Lukas Rychvalsky's Atmospheric Photos of Road Trips and Rainy Days

Welcome to Hero of the Week, an ongoing series sharing stories from some of the best photographers in the Pexels community.

By day Lukas Rychvalsky is a design engineer, shooting photos in his spare time. "Photography is only my passion, but I can imagine myself as a professional photographer someday," Lukas says.

The Slovakian photographer loves rainy days and gloomy scenes, creating especially captivating shots of road trips; from foggy nights to bright sunrises, he perfectly captures that unforgettable feeling of travelling without a clear destination.

We talked to Lukas about capturing the feeling of road trip freedom in photographs and the importance of atmosphere.

Pexels: How long have you been taking photos, and how did you get started?

From a young age I was interested in photography. We had always at home a few analog cameras, so I started shooting with them. Then I switched to compact digital cameras and my first DSLR I bought in 2014.

What camera gear do you use?

Currently I'm using Sony a7ii with Sony FE 28mm 2.0 and Sony FE 50mm 1.8 lenses. I like the compact size and lightness of mirrorless cameras.

What's your favorite type of photo to shoot, and why?

My photos are often moody, but I am also interested in lifestyle, travel, and street photography.

Also, rainy days are my favorite. When it's raining outside, I cannot resist and I want to go somewhere to take photos.

What inspires your photography?

For me it's the realization that every day is different and it gives us a lot of opportunities. Every moment is unique and I want to capture the right moment for me.

Music inspires me too. When I edit photos I love when music matches the atmosphere with photos.

Tell us about your favorite photo on your Pexels profile. Why is this one your favorite?

It's a foggy day on one of my road trips with my fiancée. I love that feeling of freedom and that I don't know where I am going exactly. It has a great moody atmosphere.

Who are some other photographers or artists who inspire your work?

I admire work from @andrejosselin.

He is great in capturing atmosphere. His stuff is mostly spontaneous and that's what gives his photos feeling.

What is one goal you have for your photography?

I don't have an exact goal. I am looking forward to what life brings me.

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