Simon Hechtbauer (@roamwithsimon): Best of the Week 32 at #nomadict
Simon shares the journey behind his photography, from early inspirations to field techniques, editing, and the story of the winning shot that shaped his path.
Simon Hechtbauer
@roamwithsimon
Winner Best of the Week 32 at #nomadict
Simon shares the journey behind his photography, from the childhood inspirations that sparked his curiosity to field techniques, editing, and the story of the winning shot that shaped his creative path forward and continues to influence his evolving style.
From curious moments to a lifelong passion
My enthusiasm for photography began in my childhood. I often played around with my father’s camera on family holidays and quickly realised how much I enjoyed capturing special moments. Landscape photos left the strongest impression on me back then—there was something magical about the way light, colours and moods could all be contained within a single frame.
In secondary school, I chose photography as an elective subject, and that was the moment everything clicked. Around the same time, I discovered impressive landscape photos on Instagram and set myself a quiet goal: one day, I wanted to take pictures like that too.
On my 18th birthday, my mother gifted me my first camera. At first, I mainly shot in automatic mode without much technical understanding. The turning point came when a friend took me out one evening to photograph the stars. He explained the most important camera settings to me, and from that moment on, I was fascinated by the creative possibilities that open up when you truly understand your tools.
Since then, photography has become a central part of my life. I read e-books, watch tutorials, and constantly learn from other photographers. For me, photography is a never-ending learning process, motivating me to see the world with new eyes. And now, at 26, I’m grateful to be able to write about this passion and share my work here.
Lessons learned from years of shooting outdoors
Over the years, spending countless hours outdoors with my camera has taught me valuable lessons, both personally and professionally.
1. Seize every opportunity
Even when the alarm rings early, the weather looks bad, or the hike is demanding, it’s almost always worth going. You’re far more likely to regret staying home than pushing through a moment of discomfort. Every outing brings experience, and often unforgettable impressions.
2. Do what you love
Spend as little time as possible on things that weigh you down. Focus on what truly brings you joy. When you do, you stay curious and open-minded, and that’s the best possible foundation for creative work.
3. Be patient
Good light and the right mood cannot be forced. Sometimes you need to return to the same spot several times to capture the image you have in mind. It’s always better to arrive early than to be two minutes late. Patience is often the key to extraordinary photographs.
4. Enjoy the moment
Don’t get stuck on trying to replicate a specific photo. Let yourself be inspired, but stay open to what nature offers in the moment. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is lower the camera, take a deep breath, and simply enjoy the scene in front of you.
Winner
Best of the Week 32
I had seen countless photos of Mont Saint-Michel on social media and always wanted to experience it myself. This summer, when I was thinking about where to travel, I realised I had never done a photography trip to France. So I packed my things, got the car ready, as I often sleep in it to stay flexible, and set off.
My first stop was the Alabaster Coast, and from there I continued to Mont Saint-Michel. The day before the shoot, I scouted the area to find the ideal perspective. Early the next morning, I walked out towards my chosen spot, hoping that, like in some photos I had seen, there would be sheep grazing. I had no idea if or when they would appear, so I trusted my luck, and they were there.
A soft haze lay over the horizon at first, but it lifted slowly, revealing the silhouette of Mont Saint-Michel. I set up my tripod, searched for a clean composition, and pressed the shutter. Just minutes later, the sheep moved on. The timing could not have been better.
For me, a great photo is not always about capturing a dramatic story. Often it’s about conveying a feeling: the calm of an early morning, the softness of the light… If an image manages to transport that atmosphere, then it has already told a story.
I wanted to create a photograph that not only showed Mont Saint-Michel but also captured the atmosphere and character of the surrounding landscape. The presence of the sheep in the foreground added life, scale, and a sense of place.
I positioned the winding watercourse centrally in the foreground, using it as a leading line that naturally guides the viewer’s gaze from front to back, from the meadow, across the grazing sheep, all the way to Mont Saint-Michel. The cloud structure above gently frames the scene, placing the abbey clearly in the upper section.
For me, the composition combines tranquillity and natural softness in the foreground with the iconic, almost mystical presence of Mont Saint-Michel in the distance.
My editing approach: Bringing the atmosphere to life
Careful editing is just as important to me as good light or a well-considered composition. I often form a rough idea of the final edit while I’m still standing at the location. That makes the entire process feel more intentional.
Natural colours matter greatly to me. I want the final image to look authentic, something you might see with your own eyes.
I started the edit by straightening and cropping the frame as mentioned earlier. After basic adjustments to contrast, exposure, and colour balance, I slightly reduced clarity to give the scene a softer, more harmonious feel. I enhanced the greens in the meadow to make them rich and vibrant, but without oversaturating them.
Local adjustments played a major role. I darkened the foreground a touch to guide the viewer’s eyes toward the centre. I deepened the sky to emphasise the clouds and create more depth. I also brightened some of the sheep individually so they would stand out better. A radial filter helped reduce haze around Mont Saint-Michel.
Finally, I removed small, distracting elements to give the image a cleaner, calmer appearance.
Looking ahead: Where I see myself in 10 years
I’ve never liked long-term predictions. It’s more important to me to be happy and to do what I love, today, in ten years, or in fifty. The world changes quickly, and as the pandemic reminded us, everything can shift from one day to the next. That unpredictability is what makes life exciting.
Photography works the same way. You head to a spot with a clear idea in mind, but the weather ruins your plan. In moments like these, you adapt, shoot anyway, and sometimes end up with something even better. This is how you grow, as a person and as a photographer.
So go out there. Do what you love. Let your style evolve. Don’t get discouraged. Keep at it. Enjoy nature, enjoy travelling, and enjoy photography.
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