From Alpine Peaks to Arctic Vistas: Roberto Sysa Moiola’s Odyssey Through Light and Landscape
In an age drowning in fleeting snapshots, Italian photographer Roberto Sysa Moiola stands apart, chasing the wild soul of remote landscapes. From the icy shimmer of Finnish frozen lakes to the storm-lashed cliffs of Norway’s Lofoten Islands, his lens captures both the raw majesty and fragile pulse of Earth’s untamed corners.
Recently, we sat down with him to uncover the grit, beauty, and shifting climates behind his 25-year career.
A Hiker’s Lens
Moiola’s journey kicked off in the Alps, his lifelong backyard. “I started as a passionate hiker,” he recalls. “Living in the mountains, I was always trekking, and the stunning scenes kept begging me to shoot.” What began as a way to freeze memories morphed into a calling that’s since hauled him across continents.
Now, his heart splits between two worlds: the rugged Alps and the Arctic’s far reaches. These aren’t just pretty backdrops—they’re proving grounds. His knack for thriving in harsh terrain has made him a go-to ambassador for outdoor brands. “Places like Finland or Norway really test gear,” he says. “Gloves, clothes, camera filters—brands want someone pushing their stuff to the limit.”
Beyond the Beaten Path
While iconic vistas get snapped a thousand times a day, Moiola hunts the overlooked. “I head to mountains or the Arctic because there’s more to uncover than in cities or overdone spots,” he explains. “Those famous shots? Same composition, just different weather.”
This drives his advice to students on his photo tours: “Don’t just mimic what’s online. That’s fine, but it’s not new. Creativity in composition—that’s what matters.” Still, he’s no lone wolf. “In the mountains, I’m never solo,” he insists. “If something goes wrong, you’re toast. I always bring a friend unless I’m guiding a group.”
Chasing the Aurora
On Arctic tours, his small groups—capped at 7-8 for breathing room—fixate on one prize: the Northern Lights. “We’re out every sunrise, every sunset, but the Lights are the big chase,” he says. “In ten days, you might get two clear shots. It’s cloudy, snowy, windy—maybe a 20-30% chance of a good night, and solar activity’s got to play ball.”
Temperatures can swing from -25°C to +5°C in days, demanding adaptability as much as skill. “Everyone gets space,” he adds. “At night, I teach them: no headlamps. Don’t mess up someone else’s shot.”
Arctic Twins
Moiola paints two flavors of the north: “Norway’s all sea—fjords, mountains, cute coastal villages. Finland’s flat—hills, endless forests.” Norway invites hikes and shoreline rambles; Finland offers dog sleds and ice fishing. Both fuel his art, from methane bubbles trapped in frozen lakes—“a December obsession”—to Lofoten’s jagged peaks.
But beauty hides risk. “Frozen lakes need thick ice,” he warns. “Too thin, and you’re not walking. The sea’s worse—winter waves can yank you in, and cold water kills fast.” Experience has tamed his younger, riskier self. “Now, I respect nature’s power more,” he admits.
Fitness Meets Vision
Photography here isn’t just point-and-shoot—it’s a workout. “Good fitness is everything,” Moiola says. “In Finland, a meter of fresh snow turns a hill into a slog. In the Alps, climbing skills open up shots others can’t reach.” This stamina shapes his tours, too. Two months out, he sets up chat groups to nail down gear—shoes, gloves, layers—so his crew can focus on art, not frostbite.
“Tech matters, sure,” he notes, “but composition trumps it. Copying web shots? You’re not adding anything. Find your angle—that’s the real game.”
From Helicopters to Drones
Before drones, Moiola logged over 100 helicopter flights, mapping the Alps’ peaks. “I’ve shot almost every major ridge up there,” he says. Drones flipped the script. “Cheaper than choppers—until you crash five,” he laughs. “But the view? Totally new. Lofoten or Tromsø look alien from above.”
He even scouts with them: “In a valley, I’ll send the drone next door to check the scene. Worth the trek or not?”
Climate’s Quiet Toll
Returning to the same spots for decades, Moiola’s watched the planet shift. “In the Alps, glaciers I shot 25 years ago are gone—kilometers of ice, just vanished,” he says, voice heavy. “Take a picture then and now? Night and day.”
In Lofoten, storms hit harder. “Fifteen years back, you didn’t see these hurricane-like blasts—100 kph winds, every winter now.” Even northern Italy’s not spared: “Last year, Saharan sand dusted the Alps yellow three times. From 2,000 kilometers away—it’s wild.”
Looking Ahead
Between leading tours and running Click Alps—his Italian photo agency spotlighting local talent—Moiola’s dreaming big. “I’ve done books on Alpine lakes and peaks,” he says. “Next? The Mountains of the Sea—Arctic ranges in Norway, Iceland, Greenland.”
Video’s on his radar, too. “Maybe YouTube—editing tips, travel planning,” he muses. Whatever’s next, it’s about sharing. “I’m lucky to see this beauty,” he says. “Every project’s a chance to pass it on.”
