Rider’s Lens: Life Intensified with Alexander Niklass

Hi, I’m Alex, a 31-year-old photographer from Berlin, Germany. While I have always explored different creative outlets, I got serious about photography during my visual communication studies, which led me to move to Berlin from rural northern Germany. At the same time, I was getting into urban exploration—chasing rooftops and cranes across Europe and Asia—driven by the thrill of adventure, the desire to capture perspectives that few had seen or photographed before, and to connect with new people.

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Over time, my focus gradually shifted from urban environments to remote, natural locations, seeing them as a larger and more open playground. I pursued photography because it became a gateway, giving me a purpose to explore these places and pushing me toward an active lifestyle. It wasn’t just about taking photos but also about experiencing things I wouldn’t have otherwise. 

For my diploma, I worked on a documentary photo series, which led me to the high-altitude plateaus of the Afghan Wakhan Corridor, where I spent time with the Wakhi and Kyrgyz nomads. Crossing 250 kilometres on foot through one of the most remote regions in the world profoundly impacted me. It introduced me to the kind and hospitable Wakhi and Kyrgyz nomads of the Wakhan and their fascinating yet incredibly harsh way of life on the so-called Roof of the World. It also opened my eyes to long-term, self-supported journeys where you fully immerse yourself in the experience and expose yourself to nature. 

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, like many others, I became more involved with nature, especially the mountains, and hiked the 400-kilometre L1 trek through the Alps. I also got into bouldering and climbing and eventually started mountaineering, chasing 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps. 

When the European Union’s borders started reopening, my friends and I brought to life an idea we had discussed for ages: Our first bikepacking tour from Germany to Istanbul, crossing the Balkans. We all come from different parts of northern Germany, where people grow up riding bicycles from an early age, as it’s the most common mode of transport when you’re young. So cycling always felt natural, but we had never used it for more than just getting around. This time, though, we rode through 11 countries in record heat, fueled by endless Balkan platters. After a month of cycling, I felt a sense of accomplishment reaching Asia, but at the same time, I also wanted to keep going. 

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The next summer, I set off again for a month. I met up with Ruben, aka “The Mountain Jesus,” with whom I had crossed the Afghan Wakhan. We returned to the Pamirs and the Wakhan, this time from the Tajik side. We took a more remote route off the standard Pamir Highway, cycled deep into the Tajik Wakhan Corridor, spent some time again with the Afghan Kyrgyz nomads in the high wilderness around Zorkul Lake, and made our way to Pik Lenin Basecamp in Kyrgyzstan. 

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What I love about these long-distance trips is how much life is intensified. The lows can be crushing—real lows—but the highs are pure happiness. Whether hiking or cycling long distances, I like how these extremes teach you about yourself, how you adapt, and how you overcome challenges. These lessons also help me in everyday life. 

I’m now fully hooked on long-distance adventure bikepacking, and photography fits naturally into it. They complement each other; photography gives me extra motivation to ride, and cycling constantly provides new photo opportunities. I’m already looking forward to this year’s big trip, which, if all goes to plan, will be my most ambitious adventure yet. 

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I don’t have one specific source of inspiration that makes me say, “That’s exactly what I want to do.” Instead, I’m influenced by a mix of experiences, stories, and sometimes something like a Werner Herzog documentary. In my photography, I try to document adventures in an authentic way using analog cameras. I like its limitations because they keep you from being distracted by too many options, as well as the character and extra value that each shot holds. Plus, I don’t have to worry too much about battery life in the middle of nowhere. The process of scanning negatives myself and reliving the memories as I see the photos for the first time is something I also enjoy. 

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Alex’s Photo Gear

My current camera setup consists of a Yashica T5, which is always ready in my snack bag on the handlebars for quick moments or while riding. I also carry either a Nikon F3 or a Mamiya 7 II, which serve as more precise, high-quality alternatives to the Yashica and act as my main cameras. I keep them in a hip bag, where they’re safest from all the shaking and environmental elements. 

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Featured Image

Deep in the Zorkul Nature Reserve between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, in a roadless swamp at over 4,300 metres up, we navigated through numerous small rivers. As the clouds closed in and a bone-chilling wind swept across the plateau, we searched for a dry, wind-sheltered spot to camp.

Despite the rough conditions, this beautiful high-altitude wasteland, surrounded by dark, volcano-shaped peaks, still made me pull out my Mamiya 7 from my hip bag to capture a few shots, many of which turned out to be my favorites from the entire trip. This is one of them.

Further Reading

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