Sweden boasts an incredible 267,000 islands, making it the country with the most islands in the entire world. Photographer Bernhard Lang recently embarked on an aerial exploration of these Nordic gems, capturing breathtaking patterns and views that remain completely invisible from ground level. His stunning aerial photography series, titled "Archipelago," showcases the remarkable beauty of Sweden's coastal landscape.
While the vast majority of Sweden's islands remain uninhabited, Lang focused his lens on those dotted with colorful wooden houses that create mosaic-like patterns across the rocky terrain. The photographer was inspired to undertake this project after seeing ground-level photographs of Sweden's west coast and hearing glowing accounts from friends who had visited the region. "I had seen photos taken from the ground of Sweden's west coast and heard from friends who had traveled there that the area is truly beautiful," Lang explained. "I have been particularly interested in how these colorful wooden houses are built so harmoniously into the natural surroundings and rocky landscape."
To capture these extraordinary images, Lang flew in a small aircraft from the city of Gothenburg northward to Smögen, spending approximately four hours photographing the archipelago from above. He supplemented his aerial shots with additional drone photography to achieve different perspectives and heights. The resulting images reveal a striking visual harmony that combines human habitation with the raw beauty of Sweden's coastal environment.
Lang observed a fascinating color pattern that emerged throughout his aerial photography. "The images often capture the three primary colors of the RGB," he noted. "Warm red-orange on roofs, the green of meadows, and the deep blue of surrounding waters." He explained that these colors work together to create a visual rhythm that reveals the subtle interplay between human settlement and the elemental landscape, demonstrating how Swedish coastal communities have integrated themselves seamlessly into their natural environment.
Bernhard Lang is a distinguished professional fine art photographer who has gained international recognition for his "Aerial Views" project, which he has been developing since 2010. His work consistently explores striking patterns, structures, and perspectives visible only from above, offering viewers a unique and often surprising view of the world below. In 2022, his photographs of the Boneyard in Tucson, Arizona, garnered significant attention for their documentation of thousands of decommissioned military aircraft arranged in precise rows across the desert landscape.
Lang's artistic achievements have earned him numerous prestigious international awards and accolades throughout his career. His recognition includes first prizes at the Sony World Photography Awards in 2015, the International Photography Awards (IPA) in 2015, and the ND Awards in 2020. These honors reflect his exceptional ability to transform ordinary landscapes into extraordinary works of art through his aerial perspective and keen eye for composition and pattern.
