can tour the castle for a small fee to see how the nobles of the day lived and take pictures of the city and surrounding countryside. But don’t limit yourself to just staying inside the fortification. Many good views of the city are also available from outside of the walled-city.

And what would a European city be without cathedrals and churches. Segovia has its share. One of the largest examples of gothic churches in Europe is the Cathedral of Segovia (are all the churches in Europe under repair?). Outside the city walls, is the Church of Vera Cruz, a circular church erected by the Knights Templar.

We visited during the month of March and were rewarded with beautiful blue skies. Weather this time of year is typically sunny with cool temperatures (high in the mid 60s F) and is an ideal time to visit before the spring rain season or summer heat. As an additional locale to the well-traveled, big cities of Spain, I recommend you make a visit to photograph Segovia.

Valencia is the first trip where I planned to go alone for, and it was one of the best trips I had embarked on. For Spain, most people prefer to go to Barcelona, which is understandable, but I do think that no one should ever miss Valencia.

In my opinion, the one thing you have to see in Valencia is Santiago Calatrava’s Ciudad de las Artest y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences). It is a wonder to behold, with many surrealistic buildings – a delight of curves, lines and beautiful architecture.

Whether it is in the daytime, or at night, you can expect to have a photographic opportunity somehow in this maze of sprawling concrete that I could not tire of. I spent nearly 3 of my 5 days there camped around the place waiting for the right light, and I did not feel bored at all.

The City consists of the Palau de les Arts Renia Sofia, an dome shaped arts complex that houses public performances (first picture in the back); the Hemisferic, an IMAX cinema (first picture, in foreground); the spikey Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe, a science museum (second picture); as well as the Oceangraphic, an aquarium. There is a wealth of things to look at even if one is not really into architecture or photography, for all ages alike!

The Oceangraphic is home to many marine animals, among which include the beluga whale, a very photogenic creature as can be seen above.

When I was there, I also managed to visit the La Lonja, which is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. This used to be a commodity exchange and meeting place for merchants. The rib vaulted ceiling supported by what is known as helicodal columns can be quite surreal, and the chandeliers hanging around lend a special touch to the place.

If you want something less common, you can venture to Lake Albufera, a freshwater lagoon about 15 km south of Valencia. There is a very simple jetty which offers beautiful views of the sunset, along with opportunities to shoot birds (but I do not have the necessary equipment to do so properly) if that is your cup of tea.

*****

Cheoh Wee Keat is currently a student studying in London who has picked up photography for nearly three years now. He shoots to forget everything else, and finds that photography can be a very good excuse to travel around more. He wishes that more people had heard of his camera brand (Pentax) so that he does not have to explain that it does exist, and hopes that one day, he will be able to visit every section of coastline in the world.

Website: http://www.pbase.com/night86mare

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With Barcelona offering so much to the traveler, it can be quite bewildering in deciding the best way to spend your limited time visiting the sights that this dynamic city has to offer.

If you want to try something different during your stay, Barcelona Private Photography Tours offer a unique service which includes a customized private tour of the city or surrounding areas and/or having your photos taken by a professional photographer in Barcelona’s most stunning locations!

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You will have the opportunity to discover this city of hidden quarters, narrow streets, open plazas, exciting markets, modern seafronts, stunning architecture.  Barcelona Private Photography Tours will show you the best that Barcelona has to offer and leave you with memorable images full of atmosphere.

Laurie Cohen, the owner, is a well seasoned traveler, having traveled extensively throughout the world.

An adventurer since childhood his father took Laurie and his brother on six month-long sailing trips before he was a teenager.  His brother climbed Mt. Everest while Laurie was in Asia. From the age of 17, he traveled alone in the Far East and he started giving Underwater Photographic Tours for the first time in Thailand.

At the age of 19, he and his brother started a company based In Rajastan, India. He lived there for six years, only returning to the United Kingdom in the monsoon season. He has traveled extensively in Africa, Central America and Papua New Guinea before making a round the world trip.

