© 2020 Nomadict. All rights reserved.
Gaute Lorentsen
@gautelorentsen
Best of the week 29 at #nomadict 2021
When my girlfriend and I were visiting Vesterålen, in northern Norway, we knew we wanted to climb a mountain during the midnight sun. We were unsure which one to choose; some locals recommended a popular route, but we suspected that the sun was going to be blocked by a nearby mountain. We scoured the internet and found an obscure travel blog with a single picture from a mountain top that had an incredible view.
"We gambled on that one picture and decided to hike that mountain."
It turned out to be the best decision we could have made. The view from the top was sublime, and we had perfect conditions with the midnight sun in the sky. We had a 360-degree view of sweeping landscapes and innumerable mountain peaks bathing in the glow of the sunbeams.
The day prior to the hike was spent exploring the Vesterålen islands with grey, overcast weather. The weather cleared up just in time for the hike and was pretty much perfect until the morning. It was my first time seeing the midnight sun, so the moment we reached the top of the mountain was truly breath-taking. As the hike took us up from a valley behind the back of the mountain, we had no idea what to expect. The feeling of reaching the top and experiencing that view was indescribable.
"The sort of moment we live to experience, and to capture for others to experience too. That’s the beauty of photography."
I wanted to capture the rays of sunlight and the glowing sky amongst the mountains and keep the picture as true as possible to the feeling I had standing there. If you look closely, you can spot me and my girlfriend. I like to include people in my pictures to give the landscape the sense of scale it deserves, and to let the viewer imagine what it must feel like to be standing there.
As with most of the drone pictures I take, this one is a panoramic HDR. The dynamic range of the drone isn’t the greatest, and when shooting from the sky the contrast between the shadows and the highlights is often very significant. As you can see in the picture, the sun is very bright and the ground very dark. The HDR enables me to save some of those details. Stitching a pano-shot is a good trick to make the drone shots stand out and give them a unique wider look.
"With the editing, I wanted to emphasize the rays of light peeking through the mountains."
I wanted to achieve a contrast between the light from the sun and the darker foreground, making sure our silhouettes are clearly visible. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to editing. There have been times before where I’ve scrapped all of my work and restarted the whole editing process because there was something I didn’t like about the picture. I would say that I edit my pictures heavily; not to look unrealistic but enough to get the look I envisaged. Every photo goes through a lengthy process of editing, first in Lightroom to get it approximately to where I want, then to Photoshop to tweak the colors, light and contrast.
Besides doing photography as a passion and as a freelancer I’m also a full-time software engineering student, so my days are kept pretty busy. As a freelancer, I’m doing real estate shoots regularly and have a contract with a firm that gives me jobs. It’s a secure and great source of income. However, one thing I have realized in the past year is how important it is to take time off. Taking a moment each day to focus on something you love, something other than work or school, has been crucial to avoid burnout and maintain my mental health and wellbeing. Photographing anywhere in nature, going to the gym for a few hours or watching a movie really helps me unwind.
"In addition, giving myself the time to work on what I love helps me grow and achieve goals."
I have been increasingly focussed on selling and licensing my work. I have launched my own printing shop, and gotten some sales there, and had some companies reach out to me to license my pictures. It’s always a confidence boost to see someone requesting your work.
Aside from this, I’ve used the summer to travel around Norway, getting back to nature and making content I’m passionate about. I live a few hours from some of the most amazing landscapes you could imagine, and I want to get better at making the time to explore. It’s not the most common to say, but it’s important to deliberately add the things that make you happy to your schedule – whatever it may be. It’s those moments that make a huge difference in how you experience your days.
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK DECEMBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK NOVEMBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK OCTOBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK SEPTEMBER 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK AUGUST 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK JULY 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK JUNE 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK MAY 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK APRIL 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK MARCH 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY 2020
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY 2020
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.
