Rocio del Valle
@rociodelvalle
Best of the week 38 at #nomadict 2022
My father gave me my first camera at the age of 15. At that moment, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to the profession of photography. I always had my camera with me, took it to school, shot portraits of my classmates, and I was always the one capturing adventures or events if we did something special. For me, it was a way to express myself, create, and see the world.
To educate myself further, I first studied Advertising and specialized in Art. I learned many tools and techniques around visual communication and storytelling. Later I studied photography at a school in Argentina, where I got to understand photography more professionally and technically. Photography is a lot about trial and error, practice makes perfect, and till today I love to take challenges that push me out of my comfort zone, introducing me to new areas within the industry. I am always taking online courses, learning a little bit more.
My work and I grew through digital platforms like Instagram also. It has opened many doors to different projects for me. Exhibiting my work online enabled me to show what I do to the world. As a result, several brands reached out to collaborate. Apple, Subarú, Coors, and Columbia are some examples of brands that I worked with and who helped me grow as an artist. We did projects all related to nature, photography, and the outdoors, and it was amazing to create something with an ultimate purpose.
Meanwhile, I was also able to create PaloSantoEstudios with a few other talents. Palo Santo is an audiovisual and photography production company that’s been running for seven years now. We produce content for many different brands. It’s a daily challenge as I create a wide range of images: product shoots, food styling, working with a model, indoors or outdoors, etc. It is very diverse, which helped me develop my skills and techniques in photography. No client is the same, and they all want to tell another story. Being able to adapt to that and getting the message across is what gives me so much energy.
On the other hand, I love to create images for myself in my free time, and in nature. One of those photos won the Best of the Week at Nomadict. The winning image was taken during my trip to Iceland – a trip I’ve been dreaming of for many years. Even when being finally in the country, it still felt like a dream. The landscapes are out of this world, and every waterfall or mountain seems surreal. We had waited several days to visit Háifoss, a waterfall near the Hekla volcano in the south, to ensure we had the weather that would allow us to take good shots. Upon arrival, there was nobody there. We were so lucky! We were there all day, from sunrise to sunset contemplating, photographing, and being amazed by the majesty and purity of Icelandic nature.
"Háifoss is magical."
The light is special – there is a moment during the day when the sun illuminates the waterfall but generates a strong contrast at the same time. Everything comes alive, colors get more intense, and the textures seem to breathe. For the same reason, I didn’t have to edit the photo much. I waited all day to get this photo, where the natural light would make the perfect edit.
This is one of my favorite images today, not simply because of the location itself, but more for the story behind it. Lots of kilometers traveled, so many years waited… to finally realize this dream and capture this new world. Photography is the most sincere expression that exists, in my opinion.
Photography has taught me to go with the flow, let go of control and embrace what has to happen. For a nature photographer like me, it is so common to have a clear idea in mind with perfect composition and the ideal light, but in reality, often it is not possible to achieve any of these precise imaginations. The best artworks arise when your mind, your camera, and your heart start to flow in the same direction in the present moment.
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
BEST OF THE WEEK JUNE 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK MAY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK APRIL 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK MARCH 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY 2021
NOMADICT
ART GALLERY
THE LATEST STORIES
WRITEN WITH PASSION TO INSPIRE YOU
Miroslav Maršík (@miromarsik): Photographer based in Czech Republic
In this article, Miro shares how his love for cinematic music evolved into a deep passion for photography and how he uses light, color, and atmosphere to turn the streets of Prague into living film scenes.
Aurora photography panorama workflow: A guide to camera settings, editing, and color
In this article, Stefanie reveals how her background in physics sparked her passion for astrophotography and how she blends science with creativity to capture the beauty of the night sky. Readers will discover her approach to color, contrast, and editing, as well as her aurora photography workflow.
Yhabril (@yhabril): Best of the Week 33 at #nomadict
Spanish photographer Yhabril captures the profound connection between humans and the mountains that shaped him. Growing up in the Pyrenees, his work bridges outdoor sports, landscapes, and celestial scenes — often blending athletes, moonlight, and wilderness into striking visual stories.
Ariane Totzke (@besondersschwierig): Photographer based in Switzerland
In this article, Ariane shares how photography helped her navigate personal challenges, connect authentically with people and animals, and develop a philosophy rooted in empathy and artistic freedom. Readers will also discover her ethical approach to wildlife photography and her trusted equipment for both camouflage techniques and cameras.
How to photograph Dutch tulip fields: A guide to light, gear, composition, and colors
Discover how to photograph Dutch tulip fields in their most magical light. From choosing the right gear and lenses to mastering composition, color, and aerial perspectives, this guide shares creative techniques to capture the beauty of the Netherlands’ tulips. Learn how light, color grading, and proportion bring emotion into every frame.
Cinematic city photography: An essential 6-step workflow
In this article, you’ll learn how to read and use light in your home city, choose the right technical settings for low-light scenes, and refine your editing workflow to shape color and atmosphere step by step. In addition, Dominik shares how to find fresh perspectives on familiar locations, five lessons that transformed his photography, and insights on the future of street photography.
Kyle van Bavel (@kylevanbavel): Photographer based in the Netherlands
Kyle van Bavel is a macro photographer with a distinctive, dreamy style that transforms the unseen details of nature into magical worlds. In this article, he shares how his unique vision, shaped by a journey of self-learning and overcoming dyslexia, has become his greatest creative strength.
Inês Preto (@minespreto): Best of the week 20 at #nomadict 2025
Inês is a nature photographer drawn to wild, remote places where weather, wildlife, and mood shape her storytelling. In this article, she shares the behind-the-scenes journey of capturing the Best of the Week image: a puffin trio on the Faroe Islands. She explains how she approached the edit of this image, and shares key lessons she’s learned through experience.
