Having studied meteorology and geology, he went on to conduct research and teach at the University of Hamburg and the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. What began as academic curiosity evolved into a lifelong exploration of the Earth system, a passion that continues to this day through his photography, writing, and lectures. To him, nature is not just a subject to be photographed, but a sensitive network of relationships that forms the basis of our own existence.

He combines scientific knowledge with artistic expression in his approach. Through his photographs, he aims to demonstrate the interconnectedness of space, rocks, the atmosphere, ecosystems and humanity. He views the Earth as a living entity whose beauty inspires awe and serves as a warning. “We protect what we love, but we only love what we know well. That's why it's so important to get to know our planet in a whole new way,” he says. His work therefore focuses on wonder rather than sacrifice because, to him, sustainability means enrichment rather than restriction. He believes that nature conservation begins with awareness and enthusiasm.

Christian places particular emphasis on astrophotography, capturing the transition from earthly to cosmic landscapes. Using digital star tracking, seven-hour exposures and precise image composition, he captures the arc of the Milky Way over nocturnal landscapes where heaven and earth converge. However, these images are more than just technical masterpieces. They reveal the dimension of time, showing the connection between the finite moment on Earth and the infinite space above. To him, they are a poetic reminder that our planet and all life on it — including humans — are made of stardust, and that we have cosmic roots.

Seine wissenschaftlichen Expeditionen führten ihn in die entlegensten Landschaften der Erde: auf den zugefrorenen Ozean der Arktis, in Wüsten mit Gesteinen vom Anfang der Erde und des Lebens, zu den Überresten der Ozeane in den Hochgebirgen sowie an Küsten, an denen die Erdkruste ins Erdinnere abtaucht. Er arbeitete bei minus 42 Grad Celsius am Nordpol, schlief unter dem Sternenhimmel und las das „Gedächtnis des Planeten“ in den Geschichten der Gesteine. Er begegnete wilden Tieren – Eisbären, Grizzlys und Pumas – Auge in Auge. Diese Erfahrungen prägen seinen Blick: Er erzählt nicht nur von Landschaften, sondern vom Wesen unseres Planeten selbst. Seit 2019 widmet er sich als selbstständiger Fotograf, Autor und Referent ganz dieser Verbindung von Wissenschaft und Ästhetik.

Through his lectures, exhibitions and books, Christian aims to share knowledge that touches, encourages and inspires wonder. His work is a plea for mindfulness, love and empathy in our relationship with nature, and for the connection between heart and mind. He seeks to give a voice to the Earth where nature cannot speak for itself. He wants to showcase its beauty before it disappears. Through his photography, he invites us to pause, observe, and be moved by the living, vulnerable wonder that is our home. Further information about his lectures can be found below the gallery images.

The works on display at 10Photos impressively illustrate this attitude. Vast desert landscapes under dramatic skies, shimmering glacier formations, mirror-smooth mountain lakes and starry night skies above snow-capped peaks breathe life into the vastness of our planet. His images combine vastness with precision, capturing fine rock formations, the movement of water and the glow of the Milky Way. Time and again, one gets the impression that the microcosm and the macrocosm meet: a single sand ridge in the last light seems just as significant as the band of our galaxy. These photographs are aesthetically impressive and also convey information about geological time, climatic forces and the fragility of things we often take for granted.

[ Text Biografie & 10Fotos ]