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I've been a drone pilot for about five years now. It's simply fascinating what these little flying objects can do these days. This blog post is about the DJI Air3s, which was introduced in 2024. DJI Air3s After my DJI Air2s served me well for four years, I started looking around the drone market to see what was new. The advancements in drone technology are still significant compared to the previous model. I didn't upgrade from the Air3, but from the Air2s. What particularly piqued my interest were the two cameras: the 24mm wide-angle camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor and 50MP resolution, and the 70mm telephoto camera with 48MP resolution and a 1/1.3- inch CMOS sensor . Schweizer Jura Although the difference in dynamic range compared to the Air2s isn't huge, I'm very happy with the 50MP wide-angle camera. The 70mm telephoto camera is interesting and new to me. Of course, it's still a big difference compared to a single camera sensor, but the parallax effect from the telephoto lens is fascinating. Below are some panoramas. Belchenfluh This panoramic photo above was taken with the 70mm telephoto camera. Anwil I haven't tested the improved LiDAR obstacle detection much yet; I don't really need it much because there are no trees or buildings where I take panoramas, just the occasional light aircraft. The RTH (Return to Home) system, however, is fantastic. If there's nothing between the controller and the drone, this system works flawlessly, with a range of 10 km and more. If the connection is lost, a message appears on the display asking if the drone should return. It then follows the recorded route back, which you can follow on the display. Excellent! Wisen-Froburg The transmission tower on the Froburg near Wisen Maisprach-Sonnenberg Sunset behind the Vosges Mountains Bölcheflue Sunrise at Belchenfluh in the canton of Basel-Landschaft Oberbaselbiet - Rünenberg - Kilchberg - Zeglingen The first wisps of fog move from the Fricktal region into the Upper Basel region at the end of September. Sissach by Night Sissach at night and during a full moon Dji Air3s Below are some photos showing the parallax effect. Sissacherfluh The Alps seem within reach. Berghaus Ober-Bölchen The Berghaus Ober-Bölchen is located directly in front of the Bölchenflueh. Rhonegletscher am Furkapass - Hotel Belvedere The Rhone Glacier right next to the hotel, much as it used to be. Here's a photo from the DJI Air2s for comparison. Baselbieter Jura The DJI Air 3S is definitely impressive. Weighing in at 724 grams , it's light and easy to handle. Its stability in the air, even in windy conditions, is significantly improved compared to the Air 2s. Its compact design is particularly evident in its dimensions: when folded, it measures only 214.19 x 100.63 x 89.17 mm , while unfolded it measures 266.11 x 325.47 x 106 mm . Despite its lightness, the drone boasts a maximum flight time of up to 45 minutes, making it an ideal companion for longer missions. The 45 minutes are probably only achievable under optimal conditions; my longest flight time was 35 minutes. However, that's quite generous for photographers. Conclusion: Was the upgrade from the Air 2s to the Air 3s worthwhile? Not really, since I earn money with photography and a drone like this costs around 1500 Swiss francs. If it costs that much in a bundle, I wouldn't do it today. Because the same applies here as with the camera: no one has ever asked me about the drone model I use. The new safety features don't make you a better drone pilot, but it's reassuring to know there's now more of a safety margin. Sure, the low-light performance has improved again, but the leap isn't particularly significant. What I really like is the parallax effect with the 70mm lens. However, it only becomes truly noticeable in video recordings. Since I usually take my photos and panoramas early in the morning, I have to pay close attention to the framing. Dark areas can show terrible color noise, while bright areas are often overexposed. So it's always a balancing act! However, Adobe Photoshop has had a brilliant feature for about three years now: image noise can be removed using AI. I find it a very interesting way to remove this annoying image noise, especially in the dark corners. Here you can see the strong color noise in the lower corners. Of course, I would normally never crank up the shadows to the maximum in a drone photo. But this makes the color noise very noticeable. Now let's run the AI-powered noise reduction in Photoshop. Depending on the intensity, this can take up to half an hour. I've used the preset intensity of 50% here. You can see that Adobe Photoshop has done a good job of removing the color noise using AI. With a little fine-tuning or a higher percentage setting, you can get even more out of it. However, caution is always advised, as there's a risk of ending up with just a blurry mess. Currently, the entire noise reduction process is very time-consuming. Subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this page and you'll always be among the first to know when a new blog post is published on my website. About 3-4 times a year. And the best part: it's completely free.

