My Photographic Journey from: 1972 – 2022
50 Years of a Photographic Journey and still going.
The best is still to come!
I always liked photography, since my late dad was a keen hobby photographer. I guess that is where it started, but in 1972 when I owned my first SLR a Minolta SRT 101, that is when photography became my hobby and passion, the start of my ongoing Photographic Journey.
I can honestly say that still to this day I have not ever lost the interest or the passion for it. There were some years due to work and the switch over to digital photography, where I did less photographic work, however that was due to circumstances.
I love to be creative and still love B&W photography to this day, of course things have changed, ever since it became digital. I am not a trained photographer, everything I learned, comes mainly from books and most of all by trial and error. I get inspired by my surroundings, by people, but most of all I have a very good idea what I’m looking for in a photograph and always had my own style and composition which has become my signature and my own unique style. I have received some wonderful mails over the years, from people telling me how much they enjoyed “My Style” and how much they can relate to it. I have made some technical faults along this great journey, I had some difficult times to get to grips with Adobe Photoshop, since I did not grow up with computers and had to teach myself to find my way in the digital world, but yes, it is a challenge and I am still learning every day new things. However these days the internet is full with some great tips, from digital processing to practical instructions how to photograph different subjects.
These 50 Years of my Photographic Journey has brought me closer to some great places, I have had the pleasure to met some great & wonderful people along the way, it has been a privilege to see all that through the viewfinder of my cameras and capture some very special moments not just for now, but also for a long time to come. I hope that I will be granted some more years to pursue this exciting and incredible photographic journey. If you like what you see on this website feel free and share with your friends.
Namaste
Peter Wick – History
Born and educated in Switzerland. Qualified as an Precision Mechanic in 1970. Completed army duties as an NCO with the Guided Missile Units (Bloodhound Mk II) in 1972. Language course in Bournemouth, with a trip around the UK. I started taking photographs 1970 with an old Voigtländer 35mm view camera. I really got involved into photography, after I purchased my first SLR, a Minolta SRT 101, which was the start of my: Photographic Journey in 1972. Doing some basic courses in B&W developing & printing in Zurich. The same year, I started working as a photographic technician on Minolta cameras. 1974, leaving for South Africa,as a camera technician for: Nikon & Olympus. 1976-83 working for AGFA Photo on Labor equipment for Paper & Film processing. 1983 I started my own one-man company Swisstech-Services working on Labor equipment, and the last 4 years in Logo Design and Graphic Arts.
Next to Photography & Water-Skiing, Border Collies played a huge part in my life.
BC – dogs are the most beautiful creatures for me, their intelligence, loyalty are very special. I became very involved with “Border Collie Rescue” as a foster parent, to look after neglected BC’s. I had the privilege to look after and be with a number of dogs, including my own, (I always had two of them) working and caring for them has given me immense joy and pleasure.
There is nothing like a Border Collie, you have to own one to understand what I mean with this! A special: Thank You goes out to all the dedicated people from Border Collie Rescue, Karen Gray and all the other ladies in the team who are doing a sterling job, to care for these animals. My love and appreciation for these dogs is huge, I miss you all……
Through taking photographs for a South African Water Sports Magazine in the early eighties I got involved in: Bare-Footing, Waterski-Racing & Classical Slalom Water-skiing, the latter part for 10 years on a: Regional & National level.
Competing in the Senior Men II category age group 46 -55 years, I competed in all South African Provinces. In 1999, I became SA Senior Men II Champion in Slalom Water-Skiing. With that, I became part of the SA National team. In 2003, injuries & other circumstances forced me to retire from competitive slalom skiing.
Since I needed a new challenge in my life, I decided to look at the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. I embarked to reach Uhuru Peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro 5895m in 2005. I had the privilege to reach summit with my guide and three porters during a Blizzard on the Machame-Route via the Arrow-Glacier staying for one night during Full Moon in the Crater Base Camp and reaching Uhuru Peak the next morning in a hauling snow storm. I knew then, that I would have to come back again to this very unique mountain, hopefully next time in good weather conditions.
Destination Africa Tours, saw my photographs of this epic journey, not long after that I did promo tours for them in all the major cities in South Africa. I earned myself a full sponsorship from them to go back to the Empress of Africa, since DAT wanted some photographs of a group, going to the roof of Africa.
I got some friends, 3 guys & 1 woman together and started training, this time for a double summit in 2006 on the Lemosho-Route. We reached summit in stunning weather, overnight camp in the crater, followed by the 2nd summit the following day. It is one of the more difficult things, I have done in my entire life, Kilimanjaro has given me much insight of myself. I had to push through mental and physical barriers, like I never knew existed, never mind overcoming them, since moving above 5000m becomes a different meaning for any hiker on a recreational level
We were a great team and had fantastic Guides & Porters who are to me the real heroes in this harsh environment.
A special Thank You to: John Rees-Evans (MD of Team Kilimanjaro) and his great Guides & Porters from: Team Kilimanjaro (Arusha – Tanzania)
Thank you to all of the members in my team, for a great journey, I salute to you all.
Emigrated back to Switzerland in 2007. Retired in 2015 after working for 8 years at maxon in the sample shop, working on new products and prototypes. Living in Sarnen near Luzern. Have been together with my wife Christina since 1986.
This website is actually dedicated to two very special ladies:
Christina, Thank You for all your understanding and support for my absorbing passion for photography. For being my friend, my lover & wife. It is a privilege to be with you, indeed you are a very special and beautiful woman. Your timeless beauty shines from within.
Patricia Plummer in Adelaide, Australia whom I met in 1982, who wrote & published her first book in her early eighties and went on to write a few more after that. An accomplished writer and painter. Thank You for all your encouragement on my photographic journey With much love, RIP, we miss and love you dearly.
A special Thank You to: Cornel von Wyl a fine young & talented young man, who could put my visualization & concept into reality and get the CMS up and running, so I can mange my photographs myself.
Sarnen – Switzerland – June 2022