Gran Canaria, Spain: Lush Panoramas and Cliffside Sunsets

With a daunting chill slowly creeping into Madrid I knew the first chance I had to travel I would seek warmer waters. Segue to the Canary Islands; Spain’s mini island paradise filled with charm, salt crusted walls, and sunshine surfing.

 

The minute I got off the plane in Gran Canaria I knew this was the place for me. From the oceanfront cityscape you see while walking down Las Palmas’ curving boardwalk to the hillside rock villages that remarkably stood solid against a constantly pounding seashore, the island was a maze blanketed by tranquility.

NX20 | 1/320 | f/7.1 | ISO 100 | 18mm Blue Duo
NX20 | 1/320 | f/8 | ISO 100 | 48mm Toy Houses
NX20 | 1/200 | f/5.6 | ISO 100 | 18mm Casita Azul

 

 

I decided to bring my Samsung NX20 on this trip since it’s light to carry, takes quality shots, and easily adapts to the ever-changing island environment. Snapping away with my Samsung was an easy feat with all of the eye candy around. I love how for a foreigner everything about a new place seems so fresh, while for a local you become numb to the same scenes. That’s the amazing thing about travel–seeing everything with a clear perspective, and with a camera in hand you can really capture a location’s nuances.

Sunsets from the Lighthouse. From top to bottom:
NX20 | 1/50 | f/4 | ISO 200 | 22mm; NX20 | 1/320 | f/4 | ISO 200 | 18mm
NX20 | 1/50 | f/4.5 | ISO 400 | 30mm Sea Salt

 

 

Two features on my NX20 were especially handy: SUNSET mode and PANORAMA mode. To use either of these modes, switch your Samsung camera settings to SCN and either choose PANORAMA or SUNSET. Panorama mode allows you to take photos horizontally or vertically by moving the camera either left and right or up and down while pressing the shutter. Sunset mode adjusts your camera settings to take the most optimal twilight shot.

 

Life of a Fisherboy. From top to bottom:
NX20 | 1/400 | f/8 | ISO 200 | 18mm; NX20 | 1/2000 | f/4.5 | ISO 200 | 18mm
Vineyard in the Valley. Clockwise from left:
NX20 | 1/40 | f/3.5 | ISO 1600 | 19mm; NX20 | 1/320 | f/7.1 | ISO 100 | 18mm; NX20 | 1/80 | f/3.5 | ISO 100 | 18mm; NX20 | 1/2000 | f/5 | ISO 200 | 40mm.

 

 

Above, la finca de La Laja in Agaete has a very unique microclimate allowing for the production of wine, oranges, and coffee all in one place. This is also one of the only places in the world where you can see palm trees and pine trees growing in the same environment!

 

The Dragon’s Tail. From top to bottom:
NX20 | 1/320 | f/4 | ISO 200 | 18mm; NX20 | 1/200 | f/5.6 | ISO 200 | 55mm

I was sad to leave my paradise getaway, but with my camera in hand, I was glad to get some shots of a place that will leave long lasting memories for a long time to come.

NX20 | 1/100 | f/4 | ISO 100 | 18mm Gran Canaria Sunset

 

 

 

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For permissions to use this photo contact Alessandra Roqueta at roqueta2@gmail.com.