Inspired by his Alpine upbringing, Jannik began photographing in 2021 to capture the world’s beauty. Through his journey, he’s gained insights into creativity, self-appreciation, and light’s transformative role. Join him as he shares the story behind his winning photo and reflects on his photography path.
My passion for traveling and photography is a by-product of my longtime love for nature, mountains, and the great outdoors. As a child, I spent a lot of time in the European Alps and roaming the forests in my hometown, and this love was cemented there. As a result, I picked up a camera in 2021 to try to capture the beauty of nature as I perceive it. There were wonderful moments during this time, and a photo and a memory complete these moments for me.
The first time I went to the mountains as a kid was one of the most important moments. I still remember how impressed I was by their size and beauty. Also, my first camping trip in 2021 kindled my passion for photography – it was the first time I tried to shoot on a journey.
Over the years, I have come to realize some important lessons. One important realization is that I shouldn’t compare myself to other people so often. Healthy self-criticism is always good, but social media gives us the impression that every post has to be perfect. This “bangers only” philosophy quickly makes you feel demotivated and overwhelmed by other people’s work. Creativity can also suffer greatly, yet looking at your work, recognizing your progress, and finding your style is incredibly important. Find a new composition, go to a new place. Find other perspectives.
Another thing I wish I realized sooner is how important it is to pick up the camera and get out there. I always thought that my home could have been more exciting. But you can only sometimes photograph the highest mountains and most beautiful lakes. The greatest art is to find the beauty in the ordinary. That’s why you should take every opportunity to go out and take photos.
I have learned to appreciate moments more. As a photographer, you focus completely on your camera and compositions. When I go out with my camera, I make sure I perceive my surroundings with my senses, not the lens. I actively lower the camera and appreciate and enjoy the nature around me, even for only a few seconds. These moments are so important to me because I take photos because of my love for nature.
And another lesson is quite simple: understanding light. Of course, this is one of the basics of photography. But, when I understood how light influences my photos and what it does, my work took a huge step forward.
I set off on a sunrise mission to the Seiser Alm in the Dolomites on this day. I experienced a magical morning there. This picture was taken after sunrise when I was heading to the next mountain hut. The sun was high enough to create these beautiful rays on the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto.
Regarding the composition, my favorite background motif by far is the mountains – especially in such conditions with the rays of light, and the golden atmosphere is just perfect in my eyes. The Dolomites are always magnificent and suitable for any motif. In line with the tree, the two huts are the best addition for me, as are the undulating meadows in the foreground.
This picture was taken during an autumn sunrise in the Dolomites, so I wanted to emphasize the golden glow in the image and bring out the warm tones. I wanted more texture in the sunrays and to work with direct light since it was shot against the sun.
About the post-production process, these were the basic steps I followed:
1) Cropping and preset
2) Bring down highlights to emphasize the sun’s rays
3) Turn up shadows for the foreground
4) Masking where the sun comes from —> Turn up brightness and temp
5) More dynamic and contrast
6) Turn down the greens
7) Lose some saturation in the yellows
My trip to the Allgäu region in the fall of 2023 was a turning point in my photography journey. I was there alone, and for the first time, I went on a journey mostly for photography. I chased several sunrises and sunsets and realized what this hobby gives me. It was a week full of learning processes and great experiences. Still, above all, I discovered how strongly the fire of photography burns within me, which motivated me even more to keep going.
Yet, photography is a hobby, and I would like to keep it that way, as I’m worried that I’ll burn out too quickly and lose my passion. Nevertheless, I plan to sell my prints to others and earn extra money – the best form of praise for my work and fills me with pride.
Furthermore, I always strive to get better in this field. Unfortunately, I often quickly become dissatisfied with older images and only like my most recent work. In the future, I want to find a happy medium between proper self-criticism and my expectations.
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