“My expectations for the Patagonia photo tour were high — and for the most part, they were fully met: unique landscapes, abundant wildlife, and even the famously unpredictable weather turned out to be more favorable overall than I had expected for this time of year. The itinerary was very well designed by Mihai, carefully prepared in every detail, and included places that most visitors would probably never discover on their own. The time allocated to each stage of the journey allowed for a balanced and flexible schedule, making it possible to adapt whenever the weather was less favorable. The constant guidance and support greatly helped my photographic work throughout the tour.

Patagonia was a fabulous escape from everyday life. It now stands among the most memorable adventures of my life.”

Arpad Lukacs - Patagonia 2025

„I spent ten days with Mihai in the autumn of 2024 in Romania - a place I had wanted to visit for decades. It was very successful photographically and great fun. Mihai has an uncanny ability to stop the car in a seemingly random place, lead you over a couple of fences, through some scrubby trees and come out onto a hill top with the most wonderful view imaginable - and do that in the dark before dawn. A tour with Mihai will always be fascinating; he seemed to know everyone we met even in the most remote areas, he knows where to track down the best food and he very tactfully hides the fact that he’s taking much better photographs than you are. His technical suggestions are well worth paying attention to. Lastly, a tour with Mihai will often be exciting; we found that it is good to understand why the foresters have named a bull bison “The Angry One” and that adrenaline is a dark brown colour - who knew?“

David Blake - England; Discover Romanian Wildlife and Landscape - 2024

“The photo tour in Vietnam with Gavriel Jecan and Mihai Moiceanu was unexpectedly beautiful and full of emotion. Everything began with an overwhelming palette of colors accompanied by the chaotic soundtrack of car and motorbike horns, especially around the fruit and vegetable market in Hanoi.

In the old quarter of Hanoi, you are surrounded by photographic subjects everywhere you look — no matter which direction you turn, there is always something worth capturing.

Then came the overnight train journey to the northern mountains, to Sapa, a region inhabited by hill tribes such as the Black Hmong, Flower Hmong, Red Dao, and many others. The beauty of the landscape here was fascinating, with ancient rice terraces surrounded by high forested mountains. Gavriel and Mihai took us to several beautiful locations where we could photograph local people in their traditional clothing, working in the fields and on the rice terraces. I was amazed to see how hard they worked and how happy they seemed while doing it.

After a few days, our journey led us to a completely different setting: Ha Long Bay. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is renowned for its unique beauty and limestone formations — the scenery feels almost unreal. Our boat trip carried us through this extraordinary karst landscape, with many stops to climb up and photograph dreamlike viewpoints overlooking these stone sea dragons, or to descend into some of the many caves scattered throughout the region.

From the sea, we continued into the Red River Delta, where we completed the story of rice cultivation — from the planting season in the north, around Sapa, to the harvest season in the Ninh Binh region.

The Vietnam photo tour was outstanding: excellent accommodation, great food, and experienced guides — everything was handled professionally in a way that made life much easier for us as photographers.”

Paul Gabriel Pasztor - Simleul Silvaniei; Vietnam Photo tour

“The photo tour simply titled Autumn in Holbav – Poiana Mărului is, for any photography enthusiast, a true celebration for both the eye and the soul. The mountain landscapes, with forests dressed in the soft pastel colors of autumn, almost urge you to appreciate the privilege of being there in that very moment and, with gratitude, to capture frame after frame in a kind of trance — until the space on the memory card runs low or the battery reminds you it is time for a replacement.

Yet no photo tour, regardless of how beautiful the landscapes may be, could ever feel complete without your contribution, Mihai. A master photographer with a lifetime of experience, a passionate mountaineer, and also a gifted storyteller of jokes and memorable adventures, you know how to add that secret ingredient which makes every participant say that your photo tours have one great “drawback”: they end far too soon.

For the heartfelt dedication and hard work you put into organizing every tour, for the smiles and bursts of laughter you inspire, and for the technical guidance you so generously offer to everyone, I can only say: chapeau, Mihai Moiceanu!

People often say that psychologists are “doctors of the soul,” and I believe that is true. But if it were up to me, dear Mihai, I would nominate you for that calling without a second thought — because that is what you truly are: a doctor of souls. And not just any souls… the souls of photographers.

Warm thoughts, and take good care of yourself so that you can continue doing this for many years to come.”.

