ICEBERGS ARE ONE OF NATURE'S MOST SPECTACULAR CREATIONS AND WHEN THE LIGHT OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN COMES INTO PLAY MYSTERY AND MAGIC ENVELOPS THEM!

GREENLAND IS THE PLACE TO SEE ICE IN ALL ITS SPECTACULAR FORMS. BIG, BIGGER AND ABSOLUTELY HUGE. CALVED FROM THE MAJESTIC INLAND ICE, ICEBERGS CONSIST OF TIGHTLY COMPRESSED SNOW THAT FELL ON GREENLAND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO. LIKE PONDEROUS ACTORS IN AN ETERNAL DRAMA, THEY SET THE SCENE FOR AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE. IN THE WINTER, TRAPPED IN THE PACK ICE, THEY ARE LIKE FROZEN PIECES IN NATURE’S GREAT GAME, SPECTACULAR AND AWESOME. IN THE SUMMER, THEY BECOME FLOATING SCULPTURES SETTING OFF ON A LONG AND UNCERTAIN VOYAGE ONLY STEERED BY THE WIND AND CURRENT. IT’S FROM MY PADDLE BOARD THAT I GET A TRUE DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR SIZE AS THEY TOWER HIGH ABOVE ME.

THE DREAM OF REACHING A SUPRAGLACIAL LAKE ON THE ICE SHEET SEEMED AT FIRST AN IMPOSSIBLE FEAT BUT WE MADE IT – THE DREAM CAME TRUE!

GREENLAND BRINGS FEELINGS OF HARMONY, BALANCE, PEACE AND TRANQUILITY. IT'S AN ENVIRONMENT CONVEYING PERSONAL REFLECTION AT ITS DEEPEST AND MORE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE I HAVE BEEN BEFORE, I FELT CONNECTED TO NATURE AND TO MYSELF.
I AM NOT TOO MUCH OF A SPIRITUAL PERSON, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT SOME PLACES CAN HAVE A POWERFUL, AND IN SOME EXTENT A SPIRITUAL EFFECT ON ME. ICE COMES IN MANY FORMS AND SHAPES – DURING OUR DAILY 8-HOUR PADDLES, WE DISCOVERED IN THE SHAPES OF ICEBERGS ALL KIND OF DIFFERENT ABSTRACT CREATURES, ANIMALS AND FACES. THEY FELT LIKE ANCIENT SUPRANATURAL GUARDIANS SHOWING US A SAFE WAY TO THE NEXT CAMP, PROTECTING US ON OUR JOURNEY.

IT’S SOMETIME WORTH TO WAKE UP EARLY TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THE FOG ENVELOPING THE SURROUNDINGS.

LOOKING AT THIS SHOT I HAVE TAKEN WITH MY DRONE A FEW WEEKS AGO IN NORTH GREENLAND, THE EXPRESSION 'ONLY SEEING THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG' FINDS ALL ITS MEANING!
THE DENSITIES OF ICE AND SEAWATER ARE VERY CLOSE IN VALUE. ICEBERGS FLOAT IN WATER WITH ABOUT 10% ABOVE AND 90% UNDERNEATH THE WATERLINE BECAUSE THEY ARE LIGHTER (LESS DENSE) THAN SEAWATER. KNOWING THAT, ONE NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT ICE MAY NOT ONLY BREAK OFF ICEBERG WALLS FROM ABOVE THE SURFACE BUT ALSO FROM UNDERNEATH!

THE BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE IS THE MOST COMMON GULL IN GREENLAND. IT IS OFTEN FOUND IN LARGE COLONIES RESTING ON ICEBERGS NEARBY CLIFF WALLS WHERE THEY NEST AND REAR THEIR YOUNG ONES.

WHEN WORKING AS AN ADVENTURE AND OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER ANTICIPATION IS KEY. FOR THIS SHOT I WANTED SIMONE’S PADDLE BOARD IN A PERFECT EQUILIBRIUM WITHIN THE SURROUNDINGS AND BRING TO LIFE THE BERG’S EPIC SCALE. WHILE ON THE WATER I MOSTLY USED MY TELEPHOTO LENS TO GET THE SUBJECT CLOSER TO THE BACKGROUND. MANY ASPECTS HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE FINAL PICTURE; AMONGST OTHER THE PADDLE POSITION, LINES AND IMAGE COMPOSITION, CONTRAST BETWEEN THE PADDLER AND THE BACKDROP, OR EVEN THE PLAY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS.

GREENLAND IS AN IMMENSE PLAYGROUND FOR THOSE WHO SEEK ADVENTURE, BUT IS IS ALSO A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FIND PEACE AND ROOM FOR REFLECTION.

PURE ICE SHAPES – BEFORE STARTING MY COMPANY AS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER 20 YEARS AGO I WAS WORKING AS A TECHNICAL DRAFTSMAN. THIS IS WHERE MY LOVE FOR CLEAN SHOTS WITH A MINIMALISTIC APPROACH COMES FROM. THE COMPOSITION, LINES AND SHAPES ALWAYS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MY PHOTOGRAPHY.

AWAY FROM THE RUSH OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION, I HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD TO OBSERVE THE MAGICAL SPECTACLE OF NATURE.

ON MANY OCCASIONS I FEEL VERY SMALL AS THE MOUNTAINOUS CLIFFS PLUMB INTO THE SEA. DAY AFTER DAY I AM OVERWHELMED BY THE BEAUTY AND RUGGEDNESS OF THIS REGION.

WORKING AS AN ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHER IN AMAZING GREENLAND WAS A GRATIFYING AND INSPIRING EXPERIENCE. FOR A MONTH I SWAPPED MY PHOTO STUDIO AND FLASH STROBES WITH A HUGE OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY PLAYGROUND LIT BY THE MIGHTY SPOTLIGHT OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN. WITH 24 HOURS OF DAYLIGHT, SURROUNDED BY THESE SUMPTUOUS SCENERIES IT WAS EASY TO GET LOST IN TIME AND SPACE. EVERY EVENING, AFTER A LONG AND INTENSIVE DAY, AS MY CAMERA RETURNED TO ITS SAFE HAVEN INSIDE MY PELI CASE, I WAS SAYING TO MYSELF; „I LOVE MY JOB, THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR!“

AS MY FATHER USE TO SAY : IT’S BETTER TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE YOU’RE GOING, THAN TO KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE YOU ARE.

RISING OUT OF THE OCEAN LIKE A SPEAR, THE SHAPE OF THIS HUGE ICEBERG BLEW MY MIND AWAY!

