A break in the clouds over Senja in Norway

by Ralf Lehmann

Sunlight streams through a gap in the thick clouds onto the mountainous landscape of Senja. A bright halo of light lies above the jagged peak; below it, the rays spread like a broad veil across the dark mountainside. To the left, a steep rock face borders the valley. In the foreground, the damp ground, covered in moss and low vegetation, catches the backlight. This makes small uneven patches and rocky areas stand out clearly, whilst the lower parts of the valley remain in shadow.

The photograph was taken during a hike in which rain and sunshine alternated at short intervals. The sky was almost completely overcast when this bright gap suddenly opened up above the mountain opposite. I stopped and watched as the light transformed the landscape. I was particularly struck by the fact that not only the summit, but also the wet ground directly in front of me became part of this fleeting play of light.

For me, the image captures a moment in which the island’s changeable weather becomes immediately apparent. The dark rocks provide a clear frame for the brightness; muted shades of green and brown connect the foreground with the mountain slopes. As a wall hanging, the photograph draws its impact less from bold colours than from the interplay between light and shadow. Its rough texture complements wood, natural textiles and simple surfaces. Anyone who enjoys hiking in the mountains will recognise a familiar moment in it: pausing because the landscape is changing in the light.