How to Shoot Nostalgic Vintage Nature Photography with Dominik Lange

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to shoot vintage photography that feels soft, nostalgic, and timeless, you won’t want to miss this feature.

We sat down with German photographer Dominik Lange (@mooncrabphotography), whose work blends nostalgic tones with rural subjects to create vintage pictures that feel like quiet memories.

Using old manual lenses and instinctive edits, he turns simple countryside scenes into painterly visuals, from moody lamb portraits to soft-focus macro photos.

In this behind-the-scenes Q&A, Dominik walks us through how he captures his signature vintage images. He shares what it's like shooting in small towns, how he stays creative with minimal gear, and why the best countryside pictures often come from unplanned moments.

Whether you're after a vintage look for your next photoshoot or want to refine your own storytelling approach, you'll find plenty of tips and inspiration here.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, how you got into nature photography, and what keeps you motivated to keep going?

Hey, I’m Dominik – I’ve been actively into photography for about a year now.

I started out with portrait photography using my Leica, and pretty quickly I realized something important: I’m a huge nostalgia fan, and I needed to bring that feeling into my photography.

These days, I shoot with vintage lenses and use subtle edits to refine my style – aiming not just to capture a moment, but to evoke emotions. I want my photos to feel warm, comforting – like a visual memory you can almost step into.

Your feed has a soft, nostalgic tone that blends wildlife, rural landscapes, and close-up nature. How would you describe your style in your own words?

A little confused, but deeply present all heart, all here.

Kind of like waking up on a bad hair day… but somehow, the coffee tastes unusually good.

A lot of your photos feature countryside subjects like lambs, bees, and wildflowers. Are these captured around where you live, or do you travel to shoot in these settings?

All the photos I’m currently sharing are actually from my hometown. Right now, all I have to do is step outside my front door. My camera has become standard gear on every dog walk.

What do you enjoy most about working with animals and small details in nature, whether it’s a curious sheep or a snail on the road?

It took me a while to understand this: It’s the moments that truly matter – like sitting in the grass with wet pants, learning not just to appreciate that moment, but to actually feel it.

What gear do you currently use, and is there a lens or setup that works best for the kind of scenes you shoot?

At the moment I use :

• The Sony A7R II
• With the Pentacon 50mm
• And the Pentacon 135mm
  

For more details, I use the Sony 200-600mm, sometimes with a converter x2

For the macro shots the Leica Q2 is the best choice

Could you walk us through your process, from heading out to shoot, to selecting your favorite images, to editing them?

Most of the time, it starts with a feeling.
Something I wake up with. I rarely plan my photo trips – they just happen.

And honestly, neither my routine nor my gear could be called professional… it might look that way, but really, it’s pure chaos.

Everything gets thrown into my camera bag in a bit of a mess.

The only rule is: Go now. Not later, now.

The calm and clarity only come once I’m out there. As soon as I’ve taken a few shots, I feel it right away.

I usually start editing on the spot too, partly to get a feel for the light, and partly because I’m just incredibly impatient.

Most of the time, I don’t experiment much. I usually know right away how I want the edit to look. Which presets I’ll use, what mood I’m going for – I rarely scroll through endless options. 

It’s more instinct than process.

Your work moves between environmental scenes and intimate macro-style detail. Do you change your approach or mindset depending on the subject?

My approach? Never. That stays true - otherwise, it wouldn’t be me.

But my way of thinking? Constantly evolving.

I rethink things over and over, even while I’m taking the photos.

That’s where creativity really begins for me - in those quiet shifts of thought that clear the mind and open it up.

Is there one photo in your feed that holds a special meaning or story behind it? We'd love to hear about it, however much you're comfortable sharing.

Yes, there is a photo of my muddy dog.

We had just moved to the area, and it was around 6 a.m. when we headed out to explore the salt marshes.

I was on a mission to collect salt marsh grass - for reasons I still can’t quite explain.

At some point, I got completely stuck… and lost one of my shoes in the mud.

The dog? Fully covered in mud too - but, of course, he was absolutely thrilled.

In the end, that’s when this photo was taken.

And yes, we both needed a bath right after.

What have you learned from shooting in the countryside, either about timing, light, or how animals behave?

I’ve learned that you should always be prepared for any kind of weather… :)

I often bring small things with me to give back to nature, and I’m truly grateful for these moments.

Also, I’ve improved my mindset for those times when you just don’t get a good shot.

What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting to explore nature photography and wants to get better?

Since I’ve usually taken my best shots when I had almost given up, one thing’s for sure: never say never!

And try to take it all with a sense of humor.

The early bird catches the worm.

Want the best photos?

Then be the first. :)

Where can people find more of your amazing work and follow along with your photography?

At the moment, I have just Instagram.

@mooncrabphotography and @mondkrebsfotografie

Bonus question: Anything you’d like to share about yourself or your work that we didn’t cover?

In the end, I’d like to say this:

At the moment, there’s a lot of pressure from perfectionism - whether it’s about the quality or sharpness of photos.

We should stop judging everything and basing our worth on that.

Instead, we should learn to love and appreciate how different people see things.

Thanks for reading! Dominik’s work shows that vintage photography isn’t about chasing perfection, but about embracing feeling, mood, and presence. With nothing more than a few manual lenses and a sharp instinct for light, he turns everyday countryside pictures into vintage images that feel honest and timeless.

Whether it’s a quiet walk with his dog or a muddy morning in the fields, his vintage photos invite you to slow down and see the imperfect beauty in the ordinary.

Big thanks to Dominik for taking the time to do this feature with us, we truly appreciate him and the beautiful work he shares on Instagram and with the Woodland Presets community. We’re excited to see more from this amazing photographer!