Night nominee

This image is the result of a week's effort to explore one of the largest deserts on the Arabian Peninsula. Rub' al-khali is a largely uninhabited and unexplored desert, stretching for hundreds of kilometres.

My intention was to place a lone human figure, an explorer, within a frame composed of the arc of the Milky Way at the top and the desert dunes at the bottom.

The man thereby finds himself, enclosed between two arches, in contemplation of two timeless elements. On the one side the vastness of the desert, immutable but constantly evolving under the pressure of the winds. On the other, the celestial vault with its wonders, billions of years old, which have always attracted the human imagination.

Matteo Strassera is a young nature and landscape photographer born in Rome, Italy. Matteo’s profound passion for the wilderness draws him away from civilization, allowing him to immerse himself in the beauty of untouched landscapes, from the rugged Icelandic panoramas to the vast Arabian deserts. His work captures the awe-inspiring vistas of nature at all hours, showcasing the transformative effects of light and shadow.

A master of aerial photography, Matteo offers a unique perspective that elevates his art, providing viewers with breathtaking views from above. His deep connection with Iceland, a land of dramatic contrasts and ethereal beauty, is a recurring theme in his portfolio. Frequent travels to this northern paradise enable him to document its majestic landscapes, from volcanic terrains to glacial wonders.

Matteo’s photography is a testament to his dedication and reverence for nature, inviting audiences to experience the world’s natural wonders through his lens.


2nd place VIEPA 2024 "Our World"