DAVID AND GOLIATH !

THE DAY IS PERFECT. AS SOON AS I STAND ON MY BOARD I FEEL IN HARMONY WITH THE SEA. SILENTLY MY PADDLE BLADE IS CUTTING THROUGH THE WONDERFUL CRIMSON BLUE WATER AND THE WIND OF FREEDOM GENTLY CARESSES MY FACE. I AM OVERWHELMED BY GREENLAND'S EVER CHANGING LANDSCAPE, NOTHING STANDS STILL, ALL IS IN MOVEMENT. EVERYWHERE I LOOK, THERE IS BEAUTY, I AM GOING WITH THE FLOW FULLY SAVOURING EVERY MOMENT!

FREEZING A MOMENT IN TIME – THE BEAUTY TO BE FOUND IN EXPERIENCING GREENLAND’S ICE IS SOMETHING YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.

THE DREAM OF REACHING A SUPRAGLACIAL LAKE ON THE ICE SHEET SEEMED AT FIRST TO BE AN IMPOSSIBLE FEAT BUT WE MADE IT – THE DREAM CAME TRUE!

FLY AWAY WITH ME.

EACH ICEBERG IS UNIQUE IN ITS SHAPE AND SIZE! I REMEMBER HOW EXCITING IT WAS SEEING THESE MOVING ICE SCULPTURES FOR THE FIRST TIME BACK IN 2005 AND MY ENTHUSIASM HAS NOT WANED A SINGLE BIT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THESE SLEEPING BEAUTIES ARE ATTRACTING ME LIKE A MAGNET AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF TO NOT PADDLE TOO CLOSE AND KEEP SAFE DISTANCE.

TIME HAS NO MEANING OUT THERE! FOR 24 DAYS I WITNESSED THE INCREDIBLE POWER AND BEAUTY OF OUR NATURAL WORLD, LIVING AN INTENSE AND UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE, NAVIGATING A SEA OF ICE.

GREENLAND’S RAW BEAUTY NEVER STOPS TO SURPRISE ME, DAY IN DAY OUT! NOW, AFTER AN EXTRAORDINARY STAND UP PADDLING ADVENTURE IN THE LAND OF THE GIANT ICEBERGS, I AM BACK HOME IN THE WARMTH OF SWITZERLAND AND THANKFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE LEARNED AND EXPERIENCED.

BACK IN THE 18TH CENTURY WOODEN HOUSES FROM ‘TIMBER KITS’ WERE SENT TO GREENLAND FROM SCANDINAVIA. ONLY FIVE COLOURS WERE AVAILABLE AND EACH ONE HAD A SPECIAL MEANING. NOWADAYS, MANY OF THE COLOURS ARE SIMPLY DECORATIVE, ALTHOUGH SOME BUILDINGS STILL FOLLOW THE OLD TRADITION.
I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS SERIES IN KULLORSUAQ, THE NORTHERNMOST SETTLEMENT IN THE UPERNAVIK ARCHIPELAGO, LOCATED ON KULLORSUAQ ISLAND AT THE SOUTHERN END OF MELVILLE BAY. THE SETTLEMENT WAS FOUNDED IN 1928 AND TODAY, KULLORSUAQ REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST TRADITIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING VILLAGES IN GREENLAND, BUT MAINTAINS A STABLE POPULATION OF 450 INHABITANTS.

THE SPACE WHALE IS A FULL SCALE HUMPBACK WHALE MADE OF STEEL AND STAINED GLASS CREATED BY MATTHEW SCHULTZ AND THE PIER GROUP. LIT FROM THE INSIDE AT NIGHT AND MYSTIC IN THE DUST OF THE PLAYA DURING THE DAY, IT WAS TRULY ATTRACTING ME LIKE A MAGNET.

▸ THE 2016 MONOCHROME PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS RECEIVED NEARLY 7000 SUBMISSIONS FROM 86 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS AWARDED HONORABLE MENTION NEXT TO 45 OTHER SUBMITTED WORKS IN THE CATEGORY ABSTRACT.

▸ FURTHER IT HAS AN AWARD NOMINATION IN THE CATEGORY TRAVEL OF THE 2018 FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS WHICH RECEIVED 11'000 SUBMISSIONS FROM 89 COUNTRIES. WINNERS AND NOMINEES WERE SELECTED BY HIGHLY ACCLAIMED PANEL OF INTERNATIONAL JUDGES.

▸ ONE EYELAND HAS JUST COMPLETED THE MISSION THROUGH ITS 2018 PHOTO CONTEST TO JUDGE THE BEST BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE WORLD. AN INTERNATIONAL JURY ADJUDGED CLOSE TO 2000 ENTRIES. IN ALL, PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM 49 COUNTRIES WERE AWARDED AND 18 GOLDS, 79 SILVERS, 146 BRONZES AND 245 FINALISTS WERE HANDED OUT. THE SPACE WHALE RECEIVED ONE SILVER AWARD IN THE CATEGORY EDITORIAL AND TWO BRONZE AWARDS IN THE CATEGORY FINE ART AND TRAVEL.

THE TEMPLE IS A POWERFUL AND EMOTIONAL PLACE. THE TRADITION OF PARTICIPANTS INSCRIBING THE SURFACES OF THE PIECE WITH PERSONAL MESSAGES HAS CONTINUED THROUGH ALL OF THE ITERATIONS OF THE TEMPLE – WHEN THE TEMPLE BURNS IT'S THE ONLY TIME THE FUNKY BEATS AREN'T BLASTING IN THE BACKGROUND. WE STAND TOGETHER IN SILENCE, IN RESPECT FOR THOSE LIVING AND THOSE WHO ARE GONE, IN GRATITUDE FOR OUR EXPERIENCE. WE STAND UNITED AND FULLY PRESENT REFLECTING ON OUR LIVES, OUR EXPERIENCE AND OUR FUTURES KNOWING WE'VE BEEN OFFERED A CLEAN SLATE.

THE CITY IS ALIVE AT ALL TIMES AND YOU MARVEL AT THE ASTOUNDING ART CARS THAT SERENADE YOU WITH MUSIC. YOU MAY WITNESS A FLYING CARPET, THE DISCO HAT WEARING SKULL, OR HUNDREDS OF OTHER CREATIVE ENDEAVORS.

THE ŚIṢYA IS A BURNING MAN 2016 ART PIECE ABOUT TRANSFORMATION AND LOSS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY KRISTA SANDERS AND ROB BELL.