In this blog post, I'll show you three commercially very successful photos. You'll learn what it takes to achieve them and how you can do it yourself. In June 2024, an advertising agency called me and asked if I didn't have a photo of lupins in the Engadine in my extensive collection? Lupinen im Engadin I declined, but I knew where to find these lupins at Lake Sils. We agreed on a price for two photos in TIFF format. I'm actually rather reluctant to sell photos before they've even been taken. But these lupins had been on my list for a long time, and the spot isn't exactly around the corner. I checked in early summer to see if they were already in bloom, asking a friend who's an amateur photographer. He advised me to go within the next two or three days. I set off the very next day. I've written the story behind it in a separate blog post . It was a perfect fit. These days, I sell these lupin photos quite often. Want to see a failed attempt ? Or something to make you smile? Here you go! Schloss Trachselwald No sooner had I posted this photo on Facebook than I received two inquiries by email. A Swiss magazine wanted to pay 500 Swiss francs, and a private individual wanted to have it made into a wall print; he lives in a castle. The magazine had contacted me a few years ago about an Engadine photo and, then as now, wanted the full resolution in TIFF format. After checking with some of my fellow photographers, which went quite well, I sent the magazine this photo. To this day, I haven't heard a thing from them! No thank you, nothing at all. But that was the same with the Engadine photos back then. If this magazine, or rather the lady responsible for it, is reading this: A photo from me now costs 990 Swiss francs. I charged the private individual less, as always with the stipulation that he may not resell it in any way. After that, there was radio silence for two weeks. Then another email arrived, and he wanted to buy it now. Of course, I did some research beforehand. The result was that he's a local councilor in Trachselwald. I'll make an exception and not mention his name. He wanted to know where I took the photo from. I didn't think much of it, because if you live in a castle with a view of the location, finding it should be easy, I thought... apparently, the councilman had some trouble with it. Yes, geography isn't as simple as it sometimes seems. But you guessed it: I never heard from that councilman again! But who knows, maybe he commissioned you to take the photo at a lower price? Or maybe he was lying in wait himself early in the morning with his mobile phone camera? Anyway, I never forget things like that. Nevertheless, I was able to sell this photo, or a similar one, a few times. Photos of the Emmental or Basel-Landschaft regions are always in demand! But back to the so-called "money shots." Wasserfall Giessen - Kilchberg This photo was conceived back in 2011, but only in my mind. In the 80s, I lived not far from this waterfall, in Zeglingen; I could practically hear it rushing in my living room. Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration. But I could see its approximate location from my patio. I was often at this idyllic spot in the beautiful Upper Basel region. Even with my Collie, I often enjoyed the cool, shady place. The idea for the wild garlic photo first came to me in 2011. The field was still quite small back then, but already usable. In 2018, I was finally able to take my photo; it was a rainy Sunday. In the meantime, this photo has become a real hit. Since a well-known company in Upper Basel started offering this photo as a shower screen, or simply as a display behind glass in the bathroom, it's been selling like hotcakes. A few years ago, I received an inquiry from the largest Swiss daily newspaper. They wanted to buy one or two photos if I posed with a tripod and camera in front of this waterfall. Insiders know that there's an old sewage treatment plant just above it, and it's particularly overwhelmed during floods. This is common knowledge, and that's the story they wanted to run. No, I wasn't going to do that. After that, they only wanted to pay 100 Swiss francs per photo, using the pandemic as an excuse. We didn't strike a deal. Of course, one of my most financially successful photos is the one of the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn. Especially