Lecture for National Geographic

Later this month Marsel will give a presentation for National Geographic on his nature photography, at the Wild Wonders of Europe exhibition in The Hague. Marsel will focus on the stories behind his photographs; how and where were they were made, what did it take to get the shot, what were the creative decisions, etc. Sorry, there are no more spots available for this event.

Special offer for Zambia and Kenya (September 2010)

Book in May and get 250 Euro discount on our photo tours to Kenya and Zambia!

TEst We go to Kenya to photograph the migration, one of the most spectacular events in the world. Tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebra stream into the Masai Mara during the migration, and we will be right in the middle of the action. This is also the perfect time to see lions, leopards and cheetahs which all try to take advantage of the huge concentrations of game during this period. We will be staying in a mobile tented camp, set up privately for our group in two very strategic locations inside the Masai Mara. You can't get any closer to nature than this! All tents have private facilities and the camp staff will take care of your every need. You'll be camping luxury style. This trip offers you the best opportunities to get those amazing shots of the migration that you have always wanted!

Zambia is one of the last remaining unspoiled safari destinations. This Squiver photo tour takes you to South Luangwa NP, with its lagoons and riverine woodlands, and the Lower Zambezi NP, with elephants and buffalo grazing along the Zambezi river. You can shoot from vehicles, boats, canoes and on foot! Likely subjects are elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, lion, and leopard, to name a few. Non-photographing partners will also enjoy this trip. You can book an extension to Victoria Falls; a location not to miss while in Zambia!

Interested in one of these trips? Make sure you book before 1 June 2010 and get 250 Euro discount! More info on www.squiver.com/phototrips.html

Daniëlla's snow monkeys featured in beer commercial

As the original post was deleted (we were too quick with putting it on our weblog), we are reposting the announcement that video footage shot by Daniëlla at the snow monkeys in Japan was used in a TV commercial for Dos Equis beer. The advertising campaign for this Mexican beer revolves around an adventurous man, who ends up doing the most amazing things or finds himself in peculiar situations. That is why he is called "the most interesting man in the world". He does not always drink beer, but when he does, he prefers Dos Equis (XX).

The first commercial is a 30 seconds version, called "The Diver", where he shows up bathing with the snow monkeys.

The second commercial is a tag-on that features solely shots of the snow monkeys.

Want to visit the snow monkeys yourself? Join us on our photo tour to Japan in February! Visit our website for more information.

In search of new locations for photo tours

Just to let you know that we are off for 7 weeks of traveling, looking at 3 new possible locations for photo tours. So if you email us, we will be very slow in getting back to you, because we are really going "off the beaten track"! 11 and 12 April we will (hopefully) have internet. And we are back home 5 May. So anywhere in between: please be patient ;-)

2 articles with Marsel this month

For Dutch-speaking photo enthousiasts, it might be nice to know that there are articles featuring Marsel's photography this month in the following magazines:

• Chip foto-video
• Digi foto pro, special edition "MasterClass"

Chip foto-video features a lenghty interview, explaing how Marsel became a photographer, his vision on photography and the trips we organize. The article in Digi foto pro, is more instructional and Marsel gives a lot of tips about making better photographs. Both articles feature a selection of some of his best work. Enjoy!

Snow monkeys used in commercial General Electric

We are proud to announce that some of the video footage Daniëlla shot in Japan of the snow monkeys is used in a TV commercial for General Electric. The commercial had its first appearance on TV in the US during the Olympic Games. It will be broadcasted worldwide and is also used on all the GE websites (local and international). The commercial below is from YouTube; if we get our hands on a higher quality version, we will surely repost! 

Reposted due to an accidental deletion.

Squiver participant winner in photo competition!

Claire went to the Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year competition awards ceremony and found that she had won the Wildlife category with a shot made on our Squiver photo tour to Finland. You can see her shot posted on 24 January on this blog. The prize is a photo commission to Quito in Ecuador. You can see the finalists at www.wanderlust.co.uk/photography and click on the Wildlife category. Congratulations Claire!!!

New galleries online

We have just put 5 new galleries online:

• bears
• elephants
• Japan
• Namibia
• favorites

Please have a look at: www.squiver.com to check them out!

We are in Japan

We are in Japan, hosting our Squiver photo tour that starts on Saturday. We will take a group of people to photograph the snow monkeys, cranes, swans and eagles. Plus the magnificent white wonderland of Hokkaido, with steamy and frozen lakes. Internet will be an issue during the trip, so if you send us an email, please be patient for a reply ;-)

The Namibia tour is full

Our 2010 photo tour in May to Namibia has sold out. If you are interested in visiting Namibia with us, you can already make a booking for next year: www.squiver.com/booking_namibia.html. The tour will take place from 28 May 2011 until 11 June 2011. Namibia is our most popular tour and for 2011 we already have 3 participants, so it makes sense to book early!

Only 2 places left for Namibia - book now!

If you want to join us in Namibia this year, you'd better be quick! We have only 2 places left on this popular tour, based on sharing a room.

We will take you around Namibia for 2 weeks, photographing stunning quivertrees, peculiar rock formations, a deserted mining town half covered with sand, the amazing red sand dunes, Namibia's photogenic natural rock arch at Spitzkoppe, and 2 days safari in Etosha. 15 days full of fun and stunning scenery! Bookings can be made at: www.squiver.com/booking_namibia.html.

The tour is hosted by Marsel van Oosten and Daniëlla Sibbing. You can expect a high level of tuition on the spot, images reviews and tips about composition, in order to improve your photography skills.

Succes for one of our participants

Claire Waring joined us last year on our Squiver photo trip to Finland. She has reached the finals of the Wanderlust Photo of the Year competition with one of the bear images she took. The image is of a brown bear cub escaping a large male by climbing a tree and it was shot from a small hide in the Taiga forest of Finland. The awards will be announced on 5 February at the Destinations travel show in London.

Claire about the shot: "Young brown bear cubs avoid male bears which, given the opportunity, will kill them. When small, cubs can climb trees faster and higher than the males, and this is a favourite escape route. From the forest hide we were photographing bears wandering through. Suddenly, I heard a commotion. The cub was shinning up the tree away from the male below. The camera was set on motor drive and I was able to capture the moment with the cub metaphorically thumbing his nose at his pursuer. As the male moved away, the cub slowly descended and rejoined his mother and siblings."

Congratulations Claire. Nice shot!