Got slide?

Something kinda experimental here. As most of you know, I love my action sports, skating, climbing, all that fast moving and energy fueled activity. Be that as it may, why do so many "action shot" looks so similar? I dont know, over saturation, high contrast, pin sharp. These things are'nt bad. They have their place. Im just bored of seeing the same type of shots with the same technique and same presentation.

I wanted to take some cool shots of my friends skating and sliding downhill, but add something different and give a different feel to them. So I looked at what do I feel confident with in terms of post processing and applying a to different environment? Portraits, I shoot people, so what about taking the style of portrait editing and applying that to downhill skating? Sweet.

The main goal I try to achieve when I edit portraits is to make the eyes connect, to have a gesture that symbolises something, to have a pose that conveys a message. This proved to be quite a challenge in this scenario as most of the time with skating you aren't really able to shout directions to a dude gassing it down a hill about to initiate a slide at 60kmh. Right, so what next. Composition has a fair bit to play here. Once I've picked which shots are for my final edit, I work on making the rider "pop" out or contrast with the background. This sort of replicates the connection that would have been if there was a clear contact with the eyes. That is the time consuming part. The end result is something that I am particularly happy with and stoked that I tried something different.

Mad props go out to Sam Merg....Mergatroid? Mega-Astroid? Mergertoid? That guy. (Someone please give me Sam's last name!) He was launching into his slides faster and later than anyone else on the days we shot together. I will post up some more shots of him soon where you can see what I mean. Really cool to see that "balls to the wall" mentality.

Here are the shots. Let me know what you guys think, pulled it off? epic fail? I wanna know. Enjoy. N.

Sam, digging rail and skiing a solid 10meters.

Herbert, power stanced stand up slide.

One of the Hout bay groms blitzing Tarragona.

Sunday evening again

This Sunday evening posting is becoming quite a regular occurrence. Kinda cool if I can maintain it. Whats happening? Plenty. Things are going really well on the photography side of things. Im hustling.

I find myself more and more often introducing myself as a photographer. Not so sure how this started, probably from something Zack Arias said. If you dont tell people what you do or what you want, they wont know. The one problem with this is that once they're like: "OH! Thats awesome, Im a visual merchandiser for a clothing group that has 25 stores throughout Norway, I would love to sit down and look through your book with you sometime, potentially for a campaign we have coming up". Right, now you have to deliver on claiming to be a photographer. Having to deliver images that make people want to give you money is a daunting task. Producing something that is on par or better than professional photographer isn't a worry of mine. Im not a professional photographer. Producing something different is what counts. Being different, and letting that shine through in your work is way more important than being better. Photography is one of those things that you cant be competitive about. No one is better than anyone else. To a certain degree. Annie Leibovitz is a better photographer than most of us. Joe McNally has a better understanding of light manipulation than me. See what I'm saying?

I see things for what they are though a lens. Nothing more, nothing less. The final image that you see is different to what or anyone else sees. We all interpret things and see different things in a picture. A friend of my moms said to me on my recent trip back home: " In France, one thing that isn't up for discussion is another's taste." So well said. I think there are a lot of people out there, photographer's and lesser beings alike, (it's a joke, really) that are comparing and trying to measure up to a pre-determined level or standard.
Why not just be different? Im pretty convinced that I will keep shooting photo's based on the same philosophy and with the same intention of wanting only to produce images that I am proud of. I dont shoot for anyone else but myself. It is a luxury. There are plenty of photographers that are shooting pictures of apartment interiors for money to pay for their studio time to get test shoots done for portfolio work. That has to suck. I am grateful for the fact that I have a paying day job that affords me the luxury of choosing what I can and will shoot.

Alot of this is in direct relation to our (as photographers) relationship's with our clients. Be that art directors, agencies, couples as wedding photographers, or business's. I recently watched an episode of Chase Jarvis LIVE with a very interesting guy called Ramit Sethi. You can find it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tsJ_-yINxs

This deals with how we present and market ourselves and how we fail to see some of the most basic elements of negotiating. Little bit of psychology, little bit of business mind. Very interesting and I definetly picked up a few tip and tricks from it.

Ive been extending my networking feelers more than usual lately. Connecting with people on all kinds of different levels. Mostly its hunting for more interesting subjects, just going up to random people on the street or in bars and telling them I want to shoot pictures of them. What is there to lose?  Im getting inspired and frustrated all the time. The weather is still shitty and will continue to be so until the end of April. I dont have a studio. This makes my options very limited. I am sooo amped for summer though. Got so many cool  ideas for shoots. Going to be awesome.

