I’ve come to understand that the essence of a photograph is not solely dependent on technical skills and equipment. Rather, there is something much deeper at play: the relationship between light and our perception of reality.

Have you ever stopped to consider the impact of light on your own perception of the world around you? Light illuminates the colours, textures, and shapes that make up our natural environment. It evokes emotions and feelings, setting the mood for each moment. And as a landscape photographer, it’s the interplay between light and the environment that creates the magic of each photograph.

The fascinating thing about light is that it’s never constant. It changes depending on the time of day, the season, the weather, and our own moods and perspectives. It’s subjective and open to interpretation, just like our perception of reality. As photographers, we have the privilege of capturing a moment in time, a unique intersection of light, composition, and subject. Each photograph is a fragment of truth, revealing a small piece of a much larger and infinitely complex reality. And yet, in that moment, it is enough. It speaks to us and evokes emotions that connect us to the natural world.

What’s interesting about landscape photography is that it allows us to explore our own perception of reality. We can choose to capture the beauty that speaks to us, whether it’s a dramatic sunset, a peaceful landscape, or the majesty of nature in all its glory. And in doing so, we’re able to share our unique vision of the world with others, inviting them to see the world through our own eyes.

In essence, landscape photography is a meditation on the relationship between light and reality. It reminds us that our perception of the world is filtered through our own experiences and perspectives. And yet, through the magic of light and the power of photography, we’re able to share our vision and connect with others in a way that transcends language and culture.

• Camera: Fujifilm X-T5
• Lens: Fujinon XF18mm f/1.8
• ISO125, 1/9sec, f/10

Scarista, Isle of Harris, Scotland

The beach stretches out before me, a never-ending expanse of sand and sea. The sky above is a canvas of grays and blues, the clouds heavy with the promise of rain. The water is a dark, inky black, choppy and rough. The tide is coming in, the waves crashing against the shore with a mournful roar.

I stand alone, my feet sinking into the soft sand. The wind whips through my hair, tugging at my clothes. I close my eyes and let myself be lost in the sensation of the elements around me.

As I open my eyes, I see a lone seagull perched on a rock jutting out of the water, its head tucked under its wing. The bird’s stillness contrasts with the chaotic movements of the sea. It’s a moment of beauty and sadness that I captured in my camera lens, a memory to keep forever.

The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The colors of the sky are changing, the clouds painted with hues of pink and orange. The seagull takes off into the sky, disappearing into the distance.

I stand alone on the beach, the wind and the waves my only companions. I am surrounded by beauty, but I feel a sense of isolation and longing. This is the melancholy of the sea.

• Camera: Fujifilm X-T5
• Lens: Fujinon XF50-140mm f/2.8
• ISO125, 75mm, 1/350sec, f/7.1

Scarista Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland

Landscape photography has the power to evoke emotions and spark contemplation. As a consequence, it’s important to consider what truly matters in capturing the beauty of the natural world.

Is it just about finding the perfect light, or is there something deeper at play? Perhaps it’s the way the light interacts with the land, highlighting its curves and contours, casting shadows and illuminating textures. This interplay creates a scene that is not only visually stunning, but also emotionally charged. Beyond that, it’s perhaps the story that the land tells, even in its most mundane form, that gives the image meaning. It’s the photographer’s job to bring that story to life, to show the viewer a world they may not have seen before.

In landscape photography, it’s not just about capturing the earth’s beauty, it’s about capturing its essence. It’s about presenting a world that is vast and ever-changing, yet still connected and harmonious. It’s about sharing the emotion and wonder that comes from experiencing nature.

• Camera: Fujifilm X-T5
• Lens: Fujinon XF50-140mm f/2.8
• ISO125, 90mm, f/4.5, 1/480sec

Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland

I found myself on a windswept beach in Portugal, where the sea was crashing against the shore and the sand was being whipped into swirling patterns and structures by the fierce wind. The raw power of nature was on full display, and I was immediately captivated by the scene before me. The sand, churned up by the wind, formed intricate patterns that seemed to dance and change with every gust. The movement and energy in the scene was electric, and I felt a surge of inspiration and creativity welling up inside of me.

As I set up my camera and began to take photographs, I found myself completely absorbed in the scene. The wind and sand were constantly shifting, offering up new and exciting compositions at every turn. I felt my creativity flowing freely as I experimented with different perspectives and captured the scene from every angle. But it wasn’t just the visual beauty of the scene that moved me, it was the emotional charge that came with it. Being witness to the raw power of nature, and the awe-inspiring beauty it can create, reminded me of the importance of being open to new experiences and perspectives in order to truly tap into my creativity as a photographer.