THE CITY IS ALIVE AT ALL TIMES AND YOU MARVEL AT THE ASTOUNDING ART CARS THAT SERENADE YOU WITH MUSIC. YOU MAY WITNESS A FLYING CARPET, THE DISCO HAT WEARING SKULL, OR HUNDREDS OF OTHER CREATIVE ENDEAVORS.

DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY – SHEEP ART CAR

DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY – GIFTING IS ONE OF THE TRADEMARKS OF WHAT MAKES THE BURN SO SPECIAL. IN SMALL WAYS PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS READY TO GIVE YOU A BIG, LONG JUICY, HUG FULL OF LOVE (THERE ARE NO HANDSHAKES), BRACELETS, STICKERS, OR HOMEMADE JEWELRY. THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING AS THERE ARE NEVER ENDING PARTIES WITH FREE ALCOHOL, HOT DOG VENDORS IN OBSCURE PLACES JUST WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST, INCREDIBLE RIDES, LIVE EVENTS, MASSAGES, HEALINGS, HEALERS, WORKSHOPS, AND INFINITELY MORE.
THE LOVE, SUPPORT, KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY ARE WHAT MAKE THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE WHAT IT IS. IT IS A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE AND WHEN WE NEED SUPPORT WITHIN THE CAMP OR ON THE PLAYA IT’S ALWAYS THERE. THE PEOPLE CULTIVATE A CULTURE OF LOVE AND SUPPORT. THE ART AND MUSIC ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD BUT THE PEOPLE ARE THE REAL MAGIC OF BURNING MAN.

D’ANICORN AND PONEY STEEVE – BURNING MAN – "AT BURNING MAN IF YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING SLOW, YOU SHOULD SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE THE TRUE POTENCY OF MAGIC AND MIRACLES TAKE PLACE" –– D’ANICORN AND PONEY STEEVE.

I LOVE TO LOOK BACK AT OUR BURNING MAN JOURNEY IN THE DESERT OF NEVADA EQUIPPED WITH CAMERAS, STROBES, BIKES, FUNNY OUTFITS AND OPEN MINDS TO EXPLORE, EXPERIENCE AND CAPTURE THE ART AND CULTURE OF THE EVENT.

BURNING MAN : ART, MAGIC, LOVE AND FREEDOM!

THE ART AT BURNING MAN 2016 CONTAINS A LOTS OF ANIMALS: A BOAR, A WHALE, ORCAS, A GIANT INSECT, CROWS, GORILLAS, AN OCTOPUS AND A BEAR.

TRAVEL REPORTAGE CAPE VERDE – CHILDREN PLAYING IN SAND DUNES, SALAMANSA BAY – THE CHILDREN OF CAPE VERDE ARE AN EPITOME OF 'ZEST FOR LIFE'. AT SALAMANSA BAY ON THE ISLAND OF SAO VICENTE, A LARGE SAND DUNE AND A FEW OLD TIRES ARE ENOUGH TO DELIGHT A WHOLE HORDE OF CHILDREN. "UM, DOIS, TRÊS", SHOUTS THE ELDER, AND SOON EVERYONE IS WHIZZING DOWN THE SLOPE AT A BLINDING PACE. TIRELESSLY, THEY CLIMB THE DUNE AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH THE TIRE OVER THEIR SHOULDERS. AND EVERY TIME THEY HAVE THE SAME HAPPY SMILE ON THEIR FACES.

REPORTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY – CHILDREN PLAYING IN SAND DUNES, SALAMANSA BAY | THE CAP VERDEAN HAVE A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE AND APPRECIATE LITTLE THINGS. DESPITE THE POVERTY, THE HAPPINESS OF THE CHILDREN SHINES THROUGH. SALAMANSA IS A VILLAGE IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND OF SAO VICENTE, CAPE VERDE. IT IS SITUATED ON THE NORTH COAST, APPROXIMATELY 3 KM NORTHEAST OF THE ISLAND CAPITAL, MINDELO.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY IN CAPE VERDE – MANUEL STANDING PROUD IN FRONT OF HIS FISHING BOAT ON THE BEACH OF SÃO FILIPE – THE TRUE HIGHLIGHTS OF ANY TRAVEL EXPERIENCE ARE THE ENCOUNTERS ALONG THE WAY THAT GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIVES AND TRADITIONS OF THE LOCALS.

FISHERMAN PREPARING HIS BOAT IN THE SMALL HARBOUR OF PONTA DO SOL, SANTO ANTĀO, CAPE VERDE.

FISHING ON THE CAPE VERDE ARCHIPELAGO IS, FOR THE MOST PART, STILL ARTISANAL. MACKERELS FISHERMEN PULLING THE NET IN OFF THE COAST OF PONTA DO SOL.

FISHERMEN OFF THE COAST OF FOGO, CAPE VERDE – FISHING ON THE CAPE VERDE ARCHIPELAGO IS, FOR THE MOST PART, STILL ARTISANAL. SMALL WOODEN BOATS WITH UP TO 3 FISHERMEN DEPART EVERY MORNING. MOSTLY WITHOUT MOTORS BUT ROWING.

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN INCREDIBLY STRONG MEDIUM TO SHOW HUMANS IN THEIR LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT.

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN INCREDIBLY STRONG MEDIUM TO SHOW HUMANS IN THEIR LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
I HAVE REALIZED THIS SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS THROUGHOUT 3 VISITS TO THE ARCHIPELAGO.
IN THE CAPE VERDES, ARTISANAL FISHERIES ARE STILL VERY IMPORTANT AND DEPEND BASICALLY ON TUNA CAUGHT WITH HANDLINES. THIS METHOD OF FISHING IS OFTEN PRACTICED IN ROUGH SEAS IN SMALL WOODEN BOATS (UP TO 5 METRES), TWO-THIRDS OF WHICH ARE SIMPLY ROWED BY OARS.
MY STORY ABOUT THE FISHERMEN, CHILDREN AND LANDSCAPE OF CAPE VERDE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GERMAN MAGAZINE SCHWARZWEISS AMONG OTHERS.

FISHERMAN WITH TUNA, CAPE VERDE – AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF THE FISHING BOATS THE FISH ARE PLACED ON THE BOYS HEAD AND TAKEN OFF TO THE MARKET. SAO FILIPE, FOGO.

