Prague Handball Cup - and more :)

Vi har just kommit tillbaka från en underbar påskhelg i Prag, full av både handboll och familjetid. Det var fantastiskt att följa LUGI HFs pojkar 14 i deras matcher – så mycket talang och kämparanda i laget! Ett stort tack till alla spelare och coacher för en minnesvärd turnering. 👏🏻🤾

En av våra killar var helt upptagen med sitt lag, men vi fick chansen att njuta av vårens ankomst i denna vackra stad med våra två äldre pojkar. Promenader genom gamla staden, god mat och kvalitetstid med familjen, och 80-tals klubb, det är sådana stunder man kommer ihåg. 🕺💐

För er som är nyfikna på hur handbollen såg ut i Prag, har jag laddat upp bilderna från turneringen på hemsidan. Besök https://www.dalecarliaphoto.se/lugi-20232024 för att se dem.

Tack för en fin påskhelg, vi ser fram emot fler sådana här tillfällen!

En helg i fotografens paradis: Svenska Skidspelen i Falun

Förra helgen återvände jag för andra året i rad till Falun för att vara officiell fotograf vid Svenska Skidspelen, en upplevelse som kombinerar min passion för vinterlandskap med spänningen av att föreviga Sveriges mest folkkära idrottare i aktion. Det finns något alldeles särskilt magiskt med att vara utomhus och fotografera i ett vinterlandskap, och det blir bara bättre när man får chansen att kombinera detta med sportfotografering.

Ebba Andersson, Sverige

Det fanns en förändring detta år. Förra året, då jag fortfarande var en Canon-användare, kände jag mig bekväm men redo för en förändring. Det ledde mig tillbaka till Nikon, främst på grund av deras imponerande Nikon Z8. Kameran är ett fantastiskt all-round verktyg, och den har överträffat alla mina förväntningar. Att få testa den i en miljö som Svenska Skidspelen var en sann glädje.

Min utrustning var väsentligt mer omfattande i år. Jag hade med mig fyra olika objektiv och precis som förra året två kamerahus, Nikon Z8 och Nikon Z f. Av objektiven var det pålitliga 70-200/f2.8 i spetsen. Dess mångsidighet och prestanda under alla förhållanden gör det till ett ovärderligt verktyg i min arsenal. De vidare f4-objektiven, 14-30/f4 och 24-120/f4, var tänkta som komplement, men jag upptäckte att jag använde dem mindre än förväntat. Detta blev ännu mer uppenbart när jag gick igenom mina bilder efter eventet. Dock visade sig 24-120/f4 vara perfekt för att fånga ögonblicken vid prisutdelningar och i minglet.

Jonna Sundling, Sverige

Ska inte skriva så mycket om kamerahusen i det här inlägget. Men jag kan bara konstatera att Nikon Z f hanterade snöfall betydligt bättre än Nikon Z8. Den hade uppenbarligen problem med autofokus och ansikte/ögon-igenkänning så jag vi använda en ”vanlig” singelpunkt istället. Däremot hanterade Z f omständigheterna väldigt bra och jag kunde använda kamerans ”intelligens” precis som vanligt mer eller mindre.

Jessie Diggins, USA

En oväntad iakttagelse när jag kom hem var mitt begränsade användande av Nikkor 14-30/f4. Trots att jag tog över 15 000 bilder under helgen, använde jag detta objektiv för bara 18 av dem. Det står i kontrast till de 8 052 bilderna tagna med 70-200/f2.8 och de 6 622 med 400/f2.8. Dessa siffror talar sitt tydliga språk om vilka objektiv som var mina verkliga hjältar under helgen.

Johan Häggström, Sverige

Tittar jag på användningen av brännvidder, domineras min fotografering av de längre brännvidderna. De flesta bilder togs vid 200mm, 400mm och 560mm, vilket återspeglar naturen av sportfotografering där man ofta behöver är på långt håll från händelsernas centrum.

Mina favoritobjektiv har blivit mina trofasta följeslagare inte bara i Falun utan genom hela mitt arbete under 2024. Nikkor 24-120/f4, 50/f1.2, 70-200/f2.8, 85/f1.2 och 135/f1.8 har visat sig vara värdefulla både i studio och utomhus, från idrottsevenemang till landskapsfotografering. Högst upp måste jag placera Nikkor 24-120/f4!

En viktig lärdom från detta äventyr var vikten av att vara förberedd på alla typer av väder. De väderbeständiga egenskaperna hos Nikon Z8 och dess objektiv var avgörande, särskilt när vi mötte både regn och snö i stora mängder. Mina kläder och utrustning från Stellar Equipment och Helly Hansen var också livräddare, häll mig helt torr och varm trots de krävande förhållandena.

Avslutningsvis var detta mer än bara en fotograferingsresa; det var en påminnelse om kraften i att ständigt utvecklas och anpassa sig, både tekniskt och kreativt. Jag ser redan fram emot nästa års spel, med nya utmaningar och äventyr att föreviga. Och för de som undrar specifikt om min fotoutrustning, allt kommer från det pålitliga Mattssons Foto i Lund – en plats jag alltid kan lita på för kvalitet och expertis.