after this article in all the major daily newspapers: the Berner Zeitung. Linde vor dem Schreckhorn As I've written elsewhere, this is probably the photo that has brought me the most publicity. And, of course, it's also extremely lucrative financially. I've been following landscape photography for about 14 years now, and it's interesting to see the different paths photographers take. There's the photographer with an incredibly large portfolio, but a website that hasn't been updated since 1291. I think in this day and age, you should keep all your channels up-to-date; perhaps things will change again, and customers will want to see "real" photos again? Others cultivate a rather dark and depressive style. I wonder, who would hang something like that on their wall, or which newspaper/magazine would subject its predominantly older readership to this style? Sure, this style stands out brilliantly from the haphazard snapping of other photographers. Perhaps it's still possible to make money with workshops. But what if the workshops become obsolete? Then there's the perfectionist; this photographer dedicated himself to the perfect photo right from the start—everything just fits perfectly. He pursues his path persistently. Not that he's constantly releasing new images, no, even an unassuming subject gains a new brilliance through his lens. But what pretty much all of them have in common is that when you open a photo on their website, the image appears postage stamp-sized, okay, slightly larger. A few months ago, when it came to selling a lupine photo, I asked the co-owner of a large Zurich advertising and marketing company in a phone conversation what she looks for when buying a photo. She answered me something like this: First, the subject should be suitable; they can't use half-baked images. Then, the photo should be large on the respective website so she can get a first impression. But last but not least, she wants to see the photo in its original size to see if it's suitable for her project. Yes, the file size is irrelevant; whether it's 20MB or 240MB makes no difference. What does matter, however, is the camera's megapixel count. The lens or camera brand is only of marginal interest to them, if at all. Sure, they can upscale a photo, but if they don't have to, all the better. That's why I've long maintained: nothing beats displacement (MP), like even more displacement. No, not really... But thankfully, camera manufacturers have now settled on sensors ranging from 42 to 60 MP. What can you do to stand out or differentiate yourself from the crowd? Do you want to make money with your photos? If so, it will be difficult. Many other photographers have dominated certain markets for years. It takes a huge effort to break into them. If you have a regular income, give it a try! But it requires a lot of effort and is extremely time-consuming. First, try publishing your photos in a regional daily newspaper, again and again. But they should be photos that stand out from the rest. A photo taken around midday will hardly get you noticed. And you're unlikely to get rich with a picture of Lake Staz. I think it's one of the most photographed subjects in Switzerland. Stazersee Find suitable subjects in your region, look at other photos, and you'll soon realize what's important. With time and patience, you'll find exciting subjects close to home. Photograph them again and again! In rain, snow, spring, or even during a thunderstorm. Be persistent and pursue your goal. You know that commercial with the duvets? "Hello, my name is Fischer..." The same ad for 10 years now; I think it works for them. That doesn't mean you should photograph the same tree for 10 years. I'm sure you'll find your subjects in your region, so keep at it! Sure, not everyone has the Bölchen mountain right on their doorstep, but it was only through my persistence that it became a photographer's hotspot. Is that desirable? Yes and no. It gives you a huge boost in popularity, but many will consider the region overdone, some out of envy because they were already photographing there in 1291 but didn't recognize its potential. Others will emphasize nature conservation, because it's teeming with photographers, especially in autumn and winter. But these are usually just excuses. Don't let them deter you!

