It’s been many years! If you are reading these words, there is a strong chance you have been following this blog for a while. Maybe some of you have been on this journey with me from the beginning, from my early travel and landscape photography. Others probably joined later when I posted my street photography work. I am grateful to have you all. In an era when the written word competes with 30-second viral videos, the former is on a losing streak from the start. Having said that, I deeply value the written word and its intellectual capacity. I accept fate.
Regardless of when you joined me on this journey you have probably noticed that it has been awfully quiet here in recent months. This lack of keyboard clicks doesn’t mean I‘ve been sitting on my laurels. Quite the opposite!
My friends often ask me why I don’t photograph as much as I used to. The answer is not simple which is perhaps why I have been avoiding writing the blog.
After months of pondering, the nature of my photographic life has changed quite dramatically. I am no longer a photographer per se. My photographer’s hat has expanded in a few noticeable directions – all unexpected but welcomed.
It started with my work on the Medium Format Magazine. The role of publisher and key curator was challenging and extremely demanding, but it allowed me to experience the photographic world from a different perspective. Then, the ELEMENTS Magazine came about through my close collaboration with Steven Friedman, accelerating the transition from photographer to curator, publisher, and writer. It has been crazy, good crazy few years.
A few days ago, as I was enjoying my morning coffee, I realized the transformative and prolific experience I’ve gained in the last few years. From a focus solely on personal photography, I became involved in the photographic industry at large. This meant conversing with the greatest photographers working today to chatting and exchanging ideas with some of the smartest people in the industry. I recall some amazing conversations, striking facts and many untold truths. Then it hit me hard. This whole journey should be written down. Why not share all these experiences and ideas which mingle in my head? Why not start a conversation about photography without fake frames imposed on us by current fashions? After all, this is a personal blog, and it should be viewed as such.
Regardless of whether you are a landscape or street photographer or just a lover of art and photography in general I hope you will remain on this journey with me. I am going to cover a much broader range of subjects and topics. Photography, publishing, relationships or the business of photography are all important topics, some of them strangely underrepresented in the current of photographic thought.
So, in the next few months I will share my images and the images of photographers I greatly admire. I may share a thought or two about current events, controversies of the day or forgotten keynotes. I will write about my journey from landscape photographer to travel and street and all the way back. I will describe some experiences of building a business and trying to stay afloat in an increasingly challenging and difficult industry. There are literally hundreds of ideas in my notebook – hopefully time will be gentle on me so I can ponder them here.
One day these accounts will form a much larger body of work and maybe even a book. The key command is START!
P.S. I would appreciate if you say hi in the comment section if you are reading this blog.
So sweet. Love all your stuff!
Hi Olaf! I just rediscovered your blog, and hope you’ll publish more soon. I am starting my own photo blog with you as inspiration. PS: We have a new dog named Ozzie!
Life is full of surprises, I hope you enjoy your new activities and can continue with this interesting blog
It is right that I follow Olaf photo blog and learned so many meaning and dimension of looking things differently. Keep enlighten us with your blog. kindly post a recent photograph of Olaf since long I have not seen any.
With warm regards…
Hope you will continue, cool stuff. I truly enjoy it!
Just found your blog. I’m sure your journey will be a path worth following.
Good Morning Olaf and “Elements” team, Just finished first pass on latest issue of Elements. I was really moved by Huibo Hou and her “A Dancing Cloud” image. Her description of the experience of making the image and her process was amazing. I’m an alumni of “Freeman Patterson’s” workshops dating back to 2002 and have followed many of the photographers you have featured in your publication. It is safe to say that “Elements” is the best photographic publication to come along in years and I look forward to every issue. Thank you so much for the fine effort you and your team put into every issue.
Hello Olaf,
time to say “Thank you!”
I learned some very important things about photography from your blog.
And I became a happy X100 series cameras user ever since.
Sometimes less is more…
Kind regards,
Florian from Bamberg, Bavaria
Hi Olaf,
It has been always quite inspirational to go through your blog and look forward. Yes, noticed your photgraphic appearence is suspended due to your involvement to other work in the building of a new magazine. Request to you that please put your photographs as often you did….