Förlorad och återfunnen kärlek

Efter några år med Canon och Fuji är jag tillbaka med Nikon och det känns helt rätt. Då menar jag inte nödvändigtvis tekniska specifikationer och hur bilderna slutligen blir. Det går att ta alldeles fantastiska bilder med i princip vilken kamera som helst och det som alla märken levererar idag är fantastiska maskiner! Det som framför allt känns rätt med Nikon är hur kameran ligger i handen, hur layout och funktioner är placerade och inte minst på vilken håll man skruvar på objektivet. ;)

Nikon D750 - Mauritius

I den digitala världen är det framförallt två Nikon-kameror som jag använt flitigt. Den första på listan är Nikon D750, en fantastisk kamera som lanserades i september 2014. Kameran blev känd för sin exceptionella bildkvalitet och mångsidighet, vilket gjorde den populär bland både professionella fotografer och avancerade amatörer.

“Nikon D850 är inte bara en kamera för mig; det är en symbol för äventyr, upptäckter och oförglömliga minnen. Jag har utsett den till min absoluta favoritkamera genom tiderna, inte enbart på grund av dess tekniska briljans, utan också för de extraordinära upplevelser vi delat.”

— Me

I den digitala världen är det framförallt två Nikon-kameror som jag använt flitigt. Den första på listan är Nikon D750, en fantastisk kamera som lanserades i september 2014. Kameran blev känd för sin exceptionella bildkvalitet och mångsidighet, vilket gjorde den populär bland både professionella fotografer och avancerade amatörer.

Nikon D750 - Stångby

Kamera nummer två, släppt i juli 2017, står ut som en favorit bland många. Tack vare sin mångsidighet och prestanda var Nikon D850 en väldigt populär kamera. Denna digitala systemkamera var utrustad med en imponerande 45.7-megapixel fullformatsensor som gav bilder av hög kvalitet med enastående detaljrikedom och skärpa. Dessutom bidrog frånvaron av ett optiskt lågpassfilter till den övergripande bildkvaliteten.

Nikon D850 är inte bara en kamera för mig; det är en symbol för äventyr, upptäckter och oförglömliga minnen. Jag har utsett den till min absoluta favoritkamera genom tiderna, inte enbart på grund av dess tekniska briljans, utan också för de extraordinära upplevelser vi delat. Kamerans perfekta ergonomi och en bildkvalitet som fortfarande konkurrerar med de bästa, gjorde varje fotograferingstillfälle till en ren njutning.

Nikon D850 - North of Sweden

Nikon D850 är inte bara en kamera för mig; det är en symbol för äventyr, upptäckter och oförglömliga minnen. Jag har utsett den till min absoluta favoritkamera genom tiderna, inte enbart på grund av dess tekniska briljans, utan också för de extraordinära upplevelser vi delat. Kamerans perfekta ergonomi och en bildkvalitet som fortfarande konkurrerar med de bästa, gjorde varje fotograferingstillfälle till en ren njutning.

Vad som verkligen gör D850 speciell för mig är alla de otroliga stunder vi delat tillsammans runt om i världen. Tänker på vågsurfande under Sydafrikas strålande sol, där kamerans snabbhet och precision fångade varje ögonblick av adrenalin och glädje. Minnena från Svalbard är lika levande, med bilder av majestätiska renar i den arktiska vildmarken, fångade i perfekt detalj trots de utmanande ljusförhållandena.

Nikon D850 - Cape Town

Närmare hemmet har Nikon D850 varit en trogen följeslagare i Skånes lantliga landskap, där enkelheten hos en maskros förvandlades till en konstnärlig bild som fångar naturens skönhet. Och vem kan glömma de fantastiska upplevelserna vid ishotellet i Jukkasjärvi?

Nikon D850 - Jukkasjärvi

För mig är Nikon D850 mer än bara en kamera. Det är en reskamrat som hjälpt mig att dokumentera livets största äventyr och skönheten i vardagliga ögonblick. Det är den kamera jag har varit mest förälskad i, och varje bild är en påminnelse om de fantastiska upplevelser vi haft tillsammans.

“Men som ofta händer i historier om förlorad och återfunnen kärlek, har jag återvänt till Nikon. Den här gången är det Nikon Z8 som har förnyat min passion.”

— Me

Min relation med Nikon D850 har varit en resa av passion och upptäckt, men som med alla berättelser, kom en tid för förändring. Det som förändrade allt var inte en sviktande kärlek till D850, utan snarare en oväntad förälskelse i ett annat objektiv och kamerateknik. Det var Canon RF 28-70 mm f/2 som stal mitt hjärta. Denna upplevelse introducerade mig för världen av spegellösa fullformatskameror, en värld som visade sig vara lika spännande och innovativ, och ledde mig till att lämna Nikon - åtminstone för en tid.

Nikon D850 - Cape Town

Denna förändring var inte enkel. Att lämna Nikon D850, en kamera som varit så central i mitt fotografiska uttryck och så nära kopplad till många av mina äventyr och upplevelser, var en känslomässig process. Men utforskandet av nya tekniker och objektiv var en resa jag kände att jag behövde ta.

