Seizing the Moment

If there’s one invaluable lesson I’ve leaned from years of traversing landscapes as a photographer, it’s this: timing often trumps gear. In my early photographic forays, I had a penchant for frequent gear upgrades – lenses, filters, tripods – under the misconception that they would propel my style and knowledge forward. Regrettably, I often squandered precious moments preparing for that elusive perfect shot, only to watch it slip away. Hence, I resolved to embrace the ethos of minimalism, carrying only essential, lightweight equipment daily. Not only does this foster connections with locals, who tend to find solace in the presence of a less imposing camera, but it also enables me to engage with strangers, weaving their untold tales into my photographic narrative. My mission is to provide them a voice, a glimpse into a world they might not have explored as extensively as I have. This was the catalyst for my venture into travel photography. I still yearned for exceptional image quality and the widest possible aperture, leading me to initially believe that fixed prime lenses were the sole path. However, the answer to breaking free from this creative impasse lay in testing and awaiting technological evolution.

* The images without photograph data have been created with lenses other than SIGMA 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary

The most significant stride in my personal journey was transitioning from a DSLR to a mirrorless system. This shift significantly reduced the focal length distance between the lenses and the sensor, trimming both the lens’s size and weight. While traveling, my goal was to fit all essential gear into a single camera bag for streamlined security checks and public transportation. Hence, the arrival of the new SIGMA 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary on my recent trip to the Netherlands piqued my interest. Its compact form and feather-light design made it an ideal everyday companion.

During my Dutch sojourn, I embarked on two distinct challenges. Firstly, I explored the Dollard, an unspoiled nature reserve nestled along the Wadden Sea near the German border. From a hut at the end of a wooden path traversing the marshes, I witnessed the awe-inspiring spectacle of hundreds of birds rousing from slumber and taking flight across the fields. Wildlife photography with a wide-angle lens often presents challenges, prompting me to shift my focus towards the landscape. I sought to incorporate the birds as eye-catching elements rather than central subjects. As I crouched closer to the ground for a lower perspective, the lens’s remarkable minimum focusing distance of 11.6cm proved invaluable. This feature facilitated captivating close-ups of textures and small creatures while preserving the wide-angle aesthetic.

The second challenge involved capturing a previously visited location under different lighting conditions. My choice was the Marken Lighthouse, a 30-minute jaunt from Amsterdam. On my prior visit, I had enjoyed solitary moments during a summer sunrise. This time, I aimed to capture the lighthouse bathed in the warm hues of sunset. Fortunately, the location proved less crowded than anticipated. The journey entailed a 4km round trip, and even from a distance, I noticed a sailboat anchored near the lighthouse – an unexpected addition to the composition. This unpredictability has been a recurrent lesson in my photographic journey; not everything can be meticulously planned. I embraced the new composition, with the boat and lighthouse coexisting harmoniously within the frame. This fresh perspective led me to explore various angles to adapt to the evolving light. Sunrise had cast sidelight, demanding meticulous management of lens flares and exposure. Conversely, sunset introduced backlit conditions, necessitating caution to prevent my shadow from intruding into the frame. With a smaller, lighter SIGMA 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens, I relished the flexibility of getting closer to the ground and capturing my desired perspective. Post-sunset, I chose to linger, anticipating the lighthouse’s illumination during the blue hour – a personal favorite. It infuses scenes with a mystical ambiance, provided a sufficiently bright subject punctuates the frame. As the light diminished, I grew more appreciative of the lens’s wide aperture, enabling handheld shots sans tripod.

My photographic journey has undoubtedly evolved over the years, a natural progression inherent in any creative endeavor. As you delve deeper into your craft, you invariably carve out a distinct style, an ongoing, perhaps never-ending, process. I revel in cross-disciplinary exchanges with creatives from diverse realms, as they inject fresh perspectives into subjects I’ve explored extensively. Together, we fortify each other, proving that unity amplifies strength, a principle that transcends individual pursuits.