I was in awe of the scene, and I felt a deep connection to the natural world. I felt the wind whipping my hair and the sand blowing against my skin, and I knew that this was a moment that I would never forget. I felt alive, in the moment, and I was filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude that only nature can provide. In that moment, I knew that this experience was not just about taking photographs, it was about being fully present and engaged in the world around me. It was about allowing myself to be open to new experiences and perspectives, and allowing the beauty of nature to inspire and move me.

As I was capturing this scene, I was also reminded of the power of simplicity in photography. The scene before me was chaotic and wild, with the wind and sand creating a seemingly endless array of patterns and structures. But as I began to take photographs, I found that the most powerful images were often the simplest and most uncluttered. By focusing on a small section of the scene and simplifying the composition, I was able to capture the essence of the moment in a way that was both striking and evocative. A simple photograph of sand ripples created by the wind could convey the power and movement of the scene just as effectively as a wide shot of the entire beach.

This experience reinforced the idea that less is often more in photography. By simplifying the composition and focusing on the essential elements of a scene, it is possible to create powerful and evocative images that resonate with the viewer on a deeper level. As I walked away from that beach, I knew that this experience had changed me. I felt a renewed sense of passion and purpose as a photographer, and I knew that I would continue to seek out new and unique experiences that would inspire and move me in the same way.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF50mm f/3.5

Bordeira Beach, Portugal

As a landscape photographer, I have always been captivated by the way light can shape the character of a scene. From the soft glow of the morning sun to the dramatic hues of sunset, light is the very essence of my art. And, as any landscape photographer will tell you, no two moments are ever the same. Each is unique, fleeting, and worth capturing.

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a rugged and characteristic mountain landscape. I was armed with my trusty Fujifilm GFX camera, known for its excellent image quality, and a burning passion to capture the true essence of the landscape. As I arrived at the location in the evening, the sky was painted in warm hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set. I quickly set up my camera and captured the beauty of the landscape. The colors were rich and vibrant, creating a sense of drama and grandeur. The rugged peaks stood tall against the warm, golden light, casting long shadows across the valleys. It was a breathtaking sight, and I knew I had captured something truly special.

But as the evening progressed, the light continued to change. The sun started to dip below the horizon, and the sky turned to a deep shade of blue. The mountains were bathed in a soft, warm light that seemed to glow from within. The shadows grew longer, and the landscape took on a completely different character. It was as if I was looking at two different worlds. The rugged peaks now seemed softer, more serene. The colors were muted, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. It was a completely different mood, yet equally as beautiful as the first.

This experience reminded me that a landscape never looks the same twice. Each moment is unique and fleeting, and photography allows us to capture a specific moment in time. It also reminded me the importance of being patient and waiting for the right light, even if it means staying at the same location for longer. As a photographer, my passion and focus lie in capturing the true essence of a scene.

But it’s not just about the light. It’s also about the emotions and feelings that the scene evokes. A photograph is not just a representation of a place, but a representation of the emotions and feelings that the place evokes in the photographer. In that sense, a photograph is a powerful tool, that has the ability to transport the viewer to another place and time. Being a landscape photographer is not just about capturing a beautiful image, it’s about capturing a moment in time that will never be seen again. It’s about being present in the moment, and finding the beauty in the world around us. It’s about the journey, the adventure, and the passion that drives us to keep pushing ourselves to new heights.

As I look back on these two photographs, taken only an hour apart, I am reminded of the beauty and diversity of nature and the importance of capturing it in all its forms. The camera in my hands enabled me to capture the true essence of the mountain landscape, in all its unique and fleeting beauty. And it’s this passion, focus and the quest for capturing unique moments that makes me love being a landscape photographer.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF100-200mm f/5.6

Parco naturale Tre Cime, Italy

For me, mastering the light is about being in the elements and observing the scene. It’s about understanding my bond with the landscape and exploring the beauty to be found in natural shapes and textures. Photography is more than a photograph. It’s the thrill of being on location. I enjoy nothing more than reading the landscape and waiting in anticipation for the morning or evening light to unveil the contrasting beauty.

During a hike, the feelings of accomplishment resonate in my thoughts. There’s a sense of excitement waking up in the ungodly hours to explore a new location. There are no people, only elements. Wind on my face, retreating water on the shore or the sound of ancient sands under my feet. It’s all part of the pleasure as a landscape photographer.

