The PhotoPills Expedition to Lofoten Islands is SOLD OUT!

Wow!

All 12 spots are already gone!

Thanks so much :D

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There are always cancellations...

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We’re going to Lofoten Islands (Norway)...

Are you in?

Around the Last Quarter Moon...

From January 20th to January 26th 2025, Laura Oppelt and Clément Coudeyre (PhotoPills Masters) will be traveling across the Lofoten Islands to photograph the Aurora Borealis and January’s endless Golden Light along with Arctic frozen landscapes, wild beaches, dramatic mountains and picturesque fishing villages...

Right when the Sun is in the period of solar maximum, which means we will be more likely to see and photograph the dancing green lights of the Aurora!

Of course...

We’ll be taking photos all day long...

In mid-January the golden hour lasts for more than 6 hours non stop in Lofoten!

But...

Can you imagine it?

To photograph the Aurora Borealis and the magical winter Golden Light with massive snow-capped peaks, stunning rock formations, vibrant red cabins (known as rorbu), endless Arctic fjords, brave seascapes, remote beaches, lonely trees and the frozen landscapes...

We’re dreaming about it!

To achieve it, we’ll use the planning power of PhotoPills and the expert knowledge of Laura Oppelt and Clément Coudeyre to always be at the right place at the right time.

Top secret: we have quite a few legendary photos planned already ;)

The Deal (Only 1 Spot Left)

Since you subscribed to the Priority Access list...

We're offering you a €500 discount on the regular price!

All you have to do is to book the last spot available before Sunday July 7th.

Read carefully all the details of this unique adventure.

And when you’re ready, click here to book your spot.

Please, book as soon as possible. The seats are sold on a first come, first served basis.

The Adventure

12 PhotoPillers | 2 PhotoPills Masters | Lofoten Islands | Endless legendary photos

Warning! This is not a honeymoon...

We’re recruiting 12 brave PhotoPillers (PhotoPills and photography nerds) to join us on a 7-day expedition to photograph the Aurora Borealis and January’s endless Golden Light along with some of the most precious treasures hidden in the Lofoten Islands.

It’s winter and it’s going to be cold!

The average temperature is between 1ºC (33ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF). The mountains and hillsides will be covered in a white blanket of snow, creating a picturesque winter scenery.

Also...

The Sun is in the period of solar maximum, which means we will be more likely to see and photograph the dancing green lights of the Aurora!

And the golden hour lasts for more than 6 hours!

So...

This is a non-stop adventure to chase legendary photos and you are a key asset!

We have planned tons of photos, and we’ll travel many kilometers (and hike a few more) to capture them...

But we also want to maximize our flexibility in terms of itinerary and schedule in order to take advantage of all the opportunities that the changing weather will surely put in our way.

If we're fortunate enough to be out photographing the Aurora at night and it takes us into the late hours, we'll take a little extra sleep the next morning, skip Sunrise and kick start our day a bit later.

On the other hand, if the conditions make us skip the nighttime photography session, we'll rise and shine early to catch the Sunrise.

Whichever path we take, you can count on us to seize every photo opportunity and be right where the magic happens!

You are about to embark on a PhotoPills’ style journey. And it’s not going to be a honeymoon precisely... :P

You’ll be a true PhotoPiller!

Are you in?

Day 1. Monday, January 20th - Welcome to the Lofoten Islands

It’s Monday afternoon, and you land at Leknes airport in Lofoten, located at the 68th and 69th parallels north of the Arctic Circle in North Norway.

Welcome to the Arctic Ocean!

With its dramatic mountains, picturesque fishing villages, pristine beaches, and ever-changing light, Lofoten offers a plethora of opportunities to capture mesmerizing images...

And we’re all ready for action!

4:00 pm

After collecting your luggage, take the exit door to the main hall to meet Laura Oppelt and Clément Coudeyre... And probably a few more PhotoPillers :)

4:15 pm

Our first stop will be Hattvika Lodge, our base camp for the whole expedition :)

The lodge is located in an authentic fisherman’s area, where ambient oozes of history and a great view to the harbor of Hattvika. You’ll be surrounded by the islands’ typical fishermen cottages or rorbuer – the distinctive red cabins lining much of the coastline.

