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Joris Machholz
@jorismachholz
Landscape photographer based in Germany
Three years ago I decided to make a dream come true. On top of my bucket list was to see the northern lights. With that in mind, I bought my first camera.
Nevertheless, before this journey actually took place I went on a trip to Sri Lanka with a few friends. When I was younger, I went on vacations with my family or friends and these vacations consisted mostly of a hotel visit and relaxing on the beach. I didn’t want that anymore. I wanted something completely different. And a friend of mine had already been there and joined the trip. He was our personal guide and showed us everything.
That was the start of my passion for travel; this experience brought me so much. I observed the attitude towards life of the Sri Lankan with great curiosity. I gazed at the beautiful unfamiliar landscapes with awe. That got the ball rolling.
"When I came back from both journeys, I wanted to go deeper into photography and I bought my first Sony Alpha. Also, a new motto was guiding my decisions from that time on: “Let’s make this life a wonderful adventure."
I want to live the best life I can and adventures are an indispensable part of that. Reading a story or watching movies about an adventure trigger unbearable desires and I would have loved to be there myself. I would like to climb a mountain that offers a view on a new world. I would like to walk a path that leads me to hidden places. Watch the sunset and the changing colors of the sky. Or see wild animals eating… This is what gives me peace of mind! Nature is awesome but you have to open your eyes.
"Before, as a young adolescent, I struggled in life and I didn’t know what I really wanted to do."
My parents divorced and I lost ground, I was disappointed many times during my youth, and gradually I fell into a depression without even realizing it. As if it’s getting dark and you don’t notice because you are getting used to it, even if it’s not pleasant or comfortable. I had little pleasure in the things that I did, my job wasn’t fulfilling me and I had no goals in life. I simply didn’t know where I belonged and couldn’t get out of this negative spiral myself.
After a difficult path, I managed to change my mindset. Photography helped me with this and new doors have opened for me. My passion for photography and travel helps me to concentrate on the now and to enjoy the moment when I am out. And when you get a lot of positive feedback on what you do, it’s even more fun. Now I know what I want to achieve in life and I will work for it and try my best, but even if it goes wrong, I won’t let disappointment bring me down.
"Better times will always come. Patience in life, and patience with yourself pays off - photography trains this."
I believe that in travel, it is important to see, to feel, to give attention to what actually matters in life. There are tons of unnecessary things that are given the utmost importance. Focus on the things that matter! Last year I was on a trip in Norway again (I’m a big fan of this country) and I was hiking for several days, spending the nights in my tent, having no shower and only a clear cold creek to wash, no 3-course menu – only some soup out of a bag. But who cares? I felt free and was having the best time of my life.
However, to be able to enjoy this style of traveling, of living, you need to set your mind to it. I think you have to have a connection to nature, that’s the first thing. Many people have a stronger connection to people, for the good or the worse, but more often than not, it’s for the worse as people strongly feel the need to please others and that they have to fit in the system.
"But I think, when you have your mind made up and you know what is important in your life/what matters in life, then you can enjoy everything a lot better."
"Also, for me, a key part of traveling is meeting people."
Most of them are so kind and inspiring – showing you a whole different story than you could have ever imagined. This is a big gift that the journey gives you. And of course, our planet offers so many great places and natural phenomena. It is hard to experience this feeling when you read a text about it or if you see a picture. When you climb up the mountain and you are higher than everything else, the world lies on your feet, literally, and that’s a powerful energy you have to feel by yourself – no one can tell you, no picture can provoke that, despite the power of stories and the impact of visuals.
I guess for me the most impressive moment was in Norway; I rented a car for a day and drove to the island Senja in the north. The night was cold and there was some snow on the peaks – that view was amazing. When I had arrived I hiked and climbed up the Hesten, which is a well-known peak giving access to the famous view on the gorgeous Segla. I started my hike late, considering that in winter, the days are short in Norway and the sun sets around 4pm at the end of October. Around noon I saw a few hikers coming toward me. For the rest of the day, I was alone; I had the mountain for myself! This view, this sunset (photo) gave me so much energy.
I don’t attach much importance to luxury or “comfort” (depends on your definition though), but I do want to stay safe and I am well-prepared when I head out with my survival kit on my back.
Most of the time I would leave home and start the adventure on my own. However, it’s also true that I do like to meet other people, which mostly happens in more touristic places. You get in touch automatically because you share something; the adventure and the very same moment within a particular place.
Besides, when I travel either far away or nearby, respect for nature is what defines me as a traveler. Respect for its beautiful presence, its power, its significance. I want to leave no trace, only my footprints in the mud, the grass, the snow or the sand…
"As I already said, I love these moments when my jaw drops and when you start appreciating more the details of nature, that happens more and more often."
I try to show in my captures what I see and how it makes me feel, and hope the viewer will feel the same. Nature plays an essential role in my photography and I want the people to go out and see how beautiful our planet is.
Editing plays a major role in photography. Of course you want to have the viewer’s eyes glued to your picture, that’s the aim. On the other hand, you manipulate the truth a little when you change colors or bring in some light effects. But in my opinion, it doesn’t matter. When you like the result and there is a viewer who likes your work, your job is done. In the best case, there’s one out of an X number of viewers who enjoys your style and supports you the next time again, by booking a shooting or buying a photograph. There are supporters for every style, so you can just do your own thing and get your unique look. Many pictures have been taken and you have to show the viewer the same mountain, the same lake, the same building, in your own style – that makes the image stand out from the rest.
"For my edits and my style, I have chosen the earthy tones: greens, browns, yellows, reds...often moody looks. I can find these colors in the woods and most of the time in nature, and that’s where I feel home."
Of course there are other phenomenal photographers and storytellers that have inspired me and unconsciously contributed to what is my style today, even just a little bit. One of them is Chris Burkard, such a great personality and brilliant artist. Met him in Iceland this year; what an honor. I love seeing their way of working and the results. In general, looking at the authentic work and the bumpy journey of others inspires me to do what I believe in and what I love – and by doing that, I can grow, improve, excel.
"It’s about committing mistakes, learning from them and doing it better next time. When you do what you really like, you are doing it the right way."
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