Tobi found his passion during a trip to Iceland. The raw, untamed beauty of the country’s rugged terrain and vast wilderness left him in awe and sparked a desire to see more of the world. With his camera, he captures candid moments, bringing you closer to his inspiring journey.
As a child, my parents instilled in me a love of exploration and discovery through their travels throughout Europe. I eagerly absorbed their wanderlust and, by the time I was 18, I was ready to set out on my adventures.
My first trip to the United States with my parents was a momentous occasion– a chance to experience the vastness and beauty of this great country. The feeling of being on a road trip, surrounded by stunning landscapes, was one I would never forget.
But it was my first solo trip to Iceland that truly ignited my passion for travel. The raw, untamed beauty of the country’s rugged terrain and expansive wilderness left me in awe and sparked a desire to see more of the world.
Since then, I’ve traveled far and wide, always with my camera in tow. From road trips through Scotland to exploring new and unfamiliar lands, I’ve learned that the world is full of endless possibilities and that every journey holds the potential for meaningful connections and personal growth.
Norway and Iceland are my favorite places where time seems to stand still when you go on a hike in the remote landscape. You see no one around you, no towns, no civilization, just nature and you. That’s why I love to go there. I mean, both countries are well known and can be crowded at some famous Instagram spots. But I try to avoid such places at midday. Either I go there very early or skip it. Both countries inspire me in this way when I roam around, there are so many photogenic places. There is endless space for creativity.
Another remarkable moment was when I traveled solo through Colorado and made my way to the iconic Maroon Bells.
With my camera in hand, I was on a mission to capture the breathtaking beauty of the sunrise. As I set up my shot, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. But at that time, I did not have the best gear, nor the skills or knowledge I have now. Also, I had no tripod with me, so a fellow photographer noticed my predicament and offered to lend a hand. We chatted for hours as he helped me with my camera settings and shared his expertise with me.
It was a small moment, but it had a huge impact on my journey as a photographer. From that day on, I was inspired to take my shots to the next level and today, I continue learning and growing as a photographer. And as I stood at the Maroon Bells, watching the sun rise over the mountains, I knew I had found my true passion.
Photography has taken me ever since to so many places, and Peru was certainly a highlight. Its people are super friendly, talkative, and helpful, and they took the time to explain things to me even though my Spanish is not the best. Secondly, the landscapes are incredible. The mountains in Peru can’t be compared to the mountains in the Alps – they are different, with raw and rugged beauty.
One big highlight of my trip was the visit to Machu Picchu. It’s such a magical place, and despite the number of tourists, you can still enjoy the visit, especially if you book a spot as early as possible in the morning. It is incredible to think about how they built this city, they didn’t use wheels, just manpower in such a steep and remote area.
My second highlight was the visit to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. This mountain is located in a very remote area, and it took us 4 hours by taxi to get there from Cusco, but it was worth it. We were lucky to have the place all to ourselves, and when we reached the top (5,000 meters above sea level) and looked around, I was filled with pure joy and was speechless, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and everywhere the red and yellow colors were popping out. It was an unbelievable natural spectacle.
During all these adventures, at home and abroad, I have learned five valuable lessons:
Accept what you can’t change and try your best with what you have at hand. Traveling often involves unexpected changes and delays, and it is important to roll with the punches and adapt to new situations. In essence, this can be as simple as being able to change your plans at the last minute or as complex as navigating an unfamiliar city with limited resources.
Appreciate the moment because that same trip will never happen again. By learning to appreciate the beauty of the journey, you can learn to enjoy the small things in life and find happiness in the present moment.
While traveling, you’ll have to rely on yourself to navigate unfamiliar places, find your way around, and make decisions. So don’t wait for others to take the lead; be proactive and use this opportunity to develop your self-reliance and independence.
Being alone can be difficult for some people, but it can also be an opportunity for self-discovery and growth. Learn to enjoy your own company and be comfortable with being alone.
Being alone can be difficult for some people, but it can also be an opportunity for self-discovery and growth. Learn to enjoy your own company and be comfortable with being alone.
I have a photo from a close encounter with some ibex during a sunrise mission in the Swiss Alps. At the time, I had forgotten my flashlight, so I used my phone light to track the path up, and to save battery I switched it off when I had good visibility of the path. As I was close to the summit and had my light off, I heard a strange noise in front of me and turned my light on. I saw 4 or 5 ibex just one meter away from me. I switched off the light and waited until my eyes adjusted to the darkness. I was stunned, not afraid. It was such a magical moment to watch the sunrise with them.
I also had a great time on the border of Switzerland and Austria at the Schesaplana peak. I wanted to go there to visit the highest peak in the area, a perfect location to capture the sunrise without obstructions in the frame. Before the shoot, I use apps to plan where the sun will rise and where the shadows will be, but I also check these details live on the day of the shoot. And I like to arrive at the location 30 minutes to an hour before sunrise. The weather is also an important factor that I check 2 – 3 times per day in advance. My favorite apps for scouting locations are Google Maps and Google Earth, which allow me to preview a location without even being there. And last but not least, Instagram also gives me a lot of inspiration.
So research and scouting help me in getting a great photograph. Other four ingredients I care a lot about are the following:
(1) Composition: How the elements within the photograph are arranged and the overall balance and visual appeal of the image. In landscape photography, the composition can be influenced by factors such as the placement of the horizon line, leading lines, and negative space.
(2) Light: The quality and direction of light also affect the mood and atmosphere of a landscape photograph. Soft, diffuse light can create peaceful and dreamy effects. On the other hand, harsh and direct light can create a more dramatic and contrasty look
(3) Color: The colors can help to set the mood, make an image more vibrant and dynamic, or create a more subdued and calming effect
(4) Point of view: The perspective from which a landscape is photographed can affect the final image. Shooting from a high vantage point can give a sense of grandeur and scale while shooting from ground level can create a more intimate and immersive feel. Experimenting with different points of view can help you create more dynamic and interesting landscape photographs.
Then, regarding post-processing, I edit all my photos in Lightroom and Photoshop, mostly Lightroom. Taking as an example the photos presented below, the left image shows the unedited version, which lacks vibrant colors and warmth.
So my first step was to add more contrast and color to the photo. I adjust the color settings, giving the image a warmer temperature and more dynamic range. Then, I play with color grading to make the red and yellow colors pop out more and have more contrast and glow. Finally, I tweak the structures and make the final cutout. That’s it!
In addition to my passion for outdoor photography, I am also eager to expand my skills in other areas such as night photography, composite photography, and portrait work. To do so, I plan to spend as much time as possible in the mountains, honing my craft and soaking up all that the great outdoors has to offer. My girlfriend, who is also a talented portrait photographer, and I may even consider starting our studio one day. Ultimately, I want to be creative, work with like-minded individuals, and bask in the beauty of nature.
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