Kai Hornung photographing Saxon Switzerland, Germany (image by: Christian G.)

Kai Hornung photographing Saxon Switzerland, Germany (image by: Christian G.)

Kai Hornung.jpg

Kai Hornung

German landscape photographer

Me

I am a freelance landscape photographer living in Hanover, Germany. My images from different countries and places are best described as landscape photography art. My work has been published and awarded. I am a freelance writer for Chip Foto Video, one of the biggest photo magazines. I am an official Haida global brand ambassador. I connect with my audience regularly through my Instagram where more than 52.000 people follow my images and behind the scenes of my photo tours. I share my knowledge and approach to photography in my articles, online trainings and in the field.

The long story:

I started to get into photography in mid 2016. Meaning I wanted to learn more than just playing around with a camera and capturing my children and holiday experiences like I had before. The more I got into it the more I felt comfortable shooting landscapes. Traveling to Ireland in 2016 literally opened my eyes to landscape photography. Seeing nature in a way I hadn´t before is truly rewarding and enriches my life. In the past 2 years I have travelled and photographed countries like for example Iceland, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Ireland and of course within my home country Germany. Daily interaction with my growing audience on social media – mainly Instagram, has made me aware how much images can move and connect people all over the planet. I write articles about modern landscape photography that have been published on various sources and magazines. 

I am a father of 2 great children and I work as a human resources consultant. Many years ago I earned my university degree as business economist. Recruiting and training people and also being a keynote speaker in German and English have been some of my main professional tasks.

Photographing Lofoten, Norway (Image by: Mikkel Beiter)

Photographing Lofoten, Norway (Image by: Mikkel Beiter)

I was born in 1975. The year “Jaws” hit the big screen and “Bohemian Rhapsody“ from Queen went on the air. That is quite some time ago, actually. When I was a young boy I wanted to be a football pro. Next I wanted to be a tennis pro like Boris Becker. Although I wasn’t bad in sports I learned that being creative was my main driving force. So I started singing and writing lyrics and ultimately formed a band together with friends when I was 17: Sonic Front. With this heavy alternative electronic rock band I played many concerts, recorded albums, won a band contest and got radio und tv airplay.  I am still in a band up to this day: Soon Is Now (including concerts, albums and videos). Music has always been important to me and a way of expressing feelings and emotions to have others connect with it. When starting with photography in 2016, I learned that I could do the same with images. And that´s what I am doing now: imagery with mood and emotion.

Staying up to date in Frankfurt, Germany

Staying up to date in Frankfurt, Germany

Vision

Images are memories. First of all those of the photographer. Obviously. A good image lets you reflect your own memories of the place the capture was taken at. A great image makes people that have never been at that place feel like being there themselves. Enabling them to feel and (re-) live the mood and emotion inside a frame created by the artist. This is what I am shooting for: making you feel the world and mood that I pointed my camera at. Make your eyes and mind rest inside an image and stir an emotion. In other words: have you relate and make you care.

 

Technics

behind the scenes sunrise shooting at Usedom, baltic sea Germany

behind the scenes sunrise shooting at Usedom, baltic sea Germany

To achieve this I use the advantages of modern digital photography with special post processing technics. While masters of the analog era used different technics and solutions in the dark room I use the opportunities of Adobes Lightroom and Photoshop with Plugins like Nik Collection, Luminar and actions inside Raya Pro. For me post processing is a creative and fun part of my photography. I always shoot in RAW and take the image from there. It all starts in the field though where composition and light are everything. If the photo is bad you cannot help with post processing. 

When I started to actually learn the art-form of photography and post processing I spent countless hours of tutorial studying and trying in the field. I spent money on gear but more so on learning and travel. I started to shoot with a plan. And most of all I have never stopped learning. In fact this road of evolving and improving is a road I enjoy to the fullest. And I am still on the way. 

Looking back, I point to spring 2017 that I started to feel comfortable with my way of shooting landscapes and processing my images. Using social media and reaching out to other photographers has helped tremendously. In multiple ways: in actually ‘seeing’ shots, improving my compositioning, getting more and more picky about what helps and what distracts from a good shot and having a sense for light and color.  Learning all the rules of photography as a craft and then forgetting about them. Or better: use them naturally or break those rules deliberately.

But in the end it comes down to one thing I always tell people when asked for advice to get better in taking pictures: be passionate about it and simply enjoy it!

