by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 4^th of November 2024

Philip Slotte is a most talented landscape photographer. Travelling and photographing landscapes gives him a deep sense of purpose and fulfilment, which motivates him to pursue his passion. He quotes: 'Landscape photography allows me to work independently, which suits my introverted personality. It also gives me the freedom to plan my own adventures and shoot at my own pace. Nature is constantly changing and I love the challenge of capturing its different moods and elements.'
Let's take a journey through his wonderful work and find out more about him.

'Ponta de São Lourenço'

Dear Philip, first of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! First of all, please introduce yourself and tell us more about yourself, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!
Hello there! I'm a self-taught landscape photographer based in Stockholm, Sweden. For the past twelve years, I've spent a lot of time travelling, mainly in Europe, to capture stunning landscapes. What I love most about photography is the opportunity it gives me to combine my passion for travel and exploration, allowing me to discover and document new places.
When I'm not photographing, I enjoy activities that help me relax, such as reading, working out and going for walks. These activities not only keep me relaxed, but also help me to focus on what I love - photography.

'Vengedalen'

When and how did your photographic journey begin?
I started taking photographs at the age of 16 after my parents gave me a digital camera. I started by taking pictures of almost everything I saw. However, my first significant experience with landscape photography came during a holiday trip to Norway, where I fell in love with the dramatic landscapes and mountains.

'Husfjellet'

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship to photography?
Photography is first and foremost something I do for pleasure. While I do accept photography assignments quite often, I find it more enjoyable to treat it as a sideline rather than a full-time career.

'St. Magdalena'

What would you say has been the most important experience that has influenced your steps in photography?
The most influential experience was a trip to Norway shortly after receiving my first camera. Seeing the landscapes through a camera lens opened my eyes to the beauty of nature in a new way, and I've been fascinated by landscape photography ever since.

'Grytetippen'

You have your own style. Why are you so attracted to landscape photography?
Landscape photography allows me to work independently, which suits my introverted personality. It also gives me the freedom to plan my own adventures and shoot at my own pace. Nature is constantly changing and I love the challenge of capturing its different moods and elements.

'Into the Fog'

What is more important to you, the mood/story behind your images or technical perfection?
While I consider myself a perfectionist in all aspects of photography, the mood and story behind the image is more important to me. A balanced photograph that captures the natural beauty and atmosphere of a place is what I strive for.

'The Lake Above the Ocean'

Describe your overall photographic vision.
My aim is to capture landscapes in a way that feels both natural and dreamlike. Always in search for compositions that balance light and shadow, with an eye for leading lines and interesting foregrounds.

'The Roots of the Dolomites'

What do you think are the main characteristics of a successful landscape photographer?
A successful landscape photographer needs patience, adaptability and an eye for composition. The ability to make the most of the available conditions and an understanding of how different elements affect the final image.

'Winter Village'

Could you please tell us more about your workflow from idea to final product?
I start by planning the location and timing, taking into account the light and weather conditions. During the shoot, I may use techniques such as focus stacking or multiple exposures, but I often aim for a single shot. In post-production, I mainly work in Adobe Lightroom to adjust colour and contrast, and then refine the image in Photoshop, adding effects such as the Orton effect for a softer look.

'Gudhem Abbey'

Where do you find inspiration and what inspires you most?
Travelling and photographing landscapes gives me a deep sense of purpose and fulfilment - not only in the moment, but also afterwards when I can look back at the work I've created. I feel like I'm really making the most of my time when I'm engaged in these activities, which motivates me to keep pursuing my passion.

'Limides'

Many people think that the equipment is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. But can you please tell us what equipment you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?
I agree, as long as the equipment you use suits your needs, that's all that matters. I recently upgraded from my 8 year old Nikon D810, which was still working perfectly, to a Nikon Z7 II, mainly to save weight as I do a lot of walking. My lenses are a Nikon Z 14-24mm and a Nikon Z 24-200mm. For aerial photography I use a DJI Mavic 2 Pro. A sturdy tripod is a must for me and I use a Gitzo tripod. I don't rely heavily on filters, but I do occasionally use ND filters. I never use polarisers, which often surprises people, I prefer the natural look without polarisers.

'Burg Eltz'

What is your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.
My favourite photo is one I took in the French Alps, from inside a cave looking out over a valley. It was technically challenging because of the balance of light and shadow, which is why it's my favourite. It also reminds me of one of my favourite childhood films, 'The Land Before Time'.

'Cave with a view'

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose work has influenced you and your photography?
Early on I was inspired by a fellow Swedish photographer called Gustaf Larsson, I think my style of photography came from looking at his work, sadly he's no longer active. More recently I've been drawn to the work of Dag Ole Nordhaug, Hans Strand, Tobias Hägg & Max Rive.

'Vannin'

Now that we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would like to ask you to tell us about any plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.
For the past few years I've been keen to step out of my comfort zone and pursue a long-held dream of climbing big mountains. Over the next few years, I hope to combine my passion for photography with my dream of climbing mountains to capture photos of places that are less seen and harder to reach.

'French Alps'

Is there anything else you would like to add and what do you think of 1X as a home base for your work?
I think 1X is a great platform for photographers to share their work and be inspired by others. It's a community that encourages creativity and growth, which is important for any photographer.

'Hilltop Church'

'St Primož'