Budapest International Foto Awards 2023: 20 Winning Images That Take Us Into The Beautiful World Of Nature

We contacted Jacob Griese, an enthusiastic landscape, nature, and adventure photographer from Germany. With his stunning image of a group of flamingos in Bolivia, Jacob secured a silver spot in the Nature category of the 2023 Budapest International Foto Awards. We asked Griese to share some facts about himself and his journey into photography, particularly in landscape and nature photography. We found out: “Photography has always been a way for me to capture the world as I see it. The camera has helped me explore new countries and cultures and has led me to experience great adventures. I really appreciate the total freedom of how I can tell a story, which, in contrast to my studies and job in engineering, is a welcome alternative.”

We were curious about why Jacob chose Salar de Uyuni as the location for his winning shot, “Flamingo Heaven.” The photographer told us, “Salar de Uyuni is a place I wanted to photograph for a long time. In the rainy season, this gigantic salt lake is covered with a thin layer of water. When the conditions are just right and there is absolutely no wind, the lake becomes the largest natural mirror on Earth. The combination of these conditions, the rare appearance of flamingos, and the beautiful sunset created the perfect moment for me.”

When asked how the photographer believes this image contributes to the larger conversation around environmental awareness and appreciation for nature, Griese answered, “In my opinion, it is important from time to time to take a look at the natural wonders we can encounter in all corners of our planet and just enjoy the complex beauty in it. I can only hope that the thought arises that what you see can be gone in the next couple of years and that it must be protected.”

Finally, we were curious about Jacob’s upcoming projects or destinations he’s particularly excited about in his ongoing journey as a photographer. We learned that: “There will always be destinations I have in mind to visit in the future. In addition to Indonesia, I plan to return to Mount Everest one day to hopefully photograph mountaineers climbing the mountain with their headlights creating a path to the summit.”