Andrei Cotrus - Tg. Mures

“It was an incredible tour! And I didn’t even end up with sore muscles :)

Personally, I filled my soul with beauty — breathtaking landscapes, wonderful weather, beautiful light, fantastic photographic subjects, physical effort balanced with moments of relaxation, and even ski lessons as an unexpected bonus :)) But above all, it was the wonderful people with whom I had the joy of spending these days.

Thank you, Mihai Moiceanu and Ana Moiceanu, for the impeccable organization and care. Thank you, Gabi, Gigi, and Florin, for all the beautiful moments we shared together!

I will definitely keep an eye on your calendar — I truly hope to join more of your photo tours in the future.”

Monica Toderic - Tg. Mures

“I had the pleasure and joy of receiving your friendly guidance in Măgura, just as each of your many friends does whenever they meet you and your team.

I came away with a few simple principles that are deeply appreciated by the people around me: the courage to try, the importance of balance, the beauty of simple things, and the understanding that it is the person who creates the photograph — not the camera.

These are simple truths, accessible to everyone, yet they are the very things that make life beautiful.”

Daniel Lundberg - Goteborg;

“Photography changes lives! It changed mine completely…

Thank you, Mihai Moiceanu, for everything — and especially for mentioning in the announcement for the Dolomitesphoto tour that it was suitable for everyone, whether photographers or not. Back then, I understood a “photographer” to mean someone with a DSLR, tripod, lenses… I had none of those, but I slowly began buying my own equipment. And I started learning, because photography has its own many rules as well.

I also came to Măgura to learn… And little by little, without even realizing it, I began living a different life. My rhythm changed — the hours I wake up on weekends, the world I see at sunrise, the places I choose for my holidays, the people around me… And for years now, not even a single day has felt boring or ugly anymore.

Mihai, I would be truly happy if you could attend my very first photography exhibition opening on February 12, 2018, so that I could thank you… for everything.”

Cristina Gusatu - Cluj; - Dolomites Photo Tour

“A high-altitude photo journey alongside Mihai Moiceanu. If I had to choose just one word to describe Mihai, it would be grace. Mihai has a rare gift — something of a true teacher within him, someone who shares knowledge with gentleness and kindness.”

Catalin Savulescu - Bucuresti

Thank you for all you did to make our Romanian vacation so memorable! We appreciate all your hard work, sharing the history and culture of your country and helping us with our photos..

Warren and Lynne Capps - New York; Discover Romania

Dear Mihai, Thanks for the beautiful places, photography learning, the amazing soups, homemade foods. I enjoyed everything here. Thanks again

Rui Wu Rae - Seatle, USA; Discover Romania

Mihai Moiceanu is one of the best, if not the best landscape photographer working in Romania today. I have not had a chance to attend any of his workshops, but from the photos that I have the pleasure to see week after week, I can tell that anyone serious about their photography will enjoy a rare privilege to spend some time with him. Look, and listen, to see how he feels and responds to the light and the beautiful nature that is Romania.

Scott Eastman - Sibiu

Thank you for a wonderful two weeks! I learned a lot about composition and making photos and I enjoyed all the food and your sense of humor. It was a great tour! 

Lisa Boyette - USA; Discover Romania

Thank you so much for an enjoyable trip. We loved getting to know Romania through your eyes. If you ever come to Florida, be sure to look us up!

Sheryl and Milo - Florida, USA; Discover Romania

This trip was far above my expectations. The Mocanita day, when the train was in our hands, was amazing. But the most nice thing for me, as a foreigner without any skills in the Romanian language, was to hang on to Mihai both in the market on Saturday and in the church on Sunday. Mihai with his skills in communicating with people opened many possibilities to shoot people we met. I will definitely participate in more phototours.

Willy Fredriksen - Oslo, Norway

“Țara Lemnului was a photo tour that I would recommend to every photography enthusiast, from beginners to advanced photographers. It offers an abundance of subjects drawn from authentic traditional life, while also helping participants gain experience in finding photographic subjects, photo processing, and mastering the camera itself.

The concepts we learned covered a wide range — from the foundations of photographic art to the subtle visual language of imagery.”

Otilia Boaghe- Brasov

“I had passed through the Cerna Valley several times before, but I had never spent more than a few days there, even though I always intended to return as a tourist. So when I found out about this photo tour, I did not hesitate to sign up.

I thought I knew what to expect, but in the end it proved to be far more than just a cool refuge from the scorching summer heat. Not that it wasn’t hot — but the information we received, the guidance and explanations, the constant alternation of landscapes, and the uniqueness of some of the subjects created a striking contrast with the heatwave left behind in Bucharest, both in terms of temperature and in the way life and the passing of time were perceived.

