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Lost Venturer
@lostventurer
Landscape photographer based in Germany
Three years ago, almost exactly from this date, I felt a sudden, spontaneous urge to go traveling. I was a bit frightened, as I had decided to travel alone. And what made the trip even more intimidating, was that I was going to Scandinavia & Russia in the middle of winter.
This week-long adventure would take me to the freezing cold capital cities of Sweden, Finland, Estonia, as well as a quick two-hour tour of St. Petersburg, Russia. During this trip, I became close friends with travelers going the same route, and this changed my life.
"I think my passion for photography originates from this first solo trip I took."
After this epic week of adventure, I reflected on how it went. I realized I was hooked on the adventurous way of life. I went from not caring too much about traveling at all, to now loving the thrill of exploration. The joy of seeing new places and meeting new people was great. This first trip to Sweden, Finland, and Estonia ignited a fire within me, which encouraged me to go on many, new epic adventures to wonderful places.
"Since I have difficulty communicating my feelings and emotions with words, I use photography to express myself."
I remember the exact moment when I decided to take photography more seriously. It was during a trip to Hallstatt, Austria. I met a friend there and showed her some pictures I had taken on my phone in the beautiful town. “You should think of doing photography, your pictures are great”, she said. Those words from my friend stuck with me. So I said, “why not?”, and I bought my first camera. I am pleased that I was able to take the leap and fortunately it paid off for me.
"I was also inspired by other photographers I have met on my travels."
And now I find myself deeply in love with travel and photography. There’s just so much to see and so many people to meet on this beautiful planet of ours. And to be able to capture all of it with my camera, that’s what I find the most fascinating.
"Photography has made me see the world in a completely different way."
It has taught me to see beauty in the small things. Whether that be the sound of the ocean, a little smile from a stranger to brighten up your day, or the extreme winds and forces of Mother Nature, these are things I never really paid attention to before. But photography has made me pay attention. I now observe my surroundings wherever I go. And that’s why this art form has a grip on me, and I hope it never lets go.
"I find it difficult to articulate why nature inspires me quite so much."
It’s just the sheer beauty that excites me and that’s what I hope I convey with my images. When I was in Iceland, looking at the landscapes, I was simply overtaken by the majesty of everything. The way the ocean meets the mountains and the different forms that the glaciers have taken. And the sheer power of the waves, knocking everything out of their path. I was simply awestruck. It made me smile and made me happy. Seeing things like this positively affects my mindset and creativity levels. It motivates me to want to keep going, exploring and capturing moments like this in an artistic way.
Humans are so small and insignificant in comparison to these mountains, oceans, glaciers and landscapes. It’s like the Earth is Mother Nature’s canvas. And knowing this, helps me be at peace, and makes conquering life’s daily challenges a bit easier.
I don’t like to just take photos of natural landscapes as I also have a deep love for cityscapes. The reason I love both is the insane contrast between the two. I was born in a major city, where the hustle and bustle never stopped. I’ve always been a fan of the metropolis where there’s always lots going on. The constant movement is interesting, but the absolute silence you can experience in the natural landscape is perfect too. It’s like an ideal blend. The simple sound of hiking in the mountains, with the relaxing sound of the waves and the droplets of rain falling from the sky. All this brings me peace and serenity.
"And the city is what brings me excitement and adrenaline. It creates a strong range of emotions within me."
"However, the challenge when taking cityscapes involves trying to recreate the emotions I felt in a scene all in one picture."
And trying to capture the right moment, with all the movement going on, can be difficult. As for landscape photography, the challenge is trying to recreate what I saw and felt there in the moment. For example, when I saw the waterfalls in Iceland, I felt at peace, which is why I captured that image using a long exposure, to get that smooth effect, which evokes a calmer feeling.
"Another challenge can be the harsh conditions I shoot in sometimes."
