As I stand on the remote Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, I am enveloped by the wild and untamed beauty of the landscape. The wind is strong and the conditions are fast changing, but I am in my element. I am a landscape photographer and the unpredictability of nature is what makes my passion so thrilling.

I make my way to the beach, nestled within the dunes, and set up my equipment. The sun is beginning to set, casting a glow over the landscape. The wind is whipping through my hair and I can feel the sand and salt on my skin. I am in the moment, fully present, and I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

As I wait for the perfect moment, I am reminded of why I love what I do. The natural world is so powerful and majestic, and as a photographer, I am given the opportunity to capture it in all its glory. I am constantly surprised by the beauty that surrounds me, and I feel privileged to have the ability to share it with others.

And then, it happens. A moment of light that illuminates the scene and takes my breath away. I take the photo, and in that instant, I know that it will be one of my favorites. The image captures the wild, untamed beauty of Harris, and the sense of movement and unpredictability that the wind and fast-changing conditions bring to the scene.

As I pack up my gear, I am filled with a sense of satisfaction and joy. This photo is not just a representation of the beauty of the natural world, but also a reminder of the thrill and excitement of capturing it. And I invite you, the viewer, to join me in this moment, to feel the wind in your hair, the sand on your skin and to be in awe of the beauty of the wild.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF30mm f/3.5
• 30mm – f/16 – 1/3s – ISO 100

Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland

My glaze was drawn into the maze of salt marshland as it meandered into the majestic distant Hebrides’ landscape. Moments before, refreshing rain covered my footsteps, revealing a vista of vibrancy as it broke through heavy clouds. The air was mist-like, uncovering its beauty through the crisp rays of light dancing as the plough wind dissipated. I knew the location, one of my favourites, so it felt fitting to photograph the Isle of Harris on the day I entered the world (albeit 35 years after that…).

With tripod steadfast and aperture priority in motion, I began to ponder the effect my choice of settings would have. The Fujifilm GFX 50R could capture the scene, but it was my responsibility for conveying the movement, emotion and connection. Several minutes before pressing the shutter, the scene was dark, dull and void of catchlight. At that moment, I’m glad I stayed dry. In retrospect, the resulting image tells me what’s important in photography and what’s indeed trivial. I believe that a perfectly composed photo in a great location will always be average at best if the light isn’t right. Light is what matters.

Choosing a shutter speed of around a second or more would have portrayed the movement of the water as a silky mirror. However, I felt I would lose the connection with the wind and, beyond that, the true representation of the natural world. So instead, I increased the ISO to 400 and compensated for a faster shutter speed, dialled in at 1/25 of a second. I felt this optimal speed captured the moment of the elements in a dynamic way.

The Salt Marsh on South Harris is one of the highlights of my outdoor expeditions. Every morning and evening are different. It’s never the same twice. You can never really predict the weather, so spending time waiting and watching for the perfect moment is important. That’s what makes this photo special; it’s never going to happen again.

I love the resulting image in the Fujifilm Classic Negative film simulation as it highlights the harmonic colour and structural contrast. The details of the dilapidated fence in the distance and the sun-kissed grasses in the salt marsh create a sense of growth and time that one can’t replicate anywhere else. The 50mm focal length performed exceptionally when capturing the light and beauty within the scene, making the photo a one-off and something I’m very proud to have witnessed.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF50mm f/3.5
• f/16 – 1/25s – ISO 400

Salt Marsh, Northton, Isle of Harris, Scotland

As I walk through the dunes of Luskentyre Beach, the cold wind whipping through my hair, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and inspiration. The light flooding the landscape before me is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, casting an ethereal glow over the rugged terrain. Snow-capped mountains rise up in the distance, their peaks piercing the sky. In the foreground, the golden light of the marram grass waves gently in the wind. I pull out my camera, eager to capture this moment and share it with others.

