ENGLISH VERSION
FAROE ISLANDS atlantic moods ESSENTIAL SEEING PHOTO - IMMERSION TRIP
21 - 27 February 2021 st
© Copyright Essential Seeing - Meaningful Photography Learning
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FAROE ISLANDS, ATLANTIC MOODS - WWW.ESSENTIALSEEING.COM
“The love for nature and travelling has run in my blood for as long as I can remember. Even if all locations have their unique and special soul, after 20 years of travelling the world I have found some places where I stood in awe, feeling specially connected to the land and the light, touched and stirred by the power, beauty and mystery of nature. Come and discover these places with us; Let us share those emotions and express them through photography.“
Faroe Islands ATLANTIC MOODS ESSENTIAL SEEING PHOTOTRIP
Mysterious, remote, unspoiled, rugged and imposing, the Faroe Islands are one of the most magnetic locations in the World for the landscape photographer. Battered by the elements, towering cliffs rise from the depths of the ocean delineating a group of islands where time seems to have stopped and the feeling of being far away from it all overwhelms the senses of the visitor. Isolated in the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Scotland and Iceland, it is no surprise that these islands have been ranked by National Geographic as the most authentic and unspoiled islands in the World. Dynamic, changeable and dramatic; the light and weather conditions are as impressive as the landscape. Snow, mist, sunny skies and dramatic clouds can happen anytime, anywhere. In November, we may have also the chance of observing and photographing the Northern Lights dancing over the fjords.
JOIN US !
This will be a Photo Immersion trip conducted personally by Rafael Rojas, Master Hasselblad, assisted his partner Anca Minican. From our comfortable hotel, ideally and idyllically situated, we will be able to easily reach all our chosen photographic areas and adapt ourselves to the different weather, light and eventual aurora conditions.
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE
DATES 21st- 27th February 2021 TOUR LEADERS Rafael Rojas and Anca Minican PHOTOGRAPHY LEVEL
HIGHLIGHTS • Discover and photograph one of the most dramatic and mysterious coastlines in the world, with towering cliffs, rock pinnacles, beaches and fjords.
• In winter, snow covers the peaks of the mountains, creating a dramatic contrast with the deep dark ocean and the profound valleys. We can expect snow at valley level too.
All photographic levels EXERTION LEVEL Easy PRICE 4’200.-CHF (Swiss Francs)VAT incl. BOOKING DEPOSIT
• The Faroe Islands are one of the best places to photograph in black and white. The skies are moody and filled with character, the mountains and fjords display incredible textures and shapes and mystery permeates it all.
Deposit of 1,500 CHF NUMBER OF PEOPLE Group of 4 (min.) to 6 (max.)
• We may have the opportunity of seeing and photographing the Northern Lights dancing over the fjords and towering mountains. In November, aurora activity is quite high and the possibility is high.
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A few brush strokes on a virgin canvas of sand, sea and sky..
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT’S INSIDE
3 5 6 7
FAROE - ATLANTIC MOODS THE PHILOSOPHY
THE LOCATION
PROGRAMME
8 9 10 12
INCLUDED & EXCLUDED MAIN DETAILS
LEADERS
FAQ
15 16 19 21
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST WEATHER & CLIMATE
TESTIMONIALS
BOOKING
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THE PHILOSOPHY
WHAT TO EXPECT?
PHOTO-IMMERSION TRIP Photography is not the goal, but the path. Nowa days, we all rush through our life. We travel fast and we see the world without experiencing it. We think that in order to see more, we need to move faster.But the truth is that travelling in time and light, travelling through mood and weather is often more rewarding. Feelings and emotions, experiences and souvenirs, are not measured in quantity, but in qua lity. Slowing down makes you connect more with a place. When you slow down, your inner landscape tends to blend with the outer one. And then, magic happens. Life is like a good whisky, and should be consumed in small sips. Photography is the best of the glasses for that whisky. Our Photo Immersion trips offer a slightly different approach: to slow down our pace, to forget about running after photographic trophies and to focus on creating highly personal work about a specific area for a certain number of days. We minimise the travel in space to focus on travel in the light, travel through the changes in the weather, travel in time. Every day, we photograph a certain ‘playground’ where you will notice that conditions are never the same. Every day, we get a little closer to the spirit of the place. Every day, we make a bet ter friend. In a way, we focus on a type of internal travel, rather than an external one.
