Hougaard Malan: World-Renowned South African Landscape Photographer

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1985, Hougaard Malan launched his photography career at 19 with a Canon 350D. His breakthrough came in 2012 with the Namibian Light series, a stunning showcase of dawn-lit Namibian dunes that cemented his reputation. Now based in Cape Town, Malan’s work bursts with vibrant colours—think fiery oranges and cool blues—and bold compositions that frame Southern Africa’s dramatic landscapes. His journey from a young enthusiast to an award-winning artist highlights his deep connection to nature.

Primary Genres: Landscape Photography
Primary Photography Style: Straight Photography—dramatic and vivid, with minimal manipulation to highlight nature’s raw beauty through bold light and texture.
Key Message: Malan’s work celebrates the vastness and power of Southern Africa’s landscapes, aiming to stir awe and a profound appreciation for the natural world.

Malan’s lens often turns to Southern Africa’s wild expanses, especially Namibia’s towering dunes and the rugged Drakensberg mountains. His aesthetic hinges on vivid contrasts—sandy ridges against stormy skies or rocky cliffs under golden light—captured with a Nikon D850 and wide-angle lenses (16-35mm f/4). He’s a master of natural light, shooting at golden hour or dusk, and uses tripods and ND filters for long exposures (1-60 seconds) to smooth motion and deepen mood. In Lightroom, he tweaks vibrancy and contrast subtly, keeping the scene authentic. His large prints, up to 40×60 inches, grace galleries like Martin Osner’s in Cape Town, and his 2012 book Namibian Light remains a testament to his vision.

For intermediate photographers, Malan’s approach offers practical lessons. His digital workflow—unlike film’s slower pace—gives instant feedback, perfect for refining shots on the fly. Long exposures with ND filters mimic the tonal control of the zone system but in vivid colour, teaching how to capture atmosphere. Try his pre-dawn shoots with wide-angle lenses to grasp scale and light; minimal editing keeps the focus on in-camera skill. His style encourages patience and environmental awareness, urging you to wait for the perfect moment.

Accolades:
- SA Landscape Award (2016)
- Featured in South African and international magazines
- Exhibited at Saatchi Gallery, London

Trivia:
- Camps in deserts for days to catch the right light.
- Shoots pre-dawn for soft, glowing tones.
- Lost cameras to Cape Town’s waves chasing shots.
- Loves the silence of the veld.

Lessons from this Photographer:

Malan’s work shows that patience can transform a good shot into a great one—waiting for ideal light is key. His use of wide-angle lenses and long exposures with ND filters highlights scale and texture, inspiring photographers to experiment with motion and mood. Intermediate shooters can adopt his pre-dawn timing and minimal edits to sharpen their craft while respecting nature’s raw beauty.