Category: Photography

We spent ten days on the road, encountering vast and varied terrain – from volcanos and lakes to mountains and tropical beaches. Here we pay tribute to eight of the most magnetic places we discovered along the way: The spots that made our heads spin with wonder, and our pulses tick along a little faster. Join us on our journey in the feature that follows.

Our journey began at the top of the North Island. The rugged black iron-sands of the country’s most formidable surf beach were secluded when we ventured out to West Auckland on a quiet Monday afternoon. Here, scrubby sand dunes set the scene, giving way to the vast stretch of dark and sparkling sand. Piha is a place where the wind whips harder, and waves are unforgiving.

A few hours’ drive down the North Island led us to a beach of a very different nature. After a 20 minute walk from the carpark, we followed a steep stairway down to a breathtaking beach, divided into two by the iconic upside-down ‘V’-shaped rock that lends the cove its name. On a the mood couldn’t have been more idyllic: Sparkling sunshine saturated the water in deep blue tones and native Pohutukawa trees threw splashing shadows onto the blistering golden sand. It felt like the height of summer. Total serenity.

Situated 49km off the coast of the North Island is one of the world’s most accessible live volcanoes, and the site of enthralling otherworldly geothermal activity. We took a boat out from the town of Ohope to be guided around the inner crater, learning about the island’s history and geology. The jaw-dropping atmosphere marked by jagged pink rocks, bubbling mud pits and steaming acid made our trip out completely unforgettable.

Possibly the country’s best-kept secret, the Blue Spring at Te Waihou Walkway is home to water so pure that it supplies roughly 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water. The water takes up to 100 years to filter through the spring, and appears breathtakingly blue whilst being clear. Surrounded by lush ferns and forest that’s home to native birds such as the fantail, the short walk along the spring is incredibly meditative.

Three active andesitic volcanoes dominate the Tongariro National Park landscape in the middle of the North Island. Holding Dual World Heritage Status, the park offers incredible burnished textures, and is a popular ski location in winter. The rest of the year around, it’s an inspiring site for hiking. We took a guided sunset walk up near the Whakapapa ski field and were lucky enough to catch a whisp of blue sky as the clouds lifted.

One of the highlights of our journey was getting to know rural New Zealand with an exhilarating day tour of the Whanganui River and the small towns dotted along a disused railway line. Beginning with a jet boat ride along the river, stopping to observe Māori pā sites and hear the history of the mighty body of water, we then took a short walk to the beautiful Bridge to Nowhere. A helicopter ride up the river then dropped us off for a rail cart tour, which saw us drive a converted golf cart along a railway line to learn about the heritage of the towns dotted along the countryside.

The country’s compact capital city offers as much culture (and a burgeoning coffee and cuisine scene) as it does breathtaking views from the hilltop vistas that surround the city. We spent a weekend taking it all in, topped off with a Seal Coast Safari, which saw us take a four wheel drive along the hilltops and down to Red Rocks, where we climbed steep sand dunes and met the friendly local seal colony.

Flying down from Wellington to the South Island, we were lucky to glimpse the break taking beauty of Central Otago’s rugged landscapes. Taking a traditional steamboat ride along Lake Wakatipu, we visited the charming Walter Peak farm. The evening saw us take a gondola ride to the peak of the surrounding hills for an incredible view of the city.

The Samsung Gear S3 frontier smartwatch was by their side as the photographers journeyed through the island of fire and ice. Recalling the highlights of their journey, they share their experiences in the following photo series and accompanying commentary: “With only five hours of natural light per day, we had to use every minute – there was hardly a moment where we didn’t have the camera in our hands. Overall, there wasn’t a single place that didn’t leave us in awe. The overwhelmingly magical landscapes can hardly be captured in a single photo. We were often so overwhelmed that we had to spin around in a circle to experience the moment with all our senses. Each new place we visited felt like a strange new world waiting to be conquered.

Remo’s personal highlight was an encounter with a herd of Icelandic horses. The freedom and wild beauty they radiated stood in stark contrast with the kindness and serenity they brought us. As always, our trusty Samsung Gear S3 frontier guided us along. As he – aka @livingitrural – said, “The best feature of the watch is that you can design the interface yourself, so you can wear your favorite photo on your wrist.”

Heavy rain and fog were a constant element of our trip. At Jökulsárlón, Max’s – aka @muenchmax‘s – kayak came in handy for paddling through ice drifting along the glacier river lagoon. “The kayak glided almost silently through the deep blue water. Time seems to stand still – I check the Gear S3 frontier, the display is lit, the pointer moves unstoppably. And yet, I feel like I’m in a forgotten world.” he noted.

When we arrived at the Skogafoss waterfall it was raining heavily, so it took a little time for the details of the incredible natural environment to emerge. We tried to get as close to the mighty, thundering stream of water as possible. At the end of the day we found ourselves wet but happy. Along the way, our Samsung Gear S3 frontier watch kept us on track. In the words of @lennartpagel, “Whilst walking or biking, a quick glance at my wrist can tell me whether I’m on the right path, what my heart rate is an how the weather will change in the next few hours. And the best thing is that I don’t have to protect it from any weather: Be it sun, rain or snow.”