After many years conducting photo-immersion trips, we have realized the best way is to allow our participants to immerse themselves with plenty of time out in the field on their own, undisturbed unless they need any help. Rafael and Anca are always available for participants, anytime, anywhere, to discuss technical, compositional, artistic, or philosophic aspects while we work in the field. Participants will not only get a lot of hands on tuition from Rafael during the photographic sessions, but they will also have the possibility of seeing how Rafael works, how he visualizes, composes and creates his own photographs in the field. Rafael will use many of his photographs to explain many concepts in the field, and later on during the postprocessing and critique sessions which will take place at our hotel base. You will receive a lot of instruction about post-processing, which is an essential part of contemporary landscape photography. We want to eliminate all the hassle of travelling so that we can focus on creative photography and maximize our natural immersion in the location. For our entire stay we will be ideally based at our comfortable hotel, the most luxurious and exclusive in the islands. This will allow us to make the most of the conditions, tailoring our programme to the weather and light we will experience during our trip. During this photo-trip, we will photograph in all kinds of light conditions: sunrise, sunset, dawn, dusk, day and night. Variety is the name!
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THE LOCATION FAROE, ATLANTIC MOODS
RUGGED & UNSPOILED
Mysterious, remote, unspoiled, rugged and imposing, the Faroe Islands are one of the most magnetic locations in the World for the landscape photographer. Battered by the elements, towering cliffs rise from the depths of the ocean, delineating a group of islands where time seems to have stopped and the feeling of being far away from it all overwhelms the senses of the visitor. Isolated in the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Scotland and Iceland, it is no surprise that these islands have been ranked by National Geographic as the most authentic and unspoiled islands in the World. This location remains largely unknown and still seldom visited by photographers. Expect it to soon become the “new Iceland� for landscape photographers!
Dynamic, changeable and dramatic; the light and weather conditions are as impressive as the landscape. Snow, mist, sunny skies and dramatic clouds can happen anytime, anywhere. The Faroe Islands display one of the most dramatic and mysterious coastlines in the world, with towering cliffs, rock pinnacles, beaches and fjords. In winter, the snow covers the summits of the peaks, dramatically contrasting with the dark waters of the ocean. We may equally experience snow at valley level and have the opportunity of observing and photographing the Northern Lights dancing over the fjords.
In winter, pale greens and velvety browns cover the land, contrasting with the glinting white snow on the peaks and the intense blue of the deep fjords. During this period, the sun is low during the whole day, casting a beautiful light over the landscape. But the Faroe Islands not only excel in colour... The mysterious essence of these islands reveals itself in the mood, shapes and textures of the ocean, fjords and towering mountains. This is why the Faroe Islands are a wonderful destination for photography in black and white. During our photo-immersion trip, we will help you connect with the mystery and moods of these islands and use photography as a creative mean of personal expression. FAROE ISLANDS, ATLANTIC MOODS - WWW.ESSENTIALSEEING.COM - 06
A world carved by glaciers in the middle of the Atlantic
A land of light and shadow...
PROGRAMME FAROE: ATLANTIC MOODS PROGRAMME AND TYPICAL DAY DAY 1 - 21TH FEBRUARY 2021 The workshop will start officially at 9:00 hours in the morning with meeting point to be announced, so that we will spend the whole day photographing already! This means participants are expected therefore to spend the night before in Torshavn, arriving anytime on the day before. We will assist participants to find an hotel and arrange the transport if they want. DAYS 2 TO 6 During 5 full days we will explore and photograph the most interesting and photogenic areas of the different islands of Faroe. During this period, dawn breaks at 8:30 am and dusk sets in at around 4:30 pm, giving us plenty of hours of warm light due to the sun which stays low above the horizon for the whole day. It will also provide decent waking hours for sunrise photography and also the possibility of photographing night scenes of auroras without having to stay up too long. Our daily schedule will vary depending on the locations we will visit but a typical day will combine photographic sessions at different places, image reviews on the computer, post-processing sessions and some time to rest and relax. We will likely leave in the morning after an early breakfast and return after dark, taking a packed lunch with us in order to make the most of the whole day. DAY 7 - 27TH FEBRUARY 2021 - END OF PHOTO TRIP We will have breakfast together and depending on the flight schedules have a morning photographic session, after which the phototrip will officially end. We will drive back all participants to the airport. FAROE ISLANDS, ATLANTIC MOODS - WWW.ESSENTIALSEEING.COM - 07
Exquisite decay, or the wabi-sabi of things...
