Autumn light on Senja

by Ralf Lehmann

Golden-yellow birch trees and low autumnal vegetation cover the hill on Senja. Behind it, the view opens out onto the blue North Sea and a range of rugged coastal mountains. Their rocky foothills jut far out into the water, whilst narrow white surf lines stand out along their shores. To the right, a sun-drenched slope rises steeply. Wide strips of grey scree lie between patches of yellow and orange. Thick clouds cast shadows over parts of the landscape, whilst individual slopes stand out in the light.

The photograph was taken in early September, when autumn was already clearly visible on Senja. From the hilltop, I could look out over the vibrant vegetation to the mountain range along the coast. I was particularly captivated by the contrast between the warm colours directly in front of me and the cool blue of the sea. The shifting light brought the two together: it highlighted individual structures whilst allowing others to recede into the shadows.

For me, the image captures the early Nordic autumn, with its sunny moments and heavy, cloudy skies. As a wall hanging, it brings together warm shades of yellow and cool shades of blue and grey. The tiered mountain ridges lend depth to the view, whilst the delicately branched birch trees in the foreground offer a wealth of fine detail. In an interior featuring wood, light-coloured walls or grey textiles, this landscape can provide a vibrant, natural splash of colour.