Nikon D850 - Norway

Men som ofta händer i historier om förlorad och återfunnen kärlek, har jag återvänt till Nikon. Den här gången är det Nikon Z8 som har förnyat min passion. Den kombinerar den älskade ergonomin jag alltid uppskattat hos Nikon med den senaste tekniken inom spegellösa kameror. Dessutom tände Nikkor 135 mm f/1.8 Plena objektivet återigen gnistan i mig, en gnista som påminner om den jag först kände med D850.

Nikon D850 - Skåne

Denna återförening med Nikon, genom Z8 och dess fantastiska objektiv, har återställt en relation jag trodde var förlorad. Det påminner mig om att fotografiska verktyg är mer än bara teknik; de är förlängningar av våra kreativa själar och partners i vår konstnärliga resa. Nikon Z8 har inte bara fört mig tillbaka till Nikon-familjen, utan också påmint mig om kärleken till fotografi och det eviga sökandet efter det perfekta ögonblicket att fånga.

Nikon Z8 - Lomma

2023: Ett år av passion, förändring och gemenskap

Ett år går till historien, och vilket år det varit! 2023 har för mig varit ett år fyllt av äventyr, personlig utveckling, och framför allt, en resa genom mina passioner. Från att omfamna nya möjligheter i min karriär till att utforska världen genom min kamera, har varje ögonblick varit en del av en större resa som formar mig till den jag är.

Att forma och vara en del av ett högpresterande team med fokus på vad som är viktigt, på riktigt! Att byta arbetsplats under 2023 var ett av årets bästa beslut.

Min resa detta år innebar bland annat en betydande förändring i min professionella bana. Jag tog steget att byta arbetsgivare inom IT-sektorn, en sektor som ständigt utmanar och inspirerar mig. Det var ett beslut som inte bara handlade om karriär, utan också om att följa min inre kompass och göra något som verkligen kändes betydelsefullt. Att få möjligheten att arbeta i en organisation där IT är mer än bara teknik och själva affären. En verksamhet där vi skapar verklig skillnad för människor i sina svåraste stunder, är oerhört givande.

Många mil i bil har det blivit under året. En höjdpunkt var familjens bilsemester genom Europa med slutmålet Gardasjön.

Mötet med Simon Sinek för några år sedan, och hans tankar kring "Start With Why", har verkligen burit frukt detta år. Hans ord har inte landat rätt där jag arbetat innan, där har det övergripande målet alltid varit att ge ägarna större vinster.

På det personliga planet har familjen varit min största källa till glädje. Att få vara friska och tillbringa tid tillsammans har varit oersättligt. Våra äventyr, exempelvis bilsemestern till Gardasjön med stopp i Österrike och Tyskland, har fyllt oss med gemenskap och skapat minnen för livet. Det är dessa stunder, stora som små, som ger livet dess rika färg.

Fotografering har fortsatt vara en stor del av mitt liv. 2023 var ett år då jag djupdykte in i sportfotografering, en genre som kräver skicklighet och snabbhet. Från att dokumentera ungdomsidrott till att fånga ögonblicken i en volleylandskamp i Sparbanken Skåne Arena eller följa handbollslandslagets VM i Göteborg och Herning, varje ögonblick har varit en lärdom. Ett stort tack till Johan, Hans och Stefan hos LUGI Handboll som gav mig chansen att utforska detta område ytterligare. Att under en period varit en del av LUGI Handbolls utveckling, att nästan på egen hand lyfta klubben från total mediaskugga till bäst i klassen, har varit en resa i sig. Hoppas de kan fortsätta på den vägen.

Fotografering kommer vara en stor del av mitt 2024, men kanske lite mindre fokus på sport. Fler natursköna vandringar och ett alarm som ringer i god tid före soluppgången.

Detta år har också varit en tid av att fira gemenskapen inom sporten. Att arbeta med spelare och ledare, från representationslag till ungdomslag, har varit en källa till glädje. Att fånga deras energi och entusiasm, lära känna personer som Lovisa, Perla, Adrian, Kasper, Ofelia, Filippa, Mads, Cornelia, Anton, Timo, Axel och alla andra har varit en ära. Att se våra ungdomslag, som Pojkar 14, kämpa och växa på och utanför planen, det har varit en påminnelse om sportens kraft.

Jag har även haft förmånen att vara en del av andra stora sportevenemang. Att få vara en av få utvalda fotografer på Skidspelen i Falun var en upplevelse utöver det vanliga. Att fånga Jonna Sundlings kraft och intensitet var en av många höjdpunkter. Mitt arbete för Svenska Volleybollförbundet och att dokumentera vårt landslags framfart i Golden League var ett annat stolthetsmoment. Damernas VM i handboll avslutade ett härligt sportår!