For us, Iceland meant starting the days in darkness and rain, and that’s exactly how our trip to the black sand beach in Reynisfjara began. We found ourselves speechless standing in front of the 3-meter high waves, backdropped by breathtaking cliffs and a gloomy black sand beach. Seeking a different perspective on the view, Roman climbed a rock – and was promptly caught off guard by a wave! As he – aka @rawmeyn – said, “The Gear S3 frontier is the perfect companion for anyone on the road! All the information you need is instantly at hand.”

All in all, the trip was great, and the impressions we collected were unforgettable. The rough charm of Iceland and its unique landscapes are hard to beat, making it a dream for photographers. We’re looking forward to our upcoming trips with the Samsung Gear S3 frontier in far-flung countries around the world.

Born in Haslach (Upper Austria), Hofer knew from early on that he wanted to become a sculptor so he attended studies in Linz and Berlin, before graduating from the University of Arts in Vienna, where he is currently based. Through his work the artist opens a different perception of reality letting the viewer experience a moment of irritation.We had the opportunity meeting Markus Hofer for an exclusive look around his studio and get a glimpse of the creative process behind his work…

You’re best known for your interventionist sculptures. For those less familiar with your work, can you please introduce your artistic practice and focus?

Part of my work contains making short-term interventions in the public space, but also in private environments as well as galleries and museums. These are often objects specially designed for a location, which are then installed there and remain for an indefinite period of time. These interventions alter the spatial situation, often create irritation and direct the view of the unknown.

Your work is centered on cognitive dissonance: On challenging the viewer’s perception, and inviting a second glance. What kind of experience do you hope the viewer to have when they encounter one of your pieces?

It is, of course, quite difficult to judge how my work affects the viewer. I try not to think too much about it. I hope, however, that my interventions can at least change the view of the so-called reality for a brief moment. The question is how reality is constructed and who directs our perception. Of course it is of great interest to me, and I am happy if the viewers are able to ask these questions in the face of my work.

The basic premise of your works is deeply philosophical, calling into question the meaning of reality itself. Can you share some of the theoretical inspirations underlying your practice?

I assume that on the one hand there is something like a common reality and on the other a personal reality. Simply explained, I mean, for example, that everyone recognizes a chair as seating furniture, as he or she thinks about it and connects to a chair, can be very different. An everyday object is recognized as such, but has a completely new function. In my work I try to question these two realities, to dissolve them or to connect them. Example chair: I use chairs as starting materials for new sculptures, the chair is still recognizable, but not a chair for sitting. An everyday object is recognized as such, but has a completely new function. This is exactly how I work with words and meanings. When we use words like fried egg, freck or color photo, we do not necessarily think of mirrors or leaves or color drops. But when I make sculptures with these titles, I use exactly those objects for it. And then we first realized how our language and our reality are connected, and how we accept many things as given and do not question further. There are, of course, simple examples, but I find that these simple things are often the most obvious way to show our reality.

How did your formative years lead you to what you’re doing today?

I wanted to become a sculptor as a child and carved wooden heads at that time. Later, when I had to make a decision about what training I would like to do, I decided to go to a school for wood and stone sculpture. The foundation stone was laid for my work. Afterwards, I studied sculpture in Vienna and Berlin and then moved into a studio in Vienna.

Can you tell us about a project you’re currently working on?

There are always several projects and tasks at the same time. At the moment I am very busy with a new book. It is called Herbarium Sculpturale and is intended to provide an insight into a series of works consisting of objects that are a mixture of flowers, plants and sculptures.

Your works are often laced with humour. What’s your stance on the notion that the art world can sometimes take itself a little too seriously?

In the course of my occupation, I have met many great people from the world of art. And all of these people are very different and also approach the matter differently. I appreciate it if people take their tasks seriously, but if they do not look left and right and want to put their ideas into consideration without others, I do not like that so much. But I also think that a career lasts a lifetime, and that much that is initially very high, also disappears again. From this point of view, some things are self-regulating.

There’s a bit of buzz surrounding the creative scene in Vienna at the moment. How would you describe the current energy amongst your artistic counterparts, and in which direction do you see the scene evolving in?

Apart from the fact that Vienna is a very pleasant and beautiful city. It has the advantage that it is somehow the cultural tradition to be interested in art and culture. It is quite normal to go to the theater and the opera, to look at exhibitions and to have an opinion.I think that Vienna is a very ideal city to start as an artist. And many people, even young ones, also buy one or the other work of art. This also often has a tradition and goes from parents to their children. I mention this because it is so important for young artists to get support in the beginning. I think that Vienna is a very ideal city to start as an artist. The energy is really good and there is a lot to see and to experience, at the same time studios and apartments are affordable and the support is there. I mean it is currently one of the best cities in Europe, but of course that is a very personal view.

What piece of advice do you wish you’d hear when you were first starting out as an artist?

I would like to turn the question around and give no advice. I can only say so much, if I had listened to every advice and taken the fears of my environment seriously, I would not be an artist now.