Featured Cover Photographer: Kornelius Schorle

The definition of panorama is “an unbroken view of the whole region surrounding an observer.”

For lifelong photographer, panoramist, and Hawai‘i Island resident Kornelius Schorle, the world is his view and he is forever the observer.

“My art is not work. It is only my vision,” Kornelius declared regarding his work as a world-renowned panoramic photographer.

The 73-year-old Kea‘au resident is a true master of his craft. Kornelius is now known as the only doctor of panoramics, a title given to him by the president of the International Panorama Association.

He’s composed a test to certify panoramic photographers, previously owned a camera store in California, and is currently the only photographer with 95,000 panoramic images from all around the world.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This creative genius doesn’t just use cameras, he makes them, too. He designed his first camera during his earlier days as a photographer longing to do, and see, more.

He describes using regular cameras, “Whenever I took photographs I always had this feeling that something was missing.”

One of his inventions includes the Schorlex, which is a panoramic camera that is manufactured in Germany, his former homeland.

Prior to coming to America, Kornelius actually escaped East Berlin with bullets flying towards him—with only a small 35mm camera in hand—a true testament to the man’s passion and drive. “That’s the one thing I escaped with from East Germany, my little camera,” he said.

Since then he hasn’t stopped taking pictures, although panoramics are his specialty.

More than just taking aesthetically pleasing photographs, Kornelius says he views his work as art, as an expression of himself.

“I let the eye in my brain guide the picture. I found a whole new art form; I found freedom,” he said of breaking out from traditional photography.

Some of his photographs have uniqueness to them that resemble a Vincent Van Gogh painting. “Painters have influenced me, not photographers,” he states.

Moving from traditional and into the more creative has helped Kornelius evolve both as a person and as a photographer.

“I think the work stands on its own, but the philosophy behind the work is really more important than the work itself,” he says. “The philosophy of the person who creates it is more important.”

Having been a photographer for more than six decades, he now lives in East Hawai‘i where he doesn’t have to look hard for inspiration.

And what exactly brought this lensman to the island anyway? “The trade winds, the clean air, and the lovely Hawaiians,” he says.

“All of Hawai‘i is my studio,” he declares. “The island itself makes it possible for me to create beautiful art any day, everyday.”

View Kornelius’ work here.