Laurie speaks three languages, English, Spanish, and Hebrew.

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For other tours that are not photography related — Sightseeing Tours and Eco-Friendly Electric Bicycle Tours — he takes the clients portraits during the tour in the most photogenic locations, process the images and send them by email.

The Photography Tours are for daytime [4:30pm-8:00pm] and also Night Photography Tours [8:30pm-12:00pm]. The hours change slightly depending on the month [summer months with longer hours].

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Clients are taken to three or four photogenic locations in the city, such as La Boqueria market, El Borne district, Gothic Quarter, Parc Guell etc for Daytime Tours. For Night Tours, tours feature the Magic Fountain, Diagonal Mar, and the Gothic Quarter.

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Laurie is very flexible with itineraries and he often suggest going to visit local fiestas of photographic interest such as the Feria de Abril, Merce, Fiestas de Gracia, and Sitges Carnival.

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He also offers tours outside of the Barcelona which include transportation by private vehicle. These tours include Nights Tours learning the basics of capturing star trails in Montserrat, Photo Tours in Sitges and Photo Tours in the Delta del Ebre nature reserve. He has also done Weekend Tours for clients wanting to go further afield, such as to the Basque region and the Spanish Pyrenees.

Laurie says that if he had to choose his favorite tour, it would be doing night landscapes at Montserrat Mountain, located 60KM from Barcelona.

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Tours are reasonably priced, ranging from 85 Euros per person for a half day tour, 120 Euros for a full day tour, or 240 Euros for a sightseeing tour for six persons.

Tour participants speak very highly of their experiences:

“Thanks Laurie, for providing the ideal start point for our adventures in Spain. The friendliness which we felt and genuine interest that you cheerfully shared with us will always be measured in treasured thoughts.”  — George & Dawn. Toronto, Canada

“The photo tour was a great way to improve my camera skills and see your amazing city through my lens. I really enjoyed my day. Thanks so much for your patience and advice. I learned alot from your tips using my film camera. I will be back for sure one day and try the night photo tour.  Highly recommended.” — Guy. London, UK

“We just wanted to thank you for the great day out.  You showed us the Barcelona we were hoping for, and left us photographs that we will cherish.” — Tal & Tali. Tel Aviv, Israel

“Thanks so much for the great tour. Your kindness and enthusiasm in showing us around your amazing city really made for a great day out.” — Tamar & family. Dundee, Scotland

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Photo Travel Review Magazine highly recommends Barcelona Private Photography Tours.  Based on testimonials, costs, and what the company has to offer, PTR awards the Company its five start rating ★★★★★.

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Photographs are Copyrighted © 2011, Marsel van Oosten — All Rights Reserved

Qualifications of the Tour Provider

Deciding which photographic seminar to attend is a daunting problem for many.  But, in all instances, one should first determine whether the person or persons conducting the seminar are accomplished photographers and whether their work has been recognized by publications or artistic awards.

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Marsel van Oosten, owner of Squiver, meets all these criteria.  Marsel’s images are famed for his mastery of composition, lighting, color and perspective.  In addition to winning First Prize in the International Photography Awards three times, Marsel’s awards include top honors in the European wildlife Photographer of the Year, First Prize in the Nature’s Best International Photography Awards, and was just selected the Landscape Photographer of the Year by Nature Scapes Net.  His photographs are featured in galleries and museums, and are used in advertising, design, and magazines such as National Geographic, Science Illustrated, and Geo.

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In addition he holds a BA in Art Direction and Graphic Design from the Academy of Arts.

Indeed, browsing through his extensive gallery is magical, image after image showing his emotional approach to communication and his love for the natural world and concern for the environment.  Simple, yet very powerful images are his specialty.

In sum, Marsel is a world class nature photographer.