När jag nu står här vid slutet av 2023 och ser tillbaka, känner jag en djup tacksamhet för alla dessa erfarenheter. Det har varit ett år av att utforska nya horisonter, av att lära och växa både professionellt och personligt. Med 2024 runt hörnet ser jag fram emot att fortsätta denna resa. Mitt fokus kommer att skifta något, från sportfotografering och tillbaka till natur och landskap, resor och vandringar med kameran fastsatt på ryggsäcken. Men oavsett vad det nya året har i sitt sköte, är jag redo att ta emot det med öppna armar.

Tack till alla som varit en del av mitt år. Jag ser fram emot att dela fler berättelser, äventyr och upplevelser med er under 2024.

Ta hand om er därute så bjuder på ett lite axplock från 2023. 📸😊

I want charging points in beautiful places!

We have just returned after more than 3,100 km through Europe with our Tesla Model Y LR. Since we got it in April we have driven just over 10,000 km. Of those there are many short trips around our home, 15 to 40 km. We can charge the car in our garage even though JM undersized the charging stations. When I asked why charging is limited to 3.3 kW, an employee at JM told me, "It allows for normal charging, for example, that after 12 hours of charging you can drive about 200 km with a regular electric car. And that this is the standard to be installed in new buildings." It's like the story of the older man who didn't think gas was getting expensive; he was still filling up for 10 euros. Time to upgrade the standard JM! Consider load sharing and differentiated tariffs if you only can solve reasonable capacity for some.

Tesla Model Y LR at a Tesla Supercharger

Ok, enough about JM and their lack of insight. In addition to these short trips to and from work, the store and the children's activities, there have been some longer trips. A couple of trips to Gothenburg and the surrounding area, Hamburg and most recently, Lake Garda. So I have some experience with our Tesla and before that we had an AUDI e-tron 55 for three years that we managed to drive over 80,000 km with. With it, I have great experience in driving on electricity. If you count the AUDI, we have gone to the mountains on skiing holidays, summer holidays on small roads in Sweden, and many kilometers along Swedish and foreign highways.

A few weeks after we picked up our AUDI, we went on a summer trip through Sweden. It was 5,000 km on highways and major roads to the center of Sweden and back on minor roads past the Swedish mountains. Initially, there was some range anxiety with a heavily loaded car and plenty of rain. Still, it declined significantly at the second charging stop north of Gothenburg. In 2020, there were not many chargers with a capacity over 50 kW along the E45 up to Karlstad and then to Laxsjö 100 km north of Östersund. A distance of almost 900 km. In a fully loaded car with a roof box, 2 adults, three children of 11, 13 and 16 years, a Dobermann, it worked fine with planning, a flexible mind and no stress, and a Trangia storm kitchen. The rest of our 4,000 km worked just as well; after that, one was a convinced electric car owner. Of course, there were times when we had to be creative, using Google and the community to get a car charger going or our Thermacell to scare away some mosquitoes on a mountain hike. But all in all, it was not the electric car, range anxiety or charging queues that became our lasting memories, but completely different things, fun things.

AUDI e-tron 55 2020

Tesla Model Y LR 2023

Fast-forward to the summer of 2023 and back home after a trip through Germany, Salzburg in Austria, on to Torri del Benaco on Lake Garda, over the Alps and the autobahn up to Hamburg to come home to Lomma via Denmark with 10% left in the battery. How does it feel then? Even a little better actually. The same keys to success, planning and no stress. 3,100 km where the availability of charging points was far more than we could ever need. We could choose between Tesla's Supercharger, IONITY and other local options at several stops. We could choose based on availability, service or price without compromising on time. Both in Austria and Italy we made some day trips. Visiting small villages by beautiful lakes, vineyards in Valpolicella and winding mountain roads from the past around Lake Garda. Even then, plenty of kilowatt hours to get and no charging queues.

What about AUDI compared to Tesla? They are good at different things, as they usually are when comparing cars. The apparent pluses for the Audi are:

AUDI e-tron 55 2020

• Suspension comfort.

• The parking system.

• Adaptive cruise control.

• Charging speed.

• Self-steering.

• Climate control.

Tesla Model Y LR 2023

“Please note that the thoughts and experiences shared here are personal and do not represent scientific truths. Your own thoughts and feelings may differ, and what applies to me may not necessarily apply to you.”

— Me

Tesla clearly wins regarding interior space and load capacity, efficiency and range, one-pedal driving and the infotainment system. But there are some bad things, even lousy to be honest. The parking system is a joke. Relying on cameras alone was a big mistake. Not having accurate distance sensors and a 360-degree camera is not worthy of a modern car. Then the autopilot is like riding with someone practicing driving. It is less competent and trustworthy than the one in AUDI. Again, relying on the camera alone is a mistake; half a mosquito in front of the camera and you are left with two choices. Either drive with the windshield wipers on constantly under blue rainless skies or don't use the system. But what's really bad, and actually a traffic hazard, is that in one week across Europe the car managed to panic-brake in the middle of the autobahn more times than the AUDI did in three years. Sometimes because it was blinded by the sun, sometimes because reflections from the roadside worried it and sometimes just because, well, who knows!

