Photo tour in Azores, Portugal
Join us in the Azores for a unique photo tour, where you’ll elevate your creative skills with expert guidance from Ronald Soethje, Bruno Ázera, and Nomadict.
Konstantin Exploring
@konstantinexploring
Photographer based in Ukraine
Meet Konstantin, a passionate traveler and photographer inspired by those who use their cameras to capture the world’s beauty and meaning. He aims to make each photo as unforgettable as the moment itself, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude and cherishing the present moment.
My love for travel and photography was inspired by the people I met – those who used their cameras to make the world look beautiful and meaningful. To make people smile and imagine. Their ability to do that sparked my excitement for exploration and creation.
As I traveled the world, my connection with photography deepened. I realized how a single photo could transport me through time, filling me with joy and nostalgia. It became a passion to capture the complete emotional experience and interpretation of a place in one picture. I am constantly thinking about how to make a picture as unforgettable as the experience.
I love the way nature is unpredictable. You might anticipate a sunny day in the woods, only to find yourself in a misty, rainy forest. Even though you might get soaked, witnessing how nature flourishes in the rain, turning lush green, is truly captivating. Then, the sun may break through, and the steam rises from every plant in the warm sunlight. It reminds me that beauty surrounds us in every season and weather. We are beautiful creatures of nature, deeply interconnected with it, and we should relish the gift of life in every moment. Hence, everything and every moment around us is worth capturing.
Four valuable lessons
That said, although we do aim for the best photographs, getting too occupied with that will make us lose sight of what matters, being grateful for the moment itself.
To illustrate this point, let me share my experience in the Dolomites. I had dreamed of visiting this stunning region in Italy for many years. When I finally arrived, I had only brought along my trusty 35mm lens, while it seemed like everyone else had these impressive and expensive telephoto lenses. People were patiently waiting for the ideal lighting conditions, some even extending their wait into the late night hours to capture the Milky Way.
I set up my tripod, and with the assistance of my girlfriend, I ventured to the designated spot. I took a few test shots, waited for about an hour to avoid the crowd, and returned to capture another 50-100 images while she guided me over the phone from a considerable distance. We invested quite a bit of time in this endeavor, but upon reviewing our work at home, I realized that the very first image I took was, in fact, the best one.
So, the key takeaway about capturing epic photos is simply being there, present in the moment—that’s it! The second crucial aspect is recognizing that the current moment is already perfect. These experiences have imparted some valuable lessons:
1) Instead of dwelling on potential disappointment, always consider the possibility that things could have turned out even better than expected.
2) The essence lies in the outdoor adventure itself, not just in the resulting content. Whether I end up capturing images or not, I relish the time spent in the great outdoors.
3) Fixating on finding a specific shot for too long can lead to frustration. There’s always something new to discover, so I strive to remain open to various opportunities and keep moving forward.
4) While I may not achieve the same level of online fame as some others, I am certain to derive immense joy from the time I invest in creating and sharing with you.
Exploring Costa Rica
Last year, I particularly enjoyed traveling in Costa Rica and am still enjoying sharing my experiences and creations during that trip.
Costa Rica is teeming with incredible locations. This country is truly special, having distinct ecosystems and microclimates in every corner. Of course, it’s impossible to create a movie for each of these unique places, right? Although I loved every single part of Costa Rica from what I have seen, my favorite locations were:
1) Quebrada Gata waterfall. It’s just not physically possible to take a bad shot there!
2) La Vieja Canyon, those daily rays of sun piercing through the lush depths of the canyon will do the job – just press the button.
3) La Paz Waterfall, a waterfall right in the jungle. So simple and accessible, yet, beautiful in every weather and at any time.
My objective has always been to encapsulate the essence of each location within a single photo, portraying it as the wild and beautiful gem that it truly is on our planet Earth. I aspire to capture an image that, when I reminisce about a whole national park, for instance, fills me with joy because it captures the entirety of that remarkable place.
On editing
To showcase how I approached the editing of such images, I would like to share one from Drake Bay. The image is visually segmented into distinct layers and components, which is what I find captivating about beach photography. Let me break it down for you:
First, there’s the wild and uncontrolled ocean with its vibrant crashing waves. To ensure that the dazzling foam didn’t overpower the other elements, I adjusted the brightness to tone it down.
Next, we have the serene and sunlit sand, empty of any footprints but featuring my girlfriend as the central focus. I enhanced the brightness in her area to make her stand out and emphasized the sunset hues on the sand surrounding her.
The final layer encompasses the lush forest, and there’s quite a lot of it! While its natural beauty is undeniable, it could potentially distract from the overall composition. To address this, I muted the intensity of the greens. I added generous contrast to create visual depth, while simultaneously brightening the sun’s reflections. To maintain a dreamy atmosphere, I raised the brightness in the darker areas. My personal favorite touch is reducing the clarity, allowing the colors to blend and blur, giving rise to new and harmonious shades within the image.
My four key ingredients for a great photo
1) Mindset and attitude
Even if getting to a spot was tough, let’s seize the opportunity and capture the moment to remember the journey!
2) Encapsulate the scene
I prefer to include lots of details and everything around me in the frame. Let’s fill the photo with what’s in every corner of our surroundings.
3) Don't get too obsessed
I don’t like to dwell too long if something isn’t working for a picture. There’s always a better moment waiting further along the trail. Don’t miss it.
4) Focus on color
When editing, emphasize what’s important and dim what’s not. Showcase the colors that made the moment special, and it’ll make everyone appreciate the photo.
Let’s say the raw photo is only 30% of a wonderful picture. I strive to add to every image a touch of vibrancy and contrast, aiming to make my phone screen light up with brightness when I look at the photo. My goal is to give my memories a happy and exciting look.
Future projects and ambitions
Looking at the future, I am excited to think that I can photograph inspiring architecture harmonizing with the untouched beauty of nature – villas and cabins surrounded only by animals and trees. That is the kind of scenery I would like to shoot. The possibilities are insane, you never know what it looks like from above on the drone, making it super exciting as there are no two similar villas. Every image of a home somewhere far in the wild forest evokes a special feeling in all of us. I would really like to become a photographer specializing in those luxurious places. Alternatively, I might continue to appreciate the hikes and create content that led me to connect with you in the first place.
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