Alsum is the name of a small village on the eastern shores of the Rhine. Today, the area is used by the ThyssenKrupp Schwelgern Steel Mill, one of the largest steel mills in Germany. It is the combination of three elements, the river Rhine, the steel mill, and the Alsum Hill, which make this place a fascinating photo location, the latter providing a nicely elevated viewpoint on the other two.
Most people hate it. It’s cold, wet, slippery, dark, dead. They prefer spring and summer which are hopeful, bright, and warm. I love winter. Yes, it’s dark, wet, slippery, and cold. But it also has the crystal clear beauty of ice and snow. The air is so fresh and clean and brand new, as it has never been breathed in and out by any living being before. And even if there’s no snow, the bleak and lonely silence of winter is also the sound of a new beginning. Somehow, with all distractions of colour removed, in winter it is easier to see and feel the essentials of life. So, here’s to winter, a collection of photographs of winter landscapes. Enjoy!
„With all these sensational black and white image challenges going around social media lately, who else has been craving a slice of color? Well, time to bring out your glorious sunsets. Show us a hint of pink… or the sky on fire!“ This message is what my friends over at The Arcanum posted recently on Facebook. But why? Monochrome sunsets are so much more interesting!
Tigh-na-sleubhaich, that’s the name of a picturesque cottage ruin on the West Highland Way. It is situated right in the middle of nowhere about 5km away from the village of Kinlochleven. Being the only structure of its kind, it has been photographed to death and even though I haven’t checked them all, I think it is safe to say that you’ll find a photo of this house in most (if not all) travel guides on the West Highland Way. Read on to learn about the steps I took to get from the rather dull original image to the final photograph.
