International award-winning travel and adventure photographer, educator, and explorer Stanley Aryanto has captured these spectacular shots of wintry landscapes that evoke a winter wonderland. Stanley Aryanto photographed these winter landscapes in some of the most breathtaking mountain settings during his travels.
Born in Indonesia and raised in Australia, Stanley is a former engineer who left his 9-5 job in 2018 to pursue a life of adventure. He has traveled to 29 countries to practice his craft and has mentored hundreds of students worldwide in photography, helping them find fulfillment and satisfaction in pursuing their passion.
Stanley’s ambitious mindset to capture unique and compelling images runs deep. As an aurora chaser and astrophotography enthusiast, he often ventures out into the wilderness while the rest of us are sleeping to capture starry skies worldwide. His mission is to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments and share unique perspectives.
Stanley’s photography is available in physical print to enhance living spaces and as digital collectibles (NFTs).
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Although it was difficult for Stanley to find the courage to leave his career as a mechanical engineer—an excellent job with a good salary and a comfortable lifestyle—in April 2018, he could no longer ignore the desire to pursue something more significant. Stanley recognizes that life is short and precious, and he doesn’t hesitate to take calculated risks and venture outside his comfort zone. To Stanley, photography is about the journey.
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Stanley is a celebrated figure in the field. He has collaborated with top brands such as Canon Australia, won over 100 awards, including the 2018 Australia Photo Awards for Photo of the Year, and was the runner-up in the 2020 Canadian Geographic’s 34th Annual Photo Competition. His work has been exhibited in Australia, Japan, and the US.
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Stanley Aryanto was born in Bandung, Indonesia. He went to Australia to learn about engineering and get a job as a mechanical engineer at the largest aluminum company in the world. “I was very excited – it was fresh, and it was new. I thought I had the dream life that I always wanted,” the artist shared.
“And then, I went through a transformational period where I went through a tough time moving on from a break-up. At that time, all I wanted to do was to run away, and one of the things I decided to do was start traveling. Before that, all I cared about was materialistic things like being able to afford a nice car, a big house and getting a promotion to buy more things. I used to hate traveling. I thought it was a waste of time and money.
When I started to travel, I realized there’s more to life than materialistic objects. I started to embrace and love meeting new, like-minded people, and many have become life-long friends. I love being able to have new experiences, and I love the sense of excitement and uncertainty that traveling brings.”
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According to Aryanto, one of the most incredible things to capture in the wild ice is its texture. “Frozen lakes sometimes look transparent, but sometimes melt-freeze cycles create unique textures on the ice. To capture this, we need to get down low on the ground and use a technique called ‘focus stacking’ or ‘hyperfocal distance’ to capture as much sharpness as possible throughout the depth of field.
But the biggest and most important skill is the ability to see and appreciate the beauty in front of us. That’s what I believe gives photographers the ability to frame a perspective and tell a story through one single static image. That’s the main goal as a photographer, and if you can deliver that, we have accomplished our mission.”
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The photographer doesn’t like to put a limit on what he wants to do. “If there’s anything I’ve learned from my previous career, you don’t know till you try,” he says. “For that reason, I’ve tried and succeeded in many aspects as a photographer. I’ve tried high fashion, worked with 5-star resorts as an influencer, taken countless portraits, engagement and maternity photography, product photography, events… you name it. But when I left my engineering career, I promised myself that I would never chase a career solely based on money for the long term. I want to make sure I am doing something that brings fulfillment. That’s why I chose teaching, mentorship, and travel as my main business model.”
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If you want to pursue a photography career, here is some advice from Aryanto. “I would advise you to decide and commit because that is the most important thing. The quality of our life is based on the micro-decisions we make every single day, and those decisions can either lead you back to the safety net or push you to find the courage to move forward outside of your comfort zone toward your dream life. Without commitment, every single small excuse and every challenge that comes up will hinder you from achieving your goals. So, first of all, decide that this is what you want, and second of all, commit.
The second advice I would give is to act as if it has already happened because when you can act in the future when you’re successful, you will do what successful people do. So why wait until you become successful? Why not start right now? And if you do it now, act, think, and do like a successful person, you will inevitably become successful.
The last piece of advice is that you don’t need a portfolio, a website, thousands of followers, or an expensive camera to make money from your photography. These are misconceptions, the old ways that are no longer valid today.”
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Stanley Aryanto’s winter landscape photography is a true feast for the eyes. His talent for capturing the serene and calming beauty of winter scenery is unparalleled. Each photograph tells a unique story, taking us on a journey through the vastness of nature and showcasing the breathtaking landscapes in all their splendor. Whether you’re a lover of photography or enjoy the beauty of winter landscapes, Stanley Aryanto ‘s work is sure to leave you in awe.
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