The mobile app and communication with the car is a dream compared to AUDI, which has gone from completely rubbish and unusable to just bad in three years. 

Am I satisfied with the Tesla Model Y LR? Yes, it has some pluses against the AUDI. Compared to all other electric cars within a reasonable price range, it has a slight advantage in my book. Will I buy a new Tesla again in a few years? As it stands now, no!

Back to living with an electric car and especially on European vacation trips. Something that I have on my wish list. The vast majority of fast chargers are located along major roads, at truck stops and fast food chains, in dull areas along the autobahn or in locations outside the cities alongside hauliers and light industry.

I wish for urban parking garages full of charging spots and fast charging outside a vineyard in Valpolicella or at the lookout point where you can witness magical sunsets. I want a charger at the best ice cream parlor in Skåne and the start of the mountain trail in Dalarna. I want charging points in beautiful places where you want to be, where you can eat something other than Big Mac number 19 in 7 days. Is that too much to ask for?

Nothing of this is a big deal compared to what is happening around us. It's no problem at all!

Be safe!

Let the beat take you away

During our trip back home from Austria and Lake Garda, we took some time to explore the lively city of Hamburg. And we learned that the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof clock serves as the city's heartbeat. Sometimes, it's best to go with the flow and let the beat take you away.

Our journey covered a distance of more than 3,100 km before we finally arrived back in Lomma and parked our car. A fair amount of kilometers through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, and Italy with several charging stops. We didn't encounter any issues or long charging queues besides one. When you drive through the Brenner Pass and cross the border into Italy, you find a shopping center with a garage that has 6 Ionity chargers. Here we had to wait for a few minutes. It was the only time we faced a delay.

One helpful suggestion is to plan ahead by utilizing both your car's navigation system and a tool such as ABRP (https://abetterrouteplanner.com/). This will use the car's navigation system to optimize the battery for the quickest possible charge when you arrive at a charging station. ABRP, on the other hand, will provide information on the availability of chargers, how many are currently free, and if any are out of order. Additionally, it includes information on nearby services or amenities. Choose wisely.

But above all, enjoy the journey and avoid trying to beat the clock! Just go with the flow and you will be fine.

A Breathtaking Adventure: Driving Strada della Forra Road

Discover a unique world that perfectly combines nature and creativity on the captivating Strada della Forra Road in Italy. This hidden gem, also known as the "Road of the Gorge," stretches between Tremosine and Pieve and was carved into the Lombardy cliffs during the early 20th century. Despite its stunning beauty, it has yet to be overrun by mass tourism, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a less crowded travel experience.

During our road trip, we were left amazed by the breathtaking views of Lake Garda visible from the winding road. Strada della Forra Road is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Although the drive may be challenging, the experience is well worth it, as it offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and incredible engineering. Immerse yourself in the hidden gems and unforgettable adventures that Strada della Forra Road and Italy's landscapes have to offer.

https://www.tremosinesulgarda.it/en/tremosine-and-its-secrets/strada-della-forra-road

Road trip 2023 - Valpolicella

Yesterday we visited Brunelli Winery and Damoli Vini and had an absolutely amazing time. The staff were very knowledgeable and helped us select the perfect wines, including the delicious Ripasso and Amarone. We were lucky enough to have Laura at Damoli Vine give us a tour and guide us through a wine tasting, and she was an expert at it. We ended up leaving with some incredible wines and memories that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend these wineries to anyone looking for a great wine journey.

Road trip 2023 - Torri del Benaco

Staying at Residence Ca' Del Lago in the picturesque town of Torri del Benaco. We knew we were in for a delightful experience when we arrived, even if it was almost 40 degrees at five o'clock. ⁠
The location of Residence Ca' Del Lago is truly remarkable. Nestled on the shores of Lake Garda, the views are absolutely stunning. We were greeted by a tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by lush greenery and the calming sound of the lake gently lapping against the shore.⁠
The accommodations at Residence Ca' Del Lago are impeccable. The rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated, and equipped with all the necessary amenities. We especially appreciate our private balcony overlooking the lake. This will be the perfect way to start each day.

Road trip 2023 - Salzburg and Hallstatt

Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with baroque churches, palaces, and narrow streets. Visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress for panoramic views. Nearby, the picturesque village of Hallstatt is a fairytale come to life with colorful houses and shops on the shores of an alpine lake. ✨⁠

Still summer

It will rain for a couple of days now, but we are promised sunshine by the end of the week again. Summer is not over yet! 😃 But eventually, we will look back on some warm memories and start planning next year's vacation.

As a photographer, I have increasingly begun to appreciate all seasons and weather. It is when there is some life in the picture that it becomes the most exciting. If I have to choose a few times of the year that I appreciate the most when it comes to photography, it is the start of spring when life returns and autumn, just before the storm comes and undress all the trees.

Another exciting thing with the autumn this year is that I am exhibiting at the city library in Lund for the second time. The work is now in full swing to select images that both fit and reinforce the exhibition's theme. You will see what the theme is on the first of October when the exhibition opens. Welcome!