I remember one incident when I was in Iceland. There was a chance that I might be able to capture a photo of the northern lights. So, we set off in the cold, dark night. It was bitterly cold! Everything within me was telling me to head back inside and stay warm. But I pushed on and yet, despite doing all this, I wasn’t able to capture the northern lights as I would have hoped. And that’s what I mean about the difficulties of shooting in rural environments. But despite all these challenges, of shooting in cityscapes and landscapes, it’s the journey that makes me love it. The end result of the photo is simply the cherry on top.
Now, I have already traveled to more than 30 countries. So, to pick the one most impressive moment from all of these trips would be difficult. There are many adventures, countries and moments that have had a significant impact on me. The ones at the top of my mind include Italy, Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. As I explained, my trip to Scandinavia and Russia was so special because it opened the door to the passion I now have for travel. What made my trip to Italy on New Year’s Eve so special was that I met so many like-minded people. I became close friends with some of them, which ignited a non-stop, 18-month, crazy expedition of traveling. I went to places like France, Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia and I even took a wild, one-day trip to Spain from Germany. If it wasn’t for that trip, I don’t know if I would’ve traveled to so many countries. And what made my visit to Iceland so remarkable was the timing. I went there with a friend of mine last December. Now going in December, to a land so unbelievably cold made me scared. So, facing my fears and going to such an extreme climate made it feel particularly special. And the unique nature they have there, from geysers to waterfalls, to canyons, gave Iceland a unique place in my heart.
"One specific event I remember, while in Iceland, was when I was standing where the ocean meets the mountains, in Stokksnes. It was so quiet."
There was only a calm breeze I could hear, and I was observing the waves going lapping back and forth, with the enormous mountains in the background. This moment took me back to my childhood. When I was younger, it was my dream to see things out of this world. I wanted to become an astronaut. And while I didn’t necessarily fulfill that dream, standing there and witnessing this environment made me feel like I had become an astronaut after all. It felt like I was no longer on Earth.
"That moment will never fade from my memory as it gave me such joy."
"I try to emphasize these strong emotions I feel in my images while editing."
Certain colors bring out certain emotions in people so I edit my photos in such a way that they will be emphasized. I’m a highly emotional and sensitive person, so this is an essential part of the process for me. Photography is about making them feel, not just see.
"I love all of my photos as each reflects a special moment in time for me."
If I were to pick a single landscape photograph that I’ve taken, that is close to my heart and brings back good memories, then I would select the image I took at Gullfoss Waterfalls, Iceland. I chose this image for numerous reasons. Primarily because of the circumstances that I was in, and the emotions it evoked while I was taking the shot.
A friend and I were driving around the Golden Circle in Iceland. It was December, so the amount of daylight time we had was minimal. Our final destination for the day was to try Gullfoss. When we arrived, it was pretty much pitch black. We couldn’t see anything apart from the waterfall. But I decided to go up onto the side of the cliff to see if I could get a better look. I remember the wind howling, the freezing temperatures, and the darkness. It was getting even darker as every minute passed. And then, when I reached the top of this cliff, I looked to the right, and there it was, Gullfoss. I could see it from a different view now. And it felt like it was roaring! The water was powerfully slamming into the rocks. It was a genuinely surreal moment, and I set up my camera and tripod to take a long exposure shot since there was close to no light. I was standing there, waiting for the long exposure, and I was in awe at the pure force and power of nature.
"A wonderful experience that is permanently etched in my mind."
"I think all of these situations I've experienced have led me to be who I am today."
During my years of travel and photography, I’ve been blessed to meet fellow travelers with so many great creative minds. They have all contributed to my development in some way. There is a beauty in life I have discovered in knowing that any moment and every person can have a profoundly positive effect on you. That ultimately is what makes us all so unique.
So, there hasn’t been one single event that has changed me. But I have changed. Every trip I’ve taken has taught me something. But if there was one golden lesson I’ve learned that I would never forget, it is this: Embrace the moments, don’t take life too seriously and live every moment to the fullest. I know it may sound cheesy, but everyone will discover it is true – at some point. And with my journey, I hope to inspire others to embark on their own adventure of discovery.
"Getting lost will help you find yourself, be that lost venturer!"
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