© 2020 Nomadict. All rights reserved.
Mel Zagers
@melzagers
Photographer based in Belgium
For Mel, there is nothing like the feeling of hiking up a mountain and reaching the peak just in time for the sunrise, and to fulfill his long-standing dream of visiting the Dolomites is what ignited his love for landscape photography.
Since that trip to the Dolomites, Mel honed his skills and developed his unique style by studying other creators. He learned that the most crucial aspect of storytelling is not the price tag of your equipment but the skill and creativity behind the lens: “In the end, photography is all about the story you want to convey.” And in this interview, Mel shares his most valuable tips for creating visually-rich and minimalistic stories. Mel also addresses how to maximize your resources to capture multiple captivating photos on location, explaining how to use light, colors, and angles to your advantage. And these are also some of his key ingredients for a great landscape photo, including a unique composition that features an amusing subject.
Furthermore, we get to know Mel’s creative workflow and his opinion on how to find your style and think creatively. The before and after images he shared with us are insightful. He mentioned: “Across all my images, I strive to maintain a consistent color palette, usually incorporating orange, blue, or green. I also aim to keep the contrast and black levels consistent across most images.”
His dreamy photography has also caught the attention of DJI. He recently won their 8th Skypixel photo contest with an image captured in his home country: “While it can be a bit challenging to find mountains and forested landscapes in Belgium, I like to explore unique and abstract locations in my home country. One area in particular that I find inspiring is Limburg.”
Finally, in the interview, Mel also shares some of his favorite images to this day, provides tips on how to work effectively with models, and inspires us with his most valuable professional lessons working for Sony. So we hope you find some answers that help you grow or stay inspired!
Interview
Welcome Mel! From where does your passion for travel and photography originate?
I was raised in a small town in Belgium where my family did not prioritize traveling. However, in 2017, at the age of 20, I joined a large group of friends on a summer vacation to Mallorca, which marked one of my first trips outside of Belgium. This experience opened my eyes to the joys of traveling, and I began seeking out travel content on platforms such as YouTube. Influencers like Jay Alvarrez and Sam Kolder sparked my interest in videography, leading me to purchase my first camera, a Canon 80D, and venture to Greece in the summer of 2018.
The following year, I embarked on my first major trip outside of Europe, visiting Vietnam with friends. During this time, I upgraded my camera to a Sony A7III, a brand I continue to use to this day. The journey expanded my horizons and highlighted the vastness of the world, inspiring me to seek further inspiration from creators such as Jord Hammond and Justkay. Despite being in my second year of studying programming and electronics, I was still determining the direction I wanted my career and life to take.
Then in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to travel by car, leading me to fulfill my long-standing dream of visiting the Dolomites in Italy. This experience ignited my love for landscape and travel photography, as I relished the joy of hiking in the mountains, exploring the forests, and capturing the beauty of nature through my lens.
Over the next two years, I honed my photography skills and developed my unique style by studying and analyzing the work of other creators who inspired me. Some of my favorites include Karl Shakur, Long-Nong Huang, Followmeaway, Withluke, and Kyle Vollaers.
How have your outdoor experiences impacted your personal or professional growth, and can you recall any particularly memorable moments that stand out?
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hiking up a mountain and reaching the peak just in time for the sunrise. This experience is what ignited my love for landscape photography. Although waking up early for a sunrise expedition is still a challenge, the rewards that follow are truly remarkable.
What are four important lessons you’ve learned along your personal and professional journey?
Growing up in a small town in Belgium where the locals weren’t particularly interested in new cultures taught me the value of embracing diversity and respecting other ways of life, regardless of their social status or wealth.
Traveling has helped me become more outgoing and social. Despite being introverted, I’ve learned to be more open to meeting new people both online and offline.
Traveling on a budget has taught me to appreciate simplicity and be content with what I have. Sleeping in the car or cooking a simple pasta meal has shown me that a luxurious lifestyle isn’t necessary for happiness.
Finally, I’ve learned that the most important aspect of storytelling is not the price tag of your equipment but the skill and creativity behind the lens. It’s more about the story you want to convey than the latest camera and lens technology.
Can you share with us a photograph that you feel has a special light and atmosphere, and what strategies you used to capture it?
Instead of one, I’d like to share two photographs taken on the same beach but with completely different atmospheres. The first image was captured during sunset when the sun was low, creating a dreamy effect with soft light. I always strive to achieve this type of look in my photography.
The second image was taken a few hours after sunrise when the sun was positioned higher and cast strong contrast shadows. I enjoy playing with light to create unique effects in my photos. While a good sunset is always a safe bet, it’s important to experiment and explore different lighting conditions to capture truly unique and captivating images.
"My strategies for capturing these photos include scouting locations, planning, and researching weather and lighting conditions to take full advantage of the environment."
What are some strategies that you use to create minimalistic images in your photography, particularly in capturing a series of photos in one location?
I love creating minimalistic images, and I captured this series on one of my favorite beaches in Portugal, which shows that you can create a wide variety of photos in one unique location. The following were some strategies that helped me achieve these results:
1) Choosing the right time of day: Sunrise is always recommendable, while I love that soft golden glow from the last few minutes before the sun sets.
2) Looking for natural color gradients, a gradual transition from one color to another to create a sense of harmony and flow in your image.
3) Finding monochromatic color schemes on location can create a sense of unity and simplicity in your composition. Along the coast, you can find elements with variations of the same color to apply this strategy.
4) You can also focus on one color. But remember that colors can evoke different emotions and moods in your images. For example, blue can convey a sense of calmness and serenity, while yellow evokes a sense of happiness and energy.