INCLUDED EXCLUDED
& INCLUDED
EXCLUDED
Tour led by Rafael Rojas and Anca Minican
Photographic and clothing equipment
‘ In the field’ photography advice, daily briefings,
International and domestic flights
commentary sessions & image reviews
Medical, Accident and Repatriation
Daily post-processing and critique sessions
Insurance (compulsory for all partici-
Accommodation at the best hotel of the islands (4 stars)
pants)
Hotel ideally located and with all comforts
Travel Cancellation insurance
Single occupancy for all participants included
(strongly advised)
Alcoholic beverages
All meals, of very high quality
Non alcoholic beverages
Transport during the whole stay Transfers to the airport of Faroe
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Mighty fjords and mountains rising from the ocean depths...
MAIN DETAILS
TRIP DETAILS PHOTOGRAPHY LEVEL All photographic levels, from beginners to advanced photographers, are welcome. EXERTION LEVEL Easy. Most walks will be very short as we will be photographing close to the car. Temperatures are not very cold (around 4°), and any person in average physical shape with good clothing and equipment such as that we recommend should not have any problems at all. Please contact us if you have any doubts about the difficulty level of this trip. PRICE 4’200.- CHF (Swiss Francs) VAT incl. SINGLE OCCUPANCY Single occupancy accommodation is included on this photo trip for all participants in the best hotel of the whole islands (4 stars hotel) PAYMENT DETAILS Deposit of 1,500 CHF at the time of booking. Full payment of the Photo Trip due 120 days (4 months) prior to the departure date.
CANCELLATION FEES Should you need to cancel this Photo Trip, the follo wing fees apply: - 90 days or more before the departure date: Your deposit fee - 89 to 61 days before the departure date: 50% cancellation fee - 60 days or less before the departure date: 100% cancellation fee It is strongly recommended to acquire travel cance llation insurance. NUMBER OF PEOPLE Groups are limited from 4 (minimum) to 6 (maximum) This number includes photographers and nonphotographing partners / spouses. LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION Transportation will be in a van seating 9 people. Accommodation will be in the best hotel of the island (4 stars). Breakfasts will be served at the hotel. Packed lunches will be taken with us for flexibility and really good dinners will be waiting for us at the hotel restaurant.
NON-PHOTOGRAPHING SPOUSES / PARTNERS Non-photographing spouses and partners are welcome on this trip. Even though the dinner conversations will certainly revolve around photo graphy, all locations visited will allow non-photographing partners and spouses to discover and fully enjoy the beauty of the Faroe islands. They can also stay at our lovely hotel by the oean during our early morningor e vening photographic forays. Same rates apply. LANGUAGES The official language for this photographic trip will be English. However, bear in mind that personal explanations to each participant can be done also in French or Spanish, as we are bilingual in these other languages. A certain international composition of the group should be expected, with all the fun and wonderful implications that brings!
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LEADERS FAROE atlantic moods
RAFAEL ROJAS Rafael Rojas is a fine art photographer specialized in large format landscape and nature photography. Following a career as an engineer, researcher and university lecturer he made a dramatic change by becoming a professional photographer of nature and lands cape, his true passion and vocation. Today, he travels the planet always in search of those fleeting moments when light and land combine to create sheer magic and inspire the soul. His work has been awarded in the most prestigious international nature photography competitions, including the prestigious Master Hasselblad Award, First Prize several times in the International Photography Awards (USA), Px3 Prix de Photographie de Paris (France), Nature’s Best (USA), International Conservation Awards (USA), European Nature Photographer of the Year GDT (Germany), MML International (Spain), Trierenberg Super Circuit (Austria), Panoramic Photographer of the Year, etc.
Learn with Rafael Rojas Master Hasselblad photographer and former University lecturer...
His fine art prints, which form part of numerous private collections belonging to individuals and corporations, are often exhibited at international level, in private galleries and museums such as the Smithsonian in Washington and the Burke Museum in Seattle, USA. His photographs are also frequently used by various companies and institutions and are often published for editorial use in magazines. One of the main activities of Rafael Rojas is tea ching and lecturing about personal and expressive landscape photography, which he carries out during his photographic workshops and Photo Trips. This allows him to share and pass on to others his passion and knowledge about photography by means of photographic tuition in locations where natural inspiration is at hand. Rafael uses his former experience in teaching at the university, his contagious passion and a deep experience and knowledge of the natural environment to assure optimal learning and unforgettable memories for all his clients.
