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Leon Plamp
@lplamp
Landscape and wildlife photographer based in Germany
I would often go on long vacations to Switzerland with my family as a child. It was the place, where I first noticed the beauty of our planet and decided I wanted to go on adventures. While growing up, I would often take myself off on a little adventure into the forest and just be by myself.
"This propensity for going off on trips has given me many great, unexpected memories."
One such memory was when I was confronted by a fully-grown, red deer with a magnificent set of antlers. I was only a child when I walked through the forest for many kilometers, feeding the various types of birds and quick & agile squirrels. While doing so, I heard some rustling in the bushes. Understandably, I had a feeling of trepidation within me. Is there something that is about to attack me? I didn’t know. So I turned my body towards the sound. And there it was, the fully-grown red deer just standing there. It looked straight into my eyes and did not avert its gaze for what seemed like a millennium.
"We were locked in a staring contest and it stood only a few feet away from me."
At that moment, I like to think we shared a particular bond. It was as if we had the complete trust of each other that we would not hurt one another. And I believe this solo event shaped me and my image of nature. So much so that I had to go out, again and again, seeking encounters just like this one. For me, this encounter’s whole setting, with the red deer as the protagonist, symbolized the forest’s beauty and all the animals that inhabit it.
With my camera, I can show people my perspective via my images and captured moments like I had when I saw the red deer. I feel free and can give free rein to my emotions. While photographing, I forget everything that is currently on my mind and everything else that is around me. My only focus is looking down my camera lens to find that one photographic opportunity that will make my day.
"So for me, photography is more of a lifestyle than a hobby."
Perhaps I have different interests than other photographers. There are thousands upon thousands of people who take their camera to photograph buildings or people. But this doesn’t really interest me; the buildings never move, and people, well, they can be easily manipulated to do what you want them to. Now, imagine a lynx. It is perched directly in front of you with its beautiful thick fur, just waiting for you to take a picture. Now! Now! Now! Take the photo, you think to yourself. But you only have a split second to be able to capture the image you would like. At that very moment, adrenaline surges through your body, and you stop breathing. This is the deep connection to nature I was telling you about. It makes my pounding heart feel as if it will jump out of my chest. And this is why I prefer photography in nature.
Things like this are the reason why I get goosebumps when I’m taking photographs. When an animal has frozen ahead of me, I observe it until I am firmly convinced that NOW is the moment when I must press the shutter.
All these years later, the deer is still the animal that captivates me the most. His way of life. How he behaves in the woods. For me, he is the king of the forest. When you meet a deer, you’ll know what I mean. Whether he is alone or not, you can see and feel his majestic appearance combined with his respectful nature—a truly remarkable animal to be around.
"I don't just capture shots of wildlife, though. I also enjoy the landscape and nature side of photography."
The pictures you can see on my Instagram account were all taken in Switzerland, which, as I told you, was where I spent most of my childhood. These images show the world in which I would love to live because my dream is to live in a small, wooden hut on the side of a mountain there. Being in that environment allows you to let yourself go and be free.
"So you could say that landscape photography reminds me of my past and the life I wish to live someday in the future."
My view of nature hopefully comes through in my images. I like to make my photos seem more mysterious by editing them in a dark-style. Most people overexpose their photos, listening far too much to the foolish motto, “the main thing is a lot of light.” So via my images, I want to show the viewer that not everything has to be bright to be beautiful.
One photo that is close to my heart and brings back terrific memories is of the lynx. Even now, as I take time to glance at the image, it feels as if I can stare at him for hours and forget everything else going on in the world. I still feel that connection with this majestic creature.
"She showed me, at a moment in time when I was going through a difficult period, how beautiful the world can be."
While taking that photo, she gave me such joy and a deep emotional connection that I will never forget. No matter how often I look into her eyes, I can see her pure soul, which gives me goosebumps. My breath even skips a few beats, and if I’m having a bad day, it helps me to start believing in the good of the world again. That’s the power of photography for me.
"Each trip has had its own unique impact on me. I think all of my adventures have been important and helped me to become the person I am today."
Therefore I couldn’t pick just one favorite moment while traveling. There are some people who have had a massive impact on my life. Some have said I would never achieve anything with my photos, which caused me to go through hell at first. But then I realized something profound. It’s that I believe in myself, and I can achieve my dreams without listening to the naysayers. I’m glad I fought and resisted against others’ negative opinions and told myself that someday I will be the one photographer everyone looks up to. Because without doing that, I would never be where I am today.
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