Romatet’s photo “Flysch” won an Excellence award in the Landscape category in The Epoch Times 2007 International Photography Competition.
Romatet is an admirer of nature and his work shows it. Self-taught, he has received awards in numerous competitions.
The rock formations depicted in his winning entry, known as flysch, form from the erosion from sea waves and sand. Sedimentary rock deposits in the Swiss Alps were given the geologic term circa 1827. According to German geologic literature, these formations were originally believed to be caused by water deposits and only later was it discovered that flysch is actually formed by a deeper marine sediment. The peculiar folds in the rocks create a spectacular landscape.
The photographer captures this unique feature on the beach at dusk. The tide appears to be out. The wind pushes the clouds into the setting sun. The perspective formed by the textured gray flysch lines receding into the sea is balanced by the horizon and softly layered cloud formations in peachy orange. Rivulets of outgoing tide remain to soften the rocks to make a satisfying contrast of soft and hard surfaces.
According to Romatet, that everything worked was “a pleasant surprise.” The image was captured at the most opportune moment where wind, clouds, and rays of the sun combined with the flysch so characteristic of the beach of Itzurun. “These are the elements that came together in harmony in this spectacular image,” he said.
Capturing the scene with such brilliance was not easy. Romatet had to stand patiently in the wet, cold sand for hours, probing angles, applying specific light measurements, preparing for the right moment. Even with all his preparations, if the sea breeze had not pushed the clouds into the sunset, it would not have been possible to capture this image.
Photographing nature is both personal and creative for the photographer. He explained that photography—especially photographing nature—has a mission of transmitting a positive message of the beauty of nature and the positive side of humanity which is an integral part of nature.
When the viewer beholds these photographs, he should be able to appreciate this message and “act responsibly toward Mother Nature, protecting her and moving closer and closer to her,” he said.
Romatet’s dream and hope, like the dream of others who do nature photography, is that these images do not “get forgotten in a box.” He wants people to contemplate them, appreciate them, and form a desire to improve the environment in which we live. In this way, he says, “future generations will also be able to enjoy what we have enjoyed.”
For readers of The Epoch Times, Romatet hopes they will go out with their cameras and get close to nature to appreciate and enjoy its beauty.
The deadline for application to the Epoch Times 2009 International Photography Competition is March 30.
