Timo Demankowski
@black_forest_drone
Best of the week 1 at #nomadict 2022
A few years ago I flew with a drone for the first time and I immediately noticed that the slightly different perspective opens up new possibilities. Things that might look very boring from below suddenly become exciting and spectacular. I live in the Black Forest in Germany and was also born here. The region is beautiful and diverse and being able to get to know how it looks from above is precious to me.
"I have several drones that I use. At the moment I only fly drones from DJI, as they offer the best technology."
I fly different drones from the Mini 2 to the Inspire, and choose the drone depending on the purpose. For a few months now I’ve also been flying FPV, which is a whole new experience. Flying at over 100 km/h around trees and objects is completely different than with GPS-based drones.
When flying FPV, no helpers are active and every movement of the sticks affects the flight behavior strongly. With conventional photo drones, the GPS is always active, anyone can control these after a very short time. With my DJI FPV, I have practiced again and again in the open field and was able to do it rather safely after about 3 hours. After that, I worked on the settings (Gain&Expo) to get the best out of the drone for me. I am a licensed drone pilot, mainly because licensing is inevitable in Germany. We have many complex laws, especially in the commercial sector. You should be familiar with it.
"The winning picture was shot with a DJI Air2s on a really cold and also windy day in the Black Forest."
I have had the curve on the list for a long time and just drove off that day to photograph it. It was freezing cold that day. I love the roads in winter especially, as they stand out from nature with their jet black color. After I took this shot, I was mega happy.
I love to show others my beautiful home, no matter the season. Though now with the snow, I made sure to preserve the deep tones during post-processing, providing a nice contrast to the white of the snow. The curve in the road is easy to see from the chosen perspective and also shows the slope covered in trees. Going up just a few meters was enough to showcase this.
I edit each image individually according to my taste. I like pictures with a lot of colors, I make sure that I get enough contrast in the image (in this case the street and the tree trunks) and work with layers. Sometimes there are also images that I do not get processed according to my wishes. I sort these ones out.
Over time, I have tried several styles and genres of photography. For myself, but also to see what works best with people before offering my service to others as a visual creator. Social media has been very important in this regard, as you get a lot of feedback. I would investigate and analyze very well which posts/photos worked and which less, and what people said. When I just started being more serious about my photography and offering my services, at first a good Instagram profile is important as it acts as your portfolio and business card. Afterward, I registered the business and created my homepage, which took a lot of time.
Photography is not my main job, though. But it’s a side thing I am very serious and passionate about, and something that creates balance in my life. I have a sometimes very stressful job, which has changed a lot over the last few years in terms of resilience. The pandemic has had a huge impact and has made it more exhausting. In addition, I work in shifts, which is demanding on its own. But it is also due to my shift work that I always have 2,5 days off in between where I can carry out the customer orders. Without shift work and these free days, it would hardly be possible to run the side business. Photography helps me to slow down and make the days I dedicate to my main job a little lighter.
"When I get to shoot photos like the winning shot and I receive such great feedback, it generates happiness that keeps me going – it makes all I do in life a little easier."
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
Miroslav Maršík (@miromarsik): Photographer based in Czech Republic
In this article, Miro shares how his love for cinematic music evolved into a deep passion for photography and how he uses light, color, and atmosphere to turn the streets of Prague into living film scenes.
Aurora photography panorama workflow: A guide to camera settings, editing, and color
In this article, Stefanie reveals how her background in physics sparked her passion for astrophotography and how she blends science with creativity to capture the beauty of the night sky. Readers will discover her approach to color, contrast, and editing, as well as her aurora photography workflow.
Yhabril (@yhabril): Best of the Week 33 at #nomadict
Spanish photographer Yhabril captures the profound connection between humans and the mountains that shaped him. Growing up in the Pyrenees, his work bridges outdoor sports, landscapes, and celestial scenes — often blending athletes, moonlight, and wilderness into striking visual stories.
Ariane Totzke (@besondersschwierig): Photographer based in Switzerland
In this article, Ariane shares how photography helped her navigate personal challenges, connect authentically with people and animals, and develop a philosophy rooted in empathy and artistic freedom. Readers will also discover her ethical approach to wildlife photography and her trusted equipment for both camouflage techniques and cameras.
How to photograph Dutch tulip fields: A guide to light, gear, composition, and colors
Discover how to photograph Dutch tulip fields in their most magical light. From choosing the right gear and lenses to mastering composition, color, and aerial perspectives, this guide shares creative techniques to capture the beauty of the Netherlands’ tulips. Learn how light, color grading, and proportion bring emotion into every frame.
Cinematic city photography: An essential 6-step workflow
In this article, you’ll learn how to read and use light in your home city, choose the right technical settings for low-light scenes, and refine your editing workflow to shape color and atmosphere step by step. In addition, Dominik shares how to find fresh perspectives on familiar locations, five lessons that transformed his photography, and insights on the future of street photography.
Kyle van Bavel (@kylevanbavel): Photographer based in the Netherlands
Kyle van Bavel is a macro photographer with a distinctive, dreamy style that transforms the unseen details of nature into magical worlds. In this article, he shares how his unique vision, shaped by a journey of self-learning and overcoming dyslexia, has become his greatest creative strength.
Inês Preto (@minespreto): Best of the week 20 at #nomadict 2025
Inês is a nature photographer drawn to wild, remote places where weather, wildlife, and mood shape her storytelling. In this article, she shares the behind-the-scenes journey of capturing the Best of the Week image: a puffin trio on the Faroe Islands. She explains how she approached the edit of this image, and shares key lessons she’s learned through experience.