He has collaborated in the creation of several photography books, including “Visions of Earth” and “Natura”. He is the a uthor of his own line of instructive photography books which he publishes and distributes from the website Essential Seeing in different languages as electronic Books. He is the co-owner and co-founder of Platinum Press Editions, an exclusive editorial house specialized in the creation of unique fine art photography books of the highest quality. He works with a panoramic 617 medium format film camera, Hasselblad 6x6 and a whole Nikon digital system, always set on the sturdiest tripod available. He speaks Spanish, English, French, Italian and Romanian...
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LEADERS FAROE atlantic moods
ANCA MINICAN Anca Minican, the partner of Rafael Rojas, provides a very special touch to all our photographic workshops and trips. Trained as an architect, she is a true lover of nature and the wilderness and always accompanies Rafael on his photographic expeditions all over the planet.
Her broad experience in the corporate world, her professionalism and her methodical and serious approach make her a valuable asset for the organization, on-site logistics and the support to customers during our workshops and photographic trips. She also plays a key role in the team building and knows how to create an amicable environment with a personal touch as all our clients can testify! She is co-editor of the whole range of Rafael Rojas Photography books, ensures the representation of our Limited Edition Fine Art prints and manages the photographic library of Rafael Rojas Photography. Anca is co-owner and co-founder of Platinum Press Editions, an exclusive editorial house specialized in the creation of unique fine art photography books of the highest quality. She speaks English, Spanish, French, Italian and Romanian.
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FAQ
Atlantic Moods IS THIS TRIP AVAILABLE FOR ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC LEVELS? Yes. This Photo Immersion trip caters for all photographic levels, from beginners to advanced and even professional photographers. However, the truth is that to make the most of the possibilities of this photographic trip it would be best that you already have a certain knowledge of the use of your camera so it is reco mmended that you exercise a little and become accustomed to your equipment in the weeks prior to the trip. Or you may prefer to enrol on one of our intensive photographic workshops of 1/2 day or 2 days in Switzerland (see availability). In any case, during our Photo Immersion trip we will tackle the basic technical use of a DSRL for all our beginner participants. WHAT IS THE FITNESS LEVEL FOR THIS TRIP? Easy. Most walks will be very short since we will be photographing very close from the car. Temperatures are not very cold in Faroe (around 5°), and any person in average physical shape with the good clothing and equipment we recommend should not have any problem at all. That being said, you should be used to working in cold conditions with lengthy periods spent in exposed locations. Do not hesitate to contact us if you are not sure about the difficulty level of this trip. We will give you a honest feedback about that.
CAN I BRING MY NON-PHOTOGRAPHING SPOUSE OR COMPA NION? Non-photographing spouses and partners are w elcome on this trip. Even though the dinner c onversations will certainly revolve around photography, all locations visited will allow non-photographing partners and spouses to discover and fully enjoy the beauty of the Faroe islands. They can also stay at our lovely hotel by the ocean during our early morningor e vening photographic forays. Same rates apply.
Are Vikings dangerous?
WHICH PHOTO EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING? In terms of photographic equipment, the choice depends very much on your experience, your budget and your style of photo graphy. There are a few general points though which should be mentioned. Most photographers tend to bring too much equipment to Photo Trips, leading to extremely heavy bags which then become a burden more than a useful tool to experience and photograph the places we visit. Never bring pieces of equipment you are not familiar with to a photo trip, and limit your equipment to what you will need in the majority of cases. Typically, any camera you use normally and a couple of zooms like a 24-70 and a telephoto 70-200 are more than enough for the vast majority of situations. For this photo trip, it might be useful to bring a fast lens, particularly wide, which gives good performance wide open (f1.8, f1.4 or at least a good f2.8) for the photography of the Northern Lights. Please refer to the Checklist document where we mention photographic and non photographic equipment necessary for this trip. FAROE ISLANDS, ATLANTIC MOODS - WWW.ESSENTIALSEEING.COM - 12
Do you believe in trolls?