From each episode, I try to capture as few images as possible. One photo either side of the day is an accomplishment. My camera isn’t about chasing the latest technology. Rather it’s about utilising the rendering of the organic colours and forms found in nature and sharing my art form with the world. Connecting myself with the landscape when out on location is paramount to my vision. I need to feel what the mood is to recreate it. It’s a flurry of notes harmonising with each other which help define my composition. A balance of aperture, shutter and exposure all play a part in the symphony.

Typically, when arriving at location, I sit in awe, taking it all in. It’s not about going to a location in a hurry before the sun sets or rises. Instead, I slow things down and take my time. Being in the elements and creating the story behind the photo is what I’m about. Great images seldom happen by chance. Studying the interaction of the elements of the natural world is an important endeavour in that respect. This includes observing the momentum of land and light and the interplay between tones and textures.

My medium format gear is a simple setup: two lenses, a body, a tripod and filters. The lenses adopted include the wide-angle Fujinon GF32-64mm F4 and telephoto GF100-200mm F5.6. Both are an extension of my vision when coupled with a Fujifilm GFX 50R body. With a focal length of 32mm as my frequent, capturing landscapes through this perspective is about an organic field of view. It provides a superb collection of content, and when coupled with the medium format sensor, the reproduction is flawless. The unforgiveness for error helps to slow down and perfect the process. Looking back through the highlights of the year, I think the GFX 50R has refined and indeed upgraded my landscape work. Is the search for the holy grail over?

As a traveller, I love to explore new places. The sense of wonder and desire to uncover the natural beauty of the world drives me. This year saw my pursuit for the image extend to a handful of scenic places around Europe. Considering the circumstances of the world, being outdoors always felt like a blessing. While the places I prefer to travel are wild, there is also a sense of responsibility. As photographers, our images need to go beyond objects that are merely pleasing to look at. We have the responsibility to communicate regarding sustainability. A rich environment provides a harmonic habitat not simply for wildlife, but for us, humans too. We must keep nature safe from our own hands.

2020 was a very difficult year globally. The coronavirus caused so much pain to the people in the world. It is difficult to be positive after something like that, but photography helps us to forget about the bad things. The good feelings return when you go out and create. In my work, I aim to transport the viewer to a different frame of mind. A curiosity about the natural world affect all parts of my life. Photography is the catalyst through which I can express my passion. By reading this article and looking at my images, I hope you are transported in some way.

This small series is a result of my travelling in times of uncertainty. I feel we will have better luck in 2021.

A complete collection of these photographic prints can be found in my 2020 Portfolio Box.

So off I went to escape the dismal state and instead focus on a different perspective to try and bring some colour into my life. My escape wasn’t about taking photos for the sake of it. Nor was my trip about pushing the camera or lens to the limit in some pristine environment, rather the trip was about finding myself and reconnecting back with nature.

This is why Switzerland was on my list. Switzerland is incredible. Imagine a place brimming with landscapes in every direction where you could lose yourself. That was the place I was heading to intending to find the light. The majestic white-capped Alps protrude from the horizon masking the next incredible scene. When you’re there everywhere you look is simply breathtaking. And when I did arrive, I wanted to set myself a goal to see the world from a new perspective. So, with this in mind and a Fujifilm GFX 50R in hand, I set off to commence my trek.

Staring into the distance, I could see the elongating shadows dancing on the sides of mountains. The ancient glacier was crumbling on the horizon. With a few long breaths, I thought to myself, how did the world become so disconnected from nature?

My lens was almost not wide enough to cover the blanket of snow, which frequently surrounded me. Fortunately, though, photographing with a medium format camera proved to be an excellent choice. The raw grandness of resolution was a reflection of the epic landscape. At each location, I felt like the first person witnessing the beauty. As I wound the manual dials of my camera rocky outcrops seem to jolt from the ground in idyllic locations. With a few slight adjustments of my tripod head, I was able to consolidate them in my composition.

And it was at this moment; I knew the photos I was capturing were going to tell a narrative. Not as single images, but rather as an emotional journey. Connecting with the landscape was unquestionably what this trip was about. And when looking back, I can recall the very emotions I felt when looking through the lens.

I had fallen in love with the landscape.

