Landscape Photography of the Year 2023
(97 Days & Nights // 15,000 Miles)
Des Träumers Herzen ruht nicht nachts,
schläft nicht, verstummt nicht,
schlägt stattdessen schneller und schneller
fern jeder Vernunft aller Kraft und Tage verschwendend
bleibt doch zum Träumen Zeit nie genug.
schläft nicht, verstummt nicht,
schlägt stattdessen schneller und schneller
fern jeder Vernunft aller Kraft und Tage verschwendend
bleibt doch zum Träumen Zeit nie genug.
[2023/02/08, Des Träumers Herzen]
This year felt like another weird one, since it is difficult to remember anything specific other than the travels I went on. Following my yearly tradition, here is my attempt of reminiscence anyway, illustrated by some of the photographs I’ve captured at each current season. I think it helps me to recognise what I’ve achieved, and then move on to get better.
Winter
Likely due to the lack of snow and fog, the weather overall doesn’t seem fine for photography so I didn’t. I tried to fight of loneliness with the restlessness of daily hikes, and countless rides by mountain bike, no matter of the cold and wind. Also, I went to court twice or three times to plead for the copyright of my photographs since there were, once again, infringements by companies. At least, I remember well the long car rides early morning into the capital of another state, the walk through the streets on winter days, feeling nervous about the upcoming trial. Except my lawyer, I was on my own. I realized that there is absolutely no one in my life to back me on this, or even to celebrate a possible success.
Spring
Early spring, I left for a travel along some coast. This time, for whatever reason, in a much better mood than usually. It turned out to be one of the best travels in recent years. I felt fine, and at home from almost the first day one. Furthermore, I also went to another part of the coast I haven’t been before to, and enjoyed the new insights much. Other than in the previous year, I had no one to write letters to but had some nice moments anyway. Often, I enjoyed the evenings at most when I had witnessed a sunset at the beach, walked back during dawn and now was about to have some dinner and look out onto the endless ocean, the view occasionally crossed by the light of a distant lighthouse. It was pure. Just solitude, no loneliness.
Summer (Mountains)
Early summer, I decided to skip the travel up north and instead to spend some more time exploring the region of my childhood by mountain bike. Furthermore, I spontaneously travelled to the mountains to try to photograph the time of snow melt. It turned out to be a short, but great trip of solitude again. Also, I travelled to photograph some unique beech forests I had in mind already for years. Then, likely loneliness and maybe depression took over for weeks, or even months. I pushed myself into sport and spend much time as possible outside. Apart from that, I mostly stopped talking, or making any plans at all. I didn’t wonder about it, just waited for the end of summer, and the travels of autumn.
Summer (Woods)
Autumn
I started early with the planning, kept my feelings under control but also was stressed weeks before the departure. I simply had big expectations onto myself. Well, as you might have already seen in the recently published series ‘A Wandering Mind Holds Sway’, I kept a challenging pace, but therefore got some nice results, I think. Later, I realized how important this certain trip was. It was a proof, that, no matter if alone and on your own, you can endure, and explore. I found out that, when sleeping all alone on the top of a mountain, I didn’t even miss anyone. It was liberating.
Winter
In winter, I moved places. I hadn’t expected to find any accommodation since it’s nowadays almost impossible in this country, but found something nice at least in the countryside. I already knew this area well from previous winter photography, but was curious if I can fit in on a regular basis. I guess, I tried to opt for solitude, instead of loneliness. And I was mostly right. I explored the area better than I would have been able otherwise, and also enjoyed the occasionally mountain biking. I spent Christmas alone and likely New Years Eve as well. I didn’t think about it all too much but came to the conclusion recently that, if loneliness ever took over, it never really will go away again. With time, you learn to live with it, and make the best of it.
