We join fine art landscape photographer Jan Erik Waider as he shares how his design background evolved into a deep fascination with abstract and emotional landscapes, often captured in the Nordic regions and remote polar environments. From speculative visions of Mars to haunting glacial textures in Antarctica, Jan discusses the slow, thoughtful process behind his work and offers insights into how he brings these otherworldly scenes to life.
What first drew you to photography, and how did you develop your distinctive style of fine art landscapes?
My path into photography began during my time as a graphic and web designer, where visual composition was already a key part of my work. Photography gradually took a more central role from 2012 onward, especially during my travels in the Nordic countries. Over time, I started revisiting the same regions again and again, which challenged me to seek new perspectives. This process naturally led me toward more abstract and minimal compositions. I also became increasingly uninterested in replicating widely circulated images, as the same locations and angles seemed to dominate social media, advertising, and even films.
