Magnus is a wildlife photographer known for his moody and artistic approach to capturing animals in their natural habitat. His primary passion is bird photography, and his image of a Ural owl chick won Best of Week 4, 2025. With a deep passion for nature and creative expression, he transforms wildlife photography into an immersive experience that resonates deeply with viewers.
My passion for wildlife photography began some time ago. It is rooted in my lifelong love for animals and the belief that every species holds equal value. I was also drawn to artistic expression from a young age, primarily through painting and other creative pursuits. Thus, it wasn’t a surprise that I was most interested in capturing animals when I finally purchased a camera and a telephoto lens.
Small bird photography is what first captivated my attention. It started with simple snapshots and soon evolved into something more significant. I began developing my distinct style, characterized by moodier edits, which has since gained considerable popularity.
While some argue that wildlife photography should remain untouched because it doesn’t represent reality, I see editing as a tool to enhance storytelling—just as black and white photography shapes mood and meaning. For me, editing is another level of photography; it allows creativity to flourish and transforms photos into pieces of art rather than just great images.
I use Lightroom Classic to edit all my photos. I have created some presets that serve as a base, which speeds up my color grading process. In the beginning, it could take hours to edit a single photo, but now it usually takes up to 20 minutes if needed. I often darken the bottom of the photo to naturally draw the viewer’s eyes toward the eyes of the animal. My goal is to capture the souls of the animals and showcase the beauty of nature. I present each photograph with a color palette that evokes the feeling of stepping into a fairytale. Through my edits, I strive to convey the emotion and essence of each moment, allowing viewers to connect with the scene on a deeper level.
I believe my color theme, combined with the strategic use of gradient filters to enhance lighting and shadows, is a defining element of my edits. These techniques help make the image “pop” and bring it to life. It was a journey of learning and evolving to master this technique and to find the style and colors that I resonate with. I started out being inspired by different styles from various photographers and I’m constantly discovering new ways to edit and refine my photos. A pro tip for finding your style: don’t replicate someone else’s; instead, be inspired by others, take what you like most, and create something uniquely yours!
Some other tips I could give specifically for wildlife photography are:
1) Patience is key. It takes time and persistence to capture great images of wildlife.
2) Consistency pays off. Focus on what you love rather than chasing fleeting viral trends. Dedication and passion will reward you in the long run.
3) Respect the wild. This is something everyone should prioritize—honoring and protecting the natural world is fundamental.
4) Adopt the right mindset. You won’t always encounter wildlife, and that’s okay. Learn to cherish the experience of being in nature, and consider the photographs a bonus.
For the image that won Best of the Week 4, 2025, I was lucky to encounter two Ural owl chicks when I was out at night with a friend, hoping to encounter wildlife. It is one of my most cherished encounters in the wild. The owls were just a couple of weeks old and sat there curiously, observing us. After a while, one of them flew away, but the other lingered a bit longer—giving me the perfect moment to capture this photograph.
When we spotted this owl, the sun had already set, leaving the light less than ideal. My initial settings featured a slightly high ISO paired with a faster shutter speed, so I began by taking a quick shot. When I realized the owl didn’t mind being photographed, I adjusted my settings for better quality, lowering the ISO to 1400. In post-processing, I applied denoising, masked the background to darken it, and ensured the owl became the focal point of the image. I then carried out color grading and subtly enhanced the subject to create the final result.
These kinds of stunning shots, that I took during a beautiful experience, are most valuable to me. At the same time, my greatest achievement so far was winning the EISA Photographer of the Year award in 2023. The photos that won the contest were a series of my best bird portraits. First, I competed before a national jury and won, which allowed me to enter the international competition – and I won that too! It was an incredible experience that boosted my self-confidence and validated my work. As an artist, it’s common to feel like your creations aren’t good enough, but this recognition reminded me that my efforts are worthwhile. Achievements like these not only motivate you to strive for perfection but also provide a sense of relaxation and fulfillment in knowing that your work has made an impact.
This recognition has opened up opportunities that have significantly boosted my visibility and publicity. While photography remains a passion rather than a full-time career for now, each captured moment brings me closer to that dream—one frame at a time.
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