TITLE: Body of Stone, Breath of Water

“Body of Stone, Breath of Water” explores the quiet tension between the human body and the elemental forces that shape the natural world. Created in the Verzasca Valley of Ticino, Switzerland, the photograph positions a lone figure on a massive boulder carved by centuries of erosion. Seen from above, the body appears both grounded and exposed, merging with the textures and tonal shifts of the surrounding rock while lying beside a river defined by constant movement. The aerial perspective abstracts the scene, allowing the human form to function as both subject and sculptural element within the landscape.
The work is rooted in the dialogue between stillness and motion, permanence and fragility. The rock, shaped over geological time, contrasts with the vulnerability and temporality of the human presence. Yet the figure does not disrupt the landscape; instead, it becomes a quiet extension of it—a temporary imprint within an environment that will continue long after the moment has passed. This interplay of scale and perspective invites viewers to reconsider the relationship between body and place, and to reflect on how humans inhabit, alter, and are shaped by their surroundings.
The photograph also examines the boundary between documentation and abstraction. From the drone’s elevated viewpoint, familiar forms dissolve into patterns of light, shade, and line. The body becomes a point of softness within an otherwise rigid landscape, introducing a human rhythm to the mineral composition. In this sense, the work seeks not to dominate the natural world but to acknowledge a shared presence within it—a moment where elemental and human forces converge in a state of balance.
Ultimately, “Body of Stone, Breath of Water” is a meditation on vulnerability, resilience, and the quiet harmonies that emerge when the human figure meets the raw geometry of nature.

AUTHOR: Mika Volkmann (Germany)

Mika Volkmann is an award-winning photographer based in Cologne, Germany, whose work spans sports photography, documentary storytelling, and fine-art visual narratives. With a background in sports science from the German Sport University Cologne, he brings a deep understanding of human movement, physical expression, and performance psychology into his visual practice. This foundation informs a photographic approach that is both analytical and empathetic—attuned to the intensity of athletic experience as well as the subtleties of human connection.
Volkmann has documented elite international sporting events for more than a decade, including the Paralympic Games in Tokyo (2021), Beijing (2022), and Paris (2024), working closely with the German Paralympic Team. His long-term engagement with para-sports has shaped a perspective rooted in dignity, resilience, and the nuanced stories that unfold around competition. His ability to capture emotion, vulnerability, and strength in moments of motion has led to recognition in multiple major competitions, reflecting both artistic merit and journalistic depth.
Over the years, Volkmann has received numerous honors, including awards from kicker, the German Paralympic Media Awards, and several distinctions from AIPS Sport Media Awards, where his work has repeatedly ranked among the top thirty worldwide. His photography has also been awarded in fine-art contexts, including medal placements in international visual arts competitions. These recognitions highlight his rare ability to operate fluidly across genres—from documentary to fine art, from intimate human moments to large-scale athletic spectacles.
His imagery is defined by a heightened sensitivity to environment, rhythm, and form. Whether working on the edge of a cliff capturing athletes in motion, following runners through narrow village streets, or observing the interplay between the human body and elemental landscapes from the air, Volkmann seeks to reveal the emotional and structural qualities that shape a scene. His recent fine-art work, including aerial interpretations of the human figure within natural formations, extends his practice into conceptual territories where body, nature, and abstraction merge.
Beyond sports, his documentary and street photography explore everyday encounters—often highlighting moments of unguarded humanity. His images balance clarity and poetry, emphasizing gestures and relationships that speak quietly yet powerfully. He is particularly drawn to scenes in which humor, tenderness, or unexpected connection emerges, as seen in works created in Madeira, Tuscany, and throughout Europe.
Volkmann’s ability to move between worlds—elite sport, everyday life, and artistic experimentation—defines the versatility of his visual voice. His work continues to evolve through a commitment to observation, patience, and a deep respect for the people he photographs. Regardless of context or scale, his images aim to honor the authenticity of lived experience while exploring the boundaries of visual storytelling.