I will open the new store on the website shortly for those interested in buying photos or other photo services. So keep and eye out for that an other news I will add soon.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and I see you over a cup of coffee at the city library in October!

Strange Year

2020 has been a strange year in many ways. Not least, the pandemic has defined life for most of us in a way no one could have imagined. Despite all the darkness Covid -19 has swept in over our world, it has also given us new opportunities and forced us to see things differently, do things differently. We have taken great strides in keeping physical, social distance, and still maintaining business and everyday life. I feel for all of them that have been negatively affected by this modern plague, all of which have lost someone close or been affected with long-term covid.

For me, the year has meant more of what I love to do. I have had the opportunity to spend even more time in nature, trying to capture what I experience with photographs and video. Since I have more time, I have also gained a renewed joy in photography with analog film—and most importantly, a lot of wonderful time with my family. For me, 2020 has strangely enough been a great year.

One thing is that I have received more and more requests to sell pictures and exhibit them during this year. So why not do it? Therefore, I have now started my work of picking out photos, evaluating their potential with friends, and discussing different print options with professionals. The idea is to launch the opportunity to buy photographs at the turn of the year 2020/2021 here on the website. The first exhibition is already planned for February 2021 in Lund, if the situation will allow that.

In addition to everything that happens with my photography, much time is spent training with Exor. We practice a little daily and several times a week sessions with, among others, his sister Ebba. There is a lot of obedience practice, some tracks, and a little protection. Protection is something that Exor likes a lot, and I am not entirely opposed to it now that I have tried it. We have only done a few short sessions so far, and Exor has a natural aptitude. It is mostly me who needs the training. With my training group, I put up a stretch goal for 2021 and that is to do the “BH-prov”, a kind of working dog test.

During the year, I have hiked a lot. Exor and I have been on hikes all over Sweden, lived in tent, cooked good food in the woods, in the mountains, or by a lake. At the end of the summer, we bought a big motorhome for the whole family, which changed this a bit. It has become more of short hikes and less of living in the nature. We have seen more places and had it very luxurious in the evenings and nights in a warm and comfortable motorhome with all the facilities you have at home, such as a comfortable bed, TV, kitchen and a bathroom with shower.

But I miss the life in the forest, so we'll change that in 2021. The motorhome will become our base camp, but with more time outdoors, a combination of what it was like before we got the RV and now.

Earlier this year, I also developed some of my coffee blends, and I have continued to work with them. There was one that was specially designed for making by the campfire to thigh things together. Photography, hikes and coffee. All of these blends will be for sale here on the site later in 2021, so keep your eyes open for my coffee. And if you want to test it first, you are welcome to join me on a hike.

So, take care of yourself, and enjoy the opportunities that the pandemic in some strange ways has created, and be careful with society's fragile ones. Take personal responsibility and show thoughtfulness!

Digital vs Analog

I did a completely unscientific exercise a few weeks ago. Mostly for fun, I took my digital camera and two analog cameras with me on a trip. I had loaded one camera with color film and the other with black/white.

The idea was to photograph the same subject and similar composition with these three cameras. It would not be exact because I did not use the same lens on all three cameras, and I took many pictures handheld. I chose not to change lenses because I wanted each scene to be relatively quick to capture with all three.

The analog camera with the color film had a 35mm f/1.4 on, the other one got my 24mm f/1.4. On my digital camera, I used the RF 15-35mm f/2.8. I tried to stick to the same aperture on all cameras, and I sometimes took both 24mm and 35mm pictures with my digital camera.

In advance, I had thought out some scenes I would like to capture. Of course, there are lots of other styles and types of photography. For example, I have not photographed portraits or wildlife. I could have used different filters, chosen subject better suited for black and white and for color depending on film type and so on. Maybe I do a walk with some filters in my bag another day.

I started with a photograph of "my" tree early in the morning. It was quite thick fog, the sunrise had a hard time penetrating. When the sun took over the sky, I went to the botanical garden in Lund and photographed some intense colors. In connection with that, I went for a walk in the city and took some pictures of, among other things, the Cathedral.

Canon EOS R5

In all cases, I started by taking the picture with my digital camera. Used it to find the right exposure, which I then used on my analog cameras. That way, I did not have to waste film by taking several pictures with slightly different exposures to be sure to hit the right one.

So lots of different conditions. The film I used was Kodak Ektar 100 as a color negative film and Ilford Pan F Plus 50 for the black/white. Pan F is a bit difficult, I think, and it is also challenging to handle when developing, at least for me.

Canon EOS 3, Ilford PanF Plus 50

When I looked at the pictures afterward, it became apparent that I quickly found my favorites. And the scene decided which of the three I fell for. Under challenging conditions, less light, fog, ND filters, and long exposures, I undoubtedly choose my digital camera. With one exception, and that was for the cars from the bridge at night. When it comes to images with sharp colors, such as the red flowers, I choose Kodak Ektar, and for the city with the Cathedral, my choice fell on black/white film.

Unfortunately, the problem with this result is that I have to continue to carry three cameras with me if I am out for a day or longer. Now I am sitting in our motorhome on Österlen. A couple of days of relaxation, spending time with the family, hiking a bit, and of course, taking photographs.