Its late now, and I had'nt reaslied I just wrote the foreword to a book. Heres are some images I cant really make my mind up about as to which processing i like better. They are from the "pirate" series I am busy editing for two different clients. Will have final selection up this week some time. N

Kristine. B+W with added grain and
desaturated background.

Polished colour with negative clarity, sharpening and desaturated background.

Pia. Smooth B+W with a little vignette.

Desaturated colour with added grain and a vignette.

Rigging...

I'm in Molde right now, again, second time in two weeks. This is nothing to be proud of or something I would usually admit publicly. However, I am doing some pretty cool stuff.

Im taking a course in advanced rigging techniques and heavy lifting that relates to my actual work. Kinda cool to be getting more certificates and getting more experience in different fields. Most of the time when we are at work we use alot of rigging mixed in with rope access. This only limit is that with rope access, we can safely lift a mere 150kg's. With rigging though, we can lift up to 10 Tonnes. Big difference.

Anyway. Looking forward to shooting when I get home. Plenty of cool ideas that need to come to life. And!, Got a little something on the way in the mail! Will update soon! Check in again soon. N

Images shot with iPhone 4 and unedited.

Moving a 560kg tank over two floors. 

Fitting a 200kg section of gas transport plumbing.

22 at Blæst.

I was invited to shoot a friend of mine that plays in a band called 22 last night at Blæst. WOW! What a show. I watched them play and shot them twice. The first show was an all ages show they played with a younger upcoming band called Battery, who were really solid aswell, I think their median age was 18, so it was rad to see these kids rocking it.

I havent shot much live music before, but its definitely something I want to do more. I really had a good time. Only complaint was not actually getting to jam to the bands, as 80% of the time I had my camera jammed up against my face.

The second show was even cooler, almost a full house, the supporting act was a trio called Bendik, who you can check out here:

http://www.myspace.com/bendikmusikk

They were enchanting, melancholic, and pure. Very honest music. Reminds me of a South African band called Lark. I hope to shoot pictures of them soon. Very mellow people. Watch out for them in the future.

Im delivering pictures to all bands within the next couple days. But here is a taste of the show. Please check out 22 here. They have a sick live show and should be getting way more recognition. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUk6bG5H1Fs&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVTGnpyrBl25zWMESkA5fi6-
5Mp26sPNVG

Enjoy the pics, N.

Fresh talent and plenty energy from Battery.

Silje from Bendik. Small girl, HUGE voice. Much Respect

Erlend from Bendik.

22 take to the stage and the crowd explodes. Magnus testing the auto focus on my camera for the entire show.  

Where my mind is...

For once I've been kinda chilled. Had some time off work now and have been problem solving for about a week now. Also been learning more in Lightroom and editing more pictures. This is good. I want to put a book together soon. I have portfolio, but having a printed tangible book with pictures and paper texture in between your fingers is just way cooler. I want to make it cool aswell, my brother is an industrial designer, maybe he has a cool concept or idea for this? Ummmm, Andreas!!! GET ON IT!

I dont really pride myself on being a lanscape photographer, even though I do shoot alot of sunsets, trees, waves, rocks, mountains. But right now, the weather in Norway is soooo shitty, that I think subconsciously my mind is creeping through my pictures looking for warmth. I stumble across a picture from my trip to SA, and float away.

Im not here in Norway.

Im skating a hill in the sun with my brother and some friends. I'm driving my car, listening to good music with the windows open and singing. Im wearing sunglasses. Cold iced teas makes sense hear. The warmth of the sun is gentle and fills me with energy. I'm in a city where there are endless possibilities, where spontaneity is the spark and driving force behind what we do.

Im climbing with friends in the Cedarberg, the friction is unbelievable. The smell of the meat on the fire is enchanting. Im on the beach with my dog. The sand is soft, the water invigorating and the ever present sun make this picturesque day complete. Finishing the afternoon with a cold one on the roof shooting pictures of the breathtaking sunset comes standard here.

Im paddling out at my local wedge. Its 4-5ft and the wind is light offshore, the water is azurish blue, broken up only by shapes and colours of our pack of friends. Im getting barreled, Im smiling from ear to ear, everything goes quiet, I can see my friends on the shoulder hollering and hooting.

I go out and listen to good music. I dance. And dance. And dance. Eventually losing control to the point where people start questioning my sobriety. We stop for food on the way home, we skate at 4AM once home.

I am content. I have not a care in the world right now. No worries. This is home. This is where my spirit is kept. Without these things I feel like a lion in a zoo, confined to a cage and a life of missing freedom.

Im from Cape Town. Im in Cape Town with every passing moment I let go of reality. N

Cedarberg bouldering, there's plenty of it. 