There’s something about being outdoors in the fresh air that ignites creativity. I know when preparing for this trip, I had in mind the sort of photos I needed to take; however, this all changed once I was there. When setting up the gear to take my images, I lay in awe. The panoramic views surpassed what I had dreamed of. Most of the time, instead of pressing the shutter button, I was more than happy to view. The stillness in the air held me close to nature’s beating chest. My thoughts grew in the frozen air. How could so few people experience this?

As I trekked each corner, I wanted to proceed to explore. I constantly felt I was finding something new as the landscape around me was changing daily. The breathable air, the silence of the wind, a distant call of a bird whatever it was, just kept me wanting more.

Frequently, I found myself capturing half-a-second exposures as the golden light bounced from the snow reflector onto the sides of mountains. Watching the clouds float left and right for the closing scene was something I never missed. Even if the rays fell short, there was an outstanding beauty which could be found in the grayscale. Contrasting shapes and colours cascaded in a pixel canvas for my trigger-happy fingers. I felt at home.

As a landscape photographer, there’s a sense of joy you get from being out in nature. It’s what drives us up these heights. Feeling the wind on your face, experiencing the cold and sleeping rough is all part of the fun. For outdoor people, there’s a rush you can’t get from sitting in an office or watching a movie at home. Being in the elements is what life is all about, and this trip was an excellent reminder of that. I was able to come away, feeling a new love for the landscape and gain a real respect for nature.

Positivity feeds the soul when taking photos and hopefully when you look at the gallery of images from this trip, you get to share in the emotional wealth. Photography, for me, is about encouraging people to explore nature. It’s about watching someone’s eyes light up when they view the details that only a photographer can capture. And after reflecting on it feeling a sense of awe. That’s my purpose as a landscape artist. Sharing natural beauty as moments in time and a window into another world.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50R
• Lenses: Fujinon GF32-64mm F4, Fujinon GF100-200mm F5.6
• LEE Filters, Gitzo GK100T Tripod
• Tour organised by grindelwaldSPORTS and let by mountain guide Beat Wenger

Aletsch Glacier & Jungfrau Region, Valais, Switzerland, September 2020

There is something I have to tell you. I do not know whether it is good or bad, so I will leave that up to you. I do know however, that it has been on my mind for quite some time, so bear with me please, as I tell you what I know.

This world we live in is in a constant state of change. Everything is transient. We are incessantly evolving. There is more to it than that though, dear stranger. It is intentional. Purposeful. By design and concerted effort. A yearning to excel, improve and be better. I am talking about progress.

We are never satisfied. Enough, is never enough. We always want more. We always want bigger and faster. But at what cost? Something must be left behind if we are to progress. Democracy replaced feudalism. The fires of industry replaced agriculture. In turn, the convenience of technology has replaced agriculture. In some ways this progress has been necessary, and in others it has been by desire.

There is an essential flaw in the notion of progress however. It is the idea that because we have the capacity to do something, it should be done. The problem with this mindset is twofold. First of all, dear stranger, progress requires us to disregard what was. Secondly, it implies that whatever is created, is inherently better than what was in merely because it is a progression.

Not everything we have now is better than what was. We created financial institutions to aid us with finances, now we are hopelessly in debt. War was once made face to face with handheld weaponry, we have weapons today that could annihilate all life on earth. We invented machines to manage industrial labour that have left communities jobless and without hope.

What was once the economic background of many nations, has fallen into disrepair and ruin. Dear stranger, it is our fault. We let the bright lights of innovation blind us. In our blindness, our local communities and economies have been desolated. Big corporations have replaced local business – and in doing so, our livelihoods have been replaced by dollars.

Do you see the beauty in globalisation, stranger? I see it too. It has made our lives great in so many ways. However, recent events have exposed its fragility. We were too dependent on global communities, and our blindness has been exposed. And in this time of crisis, what have we been forced to do? We have returned to what we so easily replaced. Local businesses, local industries, local people. The backbone of what was, like a phoenix, it has risen again and become our saviour.

I hope, dear stranger, that you see this too.

I hope everyone sees it. Whilst the damage of this crisis is apparent, I believe we can use it positively – and learn from it. The way forward is not aimless progression, we know that now. We have been saved by local communities, businesses and people, and in turn we must ensure that we save them too.

I hope this reaches you well.

Best wishes, goodbye, my friend.

Letter to a Stranger, July 2020.