Next to me are three cameras. One digital, one is loaded with Kodak Portra 400, and one with Ilford HP5+.

To choose film

Someone might be wondering where this newfound interest in flowers comes from. There have been many pictures of flowers in recent weeks and several visits to the botanical garden in Lund. But it doesn't really have that much to do with flowers. It's more about testing different analog films and how they render color and tonality. Of course, there is a lot of green in the garden. The same is true when I walk in nature. However, many other colors are also interesting.

If you look in our freezer, you can see a great variety of films. These are brands like Ilford, Kodak, Fujifilm, Rollei, Bergger, and so on. And from some manufacturers several different types. Fujifilm Velvia 50, Provia 100F, 400H or Kodak Ektar 100, Portra 400, TRI-X, and many more. A great mix where everyone renders colors or tones differently.

Kodak Ektachrome E100 Cross Processed in C41

But it's not just the film that varies. So do the chemicals for development. Some developers fit a specific film more or less right. Sometimes you choose developers depending on whether you want more or less grain, more or less sharpness, more or less blackness, and so on.

So the combination of all the different variants explodes. If you also add cross-processing to the picture, when you develop slide film with developing liquids for ordinary color negatives, it becomes unsustainable.

When it comes to cross-processing that you can do in both directions, slide film in C41, and color negative in E6, different films give very different results. So it's about finding what you like but at the same time making it easy for yourself. In the end, it is the image that matters most.

So in recent weeks, I have tested several different films to find a handful that I will use primarily. There are a few left to try in terms of cross processing. For example, I'm not so fond of the green tint that Kodak Ektachrome E100 gave, so I think I instead will go for Fujifilm Provia 100F. On the other hand, I like Kodak when I develop it in the right chemistry, E6.

Canon EOS 30, Fujifilm 400H Color Negative

To complicate matters further, I do not choose the same film for medium format 120-film as I do when it comes to 35mm film.

When it comes to developing chemistry, there is an infinite number of variants for black/white film, not quite as many for color negatives and slides. I have tried a variety and also a single bath variant from Cinestill, Monobath D96. Also, their C41 for the color film which consists of two baths. But I'm not entirely happy with any of them.

So right now, it looks like I will primarily use the Ilford HP5 + 400 as a black/white 35mm film but the Ilford Delta 3200 when it comes to 120-film. Color negatives will be Kodak Ektar 100 and Portra 400. And as a slide film, I think it will be Fujifilm 100F.

Canon EOS 3, Kodak Ektar 100

In my Pentax 645n II medium format camera, I will also use the Fujifilm Velvia 50 for landscape photos. You simply can not resist it!

Nikon F5, Kodak Tmax P3200

Canon EOS 3, Kodak Ektachrome E100 CP

Canon EOS 30, Kodak Portra 800

Canon EOS 30, Kodak Ektachrome E100

Kodak Portra 800

A popular color negative film is Kodak Portra. It is available in three different versions, ISO 160, 400, and 800, and these are taken with the latter of them. I guess the most popular is Portra 400, and I probably agree with that.

I chose to photograph this film as an ISO 400 film, to give it more light than what is stated on the box, and I was pleased with the result. This means that I make the camera think that it has a less light-sensitive film, so it exposes the film a little more than it would otherwise. In my case, double as much light och sometimes even more than that. But that is not the right way. That's just the way I do it because I like the results.

Vallkärra, Sep 2020

Sunset Lundåkrahamnen, Sep 2020

Hovs Hallar

Going down to the sea at Hovs Hallar is a bit tricky, especially if it has rained or if the dew has made the stones wet. It is a short distance that is quite steep, so with all the camera equipment and the dog; you have to be careful.

I arrived at Hovs Hallar a little after lunch, so I had time for two trips to see where I would take my pictures. After that, it was to wait for the sunset in the camper while a delicious noodle soup was today's dinner.
I left the camper about an hour before the sunset to have plenty of time if I would regret the location and need to find another place.

Sunset, Sep 2020

Exor is not so fond of waiting well while I take my pictures, and this evening he became no less impatient when a dog with his nude bather to master came and took his evening dip right next to us.

I took a few different pictures with only minor adjustments to the compositions but took the opportunity to shoot with my Canon 30 loaded with Kodak Ektachrome E100 slide film. Unfortunately, I only have two 50mm lenses with EF mount, an f/1.8 from 1987, and a reasonably new f/1.2. This evening it was the latter I used, although its speed was not necessary.

It was a successful evening! A fantastic sunset through some haze with some small clouds in the sky. We fell asleep early to be in place again when the sun would rise the next day.

Morning, Sep 2020

Twilight

It feels like we just thought it was too late to photograph the sunset when it was a work or school day the next day. The sun goes down here in southern Sweden around ten during summer. Further up in the country, it is much later, and above Arctic Circle, it never sets.