Here you’ll be sharing a traditional fisherman cottage or rorbu with a few other PhotoPillers. You’ll enjoy your own private room and share the bathroom (1 bathroom for 2 PhotoPillers) and living room area.

5:00 pm

Expedition briefing.

Laura and Clément will go over the itinerary for the week, explaining the logistics, the locations and the photo opportunities we’ve specially planned for you. They’ll also cover the recommended gear and some important safety instructions.

Nighttime begins at 6:11pm.

6:45 pm

Dinner in a local restaurant. This will be our first opportunity to taste the local cuisine.

Lofoten is a fishing hub, so get ready to enjoy lots of fish and seafood... But there are meat, vegetarian and vegan options too!

Ah! And don’t forget the knekkebrød, the traditional Norwegian crispbread that is often served alongside meals.

8:45 pm

In January, nighttime lasts for more than 12h in Lofoten...

The Moon is below the horizon...

All we need (and long for) when we’re out there in the cold, at night, is a clear sky and the greens, the blues and the reds of the Aurora dancing above our heads.

For the first night in Lofoten, we’ve chosen a beautiful beach...

In the municipality of Flakstad, we find the stunning Skagsanden Beach, where the golden sands meet turquoise waters against a backdrop of majestic mountains, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty.

If the sky is clear and we’re not lucky with the Aurora, we’ll photograph the thin Milky Way and a circumpolar image (Star Trails) above the peaks in front of us.

Before you choose your shooting spot, check PhotoPills to understand where exactly the Milky Way will be:

Tip: If you’d like to shoot a circumpolar image, you need to know that the PhotoPills map is oriented in a way that North is upwards... There you’ll find the Polaris. So choose your shooting spot and shooting direction wisely.

And if the sky is not clear, we’ll go to bed and wake up for Sunrise!

It seems like a great idea to me :)

1:20 am

Bed time at the always super comfortable Hattvika lodge.

It’s been a long long first day... and many more will come!

Are you ready?

The chase of legendary moments in Lofoten has just begun ;)

Photographic Pills:

• Aurora, Milky Way, Star Trails, long exposures and reflections at the Skagsanden Beach (Flakstad).

Day 2. Tuesday, January 21st - The Dragon’s Eye

8:00 am

Breakfast at Hattvika lodge.

9:00 am

At a 30-minute drive from our lodge, we find Stortinden (866 m, 2,841 ft), a spectacular and pointy triangle shaped peak, our main subject for Sunrise.

At this time of the year in Lofoten, the Sun rises and sets almost in the south. And we’ll be shooting towards the west, so we expect the morning golden light to fall on the peak from the side :)

It’s our job to find a nice foreground to play with the peak at the back... It’d be cool to find a bit of broken ice creating a guiding line to Stortinden.

Plan & Pray!

Blue hour begins at 8:44 am, golden hour begins at 9:14 am, Sunrise is at 10:12 am and golden hour ends at 3:22 pm.

11:30 am

With a surface of 0.76 km2 (0.29 mi2), Storvatnet (the big lake) is the biggest lake on Averøya island.

The broken ice layers in the frozen lake, the surrounding tall mountains and the golden light (remember that we’re still in golden hour) are the elements we need to work with to get our shot.

In the south now, the Sun is still very low in the sky (1.45º), so we hope the peaks will be nicely lit :)

But...

If there is no ice in the lake, we’ll go to Nusfjord instead.

This place could be the perfect scenario of a fairy tale...

Nusfjord is one of the oldest and best-preserved fishing villages in Lofoten. Some of the cabins date back a couple of hundred years.

28 people live here.

Here, we’ll be standing at the planned shooting spot. This time located on a small hill. It’s a fantastic vantage point to capture the beauty of the red (and ochre) cabins and the peaks at the back.

The Sun, in the south, will be perfectly placed to give us the light direction we want in the scene.

Time to press the shutter!

12:45 pm

Lunch at a local restaurant or, depending on the time we have, quickly grab food at a supermarket.

Days are short, and we don’t want to spend too much time sitting at a restaurant.

1:25 pm

We’ll photograph Sunset and the last part of the golden hour at the always stunning Vareid beach, on the island of Moskenesøya.

