I am so grateful to those of you who have been accompanying me throughout my photographic journey. I know it is not an easy endeavour to stick with a photographer who started with landscape, only to shoot travel, street, creative street, then travel and now… I guess this is it. In addition, many of you enjoyed my trademark deep shadows and blacks but recently… I‘ve been shooting less and less of it. I guess part of the reason was that many photographers have embraced this aggressive style and they are doing it really, really well so it was time for me to move on. The other reason might be my relentless search for new seeing.
That brings me to where I am today. Such visual shifts are in no way clearly marked on the fridge calendar. Rather, they sneak up on you without any warning. There is no question that this mutation in my seeing has been happening for a while.
First, it showed up as I became weary of my usual subjects and the way I see them and frame them. Despite successful imagery, every image came with an internal warning “seen this – done that.” Over the course of the last few months this early warning system has been echoing more and more loudly in my head.
Second, the urge for new visual discoveries, outside the boundaries of traditional street photography, was overwhelming my senses, pushing me away from my traditional visual settings.
Third, some recent outside influences, which don’t happen often, provided a much-needed reinforcement of my visual shift. Among others, the work of Ned Pratt propelled the change.
Fourth, this new direction fits perfectly into my recent method of slow, deliberate and thoughtful shooting.
Fifth, my urge to take my printing to another level sealed the deal.
While you’re reading this you may wonder, “What the hell Olaf are you talking about?” I don’t blame you. This is the best I can write at the moment as not everything is as clear as I would like it to be, nor will it ever be. It is just happening, simple as that. I have to admit that my countless conversations with Tomasz of Fujilove are helping as we both opened up about our own seeing to the point that we can question each other’s photography without the usual social constraints.
So, my photographic friend, thank you again for sticking around. It means a lot. I will continue sharing my journey with you here, as well as on my resurrected YouTube channel. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please make sure to do so.
Here are some images from my latest project with the working title, “The Scraps,” all taken with the GFX50S and the GF45-100 F4 OIS lens. One note about the gear—I really enjoy this zoom lens. Look for my review of this lens in the Medium Format Magazine later this month.
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Hi Olaf, the YouTube Bannack video was great. Thank you. Thanks also to Kasia and a pat for Bailey.
Once again, I appreciate the sharing of your “journey” with us and feel the way you expressed the need to move on is well said. It is important to listen and more importantly to hear what we are telling ourselves and hopefully with as little negative self talk as possible. Personally, I could not figure out why the excitement of grabbing my camera and making that image was at a low ebb until I realized that for me going back into the darkroom and honing my printing skills and also finally learning how to best use my wonderful printer at home to actually produce a photograph instead of the thousands and thousands of images in Lightroom was where I needed to be right now. BTW, I love the special elements in your images, ie the shopping cart, the shadows – lovely.
Olaf, to accompany you on your photographic journey is immensely enjoyable, always instructive and a privilege. Keep it coming,
Thank you so much for your kind support. It means a lot.
Looking at your photos above, one name comes to mind – Pete Turner !!!
Yes, that is meant as a compliment. I always loved Pete Turner’s work, and while I can’t prove it, I sincerely believe that Pete’s work with a Honeywell Repronar inspired whomever it was who developed the idea of Layers.
Hello Bruce,
What a great complement! Thank you so much. Indeed, Peter’s work is extraordinary. Thank you so much for being with me on this journey. All the best,
Olaf
I enjoy the stories behind the photographs and the sharing of your thoughts as much as the photographs themselves. I aspire to find the same muse within myself. So .. thanks for the journey. I’m coming along.
Thank you so much my friend. It means a lot to me having you on this journey of visual discovery.
Cheers,
Olaf
I think most of your followers will follow you as your photography evolves. It is a good lesson for the rest of us. It is great you are following the “road less traveled”. Your fans will be right behind you!
Thank you so much. It means a lot to me. Cheers!
Your post has a lot a sense and echoes deeptly in me.
People who are not bound to specific photography domain for their living (ie wedding, publicity, journalism…), have the liberty to orient their craft/art/hobby in any direction they want.
They are no good or bad direction.
To me, the driving forces are curiosity and interest. Curiosity to explore other photographic fields, then get deeply into the ones that thigger our interest and creativity.
The superb pictures you show here are a perfect exemple of that.
Francis
Thank you Francis for you thoughtful and kind note.
Great vision, Olaf. Forget about categories, it‘s your artistic mind and view, nothing more…. Kind regards Dirk
Thank you my friend. It is so comforting knowing that I can count on you. Cheers!
That eternal quest for something new is the defining mark of a true Artist. 🙂 Well done Olaf, it’s always a pleasure to witness your journeys (both physically and metaphorically) through photography, keep’em coming!
Your comment made my day! Thank you so much Luis. It truly means a lot.