Manuela Palmberger is a nature photographer from Germany. She specialises in landscape photography, which compliments two more of her passions, the mountains and hiking. Manuela has amassed a large following on Instagram over the years and has worked with brands such as Globetrotter, Nordweg, American Express and Porsche. In this interview, Manuela talks about her photography mindset and journey. She also discusses how she has adapted and is staying focused during the Covid-19 pandemic, and much more!

Hello Manuela, thank you so much for doing this interview with us! I’d love to start with how you first got into photography, and what first drew you to it?

I started my photography journey about five years ago, which is also when I started travelling. At the beginning taking pictures was just an excellent way to capture all the memories. What I like most about photography is that you can show how beautiful and impressive nature can be and how you can transmit emotions through your pictures.

Your website portfolio and Instagram feed are full of photos taken in mountains and dramatic landscapes from all over the world. What attracts you to this photography style, and what keeps drawing you up into the mountains of Europe and beyond?

Well, the reason why I like to shoot landscapes and especially mountains is that I grew up in a very scenic alpine region around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. My parents took me hiking every single weekend, so I have always loved that kind of setting. Mountains are, for me, just the right mix of adventure and that feeling of being at home. The landscape is so varied and unique.

Madeira Island, Portugal - Manuela Palmberger

With so much going on in these dramatic landscapes, where one’s eyes can wander everywhere with ease, how do you go about finding the right compositions? What are you looking for? What are you trying to emphasize in your photography?

I always look for that one special moment when the first light of the day hits the mountain peaks and makes them glow. When after heavy rain, the clouds begin to clear up and move along the mountain ridges. Basically, it`s all about the weather, light and season that gives a landscape a special touch. I often go hiking to visit one special spot where I like to take pictures, but a lot of the time I find the more unique views and compositions along the way.

It's also quite pleasant to see you enjoying the little things along the way, such as small shrubs and lush foliage that you like to get close-up shots of. Does this come naturally for you, or are you actively trying to experiment with your photography and capture every aspect of your experience, for example?

Always when you`re outside, you may look for the big impressive photo spots. But a hike it`s much more than just that one view. It`s the little things along the way that makes it special and unique, for example, some water drops on a plant early in the morning or some wildlife that crosses your path. And this little thing makes me just as happy as the big views; they make the whole experience complete.

Is there a particular camera and lens combo that you carry around with you everywhere? Do you like to experiment much with different camera gear? Do you utilise your phone camera sometimes?

When it comes to equipment, for me less is more. I have a Sony Alpha 7III with a 24-70 2.8 lens, and that`s my most used combo. I have just one additional zoom lens (70-200 4.0) and my drone, and that`s it. When you`re hiking a lot, you don`t want to carry a lot of equipment, because it`s just too heavy. I think that it also makes you more creative when you have to use what you have instead of having too many options. I use my phone very often to find a nice composition or setting.

How does your workflow look like in regards to your editing? What program/programs do you use for editing your images?

I first sort and rate my images with Adobe Bridge, and then start to edit them with Adobe Lightroom. I have created my own presets on Lightroom for every kind of light situation and season. But editing is more than just laying a preset on the pictures. It`s always just a base for the special edit every pic gets. Sometimes I also use Adobe Photoshop if there are some bigger retouches, but not that often.

Has there been a standout photography experience for you over the years? What's your favourite place to explore and photograph in Germany?

There was not just one special experience; there have been so many! And I ́m lo lucky for all that special moments and memories, For example, to see a sunrise on the Seiser Alm in South Tyrol, to view the northern lights in Iceland or to face 6000m high mountains in Peru. My favourite places in Germany are the Alps, especially the region around Garmisch-Partenkirchen where I grew up. I love to explore new places there and find new perspectives on well-known spots. But Germany has so much to offer. There are so many photogenic regions and national parks that are worth a visit.

We are conducting this interview amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Firstly, how are you doing? How have things changed for you are, how are you staying motivated and creative through lockdowns and travel restrictions?

Oh, I`m doing very well. The travel restriction prevents long-distance travels for me; I haven`t been on a plane for a year now. But I`m lucky to live in a region where you can easily travel to so many beautiful destinations by car, like Austria, Switzerland and the Dolomites. Last summer, I did a lot more hikes than in years previous, and I love all the memories that I've made during my trips. In the past, I have always said that there are beautiful places everywhere; you just have to find them. Maybe now during the pandemic, it`s the opportune time to look for and explore them.

For someone who may be reading this and wanting to improve their photography or maybe thinking of giving it a try, do you have any words of advice or encouragement that you would like to give?

I think that in the beginning, many people believe photography is such a big thing. They believe that you need the perfect camera and have to travel to the most beautiful destinations, but it`s not like that. You can start anytime and just need to use the gear you have, and, if it`s just your phone, then that`s no problem. Photography is more about the right light, the right weather and that one special moment than having the most expensive gear. Don`t be afraid of giving it a go; everybody was a beginner at first. What was very helpful to me was watching YouTube tutorials about photography and editing, there are so many good videos!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with us Manuela, it has been our absolute pleasure! Where can people find you on social media and find out more about you on your website?

You can find me on Instagram: @manuela_palmberger

You are also welcome to visit my homepage: www.manuela-palmberger-photo.com/