Matthias Krispien
Art of Poetic Photography
"Before I take a photograph, I have already heard it—
because everything speaks to me."
Born with an innate connection to the natural world, Matthias Krispien has spent years refining his ability to perceive the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and movement in the landscapes around him. His contemplative approach to photography allows him to capture more than just scenery—he translates emotions, atmospheres, and the quiet whispers of nature into images that resonate deeply with the viewer. His works have been exhibited internationally and honored with numerous awards, testifying to their universal appeal.
Rather than seeking subjects, he allows nature to present them to him, sensing the perfect moment when light and energy align. Whether it is a fleeting reflection, a delicate wisp of mist, or the silent dialogue between trees and sky, his photographs reveal a world both familiar and dreamlike. Musicians, poets, and other artists often draw inspiration from his work, finding in it a visual rhythm that echoes their own creative expressions. In every frame, there is a quiet reverence—a recognition that nature, in all its mystery, holds endless stories waiting to be told.
Matthias Krispien
Germany
Interview
Matthias, your photography conveys an almost sacred connection to nature. How do you cultivate this sensitivity in your work?
„I correspond with my environment, whether human or natural, in a respectful, mindful way. And just as people reflect my own charisma to me—more open, more approachable, more benevolent, and more connected—I sense nature in the fullness of all its own correspondences with one another, including with me as part of its community.“
You’ve described your process as “hearing” a photograph before taking it. Could you expand on this unique perception?
„There are different ways of listening. Whether I hear a song on the radio, a message on my cell phone, the gentle flow of water in a stream, the wind in the trees, or combinations thereof, all of this affects my feelings and sensations, creating a way of seeing that perceives much more if one allows it to connect with oneself contemplatively. Examples of how my images are born: The photo "Dancing in the Moonlight" is created after a song on the car radio; "My friend Harald has just died" after a cell phone message; "Our Swimming Planet" after a gliding water current; or "Chagall's Autumn" after the wind in the trees.“
Light and movement play a significant role in your images. How do you use these elements to shape the mood of a scene?
„The combination of light and movement shapes what I see, my vision, because they also influence each other. In the painting "Haute Couture in Gold," a leaf in the sunlight becomes a golden headscarf, and the flowing water reveals a face surrounded by glittering light, lending true beauty to a proud woman.“
Your photographs often blur the line between reality and something more ethereal. What draws you to this poetic interpretation of nature?
„Something special arises when we recognize something and allow it to be real. We often overlook ordinary objects because they seem banal to us. But there is much more to discover within them, which increases the joy of life immensely when we perceive it creatively. For example, a large kingfisher becomes visible in a simple puddle of ice, which also contains beautiful plumage, a curved beak, and glittering colors. Hardly anyone fails to recognize it, yet it still continually arouses great astonishment at how one can even see such a thing. Those who allow the possibility of existence will experience the charm and continually discover new things for themselves, no longer being surprised by all that can be seen.“
Many of your images evoke a deep sense of stillness and contemplation. Do you seek out such moments, or do they find you?
„My contemplative concepts are tranquility, contemplation, and connection. What happens before I take a photo in nature? In nature, I don't ask myself any questions or set goals; I don't comment, think, analyze, or search for meaning. I simply look, listen, feel, smell, but don't photograph. And something amazing happens to me, because I enter into a relationship with everything that affects me from the outside. I feel the silence myself, and then I see it and take my photo. I would also like to add the over 200-year-old term "serendipity." It describes an unexpected, positive, chance discovery that is used constructively through one's own actions and leads to a positive result. Whether in the forest or in the city, this creates many opportunities for new things. All elements connect."
Your work suggests an intuitive dialogue between yourself and the natural world. Do you believe photography can reveal aspects of nature that are usually overlooked?
„In any case, a resounding "yes." Recognizing connections where there are obviously none, seeing images that arise from perception. This becomes clear in the painting "Echo." Just as we humans react to everything, so do flowers. Light, water, warmth—they bloom or droop, whatever we give them. They send us their echo, signaling what is appropriate for them. In this photo, one can see only a simple, beautiful flower, or one can see their needs, and thus ours, in a mutual dialogue.“
As someone whose images inspire musicians, poets, and other artists, how do you see the relationship between photography and other forms of artistic expression?
„There seems to be a great longing to relive experiences from nature. I provide the unplanned photographic model of profound experiences, and artists from various genres, such as painters, composers, singers, choreographers, or poets, magically trace them and immerse themselves in them. What emerges from this is creative art with a high sense of happiness. In this way, I see myself as the primary starting point of a much greater work of art.“
Your compositions often feel like visual haikus—concise yet profound. Do you approach photography with a structured vision, or do you let nature guide you?
„The core of my vision is recognizing the unique simplicity inherent in complexity. It applies not only to nature, but also to urban areas of life, which are thereby decomplicated. Nature guides me, even though I move within it without any vision. That's what makes it so exciting. It draws out what's inside me at that moment: my thoughts, moods, connection, vitality, and curiosity.“
Some of your most striking images stem from deeply personal experiences. How does your emotional state influence what you capture through your lens?
„Emotion plays a large role in my photos. It triggers in me what takes on meaning, what I recognize and how, and what later becomes visible and meaningful in the photo.“
If you could encapsulate your artistic philosophy in one thought, what would it be?
"Before I take a photograph, I have already heard it—because everything speaks to me."
