Bieszczady and the Slovak mountains

Mountains have more than one colour

I like the moment when light begins to separate the slopes. One is already golden, another remains cool, with mist between them. Those are the differences I look for in a mountain landscape. They can make a familiar view stop me again.

Light chooses first

In these photographs the eye first finds a bright ridge, then discovers the quieter ones beyond. I want to leave that movement to the viewer: from obvious light towards what takes a moment to notice.

The sun above dark ridges, orange clouds and mist in distant valleys. — First lightChatka Puchatka shelter, Połonina Wetlińska, Bieszczady, Poland

Pink clouds above a mountain summit, with a grassy slope in the foreground. — Pink dawnChatka Puchatka shelter, Połonina Wetlińska, Bieszczady, Poland

Golden grasses along a ridge above successive mountain ranges. — Golden meadowBukowe Berdo–Krzemień trail, Bieszczady, Poland

Light on a green summit and an arc of shadow across its slope. — Arc of shadowChatka Puchatka–Smerek summit trail, Połonina Wetlińska, Bieszczady, Poland

Autumn finds its voice

Copper leaves, golden grasses, cool rock. I like that autumn intensity and give it room in the edit. I also want colour to guide the eye through the image. The strongest accent needs its own place in the frame.

A beech trunk and copper leaves filling an autumn wood. — Copper beechTrail from Przełęcz Wyżniańska to Mała Rawka and Wielka Rawka, Bieszczady Mountains, Poland

Russet grasses before trees and a mountain ridge beneath heavy clouds. — Autumn in TarnawaPeat bogs in Tarnawa Niżna, Bieszczady Mountains, Poland

Golden leaves in an opening between rock faces. — Gold in the gorgeProsiecka Valley, Slovakia

Leave something to discover

Mist takes away part of the view and makes what remains more noticeable. In these frames I am interested in the edge of visibility. How much needs to be shown to make you want to look further?

Low cloud spills over a dark, rocky ridge above russet grass. — Rock in cloudVelické pleso, Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia

Jagged rocky spurs descend towards a distant valley. — Rocky spursOn the way to Slavkovský štít (2452 m a.s.l.), Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia

A lone duck leaves a fine wake on a misty lake, beyond dark reeds in the foreground. — A duck on the lakeŠtrbské pleso, Slovakia