Photography

Saxon Switzerland: A Photographer's Paradise

It has character, is always entirely natural and endlessly patient: Saxon Switzerland is a fantastic photographic subject. And it plays along in every season and in almost any weather. At times mysterious, at times cheerful, at times cool, at times wild – and always somewhat enigmatic. Even on rainy days, photographers can find captivating subjects, less at the viewpoints than in the narrow valleys and gorges, which now appear even more mystical and jungle-like. And anyone who has ever witnessed one of the famous sunrises above the sea of mist in Saxon Switzerland can understand why some photographers repeatedly get up in the middle of the night for the experience ...

SIGMA Photowalks & Lens Hire

Discover locations, refine your technique and meet like-minded people: once a month, SIGMA invites photographers to join a photowalk through Saxon Switzerland. SIGMA lenses can be borrowed free of charge for the occasion.

Try something new: at the SIGMA hire station in the Bad Schandau Activity Centre, photographers can hire high-quality SIGMA lenses for a fee and test them on their excursions.

SIGMA Lenses & SIGMA Photowalks

Sigma 16–28 mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens with a black body and metal mount.

Sunrise over the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Saxony, Germany, Schrammsteine

HerbstlichT Photography Camp

Photography among friends: Every November, the month of mist, more than 100 nature and landscape photographers gather in Bad Schandau for the “HerbstlichT” photography camp. The programme includes photo walks, workshops and sessions. The photography camp is held with the kind support of Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden.

Date: 12–15 November 2026

More information

Elbe Sandstone photography:

Professional tips

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains are one of Europe's most photogenic landscapes. Photographer Philipp Zieger offers tips for taking better pictures of this natural wonder.

Snow-covered rocky landscape with stacked stones and a sunrise in the background.

Time of day

The most important times for landscape photographers are the blue and golden hours in the morning and evening. The blue hour, characterised by particularly even light and a deep blue sky, begins half to three-quarters of an hour before sunrise or after sunset. The golden hour is the period after sunrise or before sunset. The low position of the sun produces reddish-orange light, intense colours and beautiful shadows that accentuate the contours of the landscape.

Saxon Switzerland Uttewalder Grund rock gate valley moss

Subjects

A classic subject is rugged rock formations wreathed in gentle morning mist. However, it is also worth focusing on details such as reef pines, unusual sandstone formations and the diverse flora. Even in poor weather, the numerous ravines and valleys offer enchanting scenes featuring moss-covered rocks or untamed waters.

Sea of mist

The famous sea of mist appears particularly often in spring and autumn, when temperatures drop sufficiently during the night for the dew point to be reached. Heavy rainfall the previous day is also beneficial. The wind plays a role as well. If it is too strong, the mist cannot gather in the valley.

Colourful field of red poppies, surrounded by green grasses beneath a blue, cloud-filled sky, with a view of the Bastei.

Location

One location with a high success rate is the Bastei area. It offers countless distinctive subjects that are easy to reach. However, visitors are rarely alone. The Schrammsteine and Kleiner Winterberg are also particularly scenic.

Mountain with a town at its summit, surrounded by mist and trees in the foreground.

Focal Length

A wide-angle or ultra-wide-angle lens is an essential companion. However, Saxon Switzerland also offers an incredible range of subjects for telephoto lenses with focal lengths exceeding 70 millimetres. A 16–35 mm and a 70–200 mm lens (full-frame) will equip you for a great many situations.

Saxon Switzerland winter snow Schrammsteine sunny day

Aperture

A wide-angle or ultra-wide-angle lens is an essential companion. However, Saxon Switzerland also offers an incredible range of subjects for telephoto lenses over 70 millimetres. With a 16–35 mm and a 70–200 mm lens (full frame), you will be equipped for a great many situations.

Saxon Switzerland, Gohrisch table mountain, summer sunrise, view towards Papststein

Beginner Mistakes

Many beginners settle too quickly. Although carefully examining the image and conscientiously correcting the composition, focus, exposure settings and camera position require patience, the effort ultimately pays off in the form of higher-quality images. Moreover, shooting in RAW format is essential for landscape photographers.

Forest, sunlight, trees, hiking trail with railings

Photography Rules

In the Saxon Switzerland protected landscape area, please observe the following:

The photographs should leave an impression, not the location where they were taken! Therefore, always take your litter with you and leave the vegetation exactly as you found it.
No photograph is worth an abandoned nest! It is therefore essential to respect breeding and nesting protection zones and the need for tranquillity of native animal species, particularly in the early morning and late evening.
Mutual respect is a matter of professional honour among photographers.
Exercise caution when searching for subjects: pay attention to your own safety.
Preparing thoroughly for the terrain and weather is an effective way to prevent frustration.
The use of radio-controlled aircraft is prohibited throughout the area.
Fires and smoking are prohibited!

The following additional rules apply in Saxon Switzerland National Park:

With 400 km of hiking trails, it should be easy to comply with the requirement to stay on the paths – in the core zone, use only marked paths and viewpoints!
Taking photographs together is enjoyable, but groups of 20 or more place an excessive burden, particularly on nature. Please therefore travel only in small groups.
Natural features are beautiful as they are; artificial lighting or illumination is not permitted.