Detaching to Connect: How the Paradox of Emotion Makes Stronger Images

Kai Hornung March 27, 2025

In this article, discover how detaching from the emotions of the moment during your photographing in the field can lead to stronger, more impactful images. Learn why letting time mature your photos — and focusing on the intrinsic story — transforms photographs into compelling art.

Some refresh: with that beautiful waterfall deep in a forest. And on my homepage, too.

Update to my homepage

Kai Hornung August 6, 2021

An update to my homepage. Here is why.

One of the images that somehow got lost in the select. Nevertheless one that I like and that I might have been unfair to. — One of the images that somehow got lost in the selecting process. Nevertheless one that I like and that I might have been unfair to.

Leftovers and b-sides

Kai Hornung February 14, 2021

Some images matter more than others. And only a few are picked to form a strong portfolio. But what to do with those others that do still complete an artist? It is a sort of dilemma. And it is worth thinking about because history has shown: some b-sides went on to become world class hits.

An image of a dried up lake in a geothermal area in Iceland, taken with a drone hovering just around 2-3 meters above ground. Or is it a canvas for the viewer to paint his own interpretations and reflections upon?

Can images be poetry?

Kai Hornung October 15, 2020

Some images are different than others. But can images be poetry? And does it matter? In this essay I give a personal reflection about how writing poetry and photography are connected with each other much more than I originally thought. And I explain how personal expression of an artist is one thing and the way the viewer sees the work a whole new world. Something of vital importance for my art and every artist alike.

Interviews and features on YouTube

Kai Hornung October 4, 2020

Here are three big features/interviews about and with me that I have done in 2020. Click, sit back and enjoy.

Time to breathe

Kai Hornung August 16, 2020

I feel relief. I feel pressure. I feel happiness and I feel anxiety. But most of all I feel curious.

Some very personal reflection about my upcoming Iceland trip.

Calm waters series

Kai Hornung May 17, 2020

I released a set of images as a series. It is actually the first time I combined a collection in which the overall theme - or in musical terms: album - is more important than the single image/song. The images are a tranquil portrayal of water movement.

“What´s you EXIF?” - or: little do I care

Kai Hornung August 21, 2019

“What’s the EXIF?”

A request that comes up often. But why? And what’s the use.

oldagfa — **how to find the right camera**

How to find the right camera

Kai Hornung April 1, 2018

Starting with photography leaves you with a big question right at the beginning: what camera to get? You want something good and something inside your budget. And you want something that fits your needs. Problem is, you usually don't even know what your need is when starting out.

So "what camera should I get?" is something I get asked often. A good reason for me to write about it and share my experience, my fails and my good decisions.

I feel relief. I feel pressure. I feel happiness and I feel anxiety. But most of all I feel curious.

Some very personal reflection about my upcoming Iceland trip.

This article has nothing to do with photography. It has nothing to do with art. It should not even be worth mentioning. But still, I feel like it´s worth spending the time writing: it is about showing respect and treating each other like you want to be treated.

So what´s this about? Simply put: It is about how I learned to say “no”.

“What’s the EXIF?”

A request that comes up often. But why? And what’s the use.