Feature Fotoblogia.pl
The feature: https://justynakocur.fotoblogia.pl/14462,ole-henrik-skjelstad-nigdy-nie-wierzylem-ze-mam-talent?src01=c801b
Below is the English version.
(By adding a Dark Reader to your browser it will be possible to view the images on a dark background. In addition the reading will become less straining to the eyes)
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a Norwegian landscape photographer and math teacher — it is the latter that pays my bills. I didn’t believe I had any talent when it came to photography, but began taking images with my cell phone and found the activity both fun and refreshing. That led to that I received my first camera as a birthday present in January 2013. At first I only shot jpgs — I had no idea there existed such a thing as a raw files until a friend of our daughter told me I should start shooting in the raw file format. The next step was thus to shoot bracketed with simple editing in HDR software. It was at the end of September that same year I set up an account on 500px. I remember so vividly how blown away I was by the images I saw on that platform. I just knew if I was ever to create images like the ones I saw on 500px had to practice a lot, and I would have to learn how to edit my images in Photoshop.
What made you start out with landscape photography?
Truth be told, I am actually not sure. However, it was that genre of photography which appealed to me and which I had an inner drive to explore and learn more about.
What gear do you use for your landscape images?
I expose my gear for at times rough conditions like for instance temps below minus 20, intense spray from waterfalls, heavy rain and snow. Everything I use out in the field has shown itself to handle adverse conditions. That includes Pentax cameras and lenses, Tamron lenses, Nisi filters, my Sirui tripods, Joby stuff and everything is carried in Lowepro backpacks. I also use Lexar memory cards of which none has ever failed me.
What do you want to communicate through your photos?
I wouldn’t call myself a documentary photographer. I like to add mood to the scenes I see and shoot, and further give them a slightly surreal quality. If I somehow can convey beauty, mystery and a sense of awe when someone views my images I feel I have succeeded.
What has photography done for you?
It has opened up my eyes to how beautiful our planet is, and it has taught me to see nature in a very different way from what I did before I owned a camera. For example, I used to become depressed and heavy minded when fall began with colder and darker days. These days I am looking forward to fall; the beautiful colors and the special light fall offers. Photography has also opened up a room in me I didn’t know existed — a creative room which I enjoy very much and am very grateful for. Furthermore, it offers an escape and an opportunity to interpret my world through a lens.
How would you describe your work, and how has it evolved since you started out?
I believe colorful and with a rather dark mood pretty much sum up my style — which of course is what I personally prefer. It seems to me that I during these years have become better at not overdoing my editing. I try now to be more subtle in my color work and dodging and burning, to name a few things.
I suppose most of us have periods when we seem to lose the fun of photography. Have you developed any strategies to keep the fire burning?
If that happens I return to one of my old hobbies, that is, I pick up a good book and immerse myself in it. I find that this always provides rest and energizes me.
What in your opinion is the biggest challenge to your photography?
I wish I had the time and the money to travel more.
How do you balance work and landscape photography?
Our children are now grown-ups and that has given me much more room to pursue this photography hobby of mine. I almost never watch tv or film, or play games or other activities that are “thieves of time”. Being careful with how I spend my spare time offers me a lot of time to both shoot and edit images.
What is your major motivation for being out with the camera?
It is the thrill of it all — the excitement when the light is good and the sky explodes in beautiful colors.
What is the most amazing place you have visited? Is it possible for you to articulate why it made such a huge impression on you?
My wife and I visited Iceland back in 2014. It was magical. When out driving it felt like behind every curve there was a new magical scene to see, capture and explore.
What inspires you?
There are many photographers whose work I find very appealing and inspiring. Also nature itself has that effect on me.
Do you have a piece of advice for young aspiring landscape photographers?
Go out and have fun with your camera, and do as many mistakes you possibly can. The more bittersweet the mistakes are, the more you learn. And as with all things, the more we practice and hone our talent the better we become. Personally, I have also learned a lot from studying other’s images.
