Michael Breitung Photography

MICHAEL BREITUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

Ancient laurel trees with twisted branches on a sunlit green meadow in Madeira, Portugal, with mountains and clouds in the background.

Ancient laurel trees with twisted branches on a sunlit green meadow in Madeira, Portugal, with mountains and clouds in the background.

Hiker standing near a large, ancient tree in a foggy meadow with scattered trees in Madeira, Portugal.

Hiker standing near a large, ancient tree in a foggy meadow with scattered trees in Madeira, Portugal.

Misty Fanal forest in Madeira with moss-covered trees, lush green ground, and a lone person standing among the fog.

Misty Fanal forest in Madeira with moss-covered trees, lush green ground, and a lone person standing among the fog.

Twisted laurel trees covered in moss in a foggy forest on Madeira Island, Portugal.

Twisted laurel trees covered in moss in a foggy forest on Madeira Island, Portugal.

Misty forest with ancient, moss-covered trees and a lush green ground in Madeira.

Misty forest with ancient, moss-covered trees and a lush green ground in Madeira.

Ancient laurel trees covered in moss in Fanal forest in Madeira, Portugal.

Ancient laurel trees covered in moss in Fanal forest in Madeira, Portugal.

Dense laurel forest in Madeira, Portugal, with twisted tree trunks, green ferns, moss, and a misty, shaded atmosphere.

Dense laurel forest in Madeira, Portugal, with twisted tree trunks, green ferns, moss, and a misty, shaded atmosphere.

25 Fontes waterfall cascading down a lush, mossy cliff surrounded by ferns and large rocks.

25 Fontes waterfall cascading down a lush, mossy cliff surrounded by ferns and large rocks.

A dead tree at a cliff on top of Pico Arieiro on Madeira

A dead tree at a cliff on top of Pico Arieiro on Madeira

Mountain silhouette at sunrise with dramatic sunlight rays and misty clouds in Madeira, Portugal.

Mountain silhouette at sunrise with dramatic sunlight rays and misty clouds in Madeira, Portugal.

Dramatic coastal cliffs of Ponta de Sao Lourenco, with rugged rocks, turquoise ocean waves, a rainbow in the sky.

Dramatic coastal cliffs of Ponta de Sao Lourenco, with rugged rocks, turquoise ocean waves, a rainbow in the sky.

Dramatic rocky cliffs and coastline on Madeira island at sunrise, waves crashing against rocks, with a vibrant sky and sun rising over the ocean.

Dramatic rocky cliffs and coastline on Madeira island at sunrise, waves crashing against rocks, with a vibrant sky and sun rising over the ocean.

Close-up of rugged, sunlit volcanic rock formations with sparse vegetation in Madeira.

Close-up of rugged, sunlit volcanic rock formations with sparse vegetation in Madeira.

Dramatic coastal cliffs with rugged rocks, ocean waves, and a vibrant sunrise sky.

Dramatic coastal cliffs with rugged rocks, ocean waves, and a vibrant sunrise sky.

Ancient laurel trees with twisted branches on a sunlit green meadow in Madeira, Portugal, with mountains and clouds in the background. Hiker standing near a large, ancient tree in a foggy meadow with scattered trees in Madeira, Portugal. Misty Fanal forest in Madeira with moss-covered trees, lush green ground, and a lone person standing among the fog. Twisted laurel trees covered in moss in a foggy forest on Madeira Island, Portugal. Misty forest with ancient, moss-covered trees and a lush green ground in Madeira. Ancient laurel trees covered in moss in Fanal forest in Madeira, Portugal. Dense laurel forest in Madeira, Portugal, with twisted tree trunks, green ferns, moss, and a misty, shaded atmosphere. 25 Fontes waterfall cascading down a lush, mossy cliff surrounded by ferns and large rocks. A dead tree at a cliff on top of Pico Arieiro on Madeira Mountain silhouette at sunrise with dramatic sunlight rays and misty clouds in Madeira, Portugal. Dramatic coastal cliffs of Ponta de Sao Lourenco, with rugged rocks, turquoise ocean waves, a rainbow in the sky. Dramatic rocky cliffs and coastline on Madeira island at sunrise, waves crashing against rocks, with a vibrant sky and sun rising over the ocean. Close-up of rugged, sunlit volcanic rock formations with sparse vegetation in Madeira. Dramatic coastal cliffs with rugged rocks, ocean waves, and a vibrant sunrise sky.

Portugal - Madeira

Gallery Info

Madeira is a lush Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean; a paradise for landscape photographers seeking dramatic scenery and unique natural beauty. Due to its rugged coastline, steep mountains, and verdant laurel forests, Madeira presents endless opportunities to capture breathtaking images. That's why it was one of the first places I visited during a year of travels back in 2022.

The island’s ever-changing weather made photography difficult. But it also created magical moments, such as fog in the ancient Fanal Forest, golden light over the jagged peaks of Pico Arieiro, or the striking contrasts of light and shadow along the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula.

During the two weeks I spent on the island, I drove along many of its winding roads, searching for the best moments of light that were rare during my visit, but all the more precious because of it. Ultimately, I was able to create a set of images that I love. Unique moments, which I present in this gallery.

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