WILL I FREEZE TO DEATH? Not at all likely. Even though the Faroe Islands are between Iceland and Scotland, the Gulf Stream bathes the shores, providing fairly warm temperatures considering its latitude. In winter, we may experience average temperatures of around 6°C, occasionally below zero early in the morning, late in the evening or up in the mountains. The weather in the Faroe Islands is strongly Atlantic; unpredictable and very dynamic. Fronts come and go, bringing extremely varied light and weather conditions. This means that snow showers will surely come and go at some point during our stay, providing us with wonderful photographic opportunities. There is an old adage which says “There is no such thing as cold weather, only inappropriate clothing!” Absolutely everybody can comfortably enjoy and photograph the Faroe Islands, provided he/she is well prepared in terms of clothing. As part of the learning experience of this trip, we will assist you and explain how to dress so that you can fully enjoy the magical environment and comfortably photograph this Atlantic jewel. WHAT CLOTHING SHOULD I BRING? You should bring comfortable boots/shoes for trekking, with a well gripping sole. We will walk over sand, moss, boulders, rock and a lot of water. This is why it is paramount that the boots are thoroughly watertight. We strongly recommend the use of over-boots which can be worn over your normal boots, like those sold by the NEOS company in the US and which can be ordered from Europe easily.We personally take Goretex trekking boots with us, and then use high Neos over-boots. The use of these over-shoes is twofold: You can walk in the mossy and marshy terrain, normally drenched with water, and also photograph right on the shore as the seawater swirls around your feet. Trust us; they are really useful and great fun too! http://www.overshoe.com/Pages/default.aspx Bring warm clothing, windproof and rainproof. It is very important that you bring a layered system of clothing, with thermal underwear (merino wool is recommended), polar fleece and down inner jacket, and an impervious outer garment with a rain hat to keep you dry. This layered system should also be used for your lower clothing: Merino wool leggings, preferably down trousers and impervious over-trousers which serve to protect you from the wind and rain. Gloves and a balaclava can help too. It is always easier to dress down than to dress up, and you can always leave those things you might not need at the hotel.
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IS FAROE SAFE? Yes, unless you are afraid of trolls! :-) DO I NEED A VISA FOR VISITING FAROE? Citizens of the USA and most European and other countries do not need a visa to enter the country. Please visit the Dannish government website to confirm whether or not you need a visa, that is your responsibility! WHICH LANGUAGE/S WILL BE USED DURING THIS PHOTO-TRIP? The official language for this photographic trip will be ÂEnglish. However, bear in mind that personal explanations to each participant can be done also in French or Spanish, as we are bilingual in these other languages. A certain international composition of the group should be expected, with all the fun and wonderful implications that brings. We are used to dealing with international groups in our workshops and photo trips and it is normal to have four or five nationalities represented in the group. Trust us, that is one of the strong points of our photo-trips and a highly enriching experience!
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EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST DON’T FORGET PHOTOGRAPHIC GEAR
NON PHOTOGRAPHIC GEAR:
Camera (DSRL strongly recommended, but all cameras are welcome)
P assport
Lenses (wide angle, standard, telephoto)
Visa if required
Tripod and cable release (compulsory!!)
Winter boots. We will advice and help you to gear up!
Memory cards or film, batteries (minimum 2, ideally 3) and charger
Filters (if available): Polarizer, Neutral Density, Graduated Neutral Density
Portable Storage Device or any other redundant way of backing up your
Warm clothing based on layers: thermal underwear, fleece and down jackets,
down parka. Gloves, balaclava and good shocks. Please see FAQ section Chemical heaters for hands and feet (optional)
images (laptop, other cards, portable hard disk like a Hyperdrive Colorspace or similar
Water tight overshoes (like Neos) or wellington boots
Laptop, only if available, with Lightroom and Photoshop software in-
Head torch
stalled (30 days trial versions available for free on Adobe.com)
Water canister for hot tea and water
for processing your digital photographs for the various critique sessions
Personal and hygiene items (no towels needed)
For the eventual northern lights, it might be useful to have a fast lens
which can be used at apertures of f1.4, f1.8 or at least f2.8
Medical, Accident, Repatriation, Travel Cancellation insurances docs
E lectric plug adaptor, in case you need one (http://www.hobbyprojects.com/electricity-power-standards/type-celectric-power-plug-socket.html)
Please bear in mind the volume limitation for your photo-bag! We will be travelling in a van of 9 seats, which should be able to accommodate all our bags we normally take for our photographic sessions. FAROE ISLANDS, ATLANTIC MOODS - WWW.ESSENTIALSEEING.COM - 15
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
A
