Julio Carvajal

@juliocarvajal

Best of the week 26 at #nomadict 2021

Last year, in 2020, I won Best of the Week 17, and in my story I explained how I fell in love with traveling and photography. I also spoke about the many volcanoes I have been able to hike and photograph in my beautiful home country Costa Rica, and abroad.

During the last year I’ve focused my career a lot more toward videography. I discovered the FPV and dived deep into it, building, flying, filming… Overall I invested a lot of time into learning and using these drones and it paid off, both in joy and in creative results.

"I have been able to partner with big names in the field and I managed to create some videos I am really proud of."

"I have always been a proactive person, most of the stuff I know I learned on my own."

The Internet is the best university out there but one of the things that had a huge impact on my development over the last couple of months is the collaborations I did together with other creators. This definitely proved and reinforced what is being said so often: Surround yourself with people with the same goals as you and there will be growth.

In addition to that, going together is great fun and a welcome support for when things don’t go as expected. When we went to Parque nacional Rincón de la Vieja – where this week’s winning shot was taken – for the first time, I couldn’t get any shot. A storm at the top of the volcano surprised us – we camped for 30 hours near the summit and it hadn’t stopped raining all that time. Building up your camp under the rain is one of the worst things that can happen when venturing out, in my opinion. And not being able to get any shot, of course. Not even one.

I had the goal of going back and this time I would study the weather properly to make sure I could get the photo I had in mind. After this bad experience in the mountains I downloaded a couple of apps to study the weather (at a basic level) and so far this has allowed me to live amazing moments and get great footage at these kinds of places – The second time at this volcano included. 

"To get to Volcán Rincón de la Vieja you need to do a 24 KMs hike through the Costa Rican jungle, accompanied by lots of animals (snakes, tapirs, Jaguars, etc)."

The scenery is fantastic but it is till you get to the top of the volcano where things change and you can actually understand why this is one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica (if not the most!).

We began hiking early in the morning and arrived right at sunrise. When I sent the drone up in the air, I could not believe the light and the conditions I was getting. I had to split my time into filming (4K video) and taking photos. The goal of the trip was to create the first cinematic video of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano – This place has been shot before so I tried to do something completely different, using video and trying to capture the sunrise light with the volcano in a unique manner.

"I have to admit that the conditions were perfect and that made everything 10 times better."

I was super happy to get those epic shots! And with the edit, I was able to transcribe the peace of mind that I had while seeing the sun glowing in front of us at the top of Rincón de la Vieja.

But, what I am most happy about after all, is the video I was able to create from that moment. This was the aim of the trip and feeling that I accomplished that with such an amazing result is incredibly gratifying. I can now showcase this Costa Rican gem, highlighted by the sunrise, through a video with FPV perspectives. It is available on my Youtube channel and I invite all of you to get to know this and other magic spots (in Costa Rica and abroad) through the content that I have been sharing there.

"En la montaña somos libres. In the mountains we are free."

Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK DECEMBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK NOVEMBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK OCTOBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK SEPTEMBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK AUGUST 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK JULY 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK JUNE 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK MAY 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK APRIL 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK MARCH 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY 2020
NOMADICT

ART GALLERY
THE LATEST STORIES

WRITEN WITH PASSION TO INSPIRE YOU
Winning photo (Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam)_@the_prabster

Prabu Mohan (@the_prabster): Best of the week 29 at #nomadict 2024

In this article, Prabu shares his journey from discovering photography in Vietnam to leading successful photography tours, highlighting the creative process behind his work. With a blend of personal insights and practical advice, Prabu offers inspiration and guidance for aspiring photographers seeking to refine their craft.

@joshua.mallett_Fishtail Mountain

Joshua Mallett (@joshua.mallett): Best of the week 38 at #nomadict 2024

Joshua’s passion for travel and photography has always been intertwined, each inspiring the other. Photography drives him to explore unfamiliar terrains in search of the perfect shot, often leading to spontaneous adventures. The unexpected moments he captures reflect his belief that the best frames are found off the beaten path, where unique compositions and fresh perspectives set his work apart.

@withmazur_Maksym Mazur_Nomadict 2024_10

Maksym Mazur (@withmazur): Best of the week 35 at #nomadict 2024

Mazur’s journey intertwines his love for travel with a deep commitment to capturing the world’s fleeting beauty. His work often reflects his awe of nature, such as in his image of the jungle that won Best of the Week at Nomadict, taken from above at sunset with perfect timing and serendipity.

@katarina_mandarina_Nomadict Best of the Year 2023

Katarina Batuta Višekruna (@katarina_mandarina): Best of the Year 2023 at #nomadict

From the wild beauty of Vermillion Cliffs to the depths of Mexico’s cenotes, Katarina’s work reflects a deep connection with the environment and a love for visual storytelling. With 18 years of experience and the co-founding of her production company, HiishiiPhoto, Katarina continues to evolve her craft. Katarina’s photo of the Vermillion Cliff was chosen for Best of the Year 2023 by the Nomadict community.

Azores-Bird-Photo-@alexpantela

Alex Pantela (@alexpantela): Photographer based in Cyprus

In this article, Alex Pantela shares strategies to deepen your connection with nature through content creation, his favorite environments to stay creative, techniques for storytelling, the vision behind his work and editing style, and most valuable lessons! 

@arnaud_ribeiro_OrangeLines

Arnaud Ribeiro (@arnaud_ribeiro): Best of the week 26 at #nomadict 2024

Arnaud’s journey into photography began in 2023, inspired by a friend’s breathtaking road trip photos. Starting with a basic drone and a desire to capture the beauty around his home, his passion quickly grew, leading him to invest in a camera and fully immerse himself in the craft. Though still early in his journey, Arnaud’s dedication to practice, patience, and embracing mistakes has already shaped his evolving style. One of his images won the Best of the Week at Nomadict.