Some lifestyle shit...

Was that title inappropriate? I tried to think of something witty and smart that would lighten up everyones Monday, but then I realised I'm really not feeling very witty right now, nor do I have the time, so many projects running simultaneously now that Im actually stressing to deliver images to people, bollocks. As much as I love the system I'm running now ( Lightroom 3.5, EOS Digital, Mountain Lion, etc...) Java and Flash are giving me so much shit right now. I need to pay my retoucher to get back a set of images I need so I can send them to the client, but I cant pay him because I cant login to my bank because the login is powered by Java. New plugins please Apple!!! This is slowing the whole production line down as I cant send him more images to retouch before I have paid hime for the last batch. More bollocks.

On my way to Kristiansand now, sitting at the rectum of all airports, Oslo Gardemoen. God have mercy. Looking forward to what I can imagine to be a week filled with good weather, good vibes, filthy humor and the occasional bit of work.

I could actually be sent to Auschwitz for two weeks and not care right now, after the weekend, Im just fizzing with energy and good vibes. Been a while since I've had so much fun with my buddies. Ok, on second thought, Auschwitz would be a pretty shitty place to be sent, especially on a Monday. Here are some "lifestyle" shots from the weekend. I usually refrain taking a DSLR out just to shoot snapshits, but Its been a while since I shot my 7D and 8mm fisheye, but I really love WIIIIIIIDE shots, so I can see myself holding onto the 7D for a while longer just to play with it.

In other news, Moods of Norway are stirring up a fuss. I read in the paper they are expecting a local modelling agency in Oslo to deliver models for Oslo Fashion Week for free. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING?! This is precisely what I was on about last night. I dont know the in's and out's of the entire story, so I dont what to jump down the throat of a group without knowing the facts, but I can say this: Moods of Norway is making money, some where in the region of 271 Million NOK last year. And they are cutting costs and expecting the industry to give them freebies. Get real. Im not hopping on the bandwagon here or trying to start a boycott, but really? I think they are a very talented group of designers, that make some really cool swag, but I dont support them because its not my style of clothing. Thats a taste thing. Anyway, here are some shots from yesterday, Hopefully I can get some of the cool skating shots done later this week, take it easy, N.

Chill time in the sun.

Burger queen.

The candy man, dig this shot.

A well stoked Linn Sara.

All the candy floss disappeared very quickly.

Random cat-fight on the grass.

Drive by skate shot.

One of the outtakes from our session on the hill in Møllenberg. Classic.

Word up AMSTERDAM!!!

I did something beautiful when I got home. I felt inspired to be a better person. I gave selflessly. I gave expecting nothing in return. I made someone cry with joy, I overwhelmed a friend and made this uneasy feeling in my stomach subdue to a gentle warmth. The franticness of everything comes to grinding halt in moments like this for me. I can think clearly for a few hours for a change.

Right now is two days later. Im sitting in my second home again (Trondheim Airport) waiting to catch a flight to Amsterdam. The whole point of the visit is to celebrate my cousin's birthday and show face in a family that I am a part of. Off the top of my head it must be at least 9 years since I've seen this side of my family. Thats a bit too long for my liking.

Photography is a great addition to my already very unique experience in life, but at the end of the day thats all it is, an addition. Having a fantastic job in the oil business is great too, but money can only

make you so happy, if happy at all. Travelling to exotic locations and eating exquisite food is also a treat, but once again, it ends there, its only a treat. Something that I've learned since moving away a from all my family a few years ago and that I knew a while before that is: Family is everything. Nothing is more important than family to me. I think that this has only been emphasised by the fact only see my close family once or twice for a short period a year. Theres that old saying of "You dont know what you have until you've lost it" or something along those lines. I know this far too well. Not that I have lost anyone, but I've gained a few thousand km's between, and that makes all the difference.

Its great to go somewhere not having to achieve anything. My goal this trip is just to celebrate a birthday. Not too much thinking and planning involved on my side there. No deadline to meet, no people to chase around, no technical malfunction that can hinder anything, Im already relaxed just thinking about it. I genuinely look forward to doing nothing for a few day in Holland. This will be a short lived chill out though, as when I get back to Trondheim, I'm straight back into run and gun mode. Two, possibly three shoots to get done, images to retouch from the Reykjavik trip, meeting with a web designer, meeting with a modelling agency, SHOPPPING! (unfortunately not for myself, I'm buying wardrobe for a shoot) and house hunting. But thats only happening in a few days, so for the moment I will savour the sweet taste of idleness.

Here are some shots from an event that I swung past with some friends yesterday. Cool to see the skating movement being showcased in the public eye for a change. More to come from about 5 different sets of pictures I'll be sifting through in the next few days. Geniet jou dag julle! N. 

Slippin' and Slidin'

Its warm, not uncomfortably, but just warm enough that I justify lying on the grass in the shade waiting... I wait patiently, always checking my meter, making sure my exposure is right, that my composition is good, that I have control over the mayhem that is about to unfold.

Dean flies past first, not so much sliding, but smoothly controlling the drift around the 90 degree corner, followed very shortly by my brother who is tucked down into an almost drop-knee stance. The motor drive is working overtime now, 8fps to capture this madness frame for frame. Love that sound.

I love shooting fast moving stuff. Skating. Climbing. Surfing. This is a great day. Tomorrow will be even better. Next time, less motor driving, more sniping. N.

                                      

Skating...and biking for a change.

I was looking for some thing rad to put up here, and I havent shot any fast moving, exciting stuff in a while, since Ive mainly been shooting portraits, so I rumbled through my library and found some shots I took a while ago, unfortunately there weren't that many I actually liked, so I only edited two, and here they are.