Il y a longtemps que je t’aime

There is nothing like a French drama and Kristine Scott Thomas is sensational in this one.

I instantly recognised the university staff room at Université de Nancy from the movie. I once worked there teaching linguistic, literature and translation.

I studied at Lille University when I was 19 and met a man who worked at the Scandinavian Institute. I knew I wanted to do the same one-day. So I did.

I was one of the youngest teachers at the university and was more than once told that students weren’t allowed in the staff room. I had graduated with a few degrees in literature and linguistics earlier that year.

I loved my job and I had the best students. They threw me a surprise party when I left and I still have contact with a couple of them.

Nancy is a beautiful city 3 hours with train from Paris and an hour from Strasbourg. I lived at the same street as Place Stanislas, my apartment was just behind the arc.

The world is spinning around

Shine on me, sunshine

Shine on me, sunshine
Rain on me, rain
Fall softly, dewdrops
And cool my brow again.

Storm, blow me from here
With your fiercest wind
Let me float across the sky
'Til I can rest again.

Fall gently, snowflakes
Cover me with white
Cold icy kisses and
Let me rest tonight.

Sun, rain, curving sky
Mountain, oceans, leaf and stone
Star shine, moon glow
You're all that I can call my own.

Maya Angelou

Time to go

It’s my last night in Melbourne. I have lived here since 2006 but my visa expires and I have to go.

I have finished packing and the apartment feels empty and silent. Looking out over the city and I’m feeling a bit sad. I love this place.

It’s a 26 hours flight in the morning to Europe, 10 hours shorter than last time so I’m lucky.

I look forward seeing family and friends in Sweden. It is more than a year since I saw them last time. Can’t wait really, but now, right now, I feel mainly sadness of leaving a place that feels like home.

This is home, but it’s time to build a new somewhere else.

Alpha 60 GPO

Alpha 60 recently opened a new store in GPO, Melbourne. I almost got too caught up in all the lovely little graphic details when I photographed the shop.













PS. The summer sale started today.

Things that make me happy

Ok, this one is silly and it is really just a piece of paper, but all the same. Feels good.




I leave Melbourne in a couple of days and I went out last night with my friends. Susannah gave me a pair of gloves she had knitted.

I once mentioned how cold it is to photograph outdoors during Swedish winter, especially since you can’t wear any gloves as you need to reach the settings. She made me a pair where the fingers aren’t covered and they fit perfectly. I'm so happy and I really have the best friends.




Kat and I studied graphic design together and she was one of the first people I got to know when I moved to Melbourne in 2006. The first time I met her she invited me to spend Christmas with her family. So I did.

None of us continued with pure design work but Kat does a lot of illustrations. One of her latest projects was the album cover to the lovely singer and songwriter Tash Parker.

You can find more of Kat’s illustrations here. She gave me the drawing below. I love it.

The things we do

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Morning walk in the park

I photographed a friends children a couple of weeks ago. It wasn’t planned, but I had my camera and took some photos.

She asked if I could take some more. So we did.

Time

I moved to Melbourne in 2006 and instantly fell in love with the city. But it is time to leave.

I need a sponsored visa to be able to stay in Australia and I got some really lovely offers from Australian advertising agencies. I would have been happy to stay here, but in the end it didn’t work out with sponsorship and visa. I have projects in Europe so it’s time to go.

I look forward to the new things that are coming, but it is never easy to leave and there are many things I will miss. Most of all my friends.

I have my farewell drinks next Friday at Murmur. Welcome.

R&R

I needed a haircut badly and managed to get an appointment with Andrew, hairdresser of the month.

“There are so many different ways of cutting hair", he said. "I like it rock n’ roll”. I do to.



My mugshot look.



And in color.

Alex

Sight Unseen

A couple of months ago I photographed Alex and Georgie Cleary at Alpha 60. One of the photos was recently published at Sight Unseen.

I bought a lovely black velvet dress yesterday. Timeless yet quirky. Speaking of dresses. I’m going to see the Drape show at NGV, Melbourne.

Charleston Style. Sort of.

Photo: Suzy Barraclough

I hope you had a good New Year’s Eve. I went to a burlesque cabaret with my friends at Royal Melbourne Hotel. The dress code was 1920’s and the costumes were absolutely amazing at the party.

I wish I had a small camera that would fit into my handbag! My good friend and photographer Suzy Barraclough took this photo. She snitched the hat from her fiancé. I’m in the black wig. And fake eyelashes.

2009

Time to sum things up and it has been a busy year. It was my final year at the photographic course at RMIT and it was very intense. It was also a lot of fun and I met so many new lovely people this year, stylists, hair-stylists, photographers, make-up artists, artists and models.

