About me
obsession for photography
Light: food for eyes and soul
Although it is very much “en vogue” to lend a kind of over-realism to pictures through intensive post-processing such as artificial coloring or the so-called Orton effect, or to impose a view through a dream world, daniel prefers a picture finish with which he sees himself less as an artist, than just simply as a photographer. Nevertheless, he also likes to use strong neutral density (ND) filters. Therein long exposures result in giving the picture a surreal touch. However, he largely wants to remain faithful to the colors and play of light he perceives in the field. Naturally, this excludes the black and white photographs.
Today’s digital photography and the associated post-processing allow more leeway and interpretation of the prevailing light than ever before. Therefore, it is as with food and cooking for example; one is never able to do justice to every taste, but (almost) always satisfy someone.
Light is a universal language; each of its dialects, can touch people of very different perceptive abilities right down to the core of their being.
Givin’ up food for light
daniel is in complete agreement with the numerous statements made by other photographers when they write that they want to bring the landscape or remote places bathed in magical light closer to the viewer. Or to show the beauty of nature and its details to people who miss them in the hectic of everyday life. Or to those who are no longer able to open their senses to it. However, his main motivation is likely to be of a selfish nature: simply because he likes doing it! He loves to venture out into the solitude of nature and open up to the vast multitude and beauty of creation. In addition, he enjoys waiting for the right light together with his tools (i.e. camera equipment) and for the decisive moment to press the shutter release. The tension that emerges from this build-up may well lead to a kind of active meditative state where he forgets himself completely. This can go as far as to be absolutely oblivious to hunger or thirst…
How fortunate we cannot influence the light/weather interaction out in the field: this is exactly what allows us to capture a similar composition of a frequently visited landscape in a completely different guise!
daniel’s affinity to light
In addition to landscape photography with its weather and light moods, daniel likes to open up his senses – and, of course, the shutter release of his camera – for detail shots, macro and wild life photography and people and culture especially when travelling.
From a technical point of view, daniel trachsel particularly enjoys the following topics
- Panoramic photography with a special panoramic head (no-parallax point (NPP) adapter),
- and the associated stitching
- Filter photography (neutral density (ND) graduated filters, polarizing filters, extreme ND filters)
- Long time exposures
- Focus combination (Focus stacking)
- Subtle exposure fusion (Dynamic Range Increase, DRI) when there is no other way to handle
Weight is added to daniel trachsel's Lowepro camera backpack by
- Camera bodies from Canon (2021 to currently: EOS R5; 2016 – 2021: EOS 5DS R; 2008 – 2019: EOS 5D Mark II; and, for lightweight excursions: Canon EOS M6 II)
- Lenses and extenders from Canon
- Spare batteries and cable release from Canon
- Filter & Filter hoders from LEE Filters
- Tripod from Gitzo, Manfrotto and Gorillapod
- Leveling Base from Gitzo
- 3-Way geared tripod head from Benro and Manfrotto
- Panoramic ball head from Novoflex
- Panoramic tripod head (No-Parallax-Point (NPP) adapter) from Novoflex and iShoot
- Gimbal head from Sirui
- Quick release plates from Sirui
- Spirit level, mini reflector, memory cards
- Compass, Flashlight, Headlamp, Wipes & Detergents
- Umbrella/wind shield, camera rain cover
- Warm tea, mostly spicy Chai
- Dry food from various manufacturers
