Sunset over Mjøsa, February 2009
Well, it’s hardly any secret that my blogging efforts have been sort of slow lately. Not because I’ve lost interest in blogging, or that I’ve given up this project, it is just that my mind have been very much occupied with the newest addition to my ever growing pile of interests – photography. Since I got my first camera “in modern time”, I’ve been in a surge of intense interest and fascination for the subject of photography. Countless hours have been spent reading books, forums and websites about almost any aspect of this trade and form of art. I’ve done all kinds of experiments and tests in an attempt to understand how cameras work. To see the difference in settings and techniques and to try to comprehend all the variables. There is little doubt that getting into photography has awoken some of the more creative sides of my personality and given me a new meaning and focus in my life. I truly love making images and I don’t want to stop as long as I am able to see the marvels of our world projected through the viewfinder.
Now, I do not think, plan or wish to be some professionally acknowledged master of this trade, nor have I any desire to be an artist. For one I fear I’m too old, and also that my “eye” have never been one for design and composition. I’m more the kind of guy that throws stuff together to make a practical, functional solution to a problem. This means that I seriously have to rethink the general modus operandi of my personality if I wish to consistently make “nice” images. I do wish to learn and master the technical aspect of photography and hopefully acquire a minimum of understanding of composition and what makes a great image. Also, I’d very much like to make some images that I, myself find more or less acceptable in quality and beauty. Sometimes I make progress, and more often I realise that I need to go slower, think things really through and use my eyes and mind. I could of course excuse this on account of my poor eyesight but I know that wouldn’t be completely honest. Luckily, as a member of the human species, I share the same characteristics common to our race. I am able to learn and improve, yes I’m confident that there is no reason why I of all men, should remain static, unchangeable in thought and ability.
Lizard, Oslo Reptile Park, February 2009
I must mention that art, in the traditional meaning of the word, paintings, sculptures and so forth, have never really been my thing. Part of it is probably due to my own cultural background. I grew up in a quite average Norwegian middle-class family where art in the fine high-society variety was never a priority. Oh, I was exposed to graphic and sculptural arts such as my fathers and brothers wood carving, or my mothers truly exceptional needlework. The obvious difference from the abstract “fine arts” is of course that what I was exposed to was applied arts, stuff that was pretty and artistic, but still used in everyday life.
Ann Christin Kern, new years eve 2008
Personally, I have always been a man of words, and for me language contains beauty and nuances I can truly understand and comprehend, unlike the (for me) more abstract painting or figure. So, what is it that light my fire when it comes to photography? I think it is the fact that photography both has an artistic side, but also the ability to document and capture moments, which basically is preserving a piece of history. The single greatest interest in my life have been knowing things that happened, or simply put, history. I have have always been strongly attracted to the idea that by knowing the past, you can understand the “now” and perhaps even the future. The patterns and tendencies of history gives us vital clues to how our societies and world will develop. A hundred years from now, a simple picture of a city street with people hurrying off on their own business can provide information of our age and show neuances that by then would otherwise be lost. A picture of a sunset can perhaps give scientists clues on the changes in the atmosphere, but also show the grandeur and intense beauty of this particular sunset in a purely aesthetical perspective. A photo is an instant gateway to a precise and spesific moment in time and space, yet unlike a painting, a photo is more often than not, “realistic”, i,e, the lack of abstract shapes and colors means it is easier for most people to relate to. Simply put, it appears to be real.
Where my own, personal photograpic efforts will take me I do not know yet. What genre or type of photography I might end up focusing on only time will show. The great thing about owning even the simplest of cameras, is that you are free to take pictures of mostly everything. Be it nature and landscapes, animals, portraits, abstract and carefully composed “artsy” scenes or simply everyday life. At the present time, I wish to do it all, the freedom of choice is intoxicating and I constantly have to remind myself that the only limit is my imagination.
