Why I Keep Returning to the Dolomites
The Dolomites are not a place I feel finished with. Every visit leaves me with new impressions, new photographs, and new ideas for the next time.
That is part of what makes the region so special to me. It is not only beautiful. It is rich, varied, and full of possibility. From the dramatic lines of Cadini di Misurina and Tre Cime to the softer character of Alpe di Siusi and the timeless setting of Santa Maddalena, the Dolomites offer a kind of visual depth that keeps drawing me back.
Alpe di Siusi at sunrise. Photo: Terje Svendsen
Cadini di Misurina
Cadini di Misurina is one of those places that feels dramatic from the first moment you arrive. The sharp, layered peaks create a scene that is instantly recognizable, but what keeps me coming back is not only the grandeur. It is the structure of the landscape, the depth between the ridges, and the way light and shadow move across the formations. In good conditions, it becomes one of the most striking mountain scenes in the Dolomites.
Cadini di Misurina at sunrise. Photo: Terje Svendsen
Lago Antorno
Lago Antorno has a quieter presence, but that is exactly part of its appeal. It offers a more intimate experience, with reflections, changing weather, and a strong sense of atmosphere. I am drawn to places like this because they allow for a different pace. Instead of only reacting to dramatic scale, you can work more carefully with balance, mood, and simplicity.
Lago Antorno at sunset. Photo: Terje Svendsen
Tre Cime
Tre Cime is one of the defining symbols of the Dolomites, and for good reason. The shapes are powerful, clean, and unmistakable. It is a place that can handle both grand compositions and smaller studies of form and light. Every time I return, I find myself appreciating not only the famous view itself, but the surrounding terrain, the weather, and the subtle ways the scene changes from one visit to the next.
Tre Cime at sunset. Photo: Terje Svendsen
Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi shows a softer and more lyrical side of the Dolomites. The open meadows, scattered huts, rolling terrain, and distant peaks create a completely different rhythm from the sharper mountain locations. This contrast is one of the reasons I love the region so much. In one trip, you can move from harsh and dramatic rock formations to gentle lines and quiet pastoral scenes.
Alpe di Siusi at sunset. Photo: Terje Svendsen
Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies is one of the most photographed places in the Dolomites, but it still has a special atmosphere. The lake, the boat house, the surrounding forest, and the mountain backdrop come together in a way that feels almost too perfect. What interests me here is not only the classic composition, but the challenge of working with a very well-known location and still trying to create something personal.
Lago di Braies at sunset. Photo: Terje Svendsen
Chiesa di Santa Maddalena
Chiesa di Santa Maddalena is one of those places where the relationship between landscape and human presence becomes especially beautiful. The church sits in a perfect setting, framed by fields and the mountains behind. It is a place where light matters enormously. When the conditions are right, the scene has a calm, almost timeless quality that makes it easy to understand why it has become such a favourite for photographers.
Chiesa di Santa Maddalena at sunset. Photo: Terje Svendsen
Join us in the Dolomites
The Dolomites are a region we return to again and again, not only because of their beauty, but because of the variety, atmosphere, and photographic possibilities they offer. If you would like to experience these locations with guidance in the field, you can explore our two Dolomites workshops below.