Five Film Photos with... Andy Szöllősi

A man looking at camera with a bushwalking backpack on.

Andy Szöllősi is a wilderness photographer, film maker, adventurer and picture framer.

We first became aware of Andy after watching Winter On The Blade, a film he co-directed with fellow photographer, climber and Tassie local, Simon Bischoff.

A lover of film photography and history, we knew Andy would have some great shots to share and plenty of stories to go with 'em. So scroll down to venture into the wilds of Tasmania!

Sunny alpine scene. — The Valley of the Fury River

I always had a strange obsession with Fury Gorge. Ever since I heard the story of Henry Hellyer having to descend into this incredible ravine in 1828 to escape from a blizzard, I intended to visit the Fury River at its bottom. While this brief paragraph won't be enough to give an account of my crossing of Fury Gorge, this photograph commemorates the moment I knew I had successfully climbed out of Australia's deepest gorge. And just recently, this image was featured on a postcard for the limited release of a fine Tasmanian whisky by Hellyers Road, the 'Fury River'.

Banksia marginata bushes in alpine meadow. — Banksia Marginata

The South-West Conservation Area covers 138,000 hectares of wilderness on Lutruwita's/Tasmania's south-west coast, from Macquarie Heads down to Low Rocky Point. When the Tasmanian World Heritage Area was declared in 1982, this part of the south-west was left out. Why? Quite likely because there were already existing mining interests and potential for mineral deposits in this part of Tasmania. The Wilderness Society is currently building a campaign to extend the boundaries of the TWWHA to include this area, often referred to as the 'Spero-Wanderer Wilderness' (named after two of its major rivers).

A ravine with small trees clinging to the rock walls. — First Split, Gordon River

At one point, the Hydro Electric Commission had plans to flood the Gordon Splits. Peter Dombrovskis famously said that if they did, he would have to leave Tasmania, as it would simply be too painful to remain and live with the knowledge that this place had been lost. Fortunately, that particular dam on the Gordon River was never built.

This incredible rock chasm is where the river cuts through the Nicholls Range. Some geologists believe that the rivers in the South-West are older than the mountains; that the rivers were already there and as the mountains rose around them, the rivers cut through the rock gradually, over millions of years.

Frozen Boulderfield with white, ice covered rocks. — Frozen Boulderfield

I can honestly say that the night preceding this photograph was one of the coldest I've ever experienced. I had walked up Mt Field West from the Florentine Valley the day before; and it dawned clear and crisp. (I think it was the same weekend that all the water pipes froze in Cradle Valley.) The ice patterns on the rocks on the summit were intricate. The numb fingers have warmed up since, but the icy memory remains.

A misty alpine scene with low scrub, mountain tarn and peaks in the distance. — Morning Mist in the Labyrinth

Ah the Labyrinth. One of the most fragile and photogenic places in the world; a photographer's paradise! I stumbled across this little tarn by accident, just off the main route. There must be so many hidden treasures on this alpine plateau. It was still early, with some morning mist lifting above the tarn; the fagus had turned from orange to brown, nearly ready for its winter slumber.

You can see more of Andy's photographs and discover more adventures over at The Melting Billy

Cover portrait by Simon Bischoff

Enjoyed this article? You might also like 'Five Film Photos with Matt Lawes'

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