Gran Canaria, one of the primary islands of the Canary Islands archipelago, offers an astonishing variety of landscapes that enthral visitors from around the world. This island, characterised by its vibrant history and distinctive geography, presents a diverse environment where towering mountains intersect with arid deserts, and lush, green valleys merge with the clear waters of the sea.

The heart of Gran Canaria features the impressive Montaña de las Palmas, which includes the island's tallest peak, Pico de las Nieves, soaring to an impressive height of 1,949 metres above sea level. This central region showcases a multitude of terrains, including steep cliffs, deep ravines, and fertile valleys. One of the most renowned valleys, Valle de Agaete, is appreciated for its gently rolling hills and abundant vegetation that contrasts beautifully against the island's more arid coastlines.

The mountainous regions serve as a paradise for hiking aficionados. Trails such as the one leading to Roque Nublo, a natural rock formation symbolising the island, provide stunning vistas of the surrounding landscapes. The difference in altitudes and microclimates results in a rich tapestry of ecosystems, contributing to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Coastal Beauty

The coastline of Gran Canaria is just as diverse as its inland landscapes. From the golden stretches of sand at Maspalomas, famed for its vast dune systems and picturesque surroundings, to the rugged cliffs found in Agaete, the coastal area serves as a haven for sun-seekers and adventurers alike. The southern beaches, including Playa del Inglés and Amadores, offer a lively ambience filled with numerous activities, eateries, and nightlife; conversely, the more isolated beaches, such as Playa de Güi Güi, offer a peaceful retreat for those desiring tranquility and natural beauty.

The rich marine biodiversity along the coast makes it an excellent spot for various water activities like snorkelling, diving, and whale watching, allowing visitors to discover the underwater treasures of the Atlantic Ocean.

Flora and Fauna

The diverse landscapes of Gran Canaria host a plethora of unique plant species and wildlife. The island has earned the designation of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with many endemic species exclusive to this geographical area. The varied ecosystems can be seen in the lush laurel forests as well as the xerophytic scrublands, showcasing an array of plant life, including the iconic dragon tree and an abundance of palm species.

Wildlife on the island is equally captivating. Birdwatchers will be thrilled by the range of endemic birds, such as the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, while hikers may come across unique lizards and rare butterfly species along the trails. Many of the natural parks and reserves, like the Tamadaba Natural Park, serve as essential habitats for these creatures and provide opportunities for visitors to connect with the island’s natural legacy.

Cultural Significance

In addition to its stunning natural scenery, the landscape of Gran Canaria is deeply intertwined with significant cultural and historical narratives. The island was originally inhabited by the indigenous Guanche people before the Spanish arrived in the 15th century, leaving behind a rich legacy influenced by their connection to the land. Numerous archaeological locations, such as the cave dwellings found in the Guayadeque ravine, offer insight into their lifestyle and reverence for nature.

Furthermore, traditional agricultural practices still thrive throughout the island, with terraced fields yielding diverse crops like potatoes, tomatoes, and grapes. Picturesque villages and towns scattered across the landscape allow visitors to immerse themselves in local culture and cuisine.

Gran Canaria stands out as more than just a destination for sun and sand; it is a place where nature reveals its incredible diversity. Whether you are an enthusiastic hiker, a photographer, a beach lover, or a nature admirer, the landscapes of Gran Canaria promise to captivate and inspire. Exploration of this island provides the chance to engage with both striking natural environments and a rich cultural heritage. The intricate interplay of mountains, valleys, and coastal areas forms a scenic paradise that is bound to leave unforgettable memories for all who venture into its wonders.

The images in this article were taken using a Pentax analogue medium format camera and Ilford black and white film. The following equipment was used:

Pentax 645Nii
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 1:3.5/35mm
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 1:4.5/45-85mm
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 1:2.8/75mm
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 1:4.5/80-160mm
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 1:5.6/150-300mm
NiSi JetMag Pro Landscape ND Kit
Sirui R-4214X Tripod and K-40ii Head
Ilford Delta 100
Red filter
Orange filter
Kaiser Pro Cable Release

The films were developed and scanned by Stavanger Foto.

Choosing the Right Equipment

The Pentax 645Nii is a remarkable analogue medium format camera known for its high-quality image output and user-friendly design. With its larger film size compared to 35mm, the 645Nii allows for greater detail and a wider dynamic range, making it an ideal choice for landscape work. Coupled with Ilford Delta 100, a fine-grained black and white film renowned for its tonal range and sharpness, photographers can achieve stunning results that highlight the textures and contrasts of Gran Canaria's landscapes.