His partner, Daniella Sibbing, graduated from the school of Marketing and Economics.   She has worked for various renowned agencies.  Daniella took up video to shoot travel documentaries, capturing the nature, wildlife and different cultures from countries all over the world.  Her video footage is used by stock agencies.  She is co-host on most Squiver Photo Tours, taking care of all organizational aspects of the trips.

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Where Are Seminars Offered?

The next considerating is where are the seminars offered?  There are countless places one can go on the earth to do photography, but few tour providers offer more than one selection.  Not so with Squiver.  Tours are available to Japan, Alaska, Namibia, Kenya, Spain, Turkey, and Zambia.

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Japan

Unique is the tour offering to Japan, which encompasses photographing Snow Monkeys, the famous red-crowned cranes, Stellar’s sea eagles, white-tailed eagles, whooper swans, red fox, sika deer, and the mountains near Nagano.  All coupled with opportunities to experience the Japanese culture, customs, and food.

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Namibia

Quivertrees, a sand-covered ghost town, the famous red sand dune at Sossusvlei and the surreal Deadvlei along with elephants, zebra, oryx, as well as black and white rhinos at the famous Okaukuejo waterhole in Estosha, while having the opportunity to do microlight fights, ballooning and gamedrives in Etosha.  This tour is perfect for those who enjoy both landscape and wildlife photography in one of the most remote and sparsely settled places on earth.

Turkey

On this landscape tour Squiver takes you to the best spots to photograph the surreal fairy chimneys and bizarre rock formations in Goreme National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site.  During the day you can expect to wander through ancient villages, visit an amazing cave town, rock-hewn churches and mosques, underground dwellings, and a carved rock citadel at the highest point in Cappadocia.

Spain

Squiver takes you to the largest zoological park in the world where one can photograph over 100 species from five continents.

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Zambia

This wildlife photography tour takes you to Victoria Falls and Lower Zambezi National Park.  Likely subjects are elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, lion, and leopard. You will be photographing the animals from land as well as on eye-level from the river.  The versatile shooting possibilities of this tour, is what makes it different from other “traditional” safari countries.  And the water attracts large herds of animals.

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Katmai, Alaska

The ultimate coastal brown bear tour, the tour takes you at close range on the tidal flats of Katmai National Park, in small groups of five guests.  Brown bears, seals, sea otters, fox, bald eagles, tufted puffins, ducks, geese, and perhaps wolves, wolverine, moose and lynx are likely subjects.  All in very close range.

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Masai Mara Migration, Kenya

This tour takes one to see one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth: The Great Migration.  One will visit the famous river crossings where the huge Nile crocodiles lie waiting for the wildebeest to cross, and you will search for the Big Five:  buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard, and lion.

Costs

Considerations for a photographic seminar also involve the issue of cost.  There are dozens of tour providers to choose from, many of which are very expensive.  What is refreshing about the Squiver offerings is that costs are reasonable.  For example, a tour of East Africa typically costs from $8,000 to $12,000 per person sharing.  The Squiver tour begins at approximately $5,500 — a bargain price.

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Photographic Instructions and Critiques

Most tour operators offer one the chance to go to exotic places, few of them offer expert instructions on camera equipment, photographic techniques, and also take the time to critique one’s work.  The Squiver tours offer not only these critical components of a good photographic tour, but they also work with one in advanced Photoshop techniques.

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Conclusion

The PTR Team knows the world photographic community very well.  We have attended seminars, conducted our own, and we know the work of most well-recognized nature photographers.  Marsel and Daniella offer something very special to the traveling photographer — vast experience and recognition for their work, a variety of places to go, reasonable costs, and expert instruction.  In sum, the best combination of all attributes that make up a successful photographic holiday.

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Photo Travel Review Magazine highly recommends Squiver Tours.  The offerings are among the best in the world — Squiver has earned PTR’s five star rating plus (✭✭✭✭✭+). We added the “+” to the rating because their tours are among the most reasonably priced that we have encountered.

Website:  http://www.squiver.com/

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