Plenty of empty hills and twisting roads to skate all year round.

Sunset from the roof of our house in Rooi Els. Not to bad huh?

Canon 5D Mk3 tomorrow!

If your a camera/gear nerd, you'll dig this. If not, you should probably keep scrolling, I'm sure you'll find something that makes you smile here somewhere.

So in less than 24 hours Canon will be unveiling its new prosumer camera body. The new full frame replacement for the current 5D Mk2 is hyped up to be quite a camera, with apparent improvements in the shitty autofocus ( I really hope so! ) department. Im pretty excited to see what this thing can actually do. I have been considering the jump over to full frame for quite a while now, I was actually really close to swapping my 7D for a 5D Mk2, but I thought I would hang on for a bit to see what is coming. Assuming the new 5D is as mind-numbingly amazing as its claimed to be, once I've played with one myself, I would like to get one. Assuming its a flop, I can always pick up a used 5D Mk2 for peanuts as all the pro's and enthusiasts are already flogging them like a red-headed step child on all the local markets. Because I'm clever like that.

My number one reason to this would be to make proper use of all my L-glass lenses. This way I could calculate reciprocals correctly and get an actual 0.6 more usable sensor space. That would sweet. Unfortunately my little fisheye will have to go with the 7D. That thing is awesome. I will get another fisheye though.

Anyway. Here is a pic of the new Nikon slayer and some nerdy specs. N

Unsurpassed Image Quality22.3 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor
DiG!C 5+ Image Processor
ISO 100-25600 (expandable to L:50 H1:51200, H2: 102400
Full HD Movie (ISO 100-12800 (H:25600)

High Performance Operation61-point high-density reticular AF (up to 41 crosstype points)
6.0 fps for high continuous shooting
Intelligent viewfinder with approx. 100% coverage
3.2-type, approx.1.04m dot (3:2 wide) Clear View LCD II
iFCL metering with 63-zone dual-layer sensor
Shutter durability of 150,000 cycles

High end featuresSilent & low vibration modes
Dual card slots (CF & SD)
High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode
Multiple Exposures
Comparative Playback function
Improved durability & water and dust resistance

SPECIFICATIONSAvailable Colours – Black
Megapixels – 22MP
Sensor Size – 36 x 24mm
ISO/Sensitivity – 100 – 25600
Autofocus Points – 61 points
Lens Mount – Canon
LCD Size – 3.2″
Liveview – Yes
Viewfinder – Optical TTL
Min Shutter Speed – 30 sec
Max Shutter Speed – 1/8000 sec
Continuous Shooting Speed – 6 fps
Self Timer – 10 sec, 2 sec
Metering – Centre-weighted, Spot, Evaluative, Partial
Video Resolution – Full HD 1080
Memory Type – Compact Flash
Connectivity – USB 2, HDMI, Mic Input, Wireless (optional)
Battery – LP-E6
Battery Type – Lithium-ion
Charger – Includes Li-Ion Charger
File Formats – AVI, RAW, H.264, MOV, MPEG-4
Dimensions – 152 x 116 x 76mm
Box Contents – Battery Pack LP-E6 .. Battery Charger LC-E6 .. AV Cable AVC-DC400ST .. Interface Cable IFC-200U .. Eyecup Eg .. Wide Strap EWEOS5DMKIII .. CR1616 Lithium Battery+

                       

Pirate Pictures!

BOOM! Wordup interfriends!?

So here is a little taste of the shoot I just had on Sunday. Im busy working on a bunch more images that I cant really put out right now, but they are just as if not cooler than these. I was trying a new technique with regard to my editing, and I spent an hour finally deciding on whether I wanted to go B+W on some of them, or keep the rad colour in some of them.... I will show the B+W ones at a later stage.

Feedback on my edit would be cool, little uncertain whether I botched it. I like it and think I managed to keep some of the texture I wanted initially with relation to the depth of field I shot. Actually!!! Ill post the original, the B+W and the final one I chose, and then you can make up your own mind.

Got alot of cool ideas for some more editorial styled shoots over the next while, Im getting back in the zone. Feels good.

An after thought here. I just saw my first episode of Californication. I really liked it! But I wonder what Gilian Anderson thinks about Mulders new character? Think about it? I grew up knowing David Duchovny from none other than X-Files, but Californication was crazy in comparison. Can you really compare them though?

Anyway. Enjoy the pics. N

First Mate and the Captain, Kristine and Pia.

Kristine 

Pia

Sunday evening, pt 2

Hello interwebs! Ive got a massive headache right now. But i thought I would knock out a little thought and a picture before a hectic week starts to get the better of me.

