Playing around with the digital camera. Flames on the fence? Or what you can do playing with reflections and perspective. Snow, rain, fire The fireplace in my office was reflecting onto the window. I changed perspective to create the perception that the fire is on top of the snow covered fence. No photoshop, all in camera. abstract … office … Read More
Create (daily): 3 Rolls of Film
In the book I am reading “SHOW YOUR WORK”, author Austin Kleon talks about sharing behind the scenes stuff. I typically don’t do that, not sure why not? Maybe because I feel it’s not that interesting. But I decided I will share more things via my Create (Daily) posts. And so this seems to be a good platform to share stuff like this. Today, I finished the another roll of Kodak Portra 400, and have now 3 undeveloped rolls. Most of these photographs were shot in downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Some of them were at night.
Create (daily): The Beginner’s Mind
Here a short-form daily blog post with random topics on creativity and the creative process. Things I read: at the moment, I am reading “SHOW YOUR WORK” by Austin Kleon. The book is small and inspirational, and talks about 10 ways to share your creativity. Under #1: you don’t have to be a genius, Austin talks about how we may … Read More
Episode 006: An American Mile (with Kyle McDougall)
In today’s episode, I have a discussion with Kyle McDougall about his project An American Mile. In American Mile, Kyle depicted a 256 days trip across the United States, exploring the small towns and backroads that are strewn across its vast landscape. We discuss this project and also projects in general. And along the way, touch on other topics such as medium film, sequencing (of images), format (of negatives), film stocks, printing, color, consistency, style and other topics related to the creative process.
Photoshoots, podcast, album cover art and other creative updates
Here are some updates of what has been going on creatively in the past several weeks.
Episode 005: The importance of photography projects
In this episode of CREATE. PHOTOGRAPHY we will discuss the importance of photography projects.
Photography projects are a fantastic way for photographers to focus some of their work, and to get and to stay motivated.
Create. Photography. Episode 004: travel photography (with Gary Arndt)
Gary Arndt is an American travel photographer and blogger. Back in 2007, Gary sold his house and started traveling the world.
Create. Photography. Episode 003: how limitation can increase creativity (with Hashem McAdam)
In this episode of CREATE. PHOTOGRAPHY, host Daniel Sigg will discuss how limitation can spur creativity with Australian photographer and filmmaker Hashem McAdam. Hashem and I go deeper on how too many options can hurt creativity and how limitation can paradoxically help with it.
Create. Photography. Episode 002: mindfulness in photography
In this episode of CREATE. PHOTOGRAPHY, I will discuss how mindfulness can help our photography.
This is from a post I wrote last year about this topic last year. In the podcast, I will go a little bit more in depth on this concept.
Welcome to Episode 001 of the CREATE. PHOTOGRAPHY. podcast: Introduction and tips to overcome creative block.
In this first episode, host Daniel Sigg will introduce the CREATE. PHOTOGRAPHY. podcast, tell you a little bit about himself, tell you what’s coming, and jump right into the first topic: how to overcome creative block in photography.
Two Yellow Boxes
A story about two boxes of Forte brand Hungarian photo paper. And why you should spend most time behind the camera than processing images.
Film photography with a classic Kodak black and white film
Kodak TriX: A classic black and white film Film cameras, and film are ultimately tools for artistic expression of the photographer. Within film photography, the choice of film stock is a major determinant of the final “look” of the image. Previously, I discussed my thoughts on film photography in great length in a two-part post (part 1, part 2). In … Read More
Let’s break the rule of thirds and other photography rules
Do you like to break rules? I do. Especially the ones that don’t make a lot of sense like the “rule of thirds”. This rule and others are some aesthetic rules in photography that are commonly encountered and taught. And the myths continue to live on and perpetuate (also by mindless copying) as online content ranging from youtube to forums … Read More
Composition in photography: negative space
About fog Let’s start with a brief science dispatch about fog. Fog is basically a cloud that touches the ground. In clouds, water vapor (=water in gas form) condenses. And tiny water droplets then hang in the air, and this is what becomes visible as fog. Interestingly, in order for fog to form, dust needs to be in the air. … Read More
Composition in photography: approaching the subject
Composition in photography: definition In photography composition is the way in which something (a photograph) is put together or arranged. It is the combination of parts or elements that make up something. It is what we put in the frame and where we put it. In other words, it is the design, arrangement, layout of (compositional) elements in a photography … Read More
The intersection of creative art forms: music and photography
Many art forms appear to intersect at times. For me personally, the intersection of music and photography is particularly interesting. As an active musician and photographer, I am always surrounded by my tools: cameras and musical instruments. Naturally, I have been taking many pictures of my instruments. How can such connections / intersections help with creativity, beyond the obvious? For … Read More
The camera, the negative, the print – thoughts on film photography in 2020 (part 2)
Sharing my thoughts why I love film / analog photography. And why the what of photography is more important than the how. (Part 2 of 2).