Learn here which photos I selected and the stories behind them. I wasn't the one who discovered all of these photos, but I often incorporated my own ideas into the shots. I have been involved in landscape photography for almost exactly 15 years now, with detours into wildlife photography, which has more to do with a hunting instinct that has stuck from the Stone Age. Belchenfluh But first, a little backstory to the beginnings of my landscape photography. After spending 2011 mainly exploring and documenting all the winding paths and trails around the Bölchen mountain, I stumbled upon photos by Andreas Gerth or Jan Geerk, both also from northwestern Switzerland, sometime in the summer of 2012. I saw my first photo of the Ankenballen peak above the fog. I wanted to be able to do that, and so much more. The winter of 2012/13 was very snowy; the snowdrifts piled up on the Bölchen and surrounding area well into April. From the very beginning of my landscape photography, I had a preference for long exposures. That winter, I often stood on the Belchenfluh peak in the evenings, often late into the night, practicing this technique. Over and over again. I remember losing track of time and the cold in my intense concentration, but also being ridiculed for the photos now and then, or even accused of manipulation. But none of that dampened my enthusiasm or my perseverance. My hands were chapped that winter and quite insensitive to the cold. My progress and enjoyment of photography grew daily. First it was the lights, and later the fog. These much-praised and often-discussed compositions didn't really interest me. Just keep shooting, as long as possible. That was my motto. Compositions? That, too, was purely a matter of practice. My advantage back then was that the Bölchen region was only known to insiders among photographers. I wasn't aware of this at the time, though, because I knew, if anything, only a handful of photographers from the upper Basel region. So my photos from the Bölchen ended up on Facebook almost daily and found an ever-growing audience. In the autumn of 2014, I held my first photography workshop at the Bölchen. I was overwhelmed with registrations, the day was fantastic, the fog flowed perfectly over the Jura ridge. The foundation was laid for many more successful workshops in Switzerland, the Dolomites, and Berchtesgaden. My second source of income was my then-current website, belchen-schweiz, and later this website here. But now back to my 5-star photos. I will list the photos in chronological order; this is not intended as a ranking. Let's start with 2014, when things happened one after the other. Sunrise at the pear tree. Birnbaum Rünenberg I've known this pear tree for a long time, of course; it stands not far from where I live. I remember how, at the beginning of my landscape photography journey in 2013, I spent a long Saturday afternoon circling this tree. But nothing appealing, besides the imposing tree itself, came to mind at the time. A year later, I was back at the tree late one evening during a full moon, but even then, something just didn't work! Actually, it's quite simple: sunrise! So, at 5:30 the next morning, I was there again, armed with rubber boots, because I thought the grass was wet. But it was frozen, and my feet were freezing miserably. The rest is history. Every spring at sunrise, this spot is very popular. The Ankenballen in the thunderstorm Ankenballen On that Saturday afternoon in early August 2014, a thunderstorm was brewing. I kept checking the weather app, and early in the afternoon I was at the Ober-Bölchen mountain hut, waiting. A storm front was approaching from the west, and I hoped to photograph the spectacle from the Belchenfluh. I had no plan for how I would do it. Reckless as I was back then, I stood up there, with no one in sight. I waited for at least two hours, but the storm didn't get any closer. Disappointed, I set off back towards the Chilchzimmersattel in the dark, but I took the path around it, along the edge of the forest. There, you have an unobstructed view to the west. It was already quite dark, but the full moon was rising behind the Ruchen. Lightning was still visible to the west, towards the Weissenstein. As I stood there, the saving idea came to me. I would photograph the Ankenballen from further down so that more of the sky would be in the picture. I quickly got in the car and drove down to the Schattenbergpass. I ran along the ridge to the edge of the forest. A short exposure time of just under 13 minutes at f/11 and ISO 100 was sufficient. With a 190mm focal length, the whole scene was compressed into an atmospheric photograph. A wave of fog at the Bölchen. Nebelwelle Belchen I've already described the story behind this photo in another blog post, so I'll keep it brief. Almost two years before I was able to take this photo, the idea for it came to me. On a hot summer morning in 2013, I took action and began clearing the trees: a wave of