Hi Olaf, nice to see you here. Wish you all the best on your new journey. I am sure you will make it in a good and successful way. Thank you for a great workshop-weekend in March 2018, something i will remember for ever. Hope i will see you again, maybe in Paris…… Christof
Hey Olaf, I’m a neighbour, almost (live just off Commercial Drive). I have subscribed to Medium Format recently, and am working my way through the back issues, savouring each one. New to mf, I have a new GFX 50S II with its kit zoom, and have bought (via B&H) a used 50/3.5 as my only other GF lens. For now! I look forward to the new direction of the blog, and to reading more MF and maybe even subscribing to Elements as well. All the best from East Van, Michael
Hi Olaf!
This is my first post on your blog, and perhaps even any blog ever, but I would like to reach out to thank you for all inspiring words, thoughts, observations and of course the inspiring imagery.
I am unsure how, but I discovered your work and online platforms about 3-4 years ago, and have been a diligently following you through your various online dwellings – and often return to your YouTube channel to go over your videos to try to absorb them as a sort of compass to direct and hone myself to capturing and holding on to moments which may be around me.
I am excited to see what you may be sharing with us all, as you continue to evolve in your work and definitely will be hanging around to learn further.
A couple questions, is there any chance you may be continuing your stills workshops locally, in Vancouver, perhaps may be a bit more “bitesized” to fit in to your schedule?
And any chance you may be open to meet for coffee and the like for some local to Vancouver? 🙂
Kind regards
Always delighted to read your blog & see your photographs. Your discussions have always been amazingly helpful to me – especially when I was first purchasing FUJI gear. Thank you!
Hello Glen, I really appreciate your kind note. It means a lot.
Love the blog, and looking forward to what you have coming up!
Thank you so much for your comment.
I found your blog recently, I’m eager to continue reading everything you plan to share here. Thanks!
it seems you have a very busy life! And I’m sure the new direction you are going will give you important satisfactions. I think as photographer (and the same applies to painters, musicians, writers and other creative people) at a certain point we need a change even if it requires more energy.
But without Energy we cannot create Enthusiasm and Emotions…(this is the three E principle!)
I’m very interested in your new thoughts and writing. Thanks in advance.
PS: if one day you’ll come to Italy please let me know…
hello Robert, thank you for your thoughtful and kind note. You are right about the three E principle. I will do my best to share some of my thoughts.
I have learned much from your videos ad blog. Very thoughtful and honest. Feeling lost in the 1000s of images I see daily and the world of “likes.” I’ll be interested in your thoughts about the industry and where photography is heading. Thanks for al you do.
Hello Judy,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback. I know what you mean. I took some notes and I will be sharing my thoughts about the subject. Please stay tuned.
Hello Olaf. Good to hear your passion has not gone away but simply being recognized as changing. Sounds to me that you couldn’t be on a better path. You are examining your motivations and responding in a positive and socially additive way. Thanks for all you’ve done and all you have yet to do.
Michel
I enjoyed reading your blog – I’ve been following Elements magazine etc and wondering what had happened to your photography. You’re the best mentor ever, and I’m glad you’ve found your niche. I’m looking forward to hearing more of your insights about the industry.
Wow! It is amazing to hear from you Peter. You made my day with your generous note. I have done a lot of thinking about my photography and I will share my thoughts soon. Are you still in Calgary? It would be so nice to get together and chat.
Thanks Olaf. Yes, still living in Calgary, but temporarily in London until November. I’d love to get together to chat!
Hi Olaf! Miss seeing your smiling face and wonderful critique at APAC. Cheers!
Hello Gerry, so kind of you. I hope we can get together soon. All the best to everyone!
Regards to you! Looking forward to your postings.
Thank you for saying HI Ron. I appreciate it.
Hi Olaf! It’s great to hear from you again. I’ve missed your infectious love of all things photographic. I look forward to seeing your new direction. Be well.
Thank you so much Jim. I really appreciate your note.
Hi Olaf, I started following you pre-covid when you gave a talk to the Port Moody Photography club. I really enjoy your thoughtful blogs, following your journey and your new adventures. Keep on.
Thank you for connecting Denise. I really appreciate your support. Hopefully, we will meet soon in Port Moody.
Hi Olaf! I wnjoy reading your blog, it is great to have you back!
Thank you so much for your kind note. It means a lot.
Looking forward to the future…!
Thank you for your support.
This is interesting news, Olaf. Looking forward for all this.
Thank you so much Michel. It is wonderful to know you are here.
Good to see you back here. I always enjoy reading your thoughts and seeing the images you choose to post. Looking forward to the future of this blog. Although how you’re going to find the time in additions to your work on Medium Format and Elements, is beyond me. Best of luck!