Key Lenses

When shooting landscapes, the choice of lens is crucial. For the Pentax 645Nii, several lenses are well-suited for capturing the island's varied scenery:

SMC PENTAX-FA 645 1:3.5/35mm - This wide-angle lens is perfect for sweeping vistas, allowing you to capture expansive landscapes and dramatic skies.
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom1:4.5/45-85mm offers a focal length range of 45mm to 85mm, which covers both wide-angle and moderate telephoto perspectives. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide array of landscape compositions:
- Wide-Angle (45mm): The 45mm setting is ideal for capturing expansive vistas, enabling you to include more of the scene in the frame while maintaining a sense of depth. This is particularly useful when shooting landscapes with dramatic skies or sweeping hills.
- Moderate Telephoto (85mm): The 85mm focal length allows you to isolate specific elements within the landscape, such as picturesque rock formations, trees, or distant mountains. This can help create more intimate compositions that highlight details often overlooked in wider shots.
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 1:2.8/75mm - A versatile standard lens that excels in capturing details, making it ideal for scenes where you want to focus on particular elements of the landscape.
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 1:4.5/80-160mm - This zoom lens provides flexibility, enabling photographers to compose shots from various distances without the need to change lenses.
SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 1:5.6/150-300mm – The 150-300mm focal length range makes this lens an excellent option for landscape photography, particularly when you want to isolate specific elements in a scene or capture distant subjects. Here’s how different focal lengths can be employed:
- Telephoto (150-200mm): At the lower end of the zoom range, the 150mm focal length allows for tighter compositions, enabling photographers to capture more distant features, such as unique rock formations, trees, or wildlife within the landscape. This is especially useful for creating a sense of intimacy with a subject while maintaining the context of the surrounding environment.
- Super Telephoto (200-300mm): As you extend to 300mm, you can further compress the scene and create striking images that highlight distant mountains or other features that might otherwise seem small in a wider landscape shot. The ability to isolate subjects at this range allows for dramatic compositions that emphasise depth and perspective.
- The SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 1:5.6/150-300mm features advanced optics that deliver sharp images with excellent contrast and minimal distortion. This is essential for landscape photography, where clarity and detail matter.
NiSi JetMag Pro Landscape Kit – Seascape photography offers a unique opportunity to capture the beauty of the ocean, its shores, and the ever-changing light conditions that accompany it. One of the most effective ways to enhance your seascape images is by utilizing the NiSi JetMag Pro Landscape Kit. This professional filter system, known for its high-quality glass and advanced features, can significantly elevate your photographic results by allowing you to manipulate light and exposure times creatively.
What is the NiSi JetMag Pro Landscape Kit?
The NiSi JetMag Pro Landscape Kit is a versatile filter system designed for landscape photographers. It typically includes a filter holder and a range of high-quality filters, such as neutral density (ND) filters and polarising filter (CPL). These filters allow you to control exposure, enhance colours, and manage dynamic lighting conditions efficiently.
Key Filters and Their Uses
Neutral Density (ND) Filters: ND filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens without affecting the overall colour balance. This is particularly useful when shooting long exposures, which can create a dreamy effect on water surfaces or capture motion, such as waves or clouds. By using a stronger ND filter, you can achieve longer shutter speeds even in bright sunlight, allowing for a more dramatic seascape.
Polarising Filters: A polarising filter is invaluable when shooting water surfaces, as it can reduce glare and reflections. This enhances water clarity and saturates colours, bringing out the vibrant hues of the ocean and the sky. By rotating the polarising filter, you can adjust the level of glare reduction and contrast to achieve the desired effect.
Techniques for Effective Seascape Photography
1. Stabilise Your Setup
Using a tripod is essential for seascape photography, particularly when using longer exposure times. The combination of the NiSi JetMag filters and a sturdy tripod ensures that you maintain sharpness throughout your images, allowing for clear details in both the foreground and background.
2. Choose Your Time Wisely
The best times for seascape photography are during the golden hours—just after sunrise and just before sunset. The soft, warm light enhances the colours of the sea and sky, creating a visually stunning atmosphere. Using your filters during these times can help further enhance the effect.
3. Experiment with Exposure Times
When using ND filters to extend your exposure time, experiment with different shutter speeds to find the optimal blur effect on the water's surface. Longer exposures can yield beautiful, silky-water effects, while shorter exposures can capture the power and movement of crashing waves.
4. Focus on Composition
Pay attention to your composition by using the rule of thirds and leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye through the image. Place interesting foreground elements, such as rocks or seaweed, prominently in the frame, and find unique vantage points that highlight the seascape’s features.
Sirui R-4214X Tripod and K-40ii Head – When it comes to landscape photography, stability and precision are paramount. A robust tripod paired with a reliable ball head can greatly enhance your photographic experience, allowing you to capture stunning images with confidence. The Sirui R-4214X tripod combined with the K-40ii ball head creates a powerful setup that caters to the needs of landscape photographers seeking versatility and durability.
Overview of the Sirui R-4214X Tripod
The Sirui R-4214X is a versatile tripod designed with the landscape photographer in mind. Here are some of its key features:
1. Sturdy Construction
Constructed from high-quality carbon fibre, the R-4214X offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. This makes it lightweight, which is advantageous for photographers who need to carry equipment over long distances, yet sturdy enough to withstand wind and other elements.
2. Versatile Height Adjustment
With a maximum height of 164cm (64.57 inches) and a minimum height of just 12.6cm (4.96 inches), the R-4214X tripod allows for a wide range of shooting perspectives. Whether you are photographing sweeping landscapes or capturing details near the ground, this tripod’s adjustable legs can accommodate various compositions.
3. Leg Lock Mechanism
The tripod features a reliable twist-lock leg mechanism, allowing you to extend and collapse the legs quickly. This efficient design enables you to set up and pack down your equipment swiftly, an essential feature when working in dynamic outdoor environments.
Overview of the K-40ii Ball Head
The K-40ii ball head from Sirui is designed to provide smooth, precise movements while securely holding your camera in place. Here are its key attributes:
1. 360-Degree Panning
The K-40ii allows for easy 360-degree panning, which is ideal for capturing panoramic landscapes or adjusting compositions without needing to move the tripod itself. The built-in degree scale also assists in composing panoramic images accurately.
2. Quick Release Plate
Equipped with a quick-release plate, changing between different camera orientations, whether landscape or portrait, is seamless. This feature is particularly useful during landscape shoots when you want to switch perspectives quickly.
3. Smooth Ball Movement
The ball head allows for fine adjustments, providing excellent control over your camera’s position. This is invaluable when framing landscapes, as you can make subtle changes to achieve the perfect composition.Exploring Gran Canaria’s Scenic Spots with the Pentax 645Nii and Ilford Delta 100