Haida logo

Official brand ambassador

I am an official Haida brand ambassador. And I thank Haida for supporting me and my art.

my gear:

  • Sony a7riii
  • Sony a6000 (back-up body)
  • Sony Gmaster 16-35, 2.8
  • Sony Gmaster 100-400, 4.5-5.6
  • Sony 70-210, 4.0
  • Sony 24-105, 4.0
  • Sigma 14, 1.8
  • Samyang 12, 2.0
  • Sony 55-210, 4.5-6.3
  • Sigma 30, 2.8
  • Minolta MD Rokkor 50, 1.4
  • DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus
  • f-stop Ajna - backpack
  • Sirui W2204 and T2204 - tripods
  • Haida Polarizer, ND-Filters and GND-Filters
  • Peak Design secure straps

Companies and partners I work or have worked for/collaborated with

Haida, Haida Deutschland, Chip Foto Video, Roadsurfer, Allianz Deutschland, Visit Faroe Islands, CampEasy, Lotus Car Rental

The red crater - this crater looks as if it was still spilling hot lava out of its crater. An absolutely stunning sight. I know it’s not really common in photography to name the artist who originally came up with an idea of photographing a spot (unlike in music where you state your cover versions). And he might not even be the first. But to me the incredible artist @tomhegen.de was the first to show this incredible spot. And ever since I first saw his amazing series I felt the desire to see it, too. I noticed there have been quite a few ‚cover‘ versions out by Instagram spot chasers, lately. And honestly I considered not uploading for that reason. But well, you see I give it a go, anyways. I just love the image. I hope you do, too. And Please visit Tom‘s amazing gallery. He is one of the world‘s greatest aerial artists and I have a huge admiration for his work. • • • • • #aerial #aerialphotography #abstractaerialart #aerialist #aerialphoto #crater #volcano #special_shots #iceland #beyondthelands #aerialview #lost_iceland #earthcapture #earthpix #icelandexplored #lostiniceland
This is an image of a lesser known waterfall which requires some hiking. But I like that the image isn’t really about any particular spot rather than the intimacy of the moment as this seagull passes by. I played around quite a lot with the shutter speeds to capture the water movement and spray to my liking. This way it still features the movement and drama but also has some spray that provides atmosphere. After I had my camera set for that I went on burst mode and hit the shutter for continuous shooting whenever a seagull passed by (which happened often as this place seems to be owned by them). In the end I used two exposures: one where I loved the water movement the most and one where the seagull hit a hole in the water and stood out. So technically this is a composite of two exposures that were done a few moments apart without touching the tripod. I actually considered doing a National Geographic version having it all in a single exposure. But then again, why should I do an image for something or someone else if not for my own liking? • • • • • #moment #earthcapture #beyondthelands #moodytones #moodnation #photogram #photodaily #photoart #instaphotography #photographyeveryday #globalcreatives #lostiniceland #photographylovers #ig_shutterbugs #artofvisuals #instagood #theimaged
Of milk and land - water surrounds a piece of land in an Icelandic river. Making it look like a charm on an invisible necklace. These abstract or intimate landscape shots were what I looked forward to the most when traveling to Iceland. And boy that trip gave me plenty. Especially the amazing flight with my buddy @volcanopilot! • • • • • #nationalgeographic #bbcearth #beyondthelands_ #ic_landscapes #abstractlandscapes #natgeotravel #earthpics #arist_world #iceland #queverenislandia #earthcapture #earthfocus #minimaliceland #best_iceland_photos #theimaged #artofvisuals
It’s breaking. Seeing the shrinking glaciers first hand in Iceland is a frightening sight. I wish more people would see the beauty of these glaciers and the way they melt in the global warming. You can enjoy these structures and floating ice chunks, but realizing how much of the ice gets eaten away and how much has already vanished within the last couple of years clearly shows we need to protect and not exploit this planet. Several sources say that the glaciers will all be gone in Iceland in 150 to 200 years. • • • • • #iceland #everydayiceland #igersiceland #inspiredbyiceland #wheniniceland #ig_iceland #icelandtravel #visiticeland #icelandic #whyiceland #exploreiceland #discovericeland #aroundiceland #unlimitediceland #ísland #icelandsecret #loves_iceland #glacier #icelandexplored #alliceland #islandia #bestoficeland #absoluteiceland #icelandtrip
Nature is the biggest artist. I have been fascinated by images of abstract aerials of Icelandic rivers for a long time. That’s why I reached out to @volcanopilot after my first Iceland trip to set up a flight. It was a dream come true to fly above this beautiful landscape on my first evening on the tour I have just finished. I had done my research on how to shoot from the air because coming back down with a bunch of unsharp images was my worst fear. I relaxed after a few first test shots (heck, I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to tell by looking at the small camera screen while being up). Turned out I came back down with plenty of goodies. This one being my first upload of a river where you can see how Sediments provide beautiful colors and patterns into the water and soil. And well, having a bunch of goose flying in formation is the icing of the cake. . . . . . . #abstractphotography #abstraction #doitfortheprocess #abstractobsession #everydayiceland #loves_iceland #igersiceland #inspiredbyiceland #sonyimages #sonyalpha #artisoninstagram #capturedconcepts #beyondthelands #theimaged #bbcearth #lonelyplanet #earthofficial #fineart #fineartphotography #abstractart #artoftheday #instaartoftheday