FISHERMAN IN SANTO ANTÃO, CAPE VERDE – SANTO ANTÃO IS FOR MANY THE MOST STUNNING ISLAND OF THE CAPE VERDE ARCHIPELAGO. A LAND OF DRAMATIC SCENERY WHICH IS SO SPECTACULAR IT IS SAID TO TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY.

KIDS PLAYING AT THE BEACH NEAR MINDELO ON THE ISLAND OF SÃO VICENTE – THE CAP VERDEAN HAVE A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE AND APPRECIATE LITTLE THINGS. DESPITE THE POVERTY, THE HAPPINESS OF THE CHILDREN SHINES THROUGH.

CAPE VERDE – FACING THE OCEAN.

SNOWSHOES, SWISS MOUNTAINS – WITH SNOWSHOES ON YOUR FEET, YOU ARE FREE TO EXPLORE. AN IDEAL ALTERNATIVE FOR ALL THOSE SEEKING PEACE AND QUIET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.

SNOWKITE AT SAN BERNARDINO 
–
 PHOTOGRAPHER JEAN-LUC GROSSMANN AND HIS BROTHER SYLVAIN ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE OUTDOORS. LAST WINTER THEY HEADED OUT WITH SLEDS ON A 3-DAY MICRO-ADVENTURE TO EXPLORE THE REGION OF THE IMPOSING PASS OF SAN BERNARDINO IN SEARCH OF VIRGIN SPACES AND PERFECT WIND CONDITION.

ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY STORY IN THE SWISS MOUNTAINS – ARRIVING ON THE PASS, A BREATHTAKING BACKDROP REVEALS ITSELF TO US. MIGHTY MOUNTAIN PEAKS SHINE THROUGH THE MORNING SUN. THE PRISTINE SNOW GLISTENS LIKE A CARPET OF MILLIONS OF ICE CRYSTALS AND WE ADMIRE THE ENCHANTING PLAY OF LIGHT FOR A WHILE. ALL AROUND OPENS A HUGE BACKCOUNTRY AREA THAT SEEMS KITE-TECHNICALLY PERFECTLY LOCATED. WE DISCOVER COUNTLESS HOLLOWS AND ROCKY OUTCROPS, WHICH CAN BE USED AS NATURAL OBSTACLES. THE LANDSCAPE SMILES AT US AND WE FEEL THE WIND OF FREEDOM. ONCE AGAIN WE REALIZE THAT SHORT ADVENTURES, EVEN ON OUR OWN DOORSTEP, CAN SPARK A DEEP HAPPINESS.

WINTER IS FINALLY HERE AND OUR INNER VOICE SCREAM FOR FREEDOM AND ADVENTURE. IT IS TIME TO SET OUT AGAIN TO FEEL THE POWER AND BEAUTY OF NATURE. WHEN WE REACH THE PLATEAU AFTER 4 HOURS OF ASCENT FROM THE NORTH SIDE, OUR LEGS FEEL TIRED AND HEAVY. ABOUT 40 CM OF FRESH SNOW FELL OVERNIGHT AND OUR SLEDGES, LADEN WITH KITES, CAMPING AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT, ARE DIFFICULT TO MOVE ACROSS THE DEEP SNOW.

SAN BERNARDINO, SWITZERLAND – THE PASS OF SAN BERNARDINO IN SWITZERLAND IS THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR A LITTLE OUTDOOR WINTER EXCURSION. WE LOVE THESE KIND OF ADVENTURES WHICH BRING US CLOSER TO NATURE.

FREERIDE SESSION IN THE SWISS ALPS – GOING FOR THE TOP.

LAGO BIANCO, SWITZERLAND – GET SOME FRESH AIR AND FREE YOUR MIND.

ICEBERG, WEST GREENLAND – MORE THAN ELSEWHERE, TRAVELLING IN THE POLAR REGIONS IS SYNONYM FOR FREEDOM. IN THESE IMMACULATE LANDS WHERE NATURE REIGNS, I FEEL AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. I TOOK THIS PICTURE OF THE LOW ARCTIC SUN ILLUMINATING THIS ICEBERG’S STRANGE CELL FORMATION FROM MY SEA KAYAK ON MY SECOND PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION TO GREENLAND.

SEA KAYAKING, WEST GREENLAND – 2 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, SEA KAYAKER PADDLING THROUGH A SEA OF ICE OFF GREENLAND’S NORTHWEST COAST, IN THE ENDLESS SUMMER DAYS OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN.

SPOTLIGHT ON ICEBERG, WEST GREENLAND

OUR SEA KAYAKS POINT TOWARD THE MASSIVE INLAND ICE. UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN THE SEA IS SO CALM THAT THE INCREDIBLE VISTA IS REFLECTED LIKE A MIRROR. MOUNTAIN SIDES LIGHTEN INTO POWERFUL REDS, SHADOWS LENGTHEN, AND THE ICEBERGS SEEM TO BE UNDER A GIANT SPOTLIGHT.

ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY IN NORTH WEST GREENLAND – AFTER A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP WE START THE 4-DAY CROSSING THAT WILL ALWAYS STAY IN OUR MINDS – WHEN PLANING OUR ADVENTURE WE DECIDED NOT TO TAKE THE EXPOSED ROUTE AROUND THE SVARTENHUK PENINSULA BUT TO TREK AN ANCIENT INUIT SUMMER TRAIL STARTING AT THE END OF THE LONG UVKUSIGSSAT FJORD FROM WHERE WE PULLED THE SEA KAYAKS OVER LAND FOR 40 KM TO REACH THE REGION OF UPERNAVIK FURTHER NORTH – WE FORM 2 TEAMS, EACH PULLING ONE OF THE KAYAKS ALONG THE GROUND USING A HARNESS. THEN WE WALK BACK TO TAKE THE SECOND KAYAK. EACH OF OUR KAYAKS WEIGHS 100 KG. WE PULL LIKE CRAZY FOR 10 HOURS A DAY AND TRY TO STAY ON A GRASSY, LESS ROCKY GROUND. THE EFFORT IS INTENSE AND WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE US TO REACH THE SEA ON THE NORTH SIDE. EACH OF US HAS TO PUSH HIMSELF TO HIS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL LIMITS. WE CROSS 3 ALMOST-FROZEN LAKES. FROM FAR AWAY THE SECOND LAKE SEEMS IMPASSABLE, BUT WHEN WE GET CLOSER WE NOTICE A NARROW OPEN WATER CHANNEL. ON THE THIRD DAY WE REACH 400 METER ABOVE SEA LEVEL AND START TO WALK DOWNHILL. WE ARE NOW FINE-TUNED AND MOVE FAST FORWARD. WE FEEL THAT THE SEA IS CLOSE. ON DAY 4 WE REACH THE RIVER WE HOPED TO KAYAK DOWN, BUT WE FIND A WILD STREAM WITH A HUGE AMOUNT OF WATER. TO GET IN THERE WOULD BE PURE SUICIDE! EVEN THOUGH WE ARE EXHAUSTED, WE DECIDE TO KEEP GOING. THE BANKS OF THE RIVER ARE HILLY. WE HAVE BEEN PULLING FOR 12 HOURS STRAIGHT NOW. THE PLAIN AND THE HILLS ARE PASSING BY. SUDDENLY, AT THE TOP OF A SMALL PROMONTORY SYLVAIN IS RAISING HIS ARMS IN THE AIR AND SHOUTING. WE JOIN HIM. AN INTENSE JOY PERVADES US AND WITHIN SECONDS ALL OUR PAINS HAVE DISAPPEARED. THERE, FINALLY, IS THE SEA! AN IMPOSING LANDSCAPE IS PRESENTED TO US. THE GLITTERING CURVES OF LAKSEFJORD CONTRAST WITH THE SURROUNDING ISLANDS LIKE A MONOCHROME PHOTOGRAPH. FOR A LONG MOMENT, WE STAY HERE, SIDE BY SIDE, STARING AT THE SEA AND REALIZE WHAT WE HAVE LIVED THROUGH.

