Virgil Reglioni, polar landscape photographer and relentless Aurora chaser, joins hosts Lukas Riedl & Carl van den Boom for a deep dive into what it really takes to create images in the coldest, most breathtaking places on Earth. From pre-visualizing the shot to working with risk, logistics, and pure uncertainty, this episode is a masterclass in making “impossible” photos happen.

Virgil shares the story of being lowered into a glacier moulin — a “monster hole” that felt like a black hole with no visible bottom — and how that moment ties directly into his wider creative process: building the image in your head first, then doing the work (and taking the hits) to bring it to life. We talk about layering: layering light, landscape, scale, story, and intention. And why simplifying gear, trusting your vision, and committing to the mission can unlock a whole new level of creative output.

Key Takeaways

• Pre-visualization matters: Virgil often “draws” the image in his mind before arriving on location
• Some of the strongest photos come from layering: light, landscape, scale, and story working together
• Extreme environments force better composition — sometimes you have no choice but to improve
• Simplifying gear can reduce decision fatigue and increase creative focus in harsh conditions
• Adding a human element (a silhouette) can create scale and emotional impact in vast landscapes
• Creative mission ideas may sound crazy — committing to them is often the point
• Teamwork and trust matter when working in technical terrain
• Time is limited — choosing what you still go out to shoot defines your work
• The moulin story shows some frames are earned, not found
• Curiosity and persistence sit behind breakthrough images

Chapters

00:00 The “Monster Hole” (Glacier Moulin) Hook
00:58 Welcome to Creative Outsiders
01:40 Virgil’s Work: Aurora & Polar Landscapes
11:19 Entering Iceland’s Glaciers for the Frame
12:08 The Project Origin Story
14:24 Reaching the Ice Surface: Timing & Constraints
16:01 Seeing the Composition From Inside the Scene
19:53 Pre-Visualizing the Image
24:59 Moving Through a Frozen World
27:28 Problem Solving the Shot
29:26 Reading Terrain & Background Layers
30:45 Layering Light & Landscape
37:40 Gear Philosophy: Keeping It Simple
38:54 Creativity Mindset
44:09 Layering as a Creative Principle
46:28 Drawing the Image Before Going There
48:22 Committing to “Crazy” Ideas
50:19 Learning Because You Have No Choice
55:55 Creating While Life Happens
61:13 Outro

Follow Virgil Reglioni
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virgilreglioniphotography/
Website: https://www.virgilreglioni.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virgil.reglioni/
Secret Atlas Feature: https://www.secretatlas.com/blog/stories/virgil-reglioni
Vallerret Ambassador Profile: https://photographygloves.com/blogs/vallerret-ambassadors/virgil-reglioni
Muench Workshops: https://muenchworkshops.com/our-team/virgil-reglioni/

Vallerret | Gloves & Apparel for Creators Behind the Lens
Website: https://www.photographygloves.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vallerret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vallerret
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vallerret
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vallerret
X: https://twitter.com/vallerret
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vallerret
Newsletter: https://www.photographygloves.com

Celebrating the creatives who chase the shot when comfort says “stay home.” If this episode sparked something in you, share it with someone building a vision and needing that final push to commit.

Stay sharp. Stay curious. Stay out longer. 🧤🔥