I came back to photography after many years. I used to shoot a bit more, but it was nothing significant. At first, I only took photos occasionally, but gradually, photography became my main hobby. Especially after I had to quit the sport and kind of slapped myself.

Photography is a way of relaxation for me, I like to look at things, people and observe my surroundings. At the same time, I try to get the moods and feelings of the places or people I’m observing and photographing into the photos first and foremost.

My big hobbies are analog photography and vintage cameras. Sometimes I find an old camera that calls out to me to buy it. Ideally, I get all my cameras adjusted and cleaned and take pictures with them. It’s great fun. It’s also a bit of a throwback to how I used to start taking pictures. I’ve even rebuilt my darkroom now and am trying to enlarge some photos again. For me, a photo is only finished when it’s printed.

But back to the photo: I was out walking the dog. I took my little Leica with 35mm glass just over my shoulder. I don’t need anything else.

I was walking through the woods, thinking about all sorts of things. Sometimes, I like to go somewhere where I can be alone and think in peace. It was quite dark, and the first snowflakes fell. It was completely silent. I stopped and looked at the beauty around me for a while. Then I took a picture. The snowfall increased for a while, then suddenly stopped. It was the first snow of autumn. The first signal that winter was coming. I was enjoying the moment. I take pictures of these moments.

What are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!

Mood and composition.

If you could make this photo again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?

Two steps to the right and try to find even more consistency in the position of the trunks 🙂

Viktor Machek shared this photograph with the FRAMES Facebook Group.

Photographer

Viktor Machek, Lounovice (nearby Prague), Czech Republic

Equipment and settings

Leica M240 + Summarit 2.4/35