ONLY 2 YEARS AFTER OUR FIRST SEA KAYAK EXPEDITION WITH MY BROTHER SYLVAIN OFF GREENLAND’S NORTH-WEST COAST, WE TEAMED UP WITH OUR FRIENDS RAFIC AND THOMAS FOR A NEW PADDLING ADVENTURE IN THE SAME REGION HEADING 500 KILOMETRES FURTHER NORTH THROUGH FJORDS, ICE FLOES AND OVER LAND – AN EXPEDITION OF A LIFETIME.

GREENLAND MAGIC – THE LOW ARCTIC SUN ILLUMINATES A LONELY COLOSSUS – GREENLAND IS THE PLACE TO SEE ICE IN ALL ITS SPECTACULAR FORMS. IN THE WINTER, TRAPPED IN THE FROZEN SURFACE OF THE SEA, THEY ARE LIKE FROZEN PIECES IN NATURE’S GREAT GAME, INCREDIBLE AND AWESOME. IN THE SUMMER, THEY BECOME VAST FLOATING SCULPTURES SETTING OFF ON A LONG AND UNCERTAIN VOYAGE WITH ONLY THE WIND AND THE CURRENT TO STEER THEM.

ICE FOG IS CREATED WHEN WATER VAPOR MEETS ARCTIC AIR THAT’S SO COLD IT IS UNABLE TO ABSORB ANY MORE WATER: THE RESULT IS THE FORMATION OF TINY ICE CRYSTALS THAT CAN COVER THE ARCTIC SEA.

NORTH GREENLAND – THIS SHOT SHOWS THE IMMENSITY OF THE LANDSCAPE. WE ALL FELT VERY SMALL AND STOOD THERE FOR AN HOUR, JUST CONTEMPLATING THE SCENE. OUR SAGA MAPS, DATING FROM 1970, SHOW THE WHOLE SEA IN FRONT OF US COVERED BY GLACIERS. WE WERE SHOCKED TO SEE HOW FAR THE GLACIERS HAVE RETREATED IN LESS THAN 40 YEARS.

ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY – THE FOG THAT HAD BEEN BLOCKED BY THE SURROUNDING ISLANDS HAS PUT ITS WHITE SHROUD AROUND OUR CAMPSITE. VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO 100 METERS. WE PADDLE ALONG THE COAST OF THE KARRAT ISLAND AND AFTER SOME KILOMETRES THE SKY CLEARS UP AND GIVES PLACE TO A CLOUDLESS BLUE SKY. THERE IS JUST TIME TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND EAT SOMETHING BEFORE THE MIST COMES BACK. THIS TIME WE NAVIGATE WITH THE GPS. THE 5 KM CROSSING TO THE ISLAND OF UPERNAVIK IS A SLALOM RUN. WE PASS ICEBERGS, SOMETIMES ON THE LEFT, SOMETIMES ON THE RIGHT, SO THAT WE CAN KEEP APPROXIMATELY ON THE RIGHT COURSE. SUDDENLY THE HORIZON GETS DARKER AND THE COAST APPEARS THROUGH THE FOG. IN A COUPLE OF DAYS OUR ADVENTURE WILL COME TO AN END AND A FEELING OF MELANCHOLY OVERCOMES US. WE HAVE TRAVELLED A TOTAL OF 600 KILOMETRES AND TAKEN OVER 350,000 PADDLE STROKES. MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE LIVED FOR 45 DAYS, AWAY FROM THE RUSH OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION, AND WE WITNESSED THE INCREDIBLE POWER AND BEAUTY OF OUR NATURAL WORLD, AS WE LIVED AN INTENSE AND UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE, NAVIGATING A SEA OF ICE.

LONE ICEBERG STANDING UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN –  IT’S FROM OUR SEA KAYAKS THAT WE GOT A TRUE DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR SIZE AS THEY TOWERED HIGH ABOVE US, AND WHEN THE SUN SHONE ON THESE ICY BEHEMOTHS, THEIR BEAUTY WAS BREATHTAKING.

NORTH GREENLAND – BEING SO CLOSE TO ICEBERGS WAS A POWERFUL FEELING, TINGED WITH DANGER. FROM THESE DECEPTIVE ICEBERGS, HUGE BLOCKS OF ICE CAN CRASH INTO THE SEA, CREATING BREAKING WAVES FULL OF JAGGED ICE.

NORTH GREENLAND SEA KAYAK EXPEDITION | IN THE MORNING, THE SKY IS CLEAR AND THE SUN HEATS UP THE FROZEN SURFACE ENABLING US TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE SEA OF ICE IN WHICH WE HAD BEEN TRAPPED.

GREENLAND – BLUE ICEBERG IN STORM.

CAN’T GET NO SLEEP – PADDLING UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN IN NORTHWEST GREENLAND.

DAVID AND GOLIATH – ON OUR FIRST EXPEDITION TO GREENLAND WITH MY BROTHER, THIS STUNNING ICEBERG WAS STUCK IN THE CHANNEL RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR CAMPSITE.