There’s snow everywhere. The water is slowly moving among the big rounded rocks located by the shore. Far away, the tall peaks try to scrape the clouds above them.

The Sun, which sets at 2:23 pm next to the background mountains, is now filling the sky in oranges and reds.

At least, this is the scene we have pictured in our minds. And we’ll be there to try to capture it!

Sunset is at 2:23 pm, golden hour ends at 3:21 pm and blue hour ends at 3:51 pm.

3:30 pm

Siesta time at Hattvika lodge (nap time).

5:15 pm

Laura and Clément will show you how to use PhotoPills to plan your photos both from home and in the field, so you can use the app during your week in Lofoten too.

This way you’ll be able to understand the conditions you’ll have ahead of time, and thus, better choose your shooting spots and compositions.

7:00 pm

Dinner at a local restaurant.

8:40 pm

Uttakleiv is a small community on the north side of Vestvågøy island. There are currently 22 permanent residents here.

But we’re not here for the little houses, nor the locals. We’re here to photograph the endless beach, the mountains and the Aurora!

Here, we also find the dragon head (a rock that resembles a head of a dragon) and the dragon’s eye rock pool, a fantastic compositional element to include in the foreground.

As a curiosity, believe it or not, Uttakleiv beach was named Europe’s most romantic beach by The Times in 2005, and the world’s 3rd most beautiful beach by the Sunday Times Travel in 2010.

(Maybe the Sunday Times should visit Menorca, our beautiful island, where we do the PhotoPills Camp :P)

As always, our plan B is to photograph the thin Milky Way and Star Trails... Or to shoot a dramatic nighttime long exposures!

And if the conditions doesn’t look good at all, we’ll stay at our Lodge and enjoy a well deserved sleep.

1:00 am

Bed time!

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise, golden hour and blue hour at Stortinden.
• Golden hour at Storvatnet lake or at Nusfjord fishing village.
• Sunset and Golden hour at Varied beach
• Aurora and reflections at Uttakleiv Beach (if conditions are good).

Day 3. Wednesday, January 22nd - The Wonders of Hamnøy

7:00 am

Breakfast at Hattvika lodge.

8:45 am

Hamnøy or Hamnøya is a picturesque fishing village in Moskenes Municipality, on the eastern side of the island of Moskenesøya, celebrated for its postcard-perfect beauty and quintessential Nordic charm.

Set amidst a stunning natural landscape of towering mountains, serene fjords, and crystalline waters, Hamnøy encapsulates the essence of the Lofoten archipelago.

The village is characterized by its vibrant red and yellow fisherman's cabins or rorbu, which line the shoreline and add a vivid burst of color against the dramatic backdrop. These traditional cabins, often perched on stilts above the water, are a testament to the area's rich maritime history.

Hamnøy's quaint harbor, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and jagged cliffs, evokes a sense of tranquility and timelessness. Its wooden docks and charming bridges connect the village with a sense of nostalgia and authenticity.

The interplay of light and shadow across the landscape creates ever-changing vistas, making Hamnøy a canvas for stunning photography, especially during the golden hours of Sunrise and Sunset.

And there we’ll be, at Sunrise, photographing the iconic village.

We’re framing northeast, towards the bridge, the iconic red cabins and majestic mountain (Festhæltinden) in the background.

Since there are no obstructions, the mountains will be catching the very first light.

Blue hour begins at 8:41 am, golden hour begins at 9:10 am, Sunrise is at 10:06 am and golden hour ends at 3:38 pm.

10:40 am

We’re now in Toppøya. Here the composition is different. The view of the landscape and the peaks will surely surprise us.
We will take advantage of the endless golden hour to photograph Olstinden, a 675 m (2214 ft) peak rising from the water.

Based on your preference you will be able to choose from a few different locations, but rest assured that Laura and Clément will show you the best spots in the area..

11:45 am

Lunch at a local restaurant.

12:45 pm

At a short driving distance we find Sakrisøy, a fishing village known for its cluster of distinctive red and yellow fisherman's cabins standing along the shoreline.

Sakrisøy's harbor, with its small boats and fishing paraphernalia, adds to the village's authenticity and offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the local fishermen.

Here we know a few good shooting spots to photograph the cabins and the mountains behind them.