The camera, the negative, the print – thoughts on film photography in 2020 (part 1)
Film photography in 2020 My journey back into film started in 2019. I thought it would be fun to discuss why I like film photography as my main medium. This is part 1 of a two part series. To read part two, click here. Nikon 35mm film camera with 35mm color film The renaissance of film photography Film photography has … Read More
Shooting 20 year expired Agfa Optima film
I was lucky enough to recently get my hands on some rare, medium format Agfa film which was well beyond its expiry date of 1999. It was handed down to me by my friend Paul, who was also a colleague at a previous camera-related job of ours for a couple of years. After decades of religiously shooting film, Paul made … Read More
Why I Choose Film for Street Photography
I’ve been questioned numerous times about my predilection for film photography. The interrogator’s rationale goes something like, “But digital is so convenient and you can do so many things with digital that you can’t do with film.” I don’t disagree. But none of that has anything to do with why I shoot film. As generic as the arguments for digital … Read More
Pull over pictures (and a partial return to color)
On road trips, one of the things I love to do, is to move to the side of the road in order to stop (= pull over) and take a picture. Sometimes or probably more often than not pulling over is not possible or easy. But our recent 3800 road mile trip provided some opportunities to stop. When pulling over, … Read More
Pushing film: what is it and some examples from a recent road trip
Pushing Film: what is it? Pushing process of film involves shooting and developing film at a different ISO (light sensitivity) then what the film is rated for. It is a technique that has been used for a very long time. It can be used for black and white films, and also color film. Why push film? The most common reason … Read More
7 Reasons to get into black and white photography – by John Bennet
Numerous photographers are looking to get into this type of photography, and in this article, I will provide you with seven reasons why you might want to do the same. Feature Photo by Jake Davies #1 – Colors are no Longer a Distraction Photo by Alberto Bigoni One of the most important reasons that you might want to consider switching … Read More
Guest Post on 35mmc Photography Blog: Architectural photography with a 50mm lens (and some thoughts on minimalism)
I wrote another guest blog for Hamish Gill’s 35mmc Blog Site, you can find it here. Some thoughts on Minimalism I have long been fascinated and influenced minimalism as an art form, minimalist design and minimalist architecture. When I was younger, I studied the works of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other architects, and still own some “minimalist” furniture … Read More
Black and white architecture film photography
Black and white architectural film photography As mentioned previously, I have been enjoying architectural photography recently. I was fortunate enough to be able to continue this through the lockdown (in Minnesota: stay at home order). Below are some of my favorite images over the last two months. I indicated film stock and camera / lens. M3 is Leica M3 35mm … Read More
Guest post on 35mmc: 40 Year Old Black and White Film: Experiments with Three German Film Stocks (and a 1955 Leica M3)
I wrote another guest post on Hamish Gill’s 35mmc blog. This post, and the particular experiments leading to the post were not necessarily planned. Wendell Cheek, also a reader of the 35mmc blog, contacted me after reading one of my recent blogs on 35mmc on Rollei films via Instagram. Wendell asked me if I would be interested in comparing some of his … Read More
More architectural photography
More architectural photography I have been enjoying architectural photography recently, both film and digital. Here I am sharing some most recent film photography architectural photographs captured with a Hasselblad 500cm with a 80mm Zeiss Planar 2.8 lens. I also want to give a quick shoutout to Gerald Greenwood, a UK based photographer. I used his development technique (Rodinal semi-stand development) … Read More
Why black and white?
Ultimately it comes down to artistic choice on why to pursue black and white photography. I have been making that choice a priori in my image creation process for the majority of my personal work these days. Below are some of the reasons why I currently focus on B&W photography.
Street and architecture photography in Basel
Architecture In continuation of my architecture series, I wanted to share some more architecture photographs. I just returned from a trip to my hometown Basel, and loved some of the architecture I saw. It helped that the weather was cooperating, not necessarily always the case in February! It was unusually warm, but also a nice change to the typically freezing … Read More
Architecture
Architecture Architecture is fascinating. And I love to work in series. In particular in mini-series. And I love film photography. After working on a winter flower and mini-winter landscape series, I spend most of my time in the cities. Going out and photographing some architectural detail was a lot of fun, and inspired me to do more. I have been … Read More