SPITZKOPPE FEELS LIKE ULURU'S LITTLE SISTER. IT IS LOCATED NORTH-EST OF SWAKOPMUND IN THE NAMIB DESERT. THIS IS MY FAVORITE PLACE IN NAMIBIA.

FLOATING OVER THE DUNES IN A HOT AIR BALLOON IS A BREATHTAKING WAY TO APPRECIATE THE STUNNING LANDSCAPE OF THE NAMIB NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK.

SUPERLATIVES ROLL EASILY WHEN TALKING ABOUT NAMIBIAN SUNSETS AND SUNRISES. THERE IS SUCH MAGIC IN THESE HAZY, DUSTY DAYS!

HIMBA PORTRAIT, NAMIBIA – THE HIMBA ARE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WITH AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF ABOUT 50,000. THEY ARE DISPERSED THROUGHOUT NORTHERN NAMIBIA, IN THE KAOKOLAND AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE KUNENE RIVER IN ANGOLA.

HAIRSTYLE AND JEWELRY PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE AMONG THE HIMBA, IT INDICATES AGE AND SOCIAL STATUS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.

HIMBA PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, COVER THEMSELVES EACH DAY WITH A MIXTURE OF BUTTERFAT AND OCHRE PIGMENT, TO CLEANSE THEIR SKIN DUE TO WATER SCARCITY AND PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE EXTREMELY HOT AND DRY CLIMATE.

CHEETAHS ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR SPEED AND AGILITY BUT ARE ALSO ONE OF AFRICA'S MOST ENDANGERED BIG CATS.

ETOSHA PAN, NAMIBIA – THE ETOSHA PAN IS A LARGE SALT PAN, FORMING PART OF THE KALAHARI BASIN IN THE NORTH OF NAMIBIA AND IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES ON EARTH TO SPOT AFRICA'S WILDLIFE. THE ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK IS HOME TO 4 OF THE BIG 5.

IN AFRICA, THE BIG FIVE GAME ANIMALS ARE THE LION, ELEPHANT, BUFFALO, LEOPARD, AND THE RHINOCEROS.

THE LEOPARD IS POWERFUL AND GRACEFUL AND BELONG TO THE FAMILY OF BIG CATS. HE IS CLOSELY RELATED TO THE LION, TIGER, AND JAGUAR. HE IS A SOLITARY HUNTER THAT HUNTS ON THE GROUND AND IN THE TREES. LEOPARDS ARE EXCELLENT CLIMBERS AND SPEND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE DAY RESTING IN THE TREE BRANCHES SHADE OR UNDER SHELTERED ROCKS.

CHEETAHS ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR SPEED AND AGILITY BUT ARE ALSO ONE OF AFRICA'S MOST ENDANGERED BIG CATS.

NAMIBIAN BEAUTY – SHOOTING LANDSCAPES REQUIRES PATIENCE, TO PHOTOGRAPH WILDLIFE EVEN MORE. IT’S FASCINATING TO OBSERVE THE WAY ANIMALS INTERACT TOGETHER AND THEIR BEHAVIORS.

DEAD VLEI IS AN OTHERWORLDLY SUN-BLACKENED DEAD FOREST IN A DRIED OASIS SURROUNDED BY GIANT SAND DUNES.

THE SKELETON COAST BEARS ITS NAME DUE TO THE THOUSANDS OF WHALE CARCASSES AND SHIPWRECKS THAT LITTER ITS SHORES. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL AND VAST STRETCH OF LAND WHERE THE ATLANTIC OCEAN CLASHES WITH THE DESERT AND THE DUNES.

FLYING OVER THE DUNE IS A BREATHTAKING WAY TO APPRECIATE THE STUNNING LANDSCAPE OF THE NAMIB NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK.

NAMIBIA IS THE SECOND-LEAST DENSELY POPULATED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD AND HOME TO SOME OF THE LARGEST DUNES. TRAVELING THROUGH THIS 'INFINITY‘-LANDSCAPE GIVES YOU PEACE AND SERENITY.

FLOATING OVER THE DUNES IN A HOT AIR BALLOON ABOVE THE DUNE OF SOSSUSVLEI GIVES YOU A STRONG FEELING OF FREEDOM.

THE SKELETON COAST BEARS ITS NAME DUE TO THE THOUSANDS OF WHALE CARCASSES AND SHIPWRECKS THAT LITTER ITS SHORES. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL AND VAST STRETCH OF LAND WHERE THE ATLANTIC OCEAN CLASHES WITH THE DESERT AND THE DUNES.

NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA – MAGICAL SUNSET DESERT LIGHT OF THE NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK – WHEREVER WE LOOK, IT IS THE INFINITE THAT APPEARS TO US.

MAGICAL SUNSET DESERT LIGHT OF THE NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY GIVES ME THE ABILITY TO OBSERVE THE LANDSCAPES IN A NEW LIGHT AND OPENS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON OUR CHANGING WORLD - IT IS FASCINATING TO SEE HOW WATER BEAUTIFULLY SHAPES OUR PLANET.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY GIVES ME THE ABILITY TO OBSERVE THE LANDSCAPES IN A NEW LIGHT AND OPENS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON OUR CHANGING WORLD - IT IS FASCINATING TO SEE HOW WATER BEAUTIFULLY SHAPES OUR PLANET.

DEADVLEI IS A WHITE CLAY PAN CHARACTERIZED BY DARK, DEAD CAMEL THORN TREES NEAR THE MORE FAMOUS SALT PAN OF SOSSUSVLEI, INSIDE THE NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK IN NAMIBIA.

NAMIBIA IS THE SECOND-LEAST DENSELY POPULATED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD AND HOME TO SOME OF THE LARGEST DUNES. TRAVELING THROUGH THIS 'INFINITY‘-LANDSCAPE GIVES YOU PEACE AND SERENITY.

NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NATIONAL PARKS IN AFRICA, SPANNING MUCH OF THE CENTRAL NAMIB DESERT AND INCLUDES THE NAUKLUFT MOUNTAINS.

WHERE THERE IS WATER THERE IS LIFE.

NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA – NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NATIONAL PARKS IN AFRICA, SPANNING MUCH OF THE CENTRAL NAMIB DESERT AND INCLUDES THE NAUKLUFT MOUNTAINS. FLYING OVER THE DUNES DURING THE GOLDEN HOUR IS TRULY A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE.

“OF ALL THE BOOKS IN THE WORLD, THE BEST STORIES ARE FOUND BETWEEN THE PAGES OF A PASSPORT.”

