Duality - Armand Sarlangue
“I had the privilege of capturing Duality during a photo/hiking/camping trip to Segla mountain on Senja island, Norway in September 2018. The trip wasn't easy, with days of relentless rain and stormy weather, but we persevered and set up camp under heavy rain,” says the photographer Armand Sarlangue.
One morning, we ventured out for a surprise shoot, and to our amazement, the light began to break through the overcast sky, creating a stunning dual world of light and shadow. The warm morning light fought against the dark and foreboding obscurity of the night, with the mighty Segla mountain standing tall in the centre. It was an incredibly emotive and symbolic scene, representing the constant battle between light and darkness that we all face.
As I captured this moment, I was reminded of the looming threat to the natural beauty of Senja island. At the time, the fossil fuel industry was attempting to exploit the fjords in the area, putting the environment at risk. This image became a powerful metaphor for the danger facing this precious wilderness.
Thankfully, a few months later, the Norwegian authorities decided to permanently protect the area, halting the threat to its beauty and biodiversity. It's an amazing feeling to know that this image played a small part in that decision.
Since its creation, this image has won several conservation photography awards and has been published globally in 2019 and 2020. It's a deeply personal and meaningful image, and one of my most successful pieces of work.”