It has been an intense but important start to the new year. As someone who worked on numerous projects in 2018, my plan was to narrow the focus and put my energy just into key areas. That is exactly what happened and I am very pleased with my choices. I will share more about this shortly.
Today, I would like to say a few words about my own photographic ways. I was never a proponent of narrow visual specialization. For the last few years you could classify me as a street sort-of photographer but my interests are much broader than that. If there is one theme in my imagery it would be the exploration of light and shape in terms of my own visual sensitivity. I am telling visual stories which are encoded in those strange worlds created by light and emotions. One of the greatest compliments I have ever received are notes indicating that you needed to pause over my images and go deeper into them. Some of you found a powerful meaning behind them and I must admit that such a deeply personal response makes this whole craft worthwhile for me. Thank you to all who share those emotions with me.
Having said that, such experiences are not related only to my urban imagery. I often like to diverge and escape certain patterns, even if they are superbly successful. I believe that a variety of subjects and themes only enriches our seeing, not destroys it, as some argue. So, one weekend I jumped into my car and drove 700km around British Columbia. Of course, this is a blip in comparison to my previous trips but that’s all I could manage at this time of year. The images I would like to share with you are from this trip – they are certainly not shot on the street! 🙂
I hope you enjoy something different from me at the beginning of this exciting new year. That’s not the only surprise I have for you. I will be mixing up street, travel and landscape photography this year.
All imagery was shot with the GFX 50S, GF 110mm and GF 45mm.
For those of you who would like to dive more deeply into the craft of photography, I have re-launched the Simplicity-In-Seeing website in a brand new, much more interactive format. I would be delighted if you joined me.
Agreeing with the other comments, I appreciate these images deeply. I keep returning to the horses, feeling the same sense of space and shape as in your photos of the city. I have grown looking at your work.
Thank you so much Judy. Your kind comment means the world to me.
Love these, Olaf! They seem so different for you since I only know your street/urban work but it is refreshing to see such wonderful images that almost could have been my own 🙂 I live in the Mid West corn/farm country and there was nothing I liked better to do than to get in the car and roam around the FLAT countryside and shoot rural farm scenes…even in winter. I haven’t done much of that now that I am trying to learn and shot street, but I still miss it!
Thank you so much Rona. I really would like to break my seeing patterns by shooting different things this year. After all, Simplicity-In-Seeing concepts could be applied to any genre. Your support is always highly appreciated. You are a true friend.
Hi Olaf,
What a refreshing change to see great images from you that are not ‘street’; I really admire your versitility.
So beautiful. I’m waiting for warmer weather to go out and shoot. At 75 I don’t like the cold anymore.
Thank you so much John. Winter is my favourite season for photography but I have to admit that sometimes it is hard.
Fabulous work Olaf
Thank you my friend. I appreciate it.
Thank you Raj!