Ibiza is known around the world for its beaches, nightlife and summer atmosphere, but one local photographer is working to put another side of the island firmly in the spotlight.

Marc Torres, a mechanical engineer by training and a nature photographer by passion, has built a growing presence on social media by documenting Ibiza’s landscapes, wildlife and skies. Through photography, video and small-scale nature experiences, he wants residents and visitors alike to discover an Ibiza that exists far beyond the island’s better-known party image.

From Engineering to the Ibiza Countryside

Torres studied Mechanical Engineering in Barcelona, initially hoping his degree might eventually lead towards the creative and design work that interested him.

He finished his studies around the time the Covid pandemic disrupted the job market and eventually returned to Ibiza after struggling to find the kind of work he had hoped for.

Back on the island, he took jobs outside engineering, including work in food distribution and at Decathlon. But the desire to build something connected to his interests remained.

That eventually led him to create The Other Face with his friend Donovan, combining hiking, photography and nature-based experiences.

The company describes Torres as an Ibiza-born photographer who began taking pictures at a young age and later developed a strong interest in hiking and freediving alongside landscape photography. Its stated aim is to show an Ibiza that is very different from the stereotypes associated with the island.

A Different Approach to Tourism

The idea behind The Other Face is not simply to take visitors into the countryside, but to encourage a different way of experiencing Ibiza.

Torres says the aim is to promote ecotourism that encourages people to discover local villages, restaurants, culture and nature, rather than concentrating exclusively on nightlife.

The company mainly organises private outings, with small groups, and Torres has said he does not want the business to grow into large-scale group tourism.

For him, protecting the island also means being careful about how nature tourism itself develops.

His message is simple: Ibiza should not replace crowded clubs with overcrowded natural spaces.

Putting Ibiza’s Wildlife in Front of a Wider Audience

Torres has also turned increasingly towards social media as a way of explaining Ibiza’s natural environment.

He began making more educational videos recently, initially feeling uncomfortable about appearing on camera, but the response has been considerable.

His videos combine carefully produced images with information about the island’s wildlife and landscapes. A recent reel, “Esta es mi Ibiza”, was reported as having reached around 400,000 views and features a striking collection of scenes captured on the island.

Among the images are auroras seen from Ibiza, a kingfisher, a glossy ibis, the Milky Way, a solar eclipse and the full moon above the Punta de Moscarter lighthouse in Portinatx.

The appeal is partly the surprise factor. Ibiza is often associated with summer crowds and nightlife, so images of rare wildlife, dark skies and dramatic natural phenomena can reveal a very different landscape to people who may have visited the island many times.

More Than Just Photographs

Torres says the purpose of the project goes beyond gaining followers.

He has spent the past two years concentrating particularly on bird photography and says he has now documented 122 species.

His goal is to help people recognise what exists around them and, in turn, understand why those species and habitats need protection.

One of the birds he highlights is the Balearic shearwater, known locally as the virot petit. The species is endemic to the Balearic Islands and is classified by the Balearic Government as critically endangered.

For Torres, raising awareness is an essential part of conservation because people are more likely to value places and species they actually know.

Concerns About Ibiza’s Coastline

His work has also given him a close view of some of the environmental pressures facing the island.

Torres says he sees waste in natural areas, but believes the coastline presents a particularly serious problem, with rubbish arriving from boats and from other parts of the Mediterranean.

Rather than relying solely on beach and coastline clean-ups, he argues for reducing plastic consumption at source.

His message to clients is focused on simple choices that can reduce unnecessary packaging before it becomes waste.

His Concerns About Ses Salines

Torres is particularly critical of conditions he says he has encountered in the Ses Salines Natural Park.

He describes problems including muddy or flooded paths, accumulated rubbish and insufficient signage. In his view, clear routes are important not only for visitors but also for wildlife, because sensitive areas need spaces where human access can be controlled.

He says these conditions can create another problem when visitors leave established routes and enter protected dune areas because a path has become difficult to use.

These are Torres’ personal observations and criticisms rather than an official assessment of the park’s overall condition.

A Call for Greater Protection

Torres also believes Ibiza needs greater environmental awareness and protection of habitats.

Among the issues he raises are loose dogs and feral cats in protected areas, particularly during nesting periods, as well as what he sees as a lack of accessible public information about the island’s wildlife.

He has also spoken critically about the debate surrounding Ibiza Airport and development on the island, arguing that more space should be left for wildlife and that the island’s resources and habitats are under increasing pressure.

These are Torres’ views on development and environmental policy, rather than official conclusions.

Bringing Nature Closer to Residents

His work is not aimed exclusively at tourists.

During the winter, The Other Face organises activities for the local community, while its collaboration with the Sant Antoni Town Hall includes free, limited-capacity Nordic Walking outings around different areas of the municipality.

The 2026-27 programme includes a Sant Rafel de Sa Creu outing on Saturday, 10 October 2026.

The approach reflects the broader idea behind the project: nature should be something experienced and understood by people living on Ibiza as well as those visiting the island.

A Temporary Move to New Zealand

Torres is also preparing for a period away from Ibiza.

At 29, he plans to travel to New Zealand with his partner on a working holiday, taking advantage of the age requirements for Spain’s scheme. New Zealand’s current rules allow Spanish citizens aged 18 to 30 to apply for the visa, with a stay of up to 12 months.

He plans to continue photographing nature while abroad and study how New Zealand approaches conservation and environmental communication.

The intention is eventually to return to Ibiza with ideas that could be adapted locally.

Showing the Ibiza That Is Easy to Miss

For decades, Ibiza has been photographed from the same familiar angles: sunset terraces, beaches, clubs and famous viewpoints.

Marc Torres is taking a different approach.

His camera is turning towards birds, wetlands, dark skies, remote landscapes and the quieter corners of the island, creating a growing visual record of an Ibiza that can be easy to overlook.

His message is that discovering nature is the first step towards appreciating it, and appreciation can lead to greater protection.

For an island under constant pressure from tourism and development, Torres is using photography to tell a story that deserves to be seen: Ibiza has another face, and it is just as fascinating.