TITLE: The Dark Hereafter

The rough coastal landscapes of the northern European countries explored in black and white renderings, carving out the essence of the wild nature and elemental forces that shaped them over the course of aeons.

AUTHOR: Nicolas Alexander Otto (Germany)

For me photography has always been connected to a sense of escapism. Since the very beginning I‘ve always been shooting during my time off and during travels, capturing my experiences and impressions for the tedious moments at home and the regular daily bustle. The notion of the far away just waiting to be explored has always been propelling me forward to visit new locations and sights I haven’t seen yet. Also, being a very technically interested person, I always liked the combination of being out there, the artistic expression and the technical challenge that photography consists of; even including the post work, sitting on my desk for nights on end, trying to get the best out of the shots I’ve taken.

I use the medium of photography as an excuse to break out once in a while and head out on road trips throughout Europe, always keeping comfort to a necessary minimum, sleeping on location, roaming long distances with a backpack my trusty camera always at my side, and my eyes wide open. Also I frequently indulge in photographic exercise, trying to improve my technique, training on the mundane to sharpen my vision and to optimize my skills. Thus over time I have developed various techniques and skills to pursue my artistic vision and hopefully inspire other people to pick up a creative hobby.

In a post-modern world where orientation is somewhat lacking I try to focus on what is important, which is to engage in new experiences, set new goals and challenge oneself to become a better person. Photography is the medium with which I can always gain a new perspective on my surroundings, capturing the essence of a life, listening to the heart beat of a time.