A new beginning!For several years it has been quiet on my photography blog at arnehelme.com. I have recently started to update the entire site and my portfolio of photos. Over the coming months I will add more of my recent work in the field, studio and on various locations. So let the following picture which I shot from our new winter garden I Oslo on last new year's even represent a new beginning to this site.
SolitudeThis blog entry is devoted to the theme of solitude, and I will seek to update it on a semi regular basis with past and new photos expressing themes related to a state of solitude. According to Wikipedia, "solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation, i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, loss of loved ones, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders, neurological disorders or circumstances of employment or situation (see castaway). Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one may work, think or rest without being disturbed. It may be desired for the sake of privacy. A distinction has been made between solitude and loneliness. In this sense, these two words refer, respectively, to the joy and the pain of being alone." Blog update of April 6th, 2015. I shot this picture of Elen during a trip to Kalvøya.
Blog update of April 3rd, 2015. I shot this picture of Antonio during a workshop we organised at the Klækken hotel in March, 2015.
15 photos in 15 minutesThe following sequence 15 photos were shot during a period of less than 15 minutes in Lovika (north of Norway) in early february 2014. We were just about to return from a weekend trip when I decided to go down to the sea to take a couple of last shots before departure. It must have been the most productive quarter of an hour I have ever spent on photography. It was an otherwise normal day in the arctic with rather dull light except for the backlit horizon because the sun had just set. Admittedly I have spent more than 15 hours in Lightroom post-processing the pictures. All photos prepared using HDR Efex Pro 2 and Sharpener Pro 3 to bring out the details and make them come alive. All photos were shot handheld at about f/4.0-5.6 with a Leica M 240 and a Summilux-M 1.4/35mm ASPH. FLE lens. Update 5th of april 2015: Italian car dayLast weekend the local Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealer in my neighbourhood arranged an Italian car day. Many Italian car enthusiasts showed up with their classic cars. For me, it was a great opportunity to finally see in the real some of the super cars I dreamt about when I was a kid. It was a sunny day in late april and a great opportunity for me to use the Leica M 240 with the Noctilux 0.95 lens and ND filter to capture these fine cars. Since childhood I have been fascinated by Italian cars. One of my first dream cars was the Alfa Romeo GTV that was introduced in the late 70's. In 1991 I managed to get hold of a 1984 GTV 2.0. It was a stunning car!. On a visit to the Canary Islands in the mid eighties I saw two other cars that also fascinated me: the Alfa Romeo GT Junior, and the Honda Civic CRX. In the nineties when I lived in the Netherlands I owned a CRX. The GT Junior is still a car I hope to own and drive one day! For the completeness, on my wish list are also the 1966 Jaguar E-type and the Porsche 911. Everyone should own a 911 at least once, I have been told! Over the years I have owned several Alfa Rome cars including the:
The beautiful Alfa Romeo GT Junior During the show the new Alfa Romeo 4C sport cars was shown. How can this car NOT become a future classic? My friend Tage said that the 4C most likely will have a low wife acceptance factor. I guess one of the reasons is the lack of storage space. Another reason would probably be that the passenger seat has no adjustment possibilities. My travel kit will fit in the 4C though, as will also my day to day gear if I would commute with this car. The main light layout is rather controversial. The alloy wheels are nothing short of stunning! My father used to own a 1978 Fiat 128 3P. We used to have lots of fun driving this car! My first Alfa Romeo was a red 1984 GTV 2.0. Below is the V6 version of the car. Behind it, a beautiful Alfa Romeo Spider. Alfa Romeo enthusiasts admiring the cars. Hmm, is that an oil spot under the car? Alfa Romeo engine room. Another super sport car from the fast, the Iso Grifo 7-lifer. The beautiful lines of the Grifo. I was never much into Lancia even though they used to make beautiful sports cars. Another classic, the Alfa Romeo Montreal. The rear of the Lamborghini Espada The front of the Maserati Merak. Classic Lancia roadster, probably from the fifties. The rear of the Fiat X1/9 two seats sports car designed by Bertone. Another Lancia roadster. The engine of a vintage Maserati Ghibli. It sounds as good as it looks! No need for exotic sports cars. Any of these will also draw attention! It was a bright and sunny day. Perfect for Italian cars! Care for some good Italian ham?
No Ferraris? Here's a beautiful 348 TB for you! Commuting - Another day on my way to the officeI live in Sandvika, which is a small town located about 15km from Oslo. Here's a small documentary of my daily commute from Sandvika to the KPMG building at Majorstuen in Oslo. All photos shot using a Leica M 240 camera with the amazing Summilux 1.4/21mm ASPH. lens. One of the main reasons why I live in Sandvika is the availability of public transport options. I gave up commute by car many years ago. The local train station is located near the old town centre next to the bus station.
Two years ago the railway capacity between Sandvika and Lysaker was doubled when a new tunnel with tracks opened. There is a lot of complaints regarding railway capacity in Norway. However, from Sandvika to Oslo there's almost always a train coming within 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, I do not carry with me a camera to work every day. However, each time I do I usually find new interesting subjects or topics to cover.
Yesterday's commute was carried out in the early afternoon. This week is also Easter vacation week in Norway so there were few people on the train.
I usually leave the train at Nationaltheateret station in Oslo. At several occasions I have used the station as backdrop for portrait photography.
The Nationaltheateret train station is the only underground train station in Norway. I remember when it was opened back in 1980. At that time we lived at Skillebekk and I went to school at Ruseløkka which is only a few hundred meters away.
The tube is an easy and convenient way to travel in Oslo. The tube system covers most of central Oslo. At Majorstuen the tube station is located at short walking distance from my office.
The KPMG building is a landmark at Majorstuen and the only tall building in this part of Oslo. It was built in 2001 after the previous building, Philipsbygget, was demolished by the first blow down of a building in Norway in 2000.
In front of the KPMG building lies the Cafe Condio which is run by the Norwegian Red Cross. The cafe is a meeting place for youth of different cultural and ethnic background and based on volunteer work.
Next to the KPMG building lies the old Colosseum cinema theatre. Like most cinemas nowadays Colosseum contains several theatre, but in the past it had only one large theatre screen. I remember watching Star Wars The empire strikes back and Dune while there os only one large screen, and it were breathtaking experiences.
On a clear day the view from the top of the building is spectacular.
King of the world!
« Older Posts
© Arne Helme Photography
|