Lomma Lighthouse, Sep 2020

Now it becomes rather stressful to manage to eat dinner before you have to leave home. Later in the autumn, you will not have time to get home from work before you have to drive to get to a location before the darkness has completely put the day away—also, there are a lot fewer days with great potential during the autumn and winter. But when you get those beautiful autumn days, they are often more rewarding than most other days.

Last night there was potential for a beautiful sunset, and I even stopped an hour after the sun went down to take some twilight photos, which was a long time since I did. I often return to Lomma harbor and the lighthouse, as I did last night. The sun goes down behind the lighthouse this time of year if you stand in the right place. The only ones there was a lone fisherman and me. No bathers and all the tourists had left. That is on the plus side.

After the sun went down, I turned around and photographed a small part of Lomma as well. I'm impressed with how well my Canon R5 handles low light and thus higher ISO speeds. But I must also say that the dynamic range of the camera is excellent. I do not know exactly how many stops there are, but I like what I see.

Mini-vacation

Gone on little mini-vacation when autumn rolls in and trying to push away the last of summer. It is still quite lovely temperatures around 20 degrees celsius—windy and rainy and in between some sun, and at the moments when the sun manages to get through the cloud cover, it is still nice and warm.

Råå Vallar, September 4th 2020

This weekend we have taken the motorhome to Råå Vallar and got a place right down by the sea. From the motorhome, we can see some of the ocean beyond the wall, which is a perfect place to take shorter walks upon. The wind protection it provides is appreciated in the end, even if the view is not what it could have been.

It did not look promising for a beautiful sunset Friday night, but we got at least a fantastic cloud show with lovely colors that ended the evening before the night took over together with some rain. So we ended this day inside our mobile house with wine, snacks and Yatzy of course while the rain was hitting the roof, only to make it even cozier.

Bua Harbor

We got some summer heat back this week, so Exor and I went on a little trip with the camper. The goal was Bua Hamn, just north of Varberg, where there are motorhome parking spaces. I had heard a lot of good things about this place but also some less positive comments. Everything comes down to what you want, and that is very much individual.

Krogsta 2020

When I look for a place to stay, it's not just about the place where you park your motorhome. Nor how toilets, showers, the ability to empty the tanks, and refill water or access to electricity. All this is, of course, good, and if the place has it, it should work and be clean and tidy. For my part, I use the facilities in our car and am not so dependent on what the motorhome parking offer. If it exists, it is great but not decisive in any way. In several places, I do not even check what it looks like in the common areas provided. But that is me and certainly do not suit everyone.

Something important to me is the surrounding area and what is within a walking circle of around 10 km. I would say this is crucial. And through some Googling and studying satellite images, I had a feeling that Bua Hamn could be an excellent destination to meet my needs.

Other things I take the opportunity to do when the whole family is not with me are to see if the place would be the right place for all of us on an upcoming trip. And on that point, there is no doubt, Bua Hamn is a top candidate for our family trips coming up. We are a family with two adults, three boys aged 11 to 17, and an active dog. So we have relatively high and broad demands.

The parking space is a rather sad story if you think that you just pull out the awning and hang by the motorhome your whole stay. The sun this time of year also means that you need to sit with your back to the sea and look out over a large paved parking lot and on the horizon villas of various kinds. If you want the sun in your face, that is. I had parked with my nose out towards the harbor like most guests, and I can genuinely appreciate that view as a background when I sit and work inside the motorhome.

Dobforsport Exor

For the family, there are most things you need. A football pitch right next to the parking to run off some energy. A jetty with tables and also barbecue areas. If you take a short walk, you will come to both a sandy beach and a pier with a jetty from which you can jump. And perhaps most important of all, a good 4G connection for our mobile devices.

For me, Exor and my cameras, the place is also perfect. Many nice loops to hike on and many lovely motives to try to catch. I have to recommend Bua Hamn motorhome parking with a high rating, even if there are better places by the sea if you want to hang by your car and enjoy a stunning view. But if you have the motorhome as an anchor to make excursions from, this is a top candidate.

Tosteberga Harbour

One thing I have been looking forward to with our motorhome is to be able to go to a place the night before trying to capture a good picture at sunrise. To be able to find a place and not have to set the clock at 03:00 to arrive on time.

So this week, the trip went to Tosteberga Harbor. I found the place via an app for motorhome parking spaces. And when I looked at satellite images and other people's images from the site, it looked like it could be perfect. Now it did not become entirely optimal because the place I had intended to photograph from was not possible to reach without walking with cows. It can not be done simply with Exor, probably the farmer would not have been particularly amused by it.

I got the best place in the harbor, in my opinion, closest to the sea and no car next to me on the side towards sunrise. It made it easy to quickly check at 5 in the morning to see if the sky had potential, and it did.

Because the place I want to go to was not possible to reach, I only walked about twenty meters out on the pier. It feels a little strange that in Sweden, just after 5, to be able to stand in short sleeves in balmy winds and take photos.

The pictures may not have been magical, but the experience was a highlight. Even though I like to hike, it has its charm to basically just roll out of bed and take my landscape photos. Then, when the sun has climbed a bit in the sky, walk a few meters to a motorhome and make your own coffee at 6 o'clock in the morning.