Turn Your Backyard into Gallery‑Ready Photos, Tips from Micha

If you enjoy slow, thoughtful nature photography, the kind that reveals quiet moments, soft light, and overlooked details, this interview is for you.

We sat down with Altmark‑based photographer Micha (@michisfotokiste), whose quiet nature photography and landscape frames turn fog‑veiled meadows and soft dawn light into immersive, moody photography.

Moving between spontaneous backyard moments and carefully timed golden hour photography across northern Europe, his images show how patience and a sharp eye can elevate even familiar places.

In this behind‑the‑scenes Q&A, Micha walks through his field routine, explains how he uses Lightroom presets and quick Lightroom masks to balance light and color, and shares the composition habits that give his work its calm, cinematic feel.

Whether you’re new to nature photography or ready to refine your workflow with practical photography tips, you’ll find plenty here to spark ideas for your next shoot.

How did photography start for you, was there a specific moment or scene that made you want to pick up a camera?

In 2021, I bought my first camera. Before that, I always took photos with my phone and it was enough for me. My father has always had a camera and he inspired me to buy one.

You’re based in the Altmark, a region known for its foggy mornings, forest paths, and wide open spaces. How has living there shaped your eye as a photographer?

The Altmark doesn't have much to offer photographically. One has to seek out their spots.

When walking through the forests and meadows, you look more closely and see what others do not see, such as flowers or mushrooms.

Your gallery feels like a visual diary of your time exploring northern and central Europe. What draws you to the locations you shoot? Is it planned in advance or more spontaneous?

There are spontaneous photos usually in my surroundings, and then there are planned photos that I mostly pick from Instagram that inspire me to go to that spot.

Could you walk us through your full process, from preparing for a shoot to how you approach editing your final image?

I contemplate what the subject should be that I want to show. I also focus on that.

I often try to incorporate a foreground, such as flowers or stones, or check if I can frame the subject.

I take several photos with different settings, sometimes with a filter, sometimes without.

In editing, I use Lightroom and the presets from Woodland, and I adjust some settings.

I often also work with masks, for example, for the sky.

Some of your wildlife shots feel incredibly close, like the viewer is right there with the animal. Do you take a specific approach to staying unnoticed or building trust in those moments?

I often photograph the animals in my garden. I have a large garden and many trees.

For the birds, I have many feeding stations and birdhouses. I would almost claim that the birds are already quite tame.

I then sit on my terrace with my beer and wait for the right moment.

You often shoot in soft light, dawn, dusk, or overcast conditions, which gives your work this calm, almost cinematic quality. Do you seek those conditions out intentionally, or adjust your style to what the environment gives you?

I take what the situation offers me at that moment. I am not a photographer who only photographs in nice weather or just sunrises and sunsets. I also go out in cloudy weather.

That gives the photos a dramatic, dark look that I really like. But I also love the golden hour very much. The most beautiful light.

Your compositions are beautifully balanced and intentional. Do you usually frame everything in-camera, or do you refine things later in editing? Any tips for getting those clean, striking results?

I usually try to ensure that the composition and settings are correct from the start. That's why I try different compositions and settings.

At home, I then go through the pictures and pick out the best ones.

When editing, I only make small adjustments, like the colors or trying to highlight details.

Editing plays a subtle but key role in your style. Are there tools or techniques you always rely on to get that clean, atmospheric look?

At first, I edited the pictures just for myself. Then I found the presets and tried a few. The presets make editing incredibly easier.

Eventually, I came across the presets from Woodland Presets, and so far, I like them the most because they have a suitable preset for every situation.

I have since deleted the other presets.

Are there any lesser-known locations around Altmark that you enjoy revisiting, whether for wildlife, moody woods, or quiet architecture?

As described, the Altmark doesn't have much to offer photographically. That's why it's also called 'in the middle of nowhere'.

The somewhat larger towns are very old and have beautiful churches or castles.

The Arendsee is a great photographic location at any time of year and day, which I enjoy visiting very much.

What’s one technical or creative habit you’ve picked up over time that’s really improved your work?

After I bought my first camera, I watched all the videos on YouTube about photography. Many well-known photographers have their own peculiarities.

As mentioned, I like it when, for example, flowers are in the foreground and out of focus. I also like the bokeh.

What advice would you give to someone just getting into outdoor or wildlife photography, especially if they’re working with limited gear or don’t know where to start?

I am honest. I have a camera with subject recognition. This simplifies things for many, and I don't want to miss it anymore. There are affordable cameras that also have this subject recognition.

Then one should just try it out, and above all, the eye plays a big role. Seeing the subjects, the possible composition.

And finally, where can people find more of your amazing work or follow along with your journey?

Only on Instagram @michisfotokiste

Thanks for reading! Micha’s journey proves that nature photography is less about epic destinations and more about patient observation. With a simple kit, thoughtful composition, and just the right Lightroom presets, he turns foggy fields, garden flowers, and soft dawn light into calm, moody photography that lingers in the viewer’s mind.

From quiet waits on the terrace to mist‑filled meadows at golden hour, his process shows how subtle edits and deliberate framing can bring depth and emotion to landscape, flower, and wildlife photography alike.

Big thanks to Micha for sharing his time, experience, and beautiful work with us, and we are looking forward to seeing more from him.