Ms Rixt Hielkema  second from left and Mr de Ruiter fourth from left, together with the prize winners during their trip to Malta.

Dutch photojournalists in Malta courtesy of ANWB Reizen magazine

Four photojournalists, including three amateur photographers wona trip to Malta as a prize were rently hosted by the Malta Tourism Authority to photograph Malta and Gozo.

The group originated through a competition in ANWB Reizen magazine, which is a Dutch publication dedicated to travel tourism. It has a circulation of 46,000 and appears 11 times a year.

The competition required readers to send in their best holiday photo. The prize was a trip to Malta to learn how to be a professional travel photographer. Apart from this the group had the opportunity to test some of the latest photographic equipment. A number of top brands were involved in the initiative and Malta was chosen specifically for these tests, with the relevant feedback to be expected after the trip.

The outcome of this trip is a bank of photos for use by the MTA and publicity in the magazine in June and in the ANWB Camping days. This is a photographic and travel event which attracts 25,000 people annually, with Malta being promoted through posters and workshops as a photo-holiday destination. Mr Peter de Ruiter the professional photo-journalist heading the trip will be delivering these workshops in the light of his experience in Malta.

Mr de Ruiter said he had a desire to rekindle Malta’s image as a wonderful photographic destination, with so much to photograph; architecture, history, landscape, people and beaches, to list just a few and all with the opportunity of dramatically changing light through the day and the opportunity to use contrasting light effects to maximum effect.

Both Mr de Ruiter and Ms Rixt Hielkema both professional photo-journalists from ANWB magazine, said Malta had lived up to their expectations and they had thoroughly enjoyed testing the equipment in Malta, adding they could have happily stayed for longer. They were grateful to have had the unique opportunity to photograph the President’s Inauguration Ceremony and the preparations for Holy week in a behind the scenes manner. All photos were immediately blogged and in fact comments were posted immediately and a friend of Mr de Ruiter even ordered a blown glass vase he had seen in the photos! The power of internet promotion demonstrated with immediate effect.

They described Malta as warm (friendly, welcoming) saying the climate reflected the people, was charming and intriguing, making you ask “what next”? Mr de Ruiter concluded that “enjoy every hour” would be the caption he would use for Malta.