There’s one yellow cabin that is perfectly placed for a super cool composition...

Wait and see!

1:35 pm

Before the Sun sets, we’ll do a little hike up to reach the top of a small hill we know. Here we can shoot towards Sakrisøy and towards the village of Reine.

Sunset is at 2:37 pm, golden hour ends at 3:32 pm and blue hour ends at 4:00 pm.

4:15 pm

Siesta time (nap time) at Hattvika lodge.

5:30 pm

Laura and Clément will do a post processing class in a conference room we’ve specially booked for the occasion.

7:15 pm

Dinner at a local restaurant.

9:00 pm

If the aurora forecast looks promising, right after dinner, we will head out to the north part of Flakstadøya island, this area offers several beautiful spots facing the North East such as tye beaches of Storsandnes and Vikten.

1:25 am

Bed time at Hattvika lodge. Sweet dreams!

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise at Hamnøy.
• Golden hour from Toppøya.
• Sunset and yellow cabins at Sakrisøy.
• Golden hour towards Sakrisøy and Reine from a hill.
• Aurora and reflections in the north part of Flakstadøya island (if conditions are good).
• Day 4. Thursday, January 23rd - The Red Shed

Day 4. Thursday, January 23rd - The Red Cabin

8:00 am

Breakfast at Hattvika lodge.

9:10 am

We’ve photographed (Plan & Pray) Skagsanden beach at night, with the Aurora. And today we want to photograph it with the early pink-golden light and at Sunrise!

The Sun will rise soon... And as it rises it will nicely lit the peaks in the background.

It’s time to find our foreground and get ready to shoot a long exposure to turn the moving water and clouds in a silky blanket.

Blue hour begins at 8:39 am, golden hour begins at 9:08 am, Sunrise is at 10:03 am and golden hour ends at 3:29 pm.

12:00 pm

Quick lunch in Remberg.

12:45 am

After grabbing lunch, we’ll stop to photograph a beautiful bridge and a spectacular super pointy mountain at Sunset.

The Fredvang Bridges are iconic structures, renowned for their stunning and picturesque setting.

The south bridge is called Kubholmleia Bridge and the north bridge is Røssøystraumen Bridge. The length of both bridges is 240 m (787 ft) and the main span is 115 m (377 ft).

These bridges serve as a gateway to breathtaking landscapes, connecting the small village of Fredvang with the neighboring islands.

Set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, serene fjords, and the clear waters of the Norwegian Sea, the Fredvang Bridges offer a captivating blend of human engineering and natural beauty.

These bridges have become a symbol of the Lofoten Islands, drawing photographers, hikers, and travelers who seek to experience the harmonious convergence of rugged terrain and graceful architecture in this remote and captivating corner of the world.

And we won’t miss the opportunity to photograph them in golden hour, as the Sun is setting in the southwest!

No time to waste!

3:00 pm

Contrasts...

The Rambergstranda Red Cabin is an iconic and charming structure nestled along the shores of Rambergstranda Beach (it’s even more stunning than the red cabin above these lines :P).

This distinctive red cabin stands as a picturesque emblem of the region's rustic beauty and traditional charm.

Positioned against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Arctic landscape, with its rugged mountains, golden beaches, and turquoise waters, the red cabin offers a striking contrast that will surely capture our imagination.

We’ll spend the last part of the golden hour and into the blue hour photographing it!

Sunset is at 2:39 pm, golden hour ends at 3:33 pm and blue hour ends at 4:02 pm.

4:30 pm

Siesta at Hattvika lodge.

5:15 pm

 PhotoPills Class with Laura and Clément. Get ready to learn lots of tips and tricks that will make planning your photos much easier and faster!

7:00 pm

Dinner at a local restaurant.

8:30 pm

If the aurora forecast looks promising, right after dinner, we will head out to Hamnøy to photograph the northern lights above the iconic red cabins.

As the night progresses and based on the conditions, we might make multiple stops in Reine and Sakrisøy as well.

Hamnøy is one of the best spots to photograph the northern lights in Lofoten!

2:20 am

Our bed at Hattvika lodge feels so comfortable tonight. It’s been a long day. Rest well my friends because the adventure continues!