As always, there were countless opportunities to enrich my knowledge. Mihai Moiceanu has the extraordinarily rare ability to extract, present, and highlight those essential ideas that best define the destinations of his photo tours. In the end, it is not only about photography — it is even more about discovery and understanding.”

Florin Panait - Bucuresti

This is the place to go to the heart of Maramures and this is the phototour to be taken - "The country of wood"

Baris Akpinar - Turkey

“To want to learn is essential for improving your own knowledge and technique in photography. Before reaching the level of art, photography requires a great deal of work, especially hands-on practice in the field, and the time spent at the Summer School in Retezat Mountains can be an opportunity to reach ever higher peaks.”

Sergiu Luchian

Photogenic people, wonderfully hospitable communities. Yes, indeed! Our hotels and pensions were centrally located, often in the historic section of towns, which made photographing easy and accessible. Additionally, the idea of overnighting in guest-house pensions was brilliant! We were greeted and hosted by lovely families, served freshly cooked meals from their gardens, bread from the ovens or yogurt/dairy products from their animals. Not only were the accommodations, clean, comfortable and cozy- a visitor felt like an intimate part of the overall host family situation by sharing these home cooked meals in the family’s dining room while discussing (with our hosts) –aspects of life in Romania etc. All this made the experience a wonderful change from hotels. The pensions were often situated close to villages and offered both picturesque and peaceful surroundings. 
Our day-to-day photographing was highly varied, providing participants with a wide range of situations and subjects to capture. Romanians were warm, and open to being photographed by our group. Having two Romanian tour leaders/photographers also made the access to photographic situations all the more easy to capture.
Throughout the tour we encountered cultural experiences that were lively, unique and educational. During our Romanian visit we met local craftspeople weaving/spinning and dressed in traditional costumes; we lunched with a Shepard/his family at their mountainside wood cottage high in the Carpathian alps; we photographed the strenuous work of the “charcoal people” , visited the “painted” monasteries deemed masterpieces of Byzantine art ( these churches are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe!) We even shared a trout dinner with a local family-where by our host was extremely proud of his back-yard distillery and encouraged us to tray his Plinka or Visinata! (Traditional fruit brandy made in regions of the Carpathian Basin, usually about 40-70 % strong alcohol.) This was only the beginning of our adventure, we further interacted with Gypsy blacksmiths, photographed herds of stallions and were educated about the Bear and wolf sanctuary. (Note: Romania is home to Europe’s largest population of brown bears. In Romania, many bears are sadly still kept to entertain tourists. The bears often receive a poor diet and not enough water; they are kept in cramped cages and in poor conditions with little protection from the bitter cold of the Romanian winter. In 2006 the bear sanctuary near Brasov was established, providing a purpose-built home for rescued bears.)
I found the opportunity to photograph in Romania full of experiences that seemed truly unique; thoroughly memorable. Even better was the expert guidance provided by Mihai Moiceanu.

"… why should you go to Romania? The straight answer is because it is one of the most beautiful countries of Southeast Europe." (The Blue Guide) Yes Romania: “Mi-ai intrat in suflet” = You entered my soul!

Emily Wilson - Seattle, USA; Discover Romania

When I entered the PB world I lived and worked in Romania already for nearly 3 years and I would call this country The Milestone in my photographic life. Not only that I started there with digital photography but I was also lucky to meet Mihai Moiceanu, one of the best photographers of Romania who taught me a lot during his workshops, especially about landscape shooting. From him I learnt that sunrise shooting requires to be sur place long before it happens and that the best motifs don't come to you but you have to go there. So we did and walked a lot in the Transylvanian mountain. Thanks Mihai, I owe you a lot!

Gerhard Korts - Germany

Nous espérions le soleil mais nous sommes partis sous les nuages. Heureusement le vent nous a laissés tranquilles et nous étions à l'aise dans nos équipement pour le grand froid. Nous sommes sept femmes de toutes nationalités avec notre prof de photo, Mihai Moiceanu. Ce grand ours, originaire de Brasov, est un photographe renommé de Roumanie. Il connaît le pays comme sa poche et nous emmène saisir cette Roumanie lointaine et pourtant si proche que nous aurions du mal à approcher sans lui. Il parle aux habitants des villages que nous traversons. Avec lui ils se sentent en sécurité et laissent tous ces gros objectifs pointer vers eux sans objection. Nous enfonçons nos bottes dans l'épaisseur moelleuse d'une neige toute fraîche, escaladons les collines et traquons les visages abîmes par la vie dont les rides racontent l'histoire muette. Là un chien, des moutons ou un cheval tirant une charrette rustique. Ici une végétation presque invisible. Des portails verts rehaussés de rouille. Un regard derrière une fenêtre. Et le soleil qui se couche, illuminant la montagne de sa douce lumière dorée, celle-là même que nous avions attendue depuis une demie-heure.
http://ciboolette.blogspot.com/2012/01/premieres-photos.html

Maite Mougin - France

“If everything in Romania were done the way Mihai Moiceanu runs his workshops, we would be a nation of professionals! I took part in Autumn Lights in Măgura.”