The weather is dynamic and changeable in winter, and light displays a very special quality. Fronts come and go, rolling in from the Atlantic and providing dramatic and variable conditions of weather, mood and light. Snow, sun, broken clouds, storms and clear night skies can all occur over just a few days, changing the mood of the landscape at every minute, never providing exactly the same conditions again. The Faroe Islands, nestled in the middle of the Atlantic, are exposed to the elements and this is why strong winds are likely to occur. In winter, we may experience snow at the higher altitudes and possibly at the valley and sea levels too. During these months, the contrast between the snowy peaks and the dark bottoms of the fjords is striking and highly photogenic. The favourable location of the Faroe Islands next to the Gulf Stream keeps the climate milder than expected. The Faroe Islands have a relatively balmy average high of 10°C (30°F) even in the coldest winter months. This is why temperatures should not be too cold, with an average of around 6°C during the day. The sun is very low during the whole day, casting a beautiful light over the landscape. The duration of the day is quite good too, with around 8 hours of sunlight. During the night, another show might unveil as the northern lights illuminate the skies of the Faroe Islands at times. One important aspect is the preparation. It is really true that bad weather means good weather for photography. However, nobody can appreciate the atmosphere, mystery and drama of the north, let alone engage in creative photography, when cold, wet or ill prepared. This is why it is very important that you bring a good layered system of clothing which will keep you warm and dry. We strongly advise you to bring thermal underwear in merino wool (shirt and leggings), a second and third layer of fleece and down (upper and lower clothing) and an outer garment that is totally impervious consisting of jacket and trousers which allow for breathing but which will keep you dry inside. Hats, gloves and balaclava and some good socks will be important too. There is no such thing as bad weather, but inappropriate gear and badly prepared trips!
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VISAS/PASSPORTS: SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Please ensure: 1) That you have pre-arranged your entry visa if required 2) That your passport is valid to visit Faroe, and that it does not expire in a critical date HEALTH: No vaccinations are mandatory. It is a condition of booking that you disclose any medical conditions you might have including allergies or special nutritional requirements. This is essential as it may affect both your own and other people’s enjoyment of the trip and will allow us to understand the implications in relation to the particular trip. LUGGAGE: Please bear in mind the volume limitation for your photo-bag! Even though we will be 8 people travelling in a van seating 9, we should be able to accomÂmodate all the bags in the van that we normally take for our photographic sessions. INSURANCES: All participants must be in possession of Health, Accident and Repatriation Insurances. Additionally, we strongly advise you to conclude a Travel Cancellation Insurance. If you need any help with this, let us know and we will suggest some leading companies with which we normally work.
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TESTIMONIALS “ The photo immersion trip was an exceptional experience. Due to the very small group size everyone receives a very personal attention to develop his photographic skills, not only on the field but also the critique sessions and post processing where very helpful. Not only the professionalism of Rafael, but also the other aspects of the trip such as the choice of diversity in shooting locations, the excellent lodging facilities and food, the personal attention of Anca for the “non- photographic” needs of everyone of us, the humor and group dynamism with which Rafael and Anca fuel everyone’s enthusiasm are the extra assets that made this trip unforgettable. Believe me, these people are 200% engaged and passionate in what they do ! I am really looking forward to go on another trip with them. J. Van Marcke, Belgium “ Rafael and Anca are jovial, methodical, multilingual and determined organizers, with enormous attention to detail and always striving for perfection, radiating a positive atmosphere. Rafael’sphotographic eye and qualities as a patient teacher have deeply contributed to the improvementof my photographic work, not only in the field, but also at post-processing. A total success! ” Yves Curchod, Switzerland
“ Breathtaking landscapes, unbelievable lodges in the middle of the desert, a dream camping under the acacia trees and the milky way, a perfect organization... Rafael and Anca have offered us a magical photo-trip, out of this time, which remains with you long after it is finished... Sharing a couple of weeks with a group of strangers is always a tricky thing... but not a problem at all with Rafael and Anca, who knew how to create a great ambiance in the group and foster the complicity of all its members. In terms of photography, the sheer variety of the places chosen by Rafael, his permanent implication and his effective photographic tuition elevated the quality of this experience to a higher level. ” Bernard Dupas, Switzerland “ Namibia is without doubt a dream destination for every landscape photographer. The itinerary, the places and the timing chosen by Rafael and Anca for this photo-trip made it border on the sublime. Rafael and Anca’s attention to detail turned this trip into an unforgettable experience. Congratulations and thanks so much to both of you. ” Yvonne and René Hick, Belgium
