Sunny Splatter
Pointe de la Torche, Bretagne, France
As the tide was rising, waves were rolling in, joyfully jumping between the rocks. After fine tuning the exposure time I waited for the right moment when a bigger wave hit the shore and splashed high into the air, being lit from behind by the low standing sun. What I like most about this image is the varying appearances of the water, ranging from crisp and sharp in the background to slightly blurred and even explosively agitated in the foreground.
Archangel Falls
Zion National Park, Utah, USA
This stunningly beautiful cascade is located along the wilderness trail through the Left Fork of North Creek. After a strenuous hike, one wants to spend hours enjoying this calm and peaceful place, watching the water dancing between the stair-step slivers of rock. Glancing beyond the cascade, the eye catches a first glimpse of the iconic tube-shaped wall characteristic of the canyon. It becomes clear that the destination of the hike is near: The Subway.
Crow's Ship
Peniche, Portugal
Situated at the exposed edge of the Peniche peninsula, the unique rock formation 'Nau Dos Corvos' is constantly carved by the raw forces of nature. The isolated stone tower and the surrounding boulders resemble the remains of a shipwreck which resiliently withstand the harshness of the ocean. In contrast, the warm pastel tones created by the low-standing sun and the smooth light and shade pattern on the coastal rock give this composition a mellow mood. The circle of misty white water seems to enclose the sunken ship to keep it from rising again and sailing towards the silhouettes of the distant archipelago.
Poet's Path
Ilse River, Harz Mountains, Germany
The beauty of nature can unfold itself in stunning panoramic views, but it can also be experienced in more intimate locations. This romantic little river flows alongside the magnificent Heinrich-Heine-Weg, a strenuous yet highly rewarding trail leading up to the top of the Brocken mountain. The peaceful composition of a gently rippling rivulet within the lush green spring forest creates a feeling of great tranquility.
The Subway
Zion National Park, Utah, USA
Being one of the landmarks in Zion National Park, the Subway is protected by restricting the number of access permissions. Luckily, this gives the photographer the opportunity to enjoy and capture the calmness of this magnificent place. The unique tubelike shape gives this passage a seemingly artificial touch and the painting of the multi-colored walls by shades of indirect light completes its surreal appearance.
Sharp & smooth
Prara da Ursa, Portugal
This black and white composition sets the focus on the powerful contrast between the dynamic smoothness of the agitated sea and the motionless sharpness of the needles of rock.
Hidden Gems
Praia do Louriçal, Sintra, Portugal
Only an almost vertical, slippery and non-secured footpath provides access to this hidden beach. Scrambling half-way down all on my own, I was doubtful of continuing, but the prospect of a great image kept me going. For safety reasons I decided to join a group of guys on their way back up the cliff which strongly limited the amount of time I had to compose the image. Certainly not ideal, but sometimes great are achieved when there is no time to think. The little bay seems to stem from a pirate movie and the overgrown rocks are reminiscent of emerald gemstones from a secret treasure.
Faroe Flow
Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
One of the most epic spots in the Faroe Islands is the tiny settlement Gásadalur, embedded in lush green meadows and surrounded by dramatic cliffs and scenic mountains. Ever changing weather conditions make it virtually impossible to predict the mood of the Faroese landscapes. Shortly after I took this picture, the sky exploded with golden sunset light, however the steel blue Nordic sky and the muted colors in this image much better reflect the melancholic character of the Islands. The long drawn-out clouds and the iconic waterfall add a dynamic flow to the otherwise peaceful and calm scenery.
Serenity
Viðareiði, Faroe Islands
The westbound shore in front of the small settlement Viðareiði looked like an ideal place to capture a nice sunset. However, the weather in the Faroe Islands, unpredictable as always, did not play along. Instead of being disappointed by not getting the desired light, I focused on creating a minimalistic panoramic composition, reflecting the moody atmosphere the Faroes are known for. The rocks in the foreground are softly bathed by the sea while the coastal mountains dramatically disappear into thick misty clouds. The wide space allows for thoughts to wander around and to finally get lost in the endlessly far distance.