Anda Manea - Olanda

“Always at a high level, consistently professional — which is why there is always something to learn from Mihai Moiceanu. I truly appreciate your work and wish you health and strength to continue in the same way.

With respect,”

Ovidiu Todoran - Brasov

“Excellent organization and location, without exaggeration. It was a pity about the weather, but I won’t give up until I see a sunrise and a sunset worthy of such a place. I will return in the summer.”

Lungu Dumitru - Brasov

“An outstanding location, wonderful accommodation, fascinating people, and photographs depending on the photographer and the weather :). Mihai Moiceanu: first and foremost an extraordinary human being, and only then a consummate photographer. Thank you.”

Adrian Popescu - Bucuresti

“One of the most photogenic regions in the country, and two days in which the mornings started more than very early. The most interesting part was especially the Photoshop section… but in order to take good photographs you either need talent or a lot of work, and you also need to be photographing all the time. A few days of a photo workshop can lift the veil from your eyes and show you a direction that you may or may not choose to follow.”

Iulia Diaconescu

“Absolutely everything exceeded expectations.

It is beautiful to see so many photography enthusiasts gathered in one place. An experience that must be repeated. Time seems to compress when you take part in such an event. The most important thing, by far, is that I made new friends and learned a great deal of new things that will be very useful to me. The organization was very good, and Mr. Mihai Moiceanu’s performance was excellent. A truly remarkable person, in whose company it is a pleasure to be.

I am already looking forward to participating in the next workshops.”

Aurelian Gogonea - Ploiesti

“Not a single minute of this workshop was wasted — I never had a moment of boredom or any moment when I wondered what to do next. I spent time of a rarely encountered quality.

Mr. Mihai Moiceanu is a person who truly loves not only nature, but also people; it felt as if he had known us for years. I learned in two days what I had not learned in an entire year. It is wonderful to spend a few days with people who share the same ‘kind of passion.’ The hikes were also perfectly balanced — neither too difficult nor too easy. I left with a pleasant taste of life and full of encouragement. I would love to experience something like this at least once a month!”

Mihai Gutulan - Canada;

“Sad that it’s over, glad that it happened! Those who didn’t come don’t know what they are missing. I will definitely participate again! Thank you, Mr. Mihai Moiceanu!”

Ciprian Truta - Brasov

What a pleasant surprise: Romania, such an enchanting country! Daily, I felt like I had been transported back in time. I am so pleased that I made the decision to see Romania. I just knew that traveling with two experts like Gavriel Jecan & Mihai Moiceanu would be the right decision to make---to insure I received the very best experience of Romania (Gavriel Jecan & Mihai Moiceanu’s Photo tour Oct 22-Oct 31 2011. 
Our adventure was incredibly eye-opening. Traveling small group style (there were eight of us in a 10 passenger van) we ventured thru the countryside of Romania- the heart and soul of this lovely land where peasant cultures remain strong and medieval ways prevail, as they do nowhere else in Europe. Guided by the expertise of Romanian- born photographer Gavriel Jecan and his photographer/country guide expert counterpart- Mihai Moiceanu , our group accessed parts of Romanian culture not usually experienced in a group tour. I felt as though I photographed “life” in Romania and “real” landscapes, not just the noted sights. At times I felt like I was in Switzerland - Carpathian Alps are lofty, beautiful and spellbinding, not to mention the small remote villages we encountered along our route.
(Discover Romania Photographic tour Oct 2011)

Emily Wilson - Seattle, USA; Discover Romania

“Everything was simply great — wonderful people, plenty of humor, lots of fresh air, and photographs much better than before!”

Roxana Iovita - Bucuresti

“It was my first time attending a photography workshop. I must confess it far exceeded my expectations from every point of view, especially because Mr. Mihai Moiceanu shared so much of his knowledge with us — knowledge that would have been very difficult to acquire through individual study alone.