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise at Skagsanden Beach.
• Sunset, Moon and golden hour at Fredvang bridges.
• Golden hour at Rambergstranda Red Cabin.
• Aurora reflections at Hamnøy.

Day 5. Friday, January 24th - The Secret

I’ve been giving you lots of details of this amazing expedition to the Lofoten Islands.

Maybe far too many...

But on January 24th we’ll do something very special...

What will that be?

Well, you'll have to be there, with us, to figure it out :P

Day 6. Saturday, January 25th - One Last Dance

7:30 am

Breakfast at Hattvika lodge.

9:00 am

For sunrise, we will be photographing the fishing village of Reine from a panoramic viewpoint. Since there are no obstructions, the mountains will catch the very first light at Sunrise.

Here, we will have the opportunity to photograph both wider scenes and tight shots with the beautiful cabins, peaks, and fishing boats.

This bay is quite sheltered, and if there is no wind, we will get the reflection of Olstinden in the water.

Since the golden hour never ends, we will have time to try different compositions with great light.

Blue hour begins at 8:33 am, golden hour begins at 9:01 am, Sunrise is at 9:53 am and golden hour ends at 3:39 pm.

11:00 am

Situated against a backdrop of steep mountains and open sea,we find a little secret fishing village that offers breathtaking natural landscapes.

The village is surrounded by rugged terrain that meets the water's edge, with traditional red and yellow fishermen's cabins (called rorbuer) adding a splash of color to the landscape.

These rorbuer often stand on stilts and line the water, offering a picturesque view that seems to leap straight out of a postcard.

The goal here is to photograph during the golden hour and before Sunset.

12:40 pm

Quick lunch in Leknes. Light waits no one!

1:30 pm

After lunch, we will go for a short drive to some beaches close to Leknes.

Based on the weather, we might stop at all three spots such as the beaches of Vik, Haukland, and Uttakleiv, and shoot there until sunset.

Even if just a short drive from one another, all of these places offer some unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains.

Something they have in common is the white sand beach and the dramatic peaks in the background.

Can’t wait!

Sunset is at 2:41 pm, golden hour ends at 3:35 pm and blue hour ends at 4:03 pm.

3:45 pm

Siesta at Hattvika lodge.

5:15 pm

Post processing class with Laura and Clément.

7:00 pm

Dinner at a local restaurant.

8:50 pm

One last dance...

It’s our last night in Lofoten! I can’t believe it... time flies!

And we’ll try our best to photograph the Aurora one last time.

So, based on the cloud and Aurora conditions we’ll decide where to go: Uttakleiv, Haukland or Flakstad (Skagsanden beach).

All of them are amazing spots for photographing the northern lights :)

1:15 am

Bed time...

What a week!

But wait, don’t hurry... there is one last Sunrise to capture!

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise at Reine.
• Golden hour at a secret fishermen village.
• Sunset and golden hour at the beaches of Vik, Haukland, and Uttakleiv.
• Aurora at the beaches of Uttakleiv, Haukland or Flakstad.

Day 7. Sunday, January 26th - The Farewell

7:40 am

Breakfast at Hattvika lodge and checkout.

9:00 am

Today is our last day in Lofoten... And there are 1 more shot we want to capture before flying home :)

We will drive to the road to Valberg, and stop in one location with impressive views looking east and west.

Here you will have plenty of time to photograph both sides as the light evolves.

Blue hour begins at 8:29 am, golden hour begins at 8:57 am, Sunrise is at 9:49 am and golden hour ends at 3:38 pm.

11:30 am

And we arrive at Leknes airport...

Thank you Lofoten Islands, we'll be back!

And see you soon my friends!

Life goes on...

Book now and save €500 (Only 1 Spot Left)

To book your spot to join the expedition to the Lofoten Islands at a reduced price of €5,500 (the official price is €6,000), a €1,000 deposit is required by Sunday, July 7th.

Payment in full is required by September 15th, 2024.

Please, finalize your booking as soon as possible. The seats are sold on a first come, first served basis.