“ Not only is Rafael a very talented photographer, but he also knows how to coach and foster his participants’ photographic work. His enthusiastic passion for photography is highly contagious! A top-notch photographic trip! Thanks so much to both of you! I am looking forward to seeing you again. ” Jean Cognard, France
“ Mind-boggling landscapes, an unforgettable group of people, lots of laughs, a perfect organization of the trip and magical souvenirs which made this photo-trip unforgettable! A huge thank you to Rafael and Anca for all these magical moments ! ” Justine Epars, Switzerland “ I recently spent 14 incredible days on a photo trip to Namibia with Rafael Rojas an Anca Minican. The entire trip was perfectly orchestrated from start to finish. Whether a novice or s erious photographer, Rafael and Anca masterfully meet each participants needs. I am c ontinually inspired by Rafael’s passion for his craft and his unique ability and desire to share his considerable knowledge. It is a gift. Rafael and Anca are the consummate hosts. I left enriched, fulfilled, made some fantastic photographs, and now have memories that will last a lifetime. ” Aubra Franklin, USA
“ Having never been on a photo-trip before I did not know what to expect and was somewhat apprehensive of the anticipated trip...but to my delight and amazement, it was outstanding. Rafael and Anca were the perfect hosts and had made sure that every little detail was provided which resulted in a photo-trip of a lifetime that will never be forgotten. And, I would not hesitate to sign up again for another incredible experience! ” Luke Classen, USA For me it was an unforgettable trip, largely exceeding my expectations. As a photographic experience it helped me to reflect and look for a more personal, intimate and emotional kind of photography and, as Rafael said so often, look for the photographs inside of my photographs... Thanks my friends.
Paco Conesa, Spain
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TESTIMONIALS “ Unforgettable photo-trip, not only for the places chosen by Rafael but for his top-notch orga nization ! Incredible accommodation in lodges ideally placed to maximize the photographic opportunities. Rafael knew how to pass on to us his passion for photography and his detailed knowledge about all places we photographed. The photographic tuition was perfectly integra ted into the different photographic sessions in a very practical way, without it becoming too academic or theoretical ! ” Marie-Eve Glasson, Switzerland “
“ Excellent photographic workshops! Personalized and passionate tuition, gorgeous ambiance, field instruction mixed with feedback and critique of the photographs taken...After many workshops made with them, I never stop learning and it is always a great pleasure to come back with Rafael and Anca! All the teaching is tailored to each of the participants and of great quality, and the good sense of humor never abandons Rafael and Anca. The workshops are planned with a lot of thought, and we are always in the right place at the right time. The only problem is...all workshops and trips are quickly sold out!” S.Schild, Switzerland
“ This was a extremely well planned and scouted trip. Rafael knew where to take us and when, as he read the weather continually. I would say that was one of the things that was of best value for me on this trip. Also, he was very open and available for help if I needed it.
The photo-trip was a real success, with lots of unforgettable moments, both photographing and with the rest of the group. Rafael and Anca are a dream team for this kind of photographic trips. They are always surpassing your needs and expectations, with top-notch photographic coaching and a wonderful kindness.
I have been to many photo trips and this one was definitely one of the best, specially in terms of the possibilities for outstanding photography. Rafael really does take you to spectacular settings. The rest is really up to us and our abilities, but he does help us to “see” more possibilities than just the obvious. As I reflect back on my week with Rafael, I truly think he has helped me train my eyes to see more simply. I feel I am more demanding and selective in what I choose to photograph. I really enjoyed myself tremendously, it was fantastic, and I did not want it to end. I hope to travel with him again! ” Lorraine Thomas, USA
“ Anca and Rafael are one of the two friendliest people I know and their good sense of humour makes the trips with them very pleasant. Going out on a trip with Rafael is one of the most rewarding photographic experiences because he readily shares his ample knowledge and experience which will almost certainly make you a better photographer. “ Jochim Thies, Germany
J.S. Jacquet, France
I have attended to many workshops with Rafael and Anca in the last couple of years. In all of them, the choice of the places, the organization, the instruction and the great ambiance created by Rafael and Anca have made a difference, turning these events into very special and enlightening experiences. To be consumed without any moderation and with a lot of pleasure! B. Dupas, Switzerland
Rafael has made me feel his passion about photography in a way that no other photographer has never done! He really spurred on me the will to learn, always giving away without limitation! Bravo and thanks so much! C. Bongard, Switzerland
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