“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

— Folk Wisdom

Nature has the last call when the beauty of a landscape unravels. A photographer can thus only develop pure patience after understanding this fact. The outdoors have been calling my soul since I can recall. And in view of these odd Corona days, I came to realise how gifted I was. Taking travelling for granted is rather easy in Europe. However, and thanks to quarantine, I was forced to see my local area with different eyes. This brief body of work expresses my introspection into my close surroundings.

Landscape photography has always been about getting as far as I can from home and scouting for the perfect view. Landscapes exceed the decisive moment, and are the result of a close and pristine relationship with nature. Nonetheless, it is remarkably hard and challenging to shoot the local habitat. This is because the deep connection with our ordinary surroundings bias our gaze so deeply that it becomes nearly impossible to find anything of interest around us. After noticing this, I was reassured that travelling and photography are a match made in heaven. This is because it is a hack – any foreign place or culture provides the opportunity of being easily surprised.

A wise friend once told me that everything had already been photographed. Therefore, I should stop worrying. “Try shooting everything that has already been captured in your own way, and you’ll find that everything is new for your camera and your eyes” he said. To reinterpret the world was his command, and so I followed his advice. Nature was generous to me, and I’m sure that these ordinary places had never been photographed in such a way. The colour palette vibrantly gets along with itself, everything in this venue screams for serenity and compositional balance – the countryside shaped by light of the magic hour.

I used a telephoto lens with these landscape images on principle. And this is often a preferred decision in contrast to wide angle options. Here, the four panoramas share something with each other. They all provide instant access, and human presence gets lost in the field. There are no distracting natural elements in the foreground. There is just less emphasis on interrupting features, making the complete image the main subject of the storytelling act. The landscape evolves and is free from obstacles. It flows in front of the viewer. It is an open invitation what the condensed visual impact has to offer. And this is my tribute to the Utopian human life we all shall pursue.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
• LEE Filters, Gitzo GK100T
• Blog: Nature Photography Ore Mountains

Erzgebirge, Germany, April 2020.

This folio has been published at On Landscape in November 2020, issue 219.

Härtensdorf, Erzgebirge, Germany

Reinsdorf, Erzgebirge, Germany

Hartenstein, Erzgebirge, Germany

Zschocken, Erzgebirge, Germany

Landscape photography is an art many folks enjoy doing alone; me included. Therefore, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone for this particular project. Hence, I decided to put aside technical perfection and allowed myself to explore various creative possibilities, which ultimately allowed me to enjoy the moment like never before. And if that sounds like a story to you, then that’s exactly what this brief series of photographs is. I wanted to create a story that had “human connection with the natural world” as the main character of it.

As a landscape photographer, it has never been easy for me to share my beloved spots on earth with other human beings. But for this time, I took the liberty of doing it, and I learned a deep and humbling lesson along the way. I’m sure there must be an anthropological concept that best describes this intrinsic connection some of us share with each other when it comes to nature. For me, it is simply a matter of belonging with the world, and waiting for nature to unravel its secrets to our eyes. Photography is a great tool for this, since it allows us to see in a way we naturally can’t do, but capturing that sense of belonging is a different issue.

I still can’t explain how significant it was for me to share my beloved Isle of Harris in Scotland with another person. But, I was surely convinced, that her passion for nature would allow me to approach this aforementioned concept. And of course, this goes way beyond highly stylised photos created with the sole purpose of accumulating likes and reactions. This was about materialising that pristine and noble quality that is still very much alive in our species.

Capturing this feeling was quite intense with a person involved, so, the true challenge for me was to capture the human presence in this beautiful place. And, of course, I’m referring to the obvious traces that speak about our kind. The sign, the boat, the wires – these all are signs of human presence. And for a long time, I have been trying to avoid all of these objects. For me, landscapes were solely about nature; but after understanding, that I’m not the only one with a deep love for the outdoors, I decided to step away from my comfort zone.

The humbling lesson that I learned after crafting this story is, that we indeed should share nature with other people in an “away from the screens” sort of way. Some photographers are heavily jealous about their findings, and I’m not here to judge that. But if you are one of those, consider to at least once share your favourite place with people that still enjoy the aesthetic experience of being in the wild. It is just pointless not doing so: sharing the grandiosity of nature is the best way I know for building a solid mind-set about keeping our planet safe for the generations to come. Conservation and sustainability are certainly not individualistic tasks; and have nothing to do with creating beautiful photographs for people to merely enjoy at the comfort of their homes across the globe via mobile screens.

This article has been published at Cowboys from Space in October 2020: Storytelling Harris