I just got home from a SWEET shoot with a gang of gangster, rocking, super slick ladies. Loads of fun. Loads of awesome pictures to come. I will give loads of thanks to everyone when I bust out the pictures, but for anyone that reads this before then; THANK YOU!!!

Tommy from Onkel Henry's Tattoo Studio - http://onkelhenrys.no/
Tomas and Harald from 4sound - http://www.4sound.no/
Elisabeth Jakobsen - http://dedhed.wordpress.com/
Kristine - http://misspolly.blogg.no/
Pia the Pirate.

More details and a little run down of the shoot will come soon as soon as I get some editing done.

Now interwebs, riddle me this. What is the game changer in your life? What line of work are you in or what hobby do you have that there has been a massive break through in? Let me give you a few examples:
Ipod, was and still is a game changer in terms of portable mp3 players.
DSLR, film is cool, and making a comeback, but as a viable commercial tool, a digital camera changed the game.
Electric cars, such a game changer were the first real ones that worked, that oil companies bought them out for fear of losing a massive market share.
Facebook, not only did it produce the youngest billionaire the world has ever seen, it revolutionised the way people live. Think about it.

Im not even going to go into the oil industry. There are new products and solutions popping out every week, even we that work in the industry lose track fairly often.

There are things in my life that are game changers, Iphone, MacBook, Camera, Internet, this damn blog. From a couple years ago until now, these things didn't really exist. Maybe I'm just blowing hot air here, but to me it feels like things are evolving and technology is jumping further and quicker day by day.
Something I found out about yesterday that kinda made me go : WOW! Thats cool! Was this new lighitng modifier.

It may be kinda nerdy, but this thing is very cool, im not going to run it down here, because there is a whole other website you can check out here:  http://www.saberstrip.com/what-is-it/
If youre a photographer that shoots with speedlites, or any hot-shoe flashes, I think you would dig this.

Good night interwebs. Good night Liz. N

Night night.

Disappointment on Statfjord B

Im sitting at Bergen airport now, waiting to get flight home. The last two days have been a massive waste of time. I was called out to a potentially awesome job on Statfjord B. With 5 colleagues and two others from out sister company. The scope of work was awesome, all of us got on like a house on fire, and we were all looking forward to get going with the job.

Due to unforseen technical issues and misunderstandings from companies onshore, we lost the job due to conflict of interest of Statoils operating procedures. All of us were sent home on the next chopper. What a heart breaker. I was and seriously still am bummed out about that. Such is life though right?

Oh well, had an awesome night with my colleagues in Bergen last night, sort of belated birthday celebration. Good vibes. I work with a very cool group of guys.

Im noticing a trend on my blog, the ratio of work related posts in relation to photography related posts is increasing at an alarming rate. This is not good. I should be shooting more. I need to get my shit together.
Would be nice to shoot 1 for 1 with real work. Every job i go out on, has to be followed by new photo shoot. Reasonable goal? I think so.

One last note, the rain in Bergen is ridiculous. RIDICULOUS.
Here are some pics of Statfjord B. Cheers, N.

Its bigger than it looks, sleeps 230 people no problem.

I quick shot I got while we were on one of our many coffee breaks. 

Luxury Problems?

Anyone out there got any luxury problems? Aircon in your car doesnt work? Still got the iPhone3G? Still shooting a 5D Mk1? Havent got any Canon-L Lenses? Wish you boobs were a bit bigger? You could go to gym once a week more? Why are you as pretty, smart, charming, funny as that person? Wish you had more money? Wish you had nicer clothes? Wish you had more friends? Wish you had better friends? Wish more people would "like" the pictures you put on Facebook? Wish you could do something cool? Wish people would talk about you more? Wish you got invited to that party? Wish you had worn something different when you went to that party? Wish you had something you dont need? Still not happy?

I have a roof over my head, a loving family and good friends. I ate well today. I have a job and a career. I have loads of fancy gadgets and more money investing in camera gear than i would like to publicly admit.

I have everything i need. And more.

This isnt some rant about the starving kids in god knows where. This isnt a rant for anti-racism, anti-sexism or anti-anti anything. This is a reminder to be happy. To be grateful for the things you do have and not miserable about the things you cant or wont have.

When was the last time you were stoked on something? The last time something made smile from ear to ear? I know when it was for me, when i watched this:

Attitude is Altitude

Click the link to understand. N 

Work.

Before this gets too outdated or i forget, I should put this up. I was recently out at work on Bideford Dolphin. The was built in 1975, which is a solid 12 years older than what i am. This is very evident when you walk around on deck.

