From the snowy Canadian peaks to the scorching Sahara Desert, Luka Vunduk has travelled the globe capturing nature in all its glory.
The landscape photographer has won countless awards for his work and he continues to seek out the world's most beautiful places. He also runs photography workshops to inspire the next generation as well as heading up a design studio in Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana. "I'm really in love with nature," says Luka. "It's important for me to use all of my senses when photographing nature. When I look at my photos, I can almost smell the place. I remember everything. For every artist, it is important that photography is not just based on nature, but on the emotions it stirs within us."
Luka Vunduk
Renowned for his unique style and impeccable composition, Luka's love of the natural world developed during childhood, when he would explore the mountains of his home country Slovenia with his family. "My parents, especially my grandfather, were really in love with the mountains and nature," he explains. "So, every weekend, I went with my grandfather to explore. As a child, I was often in nature."
The Canon Ambassador's passion for photography began at the same time, and he started experimenting with a film camera when he was nine years old. "We have a really nice park in Ljubljana, and I would go there and photograph the squirrels and birds, and other animals," he says. "It all started there. I'm a very creative person, so photography is always with me."
Specialist area: Landscapes
Favourite kit:Canon 澳门现金网_申博信用网-官网5
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
After school, Luka set up his own design studio and started working with respected photographers in Slovenia to build up his portfolio. "There are no schools for photography in Slovenia, so if you want to study photography, you have to travel to another country," he explains. "I just started working in some studios and collaborating with photographers and later I went to the USA where I met my photography mentors.
"My wish, even as a child, was to go to the USA as an adventurer and visit the truly epic national parks. Because the landscape photography guru Ansel Adams created work there, the desire was even stronger. You often first think of the Grand Canyon, but there are so many more hidden and exceptional corners – Zion National Park, Capitol Reef, Mammoth Lakes. The parks are truly enormous, so you can find corners that no one has photographed yet and that is a truly special feeling."
Luka went professional with his work in 2008 and he hasn't looked back. A key ingredient to being a successful landscape photographer, he says, is patience. It took him eight years of returning to the same spot in the Italian Dolomites to eventually capture his award-winning image of Alpe di Siusi (below). "You need to have a lot of patience when you're working with photography," he says. "You're always waiting for something – the right time, the right season, the right weather, the right light. It's also important as a landscape photographer to be outdoors as much as possible. But you don't have to be travelling the world. I believe you can find something beautiful in your own country, in your backyard."
As for his proudest achievement to date? Becoming a Canon Ambassador. "We are a very small country here in Slovenia, so to be recognised on this global scale is something I am truly proud of," he enthuses. "It's even more wonderful for me because when I'm in nature, I'm at home."
How important is post-processing to you?
"Post-processing is really important to me and I work with it a lot but I don't add or replace anything. I just work on some colours, contrast, and things like that. For that kind of processing, you also need a good camera. Because I'm shooting in RAW, it's important that I remember what the scene was like."
What has been your most memorable shoot to date?
"I was sailing in Greenland in 2023 and it was amazing and so beautiful. When you're on the boat, you can't use a tripod, and as landscape photographers, we always use tripods. I was really happy to have my Canon 澳门现金网_申博信用网-官网5 because the In-Body Image Stabilisation works really well. We were sailing around huge icebergs so we needed to be alert all the time and have a good captain and crew, because the boats were small. But it was just the best expedition."
How would you describe your photographic style?
"If there is really good weather, I don't like it. It's nice, but I want to have more colours. I'm looking for more drama. About 90% of my photos were taken before or after a storm because at that time, the weather is changing rapidly and there are some amazing colours. It's more vivid, it's more extreme, so that's what I'm looking for."
What's the most valuable lesson you've learnt during your career?
"Sometimes you will travel somewhere, perhaps to the other side of the planet, and have big plans for shooting great things. But you get there, and you don't have very good weather or conditions. It's really frustrating because you think, 'I have spent so much time, so much money on this, and I don't have the best photo.' As a landscape photographer, there are many circumstances which can be against you. Sometimes I was sad because I came home with photos which were not amazing, and that was hard for me. I started asking myself, 'Do I need to be a landscape photographer?' It's easier to work in a studio, you have all the available light. So, this was a big lesson for me."
One thing I know
Luka Vunduk
"If you're a photographer, you must be in love with photography. You cannot just be thinking, 'I'll be a photographer and make money.' You need to have a lot of patience. It's also very important to have your own style too. As a landscape photographer, you need to be outdoors as much as possible. You need to understand how light works and things like that. You can create completely different photos in the exact same place, depending on the light and the weather."
Instagram:@lukavunduk
Website:www.lukavunduk.com
Luka Vunduk's kitbag
The key kit that the pros use to take their photographs
Camera
Canon 澳门现金网_申博信用网-官网5
This full-frame mirrorless camera offers photographers and filmmakers high resolution stills and 8K video. "This camera is built like a tank," says Luka. "As a landscape photographer, it is crucial for me that the camera withstands all weather conditions. At the same time, I need image quality that is suitable for the most demanding galleries. This is cutting-edge technology, packaged in a camera that can go anywhere with me."
Lenses
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
This lens offers the complete range of ultra-wide-angle focal lengths in a single high-quality zoom, making it perfect for shooting landscapes. "This lens is my first choice," says Luka. "In my landscape photographs, I enjoy creating a sense of three-dimensionality. With this truly extreme wide-angle lens, I can capture the breadth of the foreground with all the details such as structures, patterns and textures created by nature."
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
Boasting fast aperture and image stabilisation plus a Nano USM motor for silent focusing, this is part of the trinity of essential lenses. "This lens is so versatile, extremely precise and fast; it is truly exceptional," says Luka. "If I had to take only one lens, for example, on an expedition, I would choose this one."
Canon RF 100mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM
This professional macro lens features class-leading 1.4x magnification and a variable Spherical Aberration Control to adjust bokeh. "As a landscape photographer, I adore capturing what is hidden to the naked eye," says Luka. "Many times, my eyes do not perceive details that this lens captures. Due to its exquisite definition, I also use it for portraits and animal photography."
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Promising performance and image quality like no other, this lens boasts a 100-500mm focal length range plus a 5-stop Image Stablilizer and L-series build quality. "The image quality and sharpness are exceptional," says Luka. "In many situations, I must photograph at low shutter speeds. The stabilisation is outstanding. Even distant subjects are perfectly sharp. I love using this lens, especially in the mountains, where I can capture details that were not possible before."
Accessories
Canon Mount Adapter EF-澳门现金网_申博信用网-官网
The Canon Mount Adapter EF-澳门现金网_申博信用网-官网 seamlessly enables photographers to attach their EF-S and EF lenses to 澳门现金网_申博信用网-官网 System cameras. "I use this adapter with my Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lens," says Luka. "This means I can work fast and I don't need to think if I have it in my bag. What's more, it's fast and pin sharp, and there's no problem with autofocusing in low light."
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