The marram grass in the foreground, bathed in golden light, adds a sense of warmth and serenity to the scene. It serves as a contrast to the rugged mountains and the wild sea, creating a sense of balance. The sound of the wind and the waves crashing against the shore create a symphony that only nature can produce, and I feel a deep connection to earth and its natural beauty.

With each press of the shutter button, I am reminded of why landscape photography is such a passion of mine. The ability to capture the raw emotion of a place and share it with others is an indescribable feeling. I invite you, dear reader, to come along on this journey with me, to feel the wind in your hair, to hear the waves crashing against the shore, and to see the beauty of the natural world through my lens. As I pack up my gear, I can’t wait to return to this wild and untamed place, to capture its beauty once again.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF30mm f/3.5
• 30mm – f/11 – 1/80s – ISO 125

Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland

Neist Point Lighthouse, Isle of Skye, Scotland by Nils Leonhardt

A self-propelling blanket of low pressure sat, hugging the weathered curves of nature. The amalgamation of borders between land and sea briefly parted ways. A clear line of sight gathered momentum, only for a second before it hid away behind the folds of atmosphere. The wind was present on the peak, but it didn’t bother me. Standing steadfast with a tripod splayed at the toe, the vertical composition framed the vanishing lighthouse. I awaited an opportunity to press the shutter as the crisp morning air filled my lungs.

I was in a Scottish landscape famous for its majestic views. Situated on the very northern Isle of Skye, Neist Point, the morning shrouded the majestic grass knolls and rugged coastline. It would be around one hour before I could envision the full aspect of view. During this time, I contemplated the experience I was witnessing and wondered how many others shared the same? The scene was certainly famous amongst locals and other landscape photographers; however, I felt blessed to experience the unique lighting creation I found myself witnessing.

Slowly, the warming morning light started to reveal the basking beauty before me. Rays of gold shone, dissipating the thick fog. Looking to my left, the cold air splayed over the dark edge of distant cliffs mimicking a falling waterfall that disappeared before touching the ocean. A dance was unfolding as nature’s morning show began to develop.

Warm light filled the foreground as a crimson pallet engulfed the growing shadows. The zig-zagging path I once walked began to gleam with glossy overtones as it soaked the morning freshness. Everything seemed to unfold to the sun’s ray as if were clockwork, timed to reveal the stagnate lighthouse which sat precariously against the ocean swell.

My Fujifilm GFX 50R camera, combined with the wider element of the GF32-64mm and ND filter, was brilliant in deciphering the vivid golden-green and the pristine paintwork of the manufactured structure. I couldn’t help but feel small in the giant landscape as I watched the unapproachable seabird dance in the distant breeze.

Taking in a fresh breath of air, I anticipated the image before me. Awaiting the tranquil moment and extending my exposure to half a second – the shutter button moved as the frame began to develop. The resulting photo is reminiscent of the fragile nature of the earth and how it can reveal itself with a sense of awe and wonder. I feel privileged to be often the only one to witness its wondrous beauty. Capturing a landscape is mostly a solitary affair, but somehow when the image is shared, along with a recount of the experience, a bond builds with the viewer and scene. Along with the connection to nature, this sharing of an experience drives me to escape the world and find the next encounter.

Each day is different, and the scenes I stumble upon are like no other in space or time – they are all unique and just as beautiful as the next.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF32-64mm f/4
• 32mm – f/18 – 0.5s – ISO 100
• LEE Landscape Polariser, 0.6 Med Grad

Neist Point, Isle of Skye, Scotland

I set out on a cold winter evening, the landscape covered with floating light and the ground partly blanketed in snow. My breath forms a cloud in front of me as I trudge through the field, the crunching of snow beneath my boots the only sound. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of exhilaration, the frosty air invigorating and the stillness of the winter landscape palpable.

As I walked, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the field in a warm, golden light. The frost on the grass sparkled like diamonds, and the trees at the edge of the field stood like sentinels, their branches etched in ice. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace as I set up my camera, the cold biting at my fingers as I adjusted the settings.

I took my time composing the shot, looking through the viewfinder and adjusting my angle to capture the perfect composition. The simplicity and minimalism of the scene before me was breathtaking and I knew that this was the shot I had come for.