BOOK NOW

What’s included in the price

• PhotoPills Welcome pack.
• A 7-day expedition photographing the Lofoten Islands with January’s endless Golden Light and the Aurora Borealis.
• 7 days of learning, fun and adventure with Laura Oppelt, Clément Coudeyre and the funniest geek community – the PhotoPillers.
• Full immersion in the PhotoPills method (Imagine.Plan.Shoot!).
• 6 nights of lodging sharing a traditional fisherman cottage (rorbu) with a few other PhotoPillers. You’ll enjoy your own private room and share the bathroom (1 bathroom for 2 PhotoPillers) and living room area.
• The activities on the Secret Day.
• Beakfast.
• Ground transportation during the expedition.
• All permits and passes.
• All transfers.

What’s not included

• Flights to/from the Lofoten Islands.
• Tourist visa (if necessary).
• International medical and travel insurance coverage (strongly recommended).
• Lunch & dinner.
• Snacks, alcohol and beverages.
• Anything not mentioned in the “included” list.

Do you want an example of how huge this will be?

This is a glimpse to what happened in the 2016 PhotoPills Expedition to Iceland. We had so many adventures and so much fun... We can’t wait for Lofoten!

But you don’t have to take our word for granted. Here’s what some PhotoPillers say about the PhotoPills adventures:

“I went to Iceland expecting to have the opportunity to photograph the marvelous landscape and master nightscapes. What I encountered was so much more – 14 kindred souls from across the globe who share a passion for photography. Together we expanded our creative boundaries, learned from one another and had an insane amount of fun in the process. I am confident that everyone came away from the experience a better photographer.”

“From the very moment the guys from PhotoPills announced the expedition to Iceland... I didn’t think it twice! I was using PhotoPills but not at its full capacity, so I had no better chance to learn from the creators of this amazing app. The experience was even more amazing than anything I could have imagined. In Iceland, I discovered a bunch of folks as crazy about photography as I am. I had a blast!

Photography is a continuous learning process, you always find something new that motivates you to improve. And this adventure made me improve more than I could imagine.”

"The PhotoPills guys know how to create a fantastic experience. They bring an infectiously fun energy and are always willing to drop some handy photography knowledge on you that you will take with you. You take their trip and you'll for sure have a good time, get some amazing pics and leave a better photographer."

“During my experience in Iceland I lived wonderful moments and had surprises that were beyond the expected. It completely exceeded my initial expectations! Sharing knowledge, experiences and ways of working and living photography with such a great group has been one of the most enriching life experiences I have ever had.

Who he said that learning and knowledge sharing can not be wonderfully fun?”

“I can't say enough about what a fantastic time I had during the PhotoPills Iceland photo tour! The guys from PhotoPills and Donal Boyd were so knowledgeable, accommodating, and especially lots of fun. Never a dull moment – nonstop action and shooting of amazing landscapes for 10 days. I came away with enough images and memories to last a lifetime!”

FAQs

What’s the temperature in the Lofoten Islands in January?

It’s winter and it’s going to be cold.

The average temperature is between 1ºC (33ºF) and -2ºC (28ºF). The mountains and hillsides can get covered in a white blanket of snow, creating a picturesque winter scenery.

It’s key to wear different layers of clothing (base, middle and shell layers) to be able to adapt to any temperature change, snow and rain.

What do you recommend I bring along for the expedition?

Your sense of adventure and fun, your camera and of course your sense of humor.

Besides that? We’ll send you an email that will give you further details and suggestions about what to bring (gear, clothing, etc.).

Is travel insurance included in the price of the expedition?

No. Participants are suggested to purchase national or international medical and travel insurance coverage.

Also, we recommend you to choose a travel insurance that:

• Covers trip cancellation costs.
• Covers Covid-19 health, travel and cancellation costs.

What is the cancellation policy?

We hope you don’t need to cancel your spot, but if a situation arises where you don’t have a choice, our cancellation policy is the following.

If you cancel and the expedition is otherwise filled, we'll refund you the full booking fee you have paid, minus a €300 administrative fee, and the non-refundable costs that are withheld by our travel partners.

If you cancel and the expedition doesn’t fill, then you’ll be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the expedition:

• 91 days or more before the expedition: 100% refund, minus the deposit payment and the non-refundable costs that are withheld by our travel partners.
• 90 days or less before the expedition: No refunds will be given.

Refunds will be paid using the same original method of payment.

Credits: All images by Marco Grassi, Laura Oppelt, Albert Dros and Antoni Cladera.