Nature Photography in the Spreewald with Martin Siering

Please note: The following text is an interview or story from a previous year. Please do not draw any conclusions from it about currently taking place events or statistics etc.

 

Spreewald Journal Issue: January/February 2018

Interview with photographer Martin Siering: "I try to evoke emotions for this fragile ecosystem."

When Martin Siering can go on an expedition with his camera equipment in his luggage, he is completely in his element. For him, there is nothing like experiencing and capturing authenticity. More and more often, the award-winning nature photographer travels from Berlin to the Lower Spree Forest. Sometimes the unique is simply on your own doorstep... Book a photo safari with professional nature photographer Martin Siering and experience the UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve with different eyes.

Mr Siering, for you, appreciation of the natural spaces that surround us is directly linked to photography. What message do you want to convey with your photographs? With my "Spreewald Long-Term Project" and the associated photographs, I would like to draw attention to the beauty and uniqueness of this area, among other things. With my nature photographs, I try to arouse emotions for this fragile ecosystem so that the Spreewald remains or becomes worth seeing and protecting for a broad public, that's the idea. Animals such as the black stork, the fire-bellied toad and the wolf should also be able to find a home in the Spreewald in the future. Visitors should remember a great experience in intact nature when they think of the Spreewald. The Spreewald is the focus of many of your expressive photos. What is that certain something that makes you so enthusiastic about the region? As a nature photographer, I really appreciate having a natural paradise like the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve in close proximity to me, because otherwise I travel around the world for various photo projects and therefore have to be on the road a lot. The Spreewald offers an infinite number of motifs that make photographers' hearts beat faster. It doesn't always have to be a long-distance trip to actively experience adventure and wilderness. I came to this realisation in the Spreewald! I have spent countless "short holidays" here and never missed the wide world! The adventure starts right on our doorstep - you just have to go out and look! You also actively share the fascination of "nature photography" with the participants of the photo excursions you lead from Schlepzig. You will go kayaking in the picturesque Lower Spree Forest. What is the special attraction of this activity? The attraction, apart from intensive nature experiences, is to be able to show my guests a side of the Spreewald that is closed to 95% of all visitors to the Spreewald! To do this, we are out on the water with torches before sunrise and after dark, among other things, experiencing "wilderness at eye level", capturing unique light moods and, with a bit of luck, bringing home some great photos along the way! What do you see as the challenges and the best rewards for a nature photographer? Clearly the challenge is to have patience and composure while photographing, among other things. Wildlife photography can only be planned to a certain extent. Animals do not wait for us and our cameras. Quite the opposite. Light and weather can also throw a spanner in the works. Sometimes you have to come up with something. For example, simply holding out in a rainstorm when others have long since left. Another challenge is to be able to react in time to constantly changing situations. Behind every bend, behind every tree, it looks different and new things await us. Besides the "quality time outdoors", the reward for patience are great experiences and atmospheric photos! Is there a favourite motif here in the Spreewald that you wouldn't want to miss in your collection? Actually, in the Spreewald I have discovered a certain favourite tree as well as a stretch of river for myself, which I always like to return to in my photos in different ways, with different light and colour moods. I also like to pass this on to my guests, who can benefit from the photo spots. In addition, the beaver and the kingfisher, which are an inseparable part of the Spreewald, are always a popular subject, as are the countless rivers that run through it. What is still missing from my "collection" is the "fourth season". As soon as it gets frosty outside and the Spreewald is covered in snow, I will paddle my kayak towards the sunrise or the snowstorm... So the 4 seasons would be complete, for example, to create a Spreewald four seasons calendar...