FLOATING OVER THE DUNES IN A HOT AIR BALLOON IS A BREATHTAKING WAY TO APPRECIATE THE STUNNING LANDSCAPE OF THE NAMIB NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK.

MAGIC EVENING LIGHT IN THE SWISS ALPS.

EARLY MORNING FOG OVER LAKE ZURICH.

SWISS LAKES – IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE PADDLING THROUGH A SWISS FAIRY TALE; THE ALPS TOWER OVERHEAD AND LITTLE VILLAGES CLING TO THE CLIFFS AS THE LAKE PRESSES IN FROM ALL SIDES. HOWEVER, IT IS THE CASTLE THAT DEMANDS ALL OF OUR ATTENTION. IT SITS ALONE ON THE SHORE NO MORE THAN A KILOMETER AWAY. WITH EACH PADDLE STROKE, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US REMAINS, AS IF THE CASTLE LIES SUSPENDED ON A GIGANTIC CANVAS. ONE OF THE LUXURIES OF STAND UP PADDLING IS THAT NOTHING MOVES FAST. EVERYTHING SLOWS DOWN; THERE IS TIME TO LOOK AROUND, TO FEEL NATURE AND COUNT ONE’S BLESSINGS.

PADDLING THE SWISS LAKES – WE PADDLED LAST MONTH TO CREATE A TRAVEL STORY WITH OUR FRIENDS ON LAC LEMAN, VIERWALDSTÄTTERSEE AND LAGO DI LUGANO COVERING THE 3 GEOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL REGIONS OF SWITZERLAND.  THE IDEA WAS TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN, CAMP WILD AND EXPERIENCE THE DIVERSE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRY WE ALL CALL HOME.

HMONG WOMAN. SAPA, VIETNAM | THE HMONG ARE AN ETHNIC GROUP FROM THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS OF CHINA, VIETNAM, LAOS, AND THAILAND.

ABORIGINAL SPIRITUALITY IS DEEPLY LINKED TO THEIR LAND. ALL OBJECTS ARE LIVING AND SHARE THE SAME SOUL AND SPIRIT AS ABORIGINALS.

THE DEVILS MARBLES ARE HUGE GRANITE BOULDERS SCATTERED ACROSS A WIDE, SHALLOW VALLEY, 100 KMS SOUTH OF TENNANT CREEK IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. IN THE ABORIGINAL MYTHOLOGY THE DEVILS MARBLES ARE THE EGGS OF THE RAINBOW SERPENT, AND MANY "DREAMTIME" STORIES AND TRADITIONS OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE ARE LINKED WITH THIS AREA. IT HAS A DEEP SPIRITUAL MEANING AND THE TRADITIONAL ABORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE REGION REGARD THE MARBLES AS HAVING EXTRAORDINARY POWERS.

THE SHADOW MAN — THE SHADOW MAN IS A CONTRASTY BLACK AND WHITE PICTURE SERIES OF MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES USING THE PLAY OF LIGHT, SHADE AND BACK-LIGHTING TO CREATE DRAMATIC MOODS.

FRANCE’S NORTHERN COAST IS A WORLD UNTO ITSELF. ITS HUNDREDS OF KILOMETERS OF COASTLINE RANGES FROM RUGGED CLIFFS TO QUIET SANDY BEACHES.

ÉTRETAT IN NORMANDIE, FRANCE IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS CHALK CLIFFS, INCLUDING THREE NATURAL ARCHES AND THE POINTED FORMATION CALLED L'AIGUILLE OR THE NEEDLE, WHICH RISES 70 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL.

LIGHTHOUSE STANDING PROUD IN PROPRIANO, CORSICA.

A JOURNEY UP NORTH IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL.

YOU LOVE DRAMATIC SCENERIES AND LIGHTING? NORTHERN NORWAY IS THE PLACE TO BE!

PADDLING IN NORTHERN NORWAY – NOTHING BUT SEA AND OUR THOUGHTS. LITTLE BY LITTLE WE GET USED TO THE MIDNIGHT SUN AND THE FACT THAT THE SUMMER DAYS LAST FOR 24 HOURS. EACH MORNING, IF NOT EVENING, IS THE START OF A NEW ADVENTURE. BEFORE WE HIT THE WATER EVERYTHING FROM CAMPING GEAR, FOOD, WATER, CLOTHING, NOT TO MENTION OUR PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT HAS TO BE STRAPPED DOWN TO THE BOARDS IN WATERPROOF BAGS. WE PADDLE ALMOST EVERY DAY BETWEEN 5 TO 10 HOURS. TO GET THE RIGHT SHOT WHILE ON THE WATER WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE RISK OF 'ON-BOARD' PHOTOGRAPHY. ONE SLIGHT TILT AND OUR GEAR CAN END UP IN THE WATER.

TENT WITH A VIEW IN NORTHERN NORWAY – IT'S WORTH TO PUT EFFORT IN FINDING A GOOD CAMPING SPOT.  IT IS A REWARD FOR THE DAYS PADDLING.

WE EXPERIENCE MANY WINDY AND RAINY DAYS, BUT ARE REWARDED SOMETIMES WITH MAGICAL LIGHT AS THE SUN IS SHINING THROUGH THE CLOUDS.

SUP ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN NORWAY – ON MANY OCCASIONS WE FEEL VERY SMALL BENEATH MOUNTAIN WALLS THAT PLUNGE INTO THE SEA. THE OCEAN HAS SCULPTED THE LANDSCAPE HERE, CREATING SOME OF THE MOST BREATHTAKING AND DRAMATIC VIEWS WE'VE EVER SEEN.

THE SOUND OF WAVES GENTLY BREAKING ON THE SHORE CALLS TO US.

SUP PADDLING ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN NORWAY – AFTER 6 MONTHS IN THE PLANNING, LOTS OF TRAINING IN FREEZING RAINY WEATHER, A WEEKEND EXPEDITION TO THE MOUNTAINS, MUCH EQUIPMENT TESTING, WE WERE FINALLY FACING THE OCEAN AND READY TO TASTE THE BEAUTY AND WILDERNESS OF THE SURROUNDING ISLANDS. IT WAS A PERFECT DAY. THE TENSION BUILT UP IN OUR BODIES WITHIN THE LAST MONTHS DISAPPEARED AS WE WERE GETTING OUR BOARDS READY UNDER THE BRIGHT SUNSHINE.