With a steady tripod, I pressed the shutter button and as I looked at the image on the back of my camera, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me. The field, blanketed in frost, the trees standing like sentinels, etched in ice, it was a moment frozen in time, a piece of natural beauty captured forever.

I couldn’t wait to share this experience, this moment of awe and beauty, with the world. As I made my way back home, the cold forgotten, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to capture such beauty and for the power of photography to share it with others.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF100-200mm f/5.6
• 150mm – f/11 – 1/4s – ISO 100

Erzgebirge, Sachsen, Germany

Featured in the monthly LEE Filters YourView gallery in April 2021; selected and commented by renowned Ross Hoddinott.

Ore Mountain Blue Hour, Saxony, Germany

Observing the frigid grey skies and experiencing the cold air chill on my brow was enough to make me move hastily from the car. The symphony of setting up my tripod was now a masterful art, and with my camera mounted, I could turn my attention to the main event. Awaiting a colour pallet to filtrate the sky, I stood in amazement. Snow had fallen over the course of the last days, creating a perfectly white soft powdery blanket over my local habitat. The Ore Mountains, a rural setting in Eastern Germany, normally don’t offer the opportunity for creating on-point masterpieces. In winter, however, this is different.

Germans are known for their simple, clean lines when it comes to design, and as a landscape photographer, I adopt the same principles. The connection with the environment coupled with nature’s symmetry is a recipe for a photograph. I would say I’m obsessed with structure and composition. Moreover, I think I have a sort of reductionist mind. This framework really determines my photography, and constrains it at the same time.

Frosty Morning, Ore Mountains, Germany

After photographing the beautiful scenery, I had time to reflect upon my outing. The components in this collection present a simplistic yet complex intertwine of nature and the elements. Take, for example, the photo I titled “Lone Tree”: what caught my eye at the time was beyond the obvious isolation. If you look carefully, you can see the tree’s left windward side remains frozen, whereas the right seems void of white. While I cannot capture the wind, I certainly managed to photograph its element and impact on the tree. These small things are important to me when creating artwork.

Lone Tree, Ore Mountains, Germany

Turning my attention to what I call ‘Snow Soldiers’; I was fascinated by the spruce trees’ matchstick-like repetitive formation. Even at a distance, they could be mistaken for protecting the mystery of the forest behind them. The position of the front row of the conifer forest in the landscape would mean I could adopt different photographic techniques to capture their beauty.

First, while the light was beginning to warm, I wielded my Fujinon GF100-200mm lens to marry my capable GFX 50R Medium Format camera. In anticipation of the next glimpse of colour, I rested the lens to the widest position and turned my attention to timing. Moments passed, watching how the elements constantly changed the scenery. The warm rays of sunlight seemed to dance, embossing the mystic low-cloud and fog that engulfed the forest.

Snow Soldiers, Ore Mountains, Germany

Not to miss a perfect opportunity, I kept my aperture at f11 and recomposed. My new shutter speed was minutely faster as, by now, some of the warm light had passed. However, it didn’t matter as the scene through my viewfinder was perfect enough to be brilliant without the glow. Filling the frame at 160mm, the isometric pines felt light, and they belonged on top of a cake. Their icing outlined each branch as they descended to the left of the frame. The sky added the perfect hue of colour to ensure the contrasting nature of the branches stood proud. There was a sense of stillness in the image I had longed to capture. This is why I was out here in the cold.

Pop-Art Winter-Trees, Ore Mountains, Germany

Realising how fortunate I was, I hiked further into the landscape. The light began to unveil the surrounding beauty further. Turning my attention to one of the highest points, I noticed a large frosty tree. Its frozen limbs were locked as they clambered toward the heavens. The sense of new growth was emphasised due to the sun enlightening its canopy. The golden blanket permeated on the pristine white highlights creating effervescence life in the branches above. I could only begin to imagine how this tree started in life and how many decades it stood steadfast in this environment. I’m a mere mortal compared to its lifetime.

Frosty Tree, Ore Mountains, Germany

Looking back, I find myself lucky to live in such a place. Here, I am with the beauty of nature at my doorstep. As a landscape photographer, it’s my aim to enlighten people with natures’ rich diversity many people miss. Having some downtime is more important than watching the latest television show or indulging in social media. Instead, I much rather explore my creativity and passion for the outdoors and share it with the world.

Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany, January 2021

O Arzgebirg, wie bist du schie,
mit deine Wälder, ihr Wiesen, Barg on Tol,
in Winter weiß, in Sommer grü.
O Arzgebirg, wie bist du schie!
Be Regn on Sonnenschei, öb’s stöbert, störmt on schneit.
be Tog on Nacht, obnd oder früh,
wie haamlich klingst du doch, du deitsche Mottersproch!
O Arzgebirg, wie bist du schie!

Shot using a Fujifilm X-S10 paired with a Fujinon XF90mm f/2.0 and XF35mm f/1.4. Thank you to Fujifilm for letting me test the camera on complimentary basis.

Schneeberg, Erzgebirge, Germany

There is something different about the pristine wilderness of Seilebost Beach. Located in the Outer Hebrides in the wanderlust country of Scotland, the remoteness of the location makes the air seem like it had been unexplored. As a landscape photographer, I feel united with this place in the world. I feel a strong sense of pride capturing the unique scenery. On Harris, my lens is always becoming more of an extension of my vision.

The day I took this photo quickly became a memorable one. Lingering in the dancing dunes, I positioned myself low to the ground to fulfil the foreground with a composition of grasses. The distinct dotted pixels of distant buildings were dwarfed by the majestic landscape surrounding the bay. I thought by including them, they would present a somewhat familiar, inviting perspective.

I adjusted and tightened my tripod legs. Mounting my medium format to the base and zooming out to the wider focal length of 32mm, I pondered my camera settings. A slower shutter speed would prove to be a good decision in the end as it gave me full creative control to freeze the moments. There was a sense of openness, and this was something I felt like needed to be captured. I waited for the prime opportunity to form; a mixture of the increasing breeze blended with the colourful developing hue.

Less than a second shutter speed proved to be on-point. The swaying carpet of overgrown golden spears revealed an undulating path to the water’s edge. I was able to recount the curved string-sets of whitewash as surface ripples from wind broke the pattern of the surf. Lining the horizon, the clouds kissed the tops of the distant hills providing a natural border to the scene. The Fujifilm GFX 50R’s rendition of the scene was flawless. Looking into the image now, I feel like I’m able to relive the moment thanks to the incredible pixel quality from the sensor. 

While we are on the subject of equipment quality, I had no idea a small flock of gulls was present in the photo! It certainly is the little things like this that make me stop and take a moment to ponder the gloriousness of a scene. Sometimes as people, we tend to rush into things instead of taking the time to appreciate what’s around us. So, as a creative, through my photos, I hope that you also experience the planet’s heartbeat and appreciate the wonders of nature.

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF32-64mm f/4
• f/16 – 0.6s – ISO 100 – 32mm
• LEE Landscape Polariser, 0.6 Soft Grad

Seilebost Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland, September 2020.

Featured in the monthly LEE Filters YourView gallery in November 2020; selected and commented by renowned Jordan Banks.

Vajolet Towers

Alpe di Siusi

Latemar

Approaching Plattkofel

Langkofel Group

Alpe di Siusi & Langkofel Group

Light Galore, Plattkofel

Last Light on Langkofel

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

― Soren Kierkegaard

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR, Fujinon GF32-64mm F4 R LM WR
• LEE Filters
• Gitzo GK100T

Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, June 2020

“All is flux, nothing stays still”

― Plato

• Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50R
• Lens: Fujinon GF32-64mm F4 R LM WR
• LEE Filters, Gitzo Tripod

Elbsandsteingebirge, Sächsische Schweiz, Germany, May 2020