fog at Bölchen, the oak tree with a sunburst. Eiche auf dem Unteren Hauenstein I'm known for my elephantine memory, so I can still vividly recall the first time I passed this tree in 1291... No, of course not! It was a Sunday in November 1983. I was hiking with my dog Laska, a purebred Collie, and finally visited this old oak. I'd wanted to see this tree for months, as it stands in a very exposed position on a hilltop. My commute to work in Wangen near Olten from 1981 onwards always took me past it. But as is often the case, I'd seen it before, and back then, photography was mainly Formula 1 to me. Decades later, during my tours through the Basel region, I noticed it again. But it took another five years or so before I seriously pursued this spot. In the hot and dry summer of 2018, a colleague sent me a drone photo of the ruins of the former motel on the lower Hauenstein. This tree was visible somewhere at the edge of the photo. Just a few days later, on a Sunday evening in August 2018, I set off. Arriving at the tree, I discovered the hole in the trunk. I knew then that September would be a good time. The rest is history. Unfortunately, this oak fell victim to another lightning strike in June 2024 and is now split. It's still standing, though, and we can only wait and see how it recovers over the next 50 years... The linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn. Linde vor dem Schreckhorn I think the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn is probably my most famous photo. Looking back now and seeing how many photographers have this photo in their portfolios makes me quite proud. Especially since many photographers have taken it from the same spot as me, which is on private property. I wasn't really aware of that at the time, because the house renovation had only just been completed and there was no garden yet. But at this point, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to one of the best Emmental experts: Daniel Horisberger. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to take this photo; he searched for the location one spring evening and found it quickly. If I had to make a ranking of the most difficult photos, it would probably be the fog wave. The contrast between the sunlit fog and the fog lying in shadow. This combination posed a challenge for every camera in 2014. But which photo has been the most commercially successful? That's clearly the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn. It's already hanging in countless homes, especially in the Emmental. As a lightbox, as an acrylic print, or on canvas. In every imaginable combination. The motif has become an Emmental landmark. I even recently sold this motif with the oak tree in spring; despite my powers of persuasion, the oak in spring was chosen. So this first trip in spring 2020 was worthwhile. I could go on and on with this list. That's why there will be another blog post about it soon. If you don't want to miss it, subscribe to my newsletter – it's free! You can sign up at the very bottom of this page! At this point, I wish you and your family a very successful New Year and the best of health!

Der älteste Birnbaum im Kanton Baselland. Ein lohnendes Foto-Motiv im Frühling während der Blütezeit. Birnbaum near Rünenberg in the canton of Basel-Landschaft Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB102 Birnbaum Rünenberg Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB125 Birnbaum Rünenberg Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB124 Birnbaum Baselland Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg bei Sonnenaufgang im April 2022 Bestellnummer: BB120 Birnbaum Rünenberg Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB122 Blühender Birnbaum Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB123 Birnbaum Vollmond Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg bei Vollmond im April 2022 Bestellnummer: BB121 Birnbaum-Rünenberg Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg zur Blütezeit Bestellnummer: BB118 Birnbaum-Frühling Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg im Frühling Bestellnummer: BB117 Birnbaum-Baselland Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB112 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB101 Alter Birnbaum Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB113 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Vor Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg im Kanton Baselland Bestellnummer: BB110 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB103 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Vor Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB109 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB104 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB105 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: KB106 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenuntergang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB107 