WE PADDLE ALMOST EVERY DAY BETWEEN 5 TO 10 HOURS. FISHING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING ARE MOSTLY OUR OCCUPATIONS WHILE ON THE WATER.

WHEN THE WIND CONDITIONS PREVENT US FROM PADDLING, WE DISCOVER THE REGION BY FOOT AND ARE ALWAYS REWARDED WITH AWESOME SEASCAPES.

WHEN SEA AND SKY MELT TOGETHER – WE OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED THE THINGS WE SEE AROUND US. FROM TIME TO TIME IT IS GOOD TO CELEBRATE LIFE AND EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TOWARDS THE NATURAL WORLD WE LIVE IN.

THE ISLAND OF SØRFUGLØYA BECOMES A SORT OF FRIEND ACCOMPANYING US ON THE WAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. WE HAVE MANY NICK NAMES FOR THIS ISLAND BUT MOSTLY IT REMIND US OF KING KONG'S ISLAND.

THE MIDNIGHT SUN GIVES US A FINAL FAREWELL.

WE OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED THE THINGS WE SEE AROUND US. FROM TIME TO TIME IT IS GOOD TO CELEBRATE LIFE AND EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TOWARDS THE NATURAL WORLD WE LIVE IN.

AVENUE OF THE BAOBABS ON MADAGASCAR'S WEST COAST. THERE ARE MANY STORIES AND MYTHS BEHIND THE APPEARANCE OF THE BAOBABS. ONE OF THEM GOES LIKE THIS: THE GOD THORA DID NOT LIKE THE BAOBAB GROWING IN HIS GARDEN, SO HE PLUCKED IT OUT AND THREW IT OVER THE WALL OF PARADISE. IT FELL ON THE EARTH BELOW, LANDING UPSIDE DOWN AND SIMPLY CONTINUED TO GROW.

IN MADAGASCAR, MORE THAN HALF OF THE POPULATION IS UNDER 20 YEARS OLD – PUPILS IN CLASSROOM IN THE SMALL VILLAGE OF VINANIVAO.

ANTSIRABE, MADAGASCAR – MADAGASCAR IS A GREAT PLACE TO TOUR BY BIKE AND STAYING IN SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES ALONG THE WAY GIVES A REAL SENSE OF WHAT THE COUNTRY IS ALL ABOUT.

THE DESIGN OF A PIROGUE ALLOWS ONE TO MOVE THROUGH THE VERY SHALLOW WATER AND IT CAN BE EASILY TURNED OVER TO DRAIN THE WATER OUT. THIS IMAGE WAS TAKEN IN A LAGOON OFF THE MASOALA PENINSULA IN MADAGASCAR ON OUR SEA KAYAK EXPEDITION AROUND THE PENINSULA.

MARKET, MADAGASCAR – SUPERMARKETS DO EXIST ON THE ISLAND, BUT MOST OF THEM ARE EXPENSIVE AND LIMITED TO URBAN AREAS. DAILY MARKETS RUN IN CITIES AND TOWNS WHILE WEEKLY ROTATING MARKETS ARE HELD IN RURAL AREAS.

ANTALAHA, MADAGASCAR – IN MADAGASCAR, MORE THAN HALF OF THE POPULATION IS UNDER 20 YEARS OLD.

FASCINATING FOR ITS BIODIVERSITY, ITS WELL PROPORTIONED AND MULTI-FACETED LANDSCAPES, ITS MIX OF AFRICAN AND ASIAN CULTURE, AND THE WARMTH OF ITS PEOPLE, MADAGASCAR HAS CHARMED TRAVELLERS FOR DECADES. IN THE NORTHEAST, THE MASOALA PENINSULA, KNOWN AS A "SANCTUARY OF NATURE", IS ONE OF THE LAST PLACES IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THE RAINFOREST MEETS THE SEA. HOME TO THE MASOALA NATIONAL PARK, AND NO LESS THAN THREE DIFFERENT MARINE PARKS, THIS VAST SPACE IS MADAGASCAR'S NATIONAL TREASURE.

KIDS HAVING FUN AND POSING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA. AVENUE OF THE BAOBABS ON MADAGASCAR'S WEST COAST.

A SECLUDED COVE WITH A WHITE SANDY BEACH ON THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF SANDRAY ISLAND PROVIDED ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPSITES OF THE ENTIRE EXPEDITION. IT WAS HERE THAT A WIND-TOSSED SEA, CREATED BY A BIG STORM OVER THE ATLANTIC, PINNED US TO THE BEACH FOR THREE DAYS. EVEN AFTER THE STORM SUBSIDED, THE SURF WAS STILL BIG ENOUGH THAT WE WAITED MANY LONG MINUTES, TIMING THE WAVE SETS, POISED FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT TO PADDLE OUT THROUGH THE BREAKERS TO MAKE THE THREE-MILE CROSSING TO PABBAY ISLAND. FROM THERE, WE CONTINUED TO MINGULAY ISLAND AND AROUND BARRA POINT, THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES, THEN CIRCLED BACK TO COMPLETE OUR JOURNEY.

PADDLING DEEP INTO THE SEA CAVES NEAR BONIFACIO. WITH HUGE CLIFFS, NUMEROUS COVES AND CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS, CORSICA’S WEST COAST IS A GEM FOR EVERY PADDLER.

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT FOR TOURISM IN SKÅNE – DID YOU EVER HEAR OF SKÅNE? WE HAVE BEEN PADDLING, HIKING AND BIKING IN THIS BEAUTIFUL REGION IN SOUTHERN SWEDEN LAST MONTH. THE SWEDISH ALLEMANSRÄTT – RIGHT OF PUBLIC ACCESS – GIVES YOU PURE FREEDOM TO GET LOST AND ROAM WHERE YOU LIKE AND MAKES IT THE PERFECT PLACE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE.

AT THE VERY TIP OF SOUTH-WEST PORTUGAL LIES COSTA VICENTINA, THE LAST WILD COAST IN EUROPE, AN UNTOUCHED SURFER ENCLAVE BETWEEN ALENTEJO AND THE ALGARVE WHERE THE PRESERVED NATURE HAS A STRONG, WILD CHARACTER, CREATING LANDSCAPES OF BREATHTAKING MAJESTY.

COAL MINE WORKERS HAVING A BREAK AT CAT BA ISLAND, VIETNAM – I AM INTERESTED IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND HOW IT CAN HELP IN MAKING OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CREATING VISUAL CONTENT FOR COMPANIES AND FOUNDATIONS WANTING TO SHARE THEIR STORIES IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY.