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Katha M.
@fotokathagrafie
Best of the week 39 at #nomadict 2022
I’ve enjoyed taking pictures since I was a teenager – back then I borrowed my stepfather’s analog camera and filled one film after another. A few years ago I bought my first professional camera. Unfortunately, it took a long time before the camera and I became friends. I didn’t really know how to use it or what combinations of settings would yield the best result, so most of my pictures ended up directly in the trash. Every time I took a good photo, it was more luck than skill. Yet, in my mind, I always knew what I wanted the picture to look like in the end.
As time passed, I became more aware of the subject, attended a photography course, read a lot, and tried things out. In fact, the pandemic also plays a big role in this – suddenly there was so much time as other things were no longer possible. I got more involved in photography and was out in nature a lot. I had so many ideas and visions of where I wanted to take photos, how I wanted to set up the image, how I wanted the result to look, etc.. I wasn’t ready to give up just because I didn’t really understand everything yet. I wanted to keep learning.
At some point I found the Blackforestgraphers on Instagram and luckily became a part of that community. It’s great to meet other photography enthusiasts and share your hobby with them. Since then, I have gained many new impressions and insights, and there is never a question we can’t help each other with. Through the group, I also got to know a lot of new spots. This is ideal because I am always in the mood to discover new sceneries!
When exploring and photographing, it is very important to me to always pay attention to nature and to my own safety. If you visit spots that you already know from pictures, quite regularly you quickly realize that some of them can only be taken if you exceed a barrier or ignore a prohibition sign, for example. But no picture in the world is worth putting ourselves or nature in danger; there is no life B and no planet B.
About 1.5 years ago, I changed my camera system and switched to a mirrorless full-frame camera. This made me realize that it is incredibly important to find the right system for yourself. Since I got the new camera, my images have changed and improved tremendously. It’s so much more fun, and I get along so much better with the camera now which enables me to focus on other aspects of photography rather than mainly the camera..;
Therefore, to anyone who wants to get a camera to start out in the world of photography, I would recommend taking your time to look at the differences between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera, consider how the various cameras from the multiple manufacturers feel in the hand and how their menus are structured. There are always so many discussions about which manufacturer is the best…
"In my opinion, the best camera is always the one you get along with and with which you can really realize your visions."
In 2021 I took the next step: editing. Following my learning path, this was the subsequent area to focus on. I try out a lot and learn a lot, every time again. When editing, however, it is always important to me not to change the image too much. I want my pictures to remain authentic and show the real conditions.
A good example is the image that won the Best of the Week at Nomadict. The picture was taken in the Mont Blanc region, where I spent a few days in the summer of 2022. At some point, I saw a picture of this region and ever since, I wanted to go there myself. I arrived there very late, in the dark, and as a result I couldn’t see anything of the surroundings. The next morning, when I took the first step out of the hotel, I was overwhelmed by the epic view. Mountains that looked like sharp-edged shark teeth left me speechless, and I could not wait to get a little bit closer.
"From the top station of the Aiguille du Midi I had a fantastic view of these impressive mountains and witnessed a play of light with the sun and the clouds."
Exactly at this moment, I took the image. I don’t remember how long I stood there watching the clouds dance, the scenery changing from one minute to the next, and the climbers leaving – making their way to Mont Blanc. Seeing all this brought me so much peace inside and I suddenly felt so incredibly small but happy. When editing, it was important to me to emphasize the details of the light as well as the cool temperatures. I like it when pictures not only show a subject, but also a mood and I want the viewer to literally feel how icy it was there. In this image, it was the mix of the warm sunlight and the cool blue that I used to evoke exactly that.
Photography has changed my view of how I perceive my environment and has opened my eyes to the little things that can be found in nature. It has also taught me not to give up, but to keep going when there is something you enjoy and are passionate about. You never stop learning and there is so much to explore. You just have to be open to it. This mindset helps me to discover a variety of subjects and styles in photography – minimalistic sceneries, architecture, as well as long exposures, landscapes, and small little details. And nowadays, photography and being out there in nature, hiking through our world, helps me find a balance next to my job. That’s why it has become a really important part of my life, and I prioritize my days accordingly!
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