I’m out and about at dawn. Now, in late spring, it’s light early and the temperatures are extremely pleasant as I settle into my morning running pace. A light mist hovers over the floodplain, where every year I follow the breeding season of the grey herons and cormorants. Every year is different, and all kinds of bird species flock here. I usually shoot freehand and without a tripod, as this gives me more flexibility and freedom of movement. My path leads me over a small bridge from where I can hear the distant calls coming from the breeding colony of herons. The lake is already slightly reddish in color due to the reflection of the rising sun. The clear mildness of the dawning morning makes me curious about the experiences and, hopefully, the resulting photographic opportunities, which I look forward to every time. The fact that so many animal species can be found here at any time of year means that I can always try out new photographic ideas.
In the early days of my photographic career, I quickly realized that I prefer the early morning and late evening, i.e., the twilight hours, for photography. Especially in the morning, I can concentrate very well on taking pictures and leave aside everything else. I am able to focus on the essentials. As sociable as I am otherwise and as much as I like having lots of people around me, I also appreciate the solitude in nature where I can fully and passionately concentrate on the animals and the stories they have to tell in their own way. I want to get completely involved with them. Every sensory channel is focused on photography in these moments, so I probably wouldn’t even notice if something was happening around me.
Although I like to travel to new photo areas, at home I like to go to places that have been familiar to me for years. There is always something new to discover, especially around rivers and lakes: whether in the breeding season; in summer during the macro season; or in the fall, when the animals are recharging their batteries, recovering from the challenges of the previous breeding season and reorienting themselves a little for the colder season ahead of them. And, of course, also in winter, when the snow starts to fall here in Central Europe and the whole landscape is covered in a wintery dress. Going to the same places again and again gives me the opportunity to try out new ideas and explore new photographic avenues that I haven’t yet discovered. Using flash or different focal lengths, including wide angles. Long exposures for dynamic movements or detail shots, and sometimes playing with multiple exposures and urban elements within the habitat. Everything has its photographic appeal, and the habitat of an animal always has more to offer me more than just a format-filling shot with a sterile background time and again. For me, full-size pictures definitely have their appeal, but, of course, that is by no means the end of the photographic possibilities available to me, especially at dusk or during sunrise.
My path into nature photography came about quite naturally for me because even as a child, I was fascinated by animals and their different habitats, the interaction of different species within an ecosystem, and the peculiarities and characteristics of certain animal species. Photography is a wonderful way for me to present my own individual view of nature and to immortalize in a photo what inspires me about an animal or a particular situation. I enjoy bringing people closer to something that they might otherwise miss or not even get to know or see. An idea for a picture often comes about through a chance encounter and is often only very brief. And when I reflect on it, I often have the desire to create a picture of it. As with so many other photographers, the image composition initially takes place in my imagination, and I then try to bring the real image as close as possible to the image in my imagination. On the other hand, there are occasions when I have to react very spontaneously. When a situation arises unexpectedly, the photographer’s creative spirit is required because in wildlife photography you often only get one chance to take a good picture. And this chance often doesn’t last much longer than a few seconds. It’s in moments like these that you get to put your skills to the test. For me, it’s always nice to be able to practice creative photography on species that I see frequently, which often gives me the opportunity to repeat a photo until I’m satisfied with the result.
What counts for viewers is not the fact that the photographer stood in the mud for three hours or traveled halfway around the world to take the photo. All that matters is the photo — it is everything that they are capable of judging in this respect. However, it must also be mentioned that for a nature photographer, nature and the well-being of its creatures must come first. As a photographer, I have a duty to treat my subject with respect and consideration. In my humble opinion, this must always be the general principle of every nature photographer. After all, nature photography is also subject to ethical principles. By applying these principles, when an animal approaches me in a relaxed manner, the picture is much more natural. I am convinced that people only want to protect nature if they know and value nature. And that the more enthusiasm and fascination they develop for nature, the more they want to protect it. Because then nature has a value for them that they might also want to pass on to their children. It is my firm conviction that all living beings on this earth are connected to each other on a fundamental and profound level. And when we realize this, perhaps more people will find their own reasons to respect and protect nature and its wonderful creatures. My desire is to do my part with nature photography.
When I reflect on my experiences, I like to review everything that happened, imagine what I would like to achieve next time, and be happy about what I have accomplished. Reflecting also means active exchange with other people, for example other photographers, people interested in nature, and conservationists. And, of course, it is always a great honor for me when people look at my pictures and linger in front of them for a moment longer because they have discovered something that they have never seen before and may put them in a state of momentary curiosity. A state that may awaken in them the desire to find out more and to get excited about what they have seen in the picture. Above all, my aim is to use abstraction and experimental photography techniques to convey the actual essence of a species as I experienced it during an encounter. I want to motivate the viewer to pause for a moment. To linger and take a closer look. To experience a fascination for nature, just as I experience it myself every time I am out and about with my camera.