5) Another technique you can use is color blocking which involves using solid blocks of color in your image to create a bold and minimalist effect. Use contrasting colors or shades of the same color to create a clean and visually striking composition.
6) Using negative space to emphasize color can also be interesting, but you will need to leave plenty of space around your subject to help the colors stand out and create a sense of calmness. For this strategy, experiment with shadows and reflections to create different compositions.
7) You can use shadows as leading lines, guiding the viewer’s eye toward the main subject in your image. Look for natural leading lines like the coastline or the horizon to help create a sense of depth.
"Lastly, always look for minimalist elements and experiment with different angles with your drone and camera!"
What are the essential elements that make a landscape photo great according to you, and why?
According to me, a great landscape photo requires four key ingredients: excellent lighting, a subject, strong composition, and uniqueness. Lighting plays a vital role in capturing the beauty of the landscape, and I always prefer shooting during sunrise or sunset. Including a subject, particularly a person, adds depth and perspective to the image, making it more compelling. Composition is critical, and I strive for a minimalistic approach, where the image is free from distractions. Finally, to create a unique image, it’s essential to find your own style and think creatively to capture something fresh and distinct, rather than replicating images that have already been seen numerous times.
Can you explain your fascination with medieval-style photography? And what do you believe are the essential factors to create an image that captures the true essence of the medieval era?
As a child, I was always captivated by the fantastical worlds portrayed in movies like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. When I discovered the work of @followmeaway on social media, who creates stunning medieval-style images featuring long dresses and castles, I knew I had to try it out for myself.
To capture the essence of the medieval era in a photograph, it’s crucial to pay attention to the details. The setting, props, costumes, and lighting should all work together to create a cohesive image that transports the viewer back in time. Additionally, incorporating elements of mysticism and fantasy can add to the dreamy, otherworldly quality that is often associated with the medieval era.
How do you approach the editing process for your images and could you share a before and after photo as an example?
To approach the editing process, I always start by applying one of my presets to the photo. I recommend building your own presets to develop your style and taste. Across all my images, I strive to maintain a consistent color palette, usually incorporating orange, blue, or green. I also aim to keep the contrast and black levels consistent across most images. To create the dreamy effect, I typically lower the clarity in Adobe Lightroom. Finally, I remove any small distractions that may draw the viewer’s attention away from the main subject.
How do you work with models to achieve your envisioned image, and what have you learned is crucial in such collaborations?
When working with models, communication is key. It’s essential to ensure that the model is comfortable and at ease. At the same time, you need to be ready to give instructions on how to pose. I make a point of keeping up a constant dialogue and providing positive feedback to keep the model motivated.
"I also show the model the results throughout the shoot, so we can decide together on what improvements or adjustments are needed to achieve the desired image."
What has been your most significant personal project or gig so far, and what have you learned from it? Also, how has the outcome contributed to your career?
I am currently collaborating with Sony Belgium on their #Sonygenuine campaign, which has been my most important gig to date. This campaign promotes the use of genuine lenses with cameras and involves me trying out and using different lenses in exchange for creating photographs. It is a dream project for me, and I never thought I would have this opportunity when I first started my photography journey. Through this collaboration, I have learned a lot about working with a brand and the importance of genuine lenses for cameras. It has also helped me to expand my network and gain exposure, which has contributed positively to my career.
What are some of the most inspiring regions in Belgium for you and why, considering that the country doesn’t have mountains or forests which is your preferred scenery?
As someone who loves mountainous and forested landscapes, it can be a bit challenging to find that kind of scenery in Belgium since it’s mostly flat countryside. However, I do like to explore unique and abstract locations in my home country when I’m not traveling. One area in particular that I find inspiring is Limburg, which has some interesting and distinctive spots that are worth checking out.
Could you tell me if there is a particular photo that is dear to you? I understand that you cherish all your photos, but is there one in particular that holds a special place in your heart?
Yes, there is. I and @ellensvoyage took this photo in the winter of 2021 at Lake Eibsee in Germany. We captured a shot of a rock protruding out of the water, with a thick fog cloud hovering above the lake. Although I love several of my photos, this one is especially meaningful to me because of the journey we had to take to capture it. I had to navigate a path of slippery rocks in freezing water to reach the rock and pose for the shot. It was a challenging experience, but the final image made it all worth it in my opinion.
After spotting the interesting composition of the rock in the water, I decided to see if it was feasible to get there. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a trail of rocks that I could use to balance my way to the rock. Feeling adventurous, I decided to give it a try. I communicated my plan with Ellen, emphasizing the importance of understanding my vision for the shot. I then proceeded to strip off my pants and make my way to the starting point of the path. The water was frigid, with the temperature hovering around 0°C, but I was determined to make it across the roughly 20-meter distance.
Upon taking my first step, the water was deeper than I anticipated and I found myself standing in freezing water up to my knees. The path consisted of small, sharp rocks that needed to be balanced on. Eventually, I made it to the end, where I stood in the cold.
After capturing pictures for about five minutes, I began to feel anxious about going through the freezing water again. On my way back, I lost my balance and had to use my arms to avoid falling in completely, but unfortunately, my jacket got soaked in the process. Despite shivering upon returning home, looking at the images made it all worth it in my opinion.
How do you envision yourself 5-10 years from now and what steps do you think are necessary to achieve your goals?
In the next 5-10 years, I would love to have traveled to various parts of the world and gain exposure to different cultures. While I am passionate about photography, I aim to enhance my skills as a videographer and become proficient at capturing and narrating stories through video. To achieve these objectives, I plan to seek out opportunities for travel and work on building my expertise in videography techniques and storytelling.
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