HA HA HA David. It is not easy but I somehow manage. I have to admit that kind and thoughtful people like you help me a lot. It is good to know that someone is reading my posts. Looking forward to your future notes and our exchanges. Cheers!
Hello Olaf, Looking forward to your new venture. Good luck!
Thank you for saying hi Patrick. It helps a lot.
Hi Olaf, I always enjoy reading the content you post. Thanks
Thank you so much John. It means a lot.
Hi Olaf,
Great to have you back! I look forward to your postings and contributing to your discussions.
Best wishes
It is wonderful to know you are here John. I am grateful for your support and participation.
Grazie! from Italy, I looked at your blog every day waiting for news
You made my day with your superb comment. I love Italy! I have many friends there and I cannot wait to visit.
Exciting…I am looking forward to reading and being inspired 🙂
You are the best!!!!
Hi Olaf! I don’t know how many years I’ve been following you and I don’t always have time to read everything through. Heck! With a 50-55 hours job and 2 university courses, I don’t even have time to go out and shoot anymore… But you (and a few other photographers I like) keep me interested. I have always loved how you go about your work, your subjects. There is always a deep reflection behind it. It doesn’t feel like it’s a photo for a photo. Thank you for all the sharing and for your great generosity. I think I have personally wrote to you 2-3 times over the years, and you always took the time to answer even though you have your own life and are very busy. Change is part of life. As the buddhists say, follow your own path.
Hello Martine,
Thank you so much for taking the time and writing this wonderful and thoughtful note. You are absolutely right about change as being a part of life. Sometimes it is scary and uncomfortable but from my personal experience, it always helped me to find meaning and purpose. It is wonderful to have you here.
Happy to be along for your new journey
Thank you so much for your support.
As always your photography conversation is welcome relief from the everyday noise of the gear reviews.
HA HA HA I am scared now to write about gear… just kidding. I know exactly what you mean. Having great and thoughtful conversations with people like you keeps me going. Thank you for that.
Hi Olaf! Glad to hear from you! Missing your wonderful photos!
Thank you so much. I just received a camera for testing. And I am not excited about the camera much but I am excited for the fact that I will be photographing…HA HA HA
It’s been too long – don’t throw the pen away!
It means a lot Don. I cannot live without the pen! I don’t know if it is my curse or blessing HA HA HA
Thanks from Norway. Good to have you back.
I cannot believe I have never been in Norway. Thank you so much for your support Aleksander.
Hi Olaf, I really enjoy Medium Format and the newer more recent Elements. I look forward to reading your new directions and thoughts on this cahannel and maybe even in a book. Keep up the great contributions…. thank you.
Hi Olaf – It’s good to hear from you. I myself, along with many, many people have had their worlds forever changed over the last 2 years and we face similar feelings about our own lives of “what was” and the fears and wonders of what may lie ahead.
Hope you are well – a new chapter has begun – we must all add to our stories of existence and experience…
James Rowan – Canada
Thank you so much for supporting my both publications. It means so much to me.
Olaf, glad to hear that you‘ll re-start 😉
Best regards!
I will try my best. Thank you for your kind note.
Always good to hear from you Olaf.
Appreciate it a lot Anthony.
Hi Olaf, good to see you back on this channel. Looking forward to more. Regards Alan
Thank you for your note Alan. It helps a lot.
Bravo, Olaf! Keep pushing the edge. As the corporates say, “Grow or die.” Maybe it applies here as well.
All best!
Absolutely! You are so right about it Alan. Great to have you here.
hi love yr blog and youtube clips…..
Appreciate it Ashok. I will start with the blog and then…maybe I will even manage to restart my YouTube 🙂
looking forward to future posts
Thank you for your support. Stay well.
Great to have you back man…look forward to your thoughts of the day(s) ahead.
Appreciate it Phil.
Olaf, I for one have been reading all your blog posts. They are thought-provoking and I thank you for sticking with it. I sure hope you continue making your own photographs, I would hate to see them disappear as I admire your skill. We are long overdue for a coffee chat to exchange ideas.
Doug, it is so wonderful to hear from you and having you here. Your support is always appreciated. In terms of coffee – you are so right about it. How about next week? Do you have my phone #?
Hi Olaf!
it’s great to have you back again. Cant wait to read and see what you are sharing with us.
Best regards!
My dear friend Robert!!! It is so wonderful to hear from you. I quit Twitter so I guess our line of communication somehow died. We need to reinstate it. Looking forward to your emails. Miss you and your family.
Definetely. Kisses and hugs from all them!