Gran Canaria boasts several picturesque locations that should not be missed by landscape photographers:

Roque Nublo

As one of the island’s most iconic landmarks, Roque Nublo offers panoramic views that are simply breathtaking. The rock formation itself provides a striking subject for photographs, especially during sunrise or sunset when the light casts dramatic shadows across the landscape. Using the 35mm lens allows you to capture the broader scene, while the 75mm lens can help isolate Roque Nublo against the sky.

Maspalomas Dunes

The golden sand dunes of Maspalomas present a unique desert-like landscape that contrasts sharply with the island's mountainous regions. The interplay of light and shadow throughout the day creates stunning textures in the sand. A wide-angle lens will help to include the sweeping curves of the dunes, while you may also want to capture close-up details of the patterns formed by the wind. By using the SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 1:4.5/80-160mm, you can achieve a compression of depth perspective in your images, allowing for simplified compositions with an abstract expression.

Shooting with Ilford Delta 100

When using Ilford Delta 100, you’ll benefit from its fine grain and superb tonal quality. The film’s ability to capture intricate details makes it well-suited for landscape photography. The sharpness and detail you achieve with Ilford Delta 100 are on a higher level compared to most black and white films available on the market.

Tips for Shooting

Metering and exposure: Given the dynamic range of landscapes, pay attention to your metering. Bracket your exposures if necessary to ensure you capture the details in both shadows and highlights.
Consider the weather: The light can change dramatically in Gran Canaria, so be prepared to shoot in different weather conditions. Overcast days can provide soft lighting that enhances textures, while clear blue skies can create strong contrasts.
Composition: Use leading lines and the rule of thirds to create engaging compositions. The Pentax 645Nii’s viewfinder allows for precise framing, helping you craft well-balanced images that draw viewers in.
Tripod. Use a tripod as often as you can. This improves sharpness significantly.

Images from Gran Canaria