© 2020 Nomadict. All rights reserved.
Sabrina Von Bein
@die_raubritterin
Best of the week 43 at #nomadict 2022
In 2008, I received my first SLR from my uncle. From then on, I took many photos during my trips, but I was never satisfied with my results. I always had the feeling that something was missing from my photos. Then, in 2017, I joined a local photo club. That was the first time I heard about composition rules, RAW format, and the possibilities and power of editing. Gathering all this information and applying it to my work was a big step!
Another step forward was when I photographed solely using the manual settings for one year. In the beginning, most of the photos failed, but after some weeks, I got a feeling for the correct settings. Since then, my photography skills have developed continuously. Even today, I learn something new with every further photo excursion, and two years ago, I switched to mirrorless full-frame cameras. Their dynamic range and image stabilizer are magnificent and open up new possibilities.
For me, photography and traveling are a perfect combination of what I love to do. The phrase “traveling or hiking without my camera is like going on a honeymoon without taking my husband with me” applies to me quite well. And Germany and its landscapes have contributed to this journey.
I live in upper Bavaria near the alps, so most of my photos are taken during hiking trips. During the pandemic, I learned to appreciate the beauty of my homeland again, and I can say that I am blessed to live in such a beautiful corner of Germany.
In my home area, I also had the opportunity to develop my style. In this regard, I must be at the right place on top of the mountain before sunrise or sunset. I am in love with the golden hour and the warm tones. My landscape pictures have intense colors, and a blurred foreground makes photos more interesting for me. Images of mountains may also make it easier to appear majestic, as most people are fascinated by this force of nature.
I captured the winning photo in a unique region. Visiting South Tyrol, Italy, was on my bucket list for a long time. The alarm clock rang at 4 a.m. It was not easy for me to leave the warm hotel bed as it was freezing outside.
In the dark, I had to wait about one hour till sunrise. However, it is a great feeling when the day begins, the birds start singing, and the first rays of sunshine reach the summit. Moments like this make you forget every effort.
My want-to-shoot motif was not possible due to the prolonged drought this year. The Lago di Braies had less water than anticipated, so I had to find another composition. Two days before I took the winning photo, I visited the lake in the afternoon to have a first overview of the local conditions. If possible, I always scout out a new location before a shoot. Then I am more relaxed about shooting the photo I want. That is why I chose the aerial view, and for the composition, it was not relevant to see the mountain reflected in the lake. I wanted the yellow larches to frame the lake and draw more attention to the peak gently kissed by the first sunlight.
Back home and while editing, I used one of my presets for this landscape shot. To retain some detail, I brightened up the shadows and mid-tones a little bit. The sky and the mountain in the background were a bit too bright. That is why I reduced the highlights. I increased the saturation of yellow and blue tones and reduced the clarity of the whole photo for a dreamy look. For the next step, I added a radial filter to darken the edges in the lower section to direct the view to the mountain. The final step was adding some dodge and burn. To crop the photo and decide which look/preset fits best were steps that I completed beforehand.
"I feel like capturing this image taught me an important lesson. Always think outside the box!"
If it is impossible to take the photo you had in mind, it is always worth a new try with another composition. It is worth a mint to scout out a new location before you want to shoot.
Then, the most crucial ingredients for a great landscape photo are the following, in my opinion:
(1) It does not matter how spectacular the landscape is if you do not manage to convey emotions
(2) I am in love with the warm tones of sunrise and sunset. Such photos are always appealing to me right away
(3) Blurred flowers or rocks in the foreground give depth to the picture
(4) And lastly, the use of leading lines.
Making a living as a photographer is not easy. So I feel proud because my photos are part of travel guides and other books. I regularly take part in photo exhibitions with my local photo club. It is always something special to see your photos printed. The more you show yourself to the public, the faster your work will be recognized!
Social media is a big way to draw attention to find new customers. Of course, it would be a dream for me to develop my landscape photography more professionally. Capturing photographs for hotels and tourism regions would be a possibility. I am excited to see where the journey will take me and my camera!
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
BEST OF THE WEEK JUNE 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK MAY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK APRIL 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK MARCH 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY 2021
NOMADICT
ART GALLERY
THE LATEST STORIES
WRITEN WITH PASSION TO INSPIRE YOU
Oliver Torreño (@olitc): Best of the week 39 at #nomadict 2024
This article delves into Oliver’s inspiring journey, the techniques behind his craft, and his aspirations to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.
Joshua Mallett (@joshua.mallett): Best of the week 38 at #nomadict 2024
Joshua’s passion for travel and photography has always been intertwined, each inspiring the other. Photography drives him to explore unfamiliar terrains in search of the perfect shot, often leading to spontaneous adventures. The unexpected moments he captures reflect his belief that the best frames are found off the beaten path, where unique compositions and fresh perspectives set his work apart.
Maksym Mazur (@withmazur): Best of the week 35 at #nomadict 2024
Mazur’s journey intertwines his love for travel with a deep commitment to capturing the world’s fleeting beauty. His work often reflects his awe of nature, such as in his image of the jungle that won Best of the Week at Nomadict, taken from above at sunset with perfect timing and serendipity.
Katarina Batuta Višekruna (@katarina_mandarina): Best of the Year 2023 at #nomadict
From the wild beauty of Vermillion Cliffs to the depths of Mexico’s cenotes, Katarina’s work reflects a deep connection with the environment and a love for visual storytelling. With 18 years of experience and the co-founding of her production company, HiishiiPhoto, Katarina continues to evolve her craft. Katarina’s photo of the Vermillion Cliff was chosen for Best of the Year 2023 by the Nomadict community.
Alex Pantela (@alexpantela): Photographer based in Cyprus
In this article, Alex Pantela shares strategies to deepen your connection with nature through content creation, his favorite environments to stay creative, techniques for storytelling, the vision behind his work and editing style, and most valuable lessons!
Arnaud Ribeiro (@arnaud_ribeiro): Best of the week 26 at #nomadict 2024
Arnaud’s journey into photography began in 2023, inspired by a friend’s breathtaking road trip photos. Starting with a basic drone and a desire to capture the beauty around his home, his passion quickly grew, leading him to invest in a camera and fully immerse himself in the craft. Though still early in his journey, Arnaud’s dedication to practice, patience, and embracing mistakes has already shaped his evolving style. One of his images won the Best of the Week at Nomadict.
Cuno de Bruin (@cunodebruin): Best of the week 33 at #nomadict 2024
From his early days experimenting with a DSLR to capturing breathtaking drone shots in the mountains, Cuno’s work reflects his love for storytelling through images. In this article, he shares the experiences and lessons that shaped his career, from winning awards to balancing his creative pursuits with family life.
Harry Sohal (@harrysohalphoto): Photographer based in Canada
In this article, photographer and creative director Harry shares his journey from a college hobbyist to a professional creative, rediscovering his passion during the pandemic. He delves into his approach to capturing authenticity, his techniques for brand promotion, and the tools he uses to achieve a distinct, film-like aesthetic.
