On February 8th 2021 I was announced the nordic winner of the Fujifilm X100 10th anniversary competition organised by Fujifilm. The winning entry is below. I am humbled and honoured to have my image selected as the winning entry.
The grand prize was a limited edition X100V with green leatherette wrapping and a 10th Anniversary engraving on the top plate. The edition is limited to only 12 cameras. See images below
Here is the jury's motivation for the winning picture:
“It's a strong image, reflective of our present time, where keeping distance has taken on a completely new meaning. Your eyes can find everything here: the lines, the shapes, the shadows and the red colour. The shadows feel alive, and the special detail to notice is the small “bouquet” in the hands in the person in the middle.”
Thank you so much for the camera Fujifilm
Here is the interview with Fujifilm Nordic
Why did you choose to compete with that image, and how did it happen?
I picked this image because it got some buzz in a street photo group on lnstagram about a year ago. For me it was some sort of approval that this was a good image. Personally, I like the graphical elements in the image, with the lines and the repeating pattern of the people on their smartphones. I also like the little detail where it looks like a shadow is holding a bouquet of dandelions and the old chewing gum that has been stepped on over countless of years that now is part of the concrete of your typical bus terminal.
What type of situations and scenes do you photograph the most?
0h, that is a tough question. I like to take photos of all types of scenes but right now, I try to find form and shapes in my compositions. I like when symmetry and balance comes together, so that is what is on my radar. However, that will likely change soon. It usually does.
For how long have you been using the X100 series and why did you get this camera?
My first X100-camera was the X100F. I bought it just before I was going to be a father, to have a camera that I always could have with me.
Could you share any tips and tricks on how to develop your photography, and what your inspirations are?
My first and best tip is to always have a camera with you, but not always take the image that you first see. I have recently started to put my camera up to my eye, to compose an image, but on more than one occasion, not clicked the shutter. Because I could see in the viewfinder, that it would not be a good image. Doing that also means I don't have to scroll through 250 less good images when I get home. Of course, it depends on what I am photographing. But I have noticed that this is a way of working that suits me well
What inspires me really differs a lot. I get a lot of inspiration from the constant development of my son, but also light, shapes, and finding lines in things that I see that get my attention. We have had a lot of snow in Stockholm lately, and that has inspired me to find things of solitude like park benches covered in snow, or a snowy lone tree. The common things in uncommon situations.