The food was fantastic, the crew were in good spirit and we had some cool stuff to do. I was there for 9 days, and we were hit by one fairly large storm, 13-15m waves and 70 kts wind. This put a serious spanner in the works for us regarding working on the "bumper shield" of one of the columns.

Anyway, here are some pics. Im in the orange helmet. N

Getting wet. Not cool.

Weekend!

Hello Weekend!!! Dont know why im so amped that its friday today... But none the less, its friday. This can only be a good thing.

Have some cool stuff lined up, im shooting portraits of a girl that i met on the street yesterday. She is very interesting looking and ive got a cool idea for some texture orientated stuff. As im typing this, i just had another cool idea for a shot i want to do with her.

Im planning a big shoot for next week, hopefully collaborating with a fellow Trondheim creative. More cool ideas, hopefully working with two models and some cool props in a cool location. Im excited for this one.

Mmmm. Otherwise. Things are pretty exciting. I have permanent residency in Norway!!! Im starting to look at houses all over the place and get my shit in order. Loads of stuff to share with you guys aswell.

Will be keeping you updated as things continue in this perpetual upward spiral of mayhem. N

I dont know why i found this funny, or why i watched it 12 times, but here it is.

Tranksei paranoia affected Jason more than the rest of us.

Klein Karoo B+W landscape.

This next track is genius. One o my favourite DnB tracks, Netsky is killing it. But he wont come play in Norway!!! Looks like im going to Belgium then. Enjoy it.

Those damn kids are at it again...

I have been soo bad at maintaining this blog. I know. I have so many ideas and im back logged so badly in terms of editing and getting my stuff out there. My goal from now on is to post at least twice a week from now on. Even if its not photography related.

Anyway. Some cool shots i played with from our road trip in South Africa up the east coast. Good times.

Loads more to come from my trip to SA. But here are some of the first ones i got cracking with.

Comments are appreciated. N.

Barrydale

One bounce in Barrydale

The game farm outside Barrydale

Liz 

Sunset in Natures Valley

Emo and pop rock superstar Andreas Schwerdtfeger

The Herb

Mike P

Liz

Possibly the biggest joint ive seen in a long time.

Those damn kids again...

Weaver bird making a nest.

Something different, again.

Christmas. What a time. Not exactly my favourite, but we won't get into that now. The over-capitalization of a religious holiday is another discussion completely.

Christmas was very good for me this year though. So nice to be with family and friends again. I love my home. The picture going up now is a very cool and sweet reminder of home for me. Its my two little niese's
Jessie (left) and Kirsty are my brother's (Mark) kids. They are very fun and sweet, even if Jessie does scream ALOT!

I actually took this picture on Christmas day. We had a cool chill session at my brothers place which is right on the side of a vlei. Good Times.

I have been putting off editing for a while now..... Seriously not in the mood to sit and tweak photo's for hours on end. But I guess i have to get started some where. Let this be a beginning.

Enjoy, N.

Back in Norway... Round 3

Wow.... Been a while. For those of you that dont know, I have been back home in Cape Town for the last couple of weeks. What an awesome trip. Road tripping, Skating, Shooting some pictures, chilling, losing my mind and almost collapsing from exhaustion at a dubstep party and lots of chilling with good friends and having good vibes.

So now what? Im back in Norway, its somewhere in between -5C and +3C. Which is refreshing, but ultimately not that great. Im going out to work on the 6th of Feb, possibly sooner, and will be working as much as possible for 2012. Im applying for Norwegian residency on Monday. We'll see how that works out.

Hopefully i can get some of my ideas to the point of fruition this year aswell. I have a great idea for a side venture that i will be able to while I'm at work. Im fairly excited about this. Hopefully I will be able to start making some money back to justify all the lenses and lighting gear.

One little thing that been bugging me. I should have bought a 5D mk2 instead of a 7D. I once heard Zack Arias say: "I would rather have a used beat up old 5D mk2 over a brand new 7D. At this point. So would I. The rumors are flying around at the moment about the new 5D mk3 which is meant to hit the shelves this within the next few months. Assuming it keeps in tradition with what we have got in the past, Bye Bye 7D.

I have plenty plenty plenty photo's I have promised to show and put up, and i will. Just give me some time. Ill start with a couple from SA. Mostly randoms, but i like them.

Hopefully I can get motivated to do more sooner. Here are some time-lapse (hopefully non-HDR-ish) shots from SA.

Cheers, Nic.

Corner of Rathfelder and Klaasenbosch.

Cedar Tree at De Pakhuys in the Cedarberg.

Andreas and Jason playing with fire.