My first image from my recent Iceland trip. And of course it has to be from the most amazing experience: taking a flight across the breathtaking landscape of Iceland. @volcanopilot took us to countless amazing spots and I ended up with more than 1.000 images. This one from golden hour above the rivers and canyons. • • • • • #iceland #everydayiceland #igersiceland #inspiredbyiceland #ig_iceland #theimaged #beyondthelands #naturelover_gr #exploreiceland #discovericeland #unlimitediceland #earthcapture #icelandsecret #loves_iceland #aerialphotography #icelandexplored #alliceland #bbcearth #bestoficeland #absoluteiceland #special_shots #earthscope
This island looks like a rising monster straight out of the ocean. I had envisioned a similar shot before I went to the Faroes and I was glad that when I went there I could capture it like this. It is three exposures of the same scene: a long exposure for the water, a short exposure of the island and a darker exposure of that beautiful cloud a little earlier. I just wanted to make sure to have that before the wind took that out of position. the end result is a minimalistic image and a Hommage on the little last resorts of our planet. • • • • • #minimalism #minimalmood #rsa_minimal #minimal_perfection #faroeislands #minimalism_world #mindtheminimal #minimalove #unlimitedminimal #minimalexperience #ig_minimalist #minimalobsession #minimalismo #ig_minimalshots #paradiseofminimal #tv_simplicity #soulminimalist #pocket_minimal #minimalista #minimalhunter #supermegamasterpics_minimal #killerminimal #lessismore #faroes #loves_minimalism #awesomeminimal
I am right at the airport in Iceland. Completely tired but absolutely happy about my trip with my friend @mbeiter. We had an amazing tour with many, many great locations and I bet a whole bunch of new images. What does this have to do with this image? Well, that will be my next destination. • • • • • #dolomites #dolomiti #dolomiten #altoadige #southtyrol #trentinoaltoadige #montagna #alpi #valgardena #altoadigeweb #alps #unesco #insta_dolomiti #magic_dolomites #bestplaces #lightandland
Foggy Trees. The mood so intense you can almost touch it with your hands. It’s these moments when you are outside that are just pure bliss. • • • • #fog #foggy #mist #misty #rsa_fog #chasingfog #tree_brillance #mistyfoggymilkymoody #tv_foggy #mist_vision #mist_bestshots #backtominimal #nature_good #nature_perfect #madeiraisland #visitmadeira
A moody day to let the drone get up and capture this amazing landscape. Looking at this image you realize how tough it must have been for the first settlers to live here. • • • • • #landscape_lovers #landscapephotography #landscapelovers #aerial #fromwhereidrone #landscape_captures #landscapes #mountain #toplofotenphoto #scenery #water #forest #lofoten #panorama
Shapes and layers. Landscapes are perfect canvases to let the light paint. On my recent Iceland tour that is what I am looking for the most: more intimate scenes and photos aside from the classic postcards. ...well, I might collect a few a here and there, too, while I am here. But the ‚other‘ scenes interest me more. • • • • • #landscape_lovers #landscapephotography #landscapelovers #landscape_captures #landscapes #mountain #sunrise #scenery #outdoors #cloudporn #instanature #faroeisland #water #faroes #naturelover #panorama #longexposure xposure
Iceland - I am on my way back there. I am excited to be back and thrilled to experience different parts of the country in a different season. I took this image on my last trip there in last December and instantly fell in love with this country. • • • • • #longexposure #wheniniceland #iceland #etheral_moods #longexpoelite #longexposure_shots #amazing_longexpo #longexpo #longexposureoftheday #longexposurephotography #slowshutter #lazyshutters #longexpohunter #ic_longexpo #ig_shotz_le #skyperfection #beyondthelens

Publications 

  • Chip Foto-Video, issue 06 2019 (4-page article about drone photography)

  • Chip Foto-Video, issue 02 2019 (cover and 2-page article about preparing images for instagram)

  • Chip Foto-Video, issue 12 2018

  • National Geographic ‘photo of the day’, April 2019

  • Poland in the lens, feature with live interview on

  • Landschaftsfotografie Podcast, feature and interview

  • Light & Landscape Magazine, cover image and article

  • Capture Landscapes - article 'how to work light in post processing'

  • Amateur Photographer magazine, Dec. 2017

  • Digital Photo, issue No. 9 2018

  • Amateur Photographer of the year competition poster

  • frequently featured on Instagram (aweseome.earth, earth focus, f-stoppers etc.)

awards