In conclusion, I can hardly wait for spring to come so we can meet again. Thank you for everything”

Mircea FECHET

“It was an unforgettable experience! First of all, because I was surrounded by so many people who share the same passion and with whom I could freely talk about photography. Secondly, because we stayed in a very, very beautiful area! I hope to also take part in the workshop in May! How would I describe this weekend? SUPER!

All the best thoughts!!!”

Maria G - Bucuresti

“What can I say — I had a few truly special days in which I learned many new things. Everything was beyond my expectations! Thank you to Mr. Mihai Moiceanu, and thank you to the fellow participants of this workshop, with whom I felt absolutely wonderful! I hope I will be able to take part in the autumn workshop, and maybe even the winter one!”

Ion Parvu - Galati

“Extraordinary. Wonderful people, a magical landscape. Anyone who doesn’t take part in this workshop has no idea what they are missing. I will definitely participate in the next one as well.”

Radu Liviu - Brasov

“It was the opportunity to spend some special moments alongside people who share the same passion. Together with them — and thanks also to the open spirit created by the organizer — I managed to overcome my hesitation, caused by limited experience and modest equipment.

Thank you, Mihai Moiceanu!”

Daniel Mihai - Bucuresti

“I was enchanted by the landscape, by the people, and by the beauty you can find in every ray of light. But what truly won me over was the power I felt when I discovered that my own hands can create ‘something’ capable of awakening a feeling in the one who will look at that ‘something’.

The rest is nothing but soul…”

Dragos Dumitrescu - Brasov

“I attended two workshops last year…

We last met in Piața Unirii around Easter, and you asked me if I was still doing photography. I told you no, because I had sold my camera. I had a Panasonic FZ30 bridge camera. About a month ago, H2O organized a photo contest at Bâlea Lac, where I also participated using a borrowed Canon 20D. By ‘chance’ I managed to win the “Best Landscape” category, and this is where I wanted to reach — to thank you, because at the workshop I learned so much about landscape photography.

The phone I won I did not keep; I sold it, and with that money (plus some savings) I managed to buy the camera I wanted most: a Nikon D80 with an 18–135mm lens. And now, after three months, I can once again pursue my favorite hobby.

Thank you very much once again for everything. I wanted to write to you so you know that your work is not in vain!”

Mihai Gutulan - Brasov

“The workshop is an excellent opportunity to meet remarkable people in a dream-like location: wonderful hosts, excellent food, a clean and welcoming village, and photographic subjects enough for a lifetime — for every eye and every level of photographic experience. It is a wonderful occasion to listen to stories and to see images from both familiar and exotic places, presented with joy and genuine pleasure by Mr. Mihai Moiceanu.

A few days filled with warmth of the soul, new or long-standing friendships, and of course, photography. Days of inspiration, of recharging with enthusiasm, and of rediscovering the pleasure of truly living.

In one word: wonderful! Thank you.”

Adrian Mihalcea - Ploiesti

“As I mentioned before, I was left with a very good impression after the “Winter in Măgura” workshop held on 24–26 February 2006.

What I appreciated most was that I returned home with an enormous amount of new information, and in just two days I gained knowledge equivalent to what I would normally accumulate in a whole year. As a result, I hope this knowledge will also be reflected in the quality of my future photographs.

The second thing I really valued was spending those two days with people who shared the same passion as I do. I would also like to mention that about 90% of the knowledge I gained came from Mr. Mihai Moiceanu, and the rest from the other participants in the workshop.

Regarding the location, in my opinion it is excellent — even overwhelming. You find photographic subjects everywhere. At times it becomes almost dizzying; you need to sit down for a moment and extract the essence of the place, because I would have photographed continuously, and I am not sure that way I would have truly captured its beauty. I believe one needs to return several times, to become accustomed to it, to experience it in different seasons — not to exhaust its subjects, but at least to grasp the soul of those places.

Accommodation and food were excellent. I do not insist on this aspect, but I underline it as a positive element that contributed to the success of the workshop.

The organization was good, with a few minor exceptions. I would mention some rather long breaks for photo editing and selection for the competition and presentation. The contest, in my view, was useful as a “challenge,” but it was not the main purpose of our presence there — we came primarily to learn.

As for the technical setup, there is clear and serious attention given to the success of the workshop, and I was positively impressed.

The conclusion is a positive one, and my wish is to return to your workshops in every season. I am also sending a few photos attached, as requested. Thank you once again to Mr. Mihai Moiceanu for the warmth with which he welcomed us.”

Tudor Stanica - Bucuresti