I had my first show of the year in July and exhibited an underwater series – Let It Fall that I photographed back in Sweden last Christmas. It didn’t quite make it to the final in Projections, but was given a highly commended in the art category.



The second show, the graduation show at Eckersley’s Gallery in November was intended to be the last show, but then there was Hogan Gallery this month. It was kind of unexpected but I was happy to be a finalist in portrait in Edge Photo Imaging Awards.





I specialized in portraiture in my graduation folio, but it was partly due to the limited timeline and studio access. I would have liked to photograph more fashion this year, but there is always next year. I prefer to work with people so fashion and portraiture are two areas I like a lot.

This series was one of the shoots I enjoyed the most this year and the team was lovely.



It didn’t start all that great though. I loaded all the heavy photo gear in a taxi early on a Saturday morning and jumped in the car. Someone had not felt well the night before and the stink was unbearable in the back seat. When we arrived at the location the owners were still asleep, but it all worked out well in the end.

I have also been hanging out at various comedy scenes and it’s impossible not having fun when photographing stand-up comedians. And occasionally you get called up on stage. Don’t have a picture of that though.

In June I went up to Sydney and the APPA Awards. It is the highlight of photographic events of the year and AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) arranged seminars, cocktail parties and award dinners. It was so much fun and I was very happy for my 2 silvers in portraiture.





The top photo was part of a photojournalist series I did of a contemporary dancer. I got to hang out in the dance studios every week and I absolutely loved it.

I also got a new website.


A mixture of photos from 2009






























I look forward to 2010 and there will be a lot of changes in my life next year. Enjoy the last hours of 2009 and see you in 2010. Happy New Year!

Christmas Day

I had an Italian Christmas dinner this year and I spend the day with a friend’s family. It was a lovely summer day in Melbourne and we picked fresh fruit from the trees in the garden, cherries, peaches and lemons. The dinner was just as nice, lots of pasta dishes and yummy homemade desserts.

Bad Santa

I went back to Sweden last year to spend Christmas with my family. It was dark, cold and lots of snow. Actually it wasn’t, we didn’t have any snow at all but it was nice all the same.

My sister asked me to photograph my nephews and niece. I did of course, but you’ve got to be fast when you photograph children. Or this will quickly happen.



Quicker!



Do I have to be still?



My turn pretty please.



Finally.
(The dress was a gift from me)



I think my sister used this one at the Christmas cards



This is a site with Santa photos gone bad. The screaming children reminds me a bit of Jill Greenberg's children shots.

Merry Christmas!

Finalist in The Edge

I was just told that I am a finalist in the Edge Photo Imaging Excellence Awards 2009.

It is a portrait of stand up comedian Magesh, also well-known Australian drummer.

The images will be on display and the category winners will be announced tomorrow at the awards night (Tuesday 15 Dec), at The Hogan Gallery, 310 Smith Street, Collingwood. The function starts at 7 pm.

Welcome!

♥

It is summer in Australia, but today I felt like doing some high key winter photos.(self portraits)

Hugos

Lazy Sunday afternoon lunch with friends at Hugos in Sydney.

Volta

There is a small tapas and flamenco bar just off Brunswick street in the heart of Fitzroy. It’s a family owned restaurant and the place is always packed, especially at the weekends.

You can hear a hammering noise from upstairs as you sit down and eat. Half an hour later the dancers and musicians walk down the stairs and enter the stage. Everybody stops eating.

RMIT Graduation Show - Applied Photography

I have finished all my classes and assessments at RMIT and just waiting for my diploma to arrive in the mail.

The graduation exhibition will open Wednesday 25 November at Eckersley's Gallery, 97 Franklin St, Melbourne.

Welcome to the show if you are in Melbourne.

/x

Exhibition dates 25 Nov - 6 Dec

Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm
Sat: 11am-5pm
Sun: 12am-4pm

Oh, the softness

These were photographed in Stockholm last year but I never processed them at the time. But it is spring and sunny in Melbourne and sometimes you just long for some soft pastels and motion photos.

Halloween

Liam McIntyre

Liam McIntyre, actor

He is currently seen on TV, primarily work as an actor but he also model and I photographed him a couple of months ago in a film noir style series. He is in Hollywood at the moment.

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Model: Tori Bellentina
Makeup artist: Leyla Swatman

Magesh

We photographed this series very early in the morning and I think we were both a bit tired at first, but it was so much fun.

Comedians are easy to work with, used to be on stage and of course, hilarious.







Magesh, stand-up comedian (and drummer)

*

Models:
Loren Chambers
Paige Lee
Ambieance
Tori Bellentina
Sue Zhang

Make-up artist: Lysha Maree

Hairstylist: Markis Weis

Michael

Model: Michael Anderson

Alpha 60

