Exploring the Vibrant Hues of Aruba with My Nikon Z8

Last fall, I was honored when the editor of the Photographic Society of America-Worldwide Journal asked me to write an article about one of my photography experiences, and I was delighted to be featured on the cover of the April, 2025 issue with my photos and writing within. That recognition deepened my desire to share not only the images from that journey, which are on display in The Colors of Aruba, at Image City from September 30-October 26, 2025, but also the process and tools that helped shape them. For this blog I am sharing segments of my article with the purpose of sharing with readers information about the camera equipment I chose to bring, and how I chose to use my kit.

Aruba is a place of striking contrasts—turquoise waters, golden beaches, dramatic desert terrain and a lively cultural scene. To cover this range without carrying too much, I had decided to travel with the Nikon Z8 and two lenses.

My walk-around lens was the Nikkor Z24-120 mm f/4. We were staying on Palm Beach, so that was where I began my photographic journey using this lens.   Taking a walk on the beach in the early evening allowed for well-lit scenes of the coast and for finding beautiful shells illuminated by the sun, as well as low flying pelicans and curious crabs digging in the sand. The 24 mm focal length was ideal for the beach scenes, and the ability to zoom to various other focal lengths worked well for capturing the textures of the items lying along the beach. The fiery hues of the Aruban sunset painted the sky in a symphony of colors.  The lens was just right for capturing the play of light and shadow as the sun dipped below the horizon, while cloud formations added interest as they surrounded the celestial sphere. Silhouettes of palm trees against the vivid sky, as well as various boats passing by, created additional variety.    It was also pleasurable to take photos of other people along the beach enjoying the magnificent sunsets, which varied each evening.

The next day I was glad that I chose to bring the Nikor Z100-400mm f4.5-5.6, which was essential for wildlife. I had made the decision to leave my 180-650 at home and discovered it was a wise choice. It’s a heavy, large lens and would have been cumbersome on the plane. With the 100-400, from a distance, I could capture pelicans skimming the surf, iguanas sunning on the rocks and expressive faces of Aruba’s beloved burrowing owls—all without intrusion. The lens’s reach also let me isolate patterns in the coastline, windmills and weathered shacks.

While exploring the native birds along the coast, I was delighted to stumble upon Rincon Beach. Sitting along this infrequently visited beach on a distant corner of the island is a collection of shacks built from scavenged and salvaged materials creating a colorful ghost town beside the cerulean waters.  Many of the shacks were built haphazardly as weekend cabins.  Rincon Beach sits along a mostly undeveloped stretch of landscape, sharing the picturesque southeastern portion of the island with an energy-generating wind farm. I was glad that I found this area while using my telephoto lens because it enabled me to photograph the intimate colorful details of these shacks.  If I had only brought my 24-120 lens to Aruba, I would have missed some intriguing photographic opportunities!

On another day while on a tour of Arikok National Park, knowing that a visit to two caves was on the agenda, I realized it was important to switch back to the 24-120 lens. The consistent F4 aperture provided effective low-light performance, which enabled me to capture the clarity and detail in the dark caves within the park.  The Fontein Cave was brimming with stalagmites and stalactites covered by algae, which made the limestone walls go from yellow to green, like gradient wallpaper.  The cave’s dark snaky road and unrelentless humidity make it the perfect dwelling for bats, which I saw; however, I was unable to take photos of them because it was simply too dark where they were hanging out. Another limestone cave that was fascinating to photograph was the Quadirikiri. Of particular interest were the natural skylights in the ceiling, which was enchanting to see as the sunrays peeked through the ceiling and illuminated the dirt floor. 

Leaving the coast and walking through the streets of Oranjestad, the island’s capital, I continued using the 24-120 lens, which allowed for quick adjustments between wide angle shots of the colorful Dutch Caribbean-architecture and tighter frames of interesting details like Aruba’s fascinating street art.

Each day my photography journey through Aruba was a visual feast for my senses, where every colorful corner revealed a new story waiting to be told.  From the  fascinating and humorous behavior of the local birds, to the tranquil shores of the beaches and the vibrant streets of Oranjestad, Aruba offers a tapestry of photographic opportunities for enthusiasts of all levels.  It was delightful to unpack my camera and capture the magic of this enchanting island paradise one frame at a time.