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Sonnenaufgang beim Birnbaum von Rünenberg Bestellnummer: BB108 Birnbaum bei Rünenberg Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg im Winter Bestellnummer: BB111 Birnbaum-Baselbiet Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg bei Schneefall Bestellnummer: BB114 Birnbaum Baselland Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg bei Schneefall Bestellnummer: BB119 Birnbaum-Baselland Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg bei Schneefall Bestellnummer: BB115 Rünenberg-Birnbaum Der Birnbaum bei Rünenberg bei Schneefall Bestellnummer: BB116 A striking landmark in the Basel region is the pear tree in Rünenberg. A few years ago, there were plans to cut it down, but the residents of Rünenberg successfully resisted. A smaller pear tree has since been planted nearby. Thus, this magnificent pear tree continues to delight the local population and photographers, not only during its spring blossom season. When I stood at this spot at sunrise in April 2014 and knew I had taken a "nice photo", I had no idea what would be going on at this spot in the coming years during the flowering season and sunrise. The pear tree near Rünenberg is a special natural gem in the Basel-Landschaft region of Switzerland. It is one of the oldest and largest pear trees in Europe and has an impressive history and cultural heritage waiting to be discovered. The pear tree near Rünenberg is about 400 years old and has an impressive circumference of almost 14 meters. It stands on private property near the village of Rünenberg and is a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the beauty of nature and the history of the region. The pear tree has played an important role in the region's history. It was a vital part of agricultural life and provided generations of people with its fruit. Today, it is a symbol of regional culture and history and a popular location for photoshoots and events. The area surrounding the pear tree is just as impressive as the tree itself. Numerous hiking trails wind through the picturesque landscape, offering opportunities to experience nature up close. There are also many viewpoints from which to admire the tree and its surroundings in all their beauty. Overall, the pear orchard near Rünenberg is an impressive natural gem waiting to be discovered. It is a place steeped in history and culture, offering a unique experience for both tourists and locals, and a symbol of the region's beauty and diversity. Photos of the German oak:

Alle Jahre im November findet der Foto Event im Berghaus Ober-Bölchen statt Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015 Foto - Event 2015

Fotos in Fine Art auf Acryl, Leinwand, Aludibond, Poster, Fotos kaufen Photo: Wave of fog on the Swiss Belchen If you have any questions, you can reach me online (bottom left) or via the contact form. Photo: Matterhorn Price examples: Photo on 2mm acrylic, 180x120 cm from 1350 CHF incl. wall mount 270x180cm behind matte acrylic from 3200 Fr. Photo on canvas 180x120 cm from 680 CHF. All prices include shipping to Switzerland/Germany. Photo: Gorgier on Lake Neuchâtel Photo on 2mm acrylic, 100x75 cm From 690 CHF including wall mount and shipping to Switzerland/Germany Weight approx. 8 kg. Canvas 80x60 cm from 380 CHF incl. shipping to CH/D Real photo prints and brilliant colors behind glossy or matte acrylic. Photo: Étang de la Gruère Photo on 2mm acrylic, 60x90 cm From 650 CHF including wall mount and shipping to Switzerland/Germany Canvas 60x90 cm from 460 CHF incl. delivery Photo: Autumn in the Lötschental Photo on 2mm acrylic, 120x90 cm From 900 CHF including wall mount and shipping to Switzerland/Germany Weight approx. 9 kg. Photo: View from the Emmental valley towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains Price examples: Photo on aluminum dibond, 180x120 cm From 920 CHF incl. shipping to CH/D Photo on canvas 180x120 cm from 680 CHF incl. shipping to CH/D Alu Dibond ultra HD, double resolution for maximum sharpness, matte or glossy Photo: Three Peaks - Dolomites Price examples: Ultra HD photo on acrylic vibrant colors and strong contrasts 180x120 cm From 1550 CHF including wall mount. Ultra HD photo on aluminum Dibond 180x120 cm from 1250 CHF All prices include shipping to Switzerland/Germany. Photo: Autumn in the Lötschental Price examples: Photo on matte acrylic, 120x180 cm from 1500 CHF incl. wall mount Matte acrylic glass - no reflection Photo on canvas 120x180 cm from 680 CHF. Photo poster 120x80 cm from 460 Fr. All prices include shipping to Switzerland/Germany. Photo: On the Tête de Ran The corresponding wall bracket is pre-assembled and included in the price. Photo: Sunrise near Rünenberg/BL Photo: Pasque flower Photo: Emmental Price examples: Ultra HD photo on Alu Dibond vibrant colors and razor-sharp images 160x120 cm From 1150 CHF including wall mount. All prices include shipping to Switzerland/Germany. Photo: Belchenfluh / Basel-Landschaft