Missed Chances in the Allgäu – What I Learned on My Photo Trip

Just hit the road – without a perfect plan.
That’s exactly how my little photo road trip to the Allgäu began. I wanted to get away, take photos, breathe – and return with a few special images.
What I ended up with was much more: an unexpected lesson in letting go and feeling, rather than planning and executing.
And maybe also the realization that a broken foot isn’t exactly ideal for landscape photography.

Especially not in winter.
In the mountains.

Photographing in the Allgäu: Locations, Light, Possibilities

The Allgäu is a paradise for landscape photography – mountains, forests, clear lakes, soft light.
Perfect, you might think – if you know where you’re going.

I already mentioned the broken foot (sports injury … I walked into my exercise bike).
With that in mind, I thought: winter, Allgäu … just don’t plan anything and see what you find.

At least, that was the romantic idea.
In reality, it often went like this: from the car, I’d spot a scene and think: There! That’s it. That’s what I want to shoot.
But maybe there’s something even better just around the bend?
So I drove on … and then the light was gone.

Key lessons from this trip:

When inspiration hits – act immediately.
In the best case, something even better will come next.
In the worst case, you’ll end up with nothing if you don’t seize the moment.

The golden hour might be “long” – but the really magical light only lasts a few minutes.
If I haven’t found a subject an hour in advance and can wait it out, then I need to use what’s there. Not what might come.

Filters are great – especially for long exposures.
But you have to actually bring them in the right size.
Either buy them large and use step-down rings, or go straight for square filters.

And most importantly:
Don’t break your foot before heading into the mountains in winter.

A few good photos still came out of it in the end.
But you be the judge – and feel free to leave me a comment.

My (German-language) YouTube video about the trip

I recorded the whole thing in a short vlog:
👉 Watch the video on YouTube

In the video, you’ll see the mood, the landscape – but also what happens between the images.
What it means to be out there without expectations.
And why it’s often in those moments that the most honest photos happen.