No products in the cart.
© 2020 Nomadict. All rights reserved.
Stephan Thom
@stephanthm
Best of the week 47 at #nomadict 2021
Documenting special moments in my life and capturing them for posterity is just magical for me. Over the years, the search for new places and new perspectives has become my passion. The moment when I finally arrived at a location and found the perfect position, and when, after a little waiting, the first rays of sunlight fall on my lens, is something extraordinary for me.
"This week’s winning shot is very special in that sense as it has been planned carefully, but I was still very new to landscape photography and there were many other photographers with the same idea."
We had booked accommodation near the summit and spent a lovely evening/night in the Fermeda hut in the Dolomites, Italy. At 3 o’clock, the alarm clock rang and we hiked the last few meters to the summit. As I had not been shooting outdoors (at famous places) too much yet since I just turned to landscape photography, I was totally intimidated that morning by the many photographs with tripods, graduated filters, and other tools (I had none of them with me). Nevertheless, I did my thing and took photos. I ran like a wild meerkat from place to place to find nice compositions and views, while everyone else clamped firmly to their tripod and continuously took a picture from the same position. After the sun had risen, I sent my former drone just a little up in the air, which resulted in the winning shot.
I aimed to capture the mountain peaks from a different point of view; with the two people in the foreground, I also wanted to show the proportions and convey something adventurous to the viewer. When editing, the first goal was to find a good balance between image noise and adequate quality. The Mavic Air 2, unfortunately, took the pictures with a high level of noise and low dynamic range. I think I managed the balance well. I also wanted to bring out the increasing backlight.
As mentioned in my previous story shared on Nomadict, Try Fail Repeat is my way to improve my work. I like to try out new things and see per photo how I can combine the individual components of image processing. I search for uniqueness in uniformity, so each photo gets the attention it deserves, and at the same time, my work matches together and conveys a style/mood. Above anything else, though, I want to feel the photo – even the RAW file – and I can enhance and convey emotions through editing. I consider an image as ready when I achieve that. For this winning photo, I used Lightroom for grading and Photoshop for cleaning up and the final adjustments.
The world has some amazing views and natural phenomena for us to become aware of. That I can experience at least a part of these is something to be thoroughly grateful for. As a photographer, it makes me happy to share these moments and enable others to see different parts of the world as well. Now it can be daunting to see so many other photographers doing the same thing at the same spot, but that doesn’t reduce the greatness of your own experience and the photographs you create. This winning photo taught me to not let others confuse me and do my thing – and I’d highly recommend others to do the same!
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
BEST OF THE WEEK JUNE 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK MAY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK APRIL 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK MARCH 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY 2021
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY 2021
NOMADICT
ART GALLERY
THE LATEST STORIES
WRITEN WITH PASSION TO INSPIRE YOU
Photo and Video Workshop in Madeira, Portugal
Join us in Madeira for an unforgettable workshop, where you’ll elevate your creative skills with expert guidance from Ronald Soethje, Bruno Ázera, and Nomadict.
Henry Chow (@jujushots): Creator based in Australia
Photographer Henry Chow is renowned for capturing the soul of travel destinations, and his latest journey through Japan is no exception. From vibrant cityscapes to serene nature, he highlights ten iconic photography spots, sharing expert insights, creative process, and practical tips to inspire photographers seeking to elevate their work.
Magnus Berggren (@mankeyfoto): Best of the week 4 at #nomadict 2025
Magnus is a wildlife photographer known for his moody and artistic approach to capturing animals in their natural habitat. His primary passion is bird photography, and his image of a Ural owl chick won Best of Week 4, 2025.
Brad Flowerdew (@bradflowerss): Best of the week 5 at #nomadict 2025
In this article, Brad shares his journey from hobbyist to professional, highlighting key moments like landing his first client collaboration. He also discusses the importance of connecting with others in the industry and the shot that won the Best of the Week 5, 2025.
Natascha Klein (@tashi_ka): Best of the week 3 at #nomadict 2025
Natascha is a passionate photographer and media designer whose love for capturing the world around her began at an early age. Her journey into professional photography was shaped by her deep appreciation for aesthetics and storytelling, which she honed while studying media design.
Jay Blatti (@jayblatti): Best of the week 46 at #nomadict 2024
Jay is a passionate traveler and photographer whose curiosity drives him to explore both faraway landscapes and hidden gems in his own country. In this article, he shares how travel and photography intertwine as journeys of discovery, growth, and creativity. Jay shares insights into his process, the lessons he’s learned, and the story behind the photograph that won the Best of the Week 46, 2024.
Photo and Video Workshop in the Lofoten Islands, Norway
Join us in the Lofoten Islands for an unforgettable workshop under the Northern Lights, where you’ll elevate your creative skills with expert guidance from Ronald Soethje and Nomadict.
Carina & Max (@buerklestories): Best of the week 1 at #nomadict 2025
Max and Carina are passionate photographers who transform every journey into a discovery of nature’s unique moods and moments. Their work captures the interplay of light and shadow, and through a deep understanding of key elements, they create images that tell a story and evoke emotion.