Hello Per, first of all, tell us something about your upcoming work. What are you into at the moment?
Right now I’m preparing a fashion photography event hosted & sponsored by Leica, It will be a group show here in Berlin during the upcoming fashion week where my contribution will be a sort of multi-media event making use of some really cool technology + some old school stuff as well…
Tell us a little bit about yourself: where is home, and how long have you been a photographer?
I have been living in a few different places, Stockholm, New York, Paris and right now Berlin is my home. I really like it here because there is a very cool mix of people and a definite sense of opportunity here… People come to Berlin from all over to make things happen… Not just in the arts but in tech and media as well… There is a very vibrant Start-Up culture here !!!
What’s the best part of being a photographer?
The best part is that I get paid and I make a living, doing something I’m passionate about.
The hardest and the easiest part of your job?
Ideas & inspiration are easy, they come and go and sort of float around in the “air” so to speak… The hardest is finding time for all the things I’d like to do…
How would you describe your style?
It would be nice to hear someone else describe my images as “edgy elegant” or “classic with a twist” ; )))
Would you give a brief walk through your work flow?
Ideas & concepts come and go, I try to keep a record of ideas and possible solutions and apply them as project appear…Technically I’m pretty basic and simple I would say… I do not have a huge support structure (assistants) around me, or my own studio…Shooting on a Canon 1ds. Mark II or III, or my new favorite camera the LEICA S2, it’s really stunning in it’s sophisticated simplicity !!! Adobe Lightroom is the real cornerstone of my Workflow and I do 80 % of my work in Lightroom with Photoshop taking care of the finishing touches…Lightroom is fantastic because it allows You to manage “everything” from start to finish !!!
In general, during a session, how many pics would you say you take to find “the right one”?
It’s really different… Sometimes the images are ready & finished in my head and then it’s just a matter of execution and producing that image. Sometimes it’s more foggy and I have to experiment and shoot a lot and let things and accidents happen in front of the camera… I’m not a “purist” and I don’t mind shooting a lot and discovering the image later. I say take advantage of digital technology and use the fact that we now have zero costs when it comes to “film + development” = digital. We now could “waste” enormous amounts of “film”. I see that as an advantage…
I like the way you seem to focus on the eye’s of your subject in many of your portrait shots. Do you make an effort to do this or is it just a natural behavior talent that happens?
… sort of an old photographic rule to focus on the eyes I guess. Old habit !!!
How do you keep yourself motivated and your pictures fresh?
There is so much cool stuff out there and we are living in such exciting times right now with a few key changes that are happening right now which gives anyone access to amazing content…Web 2.0 which allows virtually anyone to become a filmproducer, Streaming Video Broadcaster, On-Line publisher or blogger… I’m blogging at 10horses and , and here You can read my on-line magazine 11horses. I have heard this being desribed as “The Empowerment of the Individual” and I have to agree…
Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?
Anything and everything !!!
Do you conduct workshops for aspiring photographers?
I have been very lucky to have been invited to meet with students at some great schools both in Sweden and Germany and I usually come away very inspired by these meetings & converations ! I’m actively working on setting up a structure for conducting on-line workshops, the tech is there…
What type of camera do you shoot with?
Canon 1ds. Mark II or III, or my new favorite camera the LEICA S2
Which one item of equipment would you say is the most important to you?
Adobe Lightroom 3 (+ my website in combination with my Facebook Page + my Twitter account)
Do You Have A Favorite Walk Around Lens…If So What Is It?
I always keep my Lumix DMC-LX5 with me (small enough to fit in a pocket )
What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?
… a LEICA S2 !!! (I’m renting when I need it )
What lighting equipment do you take on a shoot?
… it all depends ! I’m a big fan of anything Profoto. It’s well desgned and rugged and it always works !!!
Do you rely on lighting (natural, or artificial), or do you rely on dark-room/computer manipulation?
… both !!!
If PS, how important is Photoshop in your final images?
Photoshop is an amazing piece of software and absolutely essential for me, even though lately I’m spending less time in Photoshop and more time in Lighroom. I need both !!!
What is your most used Photoshop tool, plug-in, action set etc.?
… learn to use Selection + Curves properly, You can take care of almost anything with a a proper selected curve!
How do you feel about cropping an image?
… again i’m not a “purist” and You can discover amazing new images within Your “old” images. In fact I’m right now playing around with a series based on extreme cropping of images.
Before you put your work “out there”. Do you have it critiqued by someone else, or do you just go with what your heart tells you is right?
I usually just go ahead… It really depends…
The first photographer that comes to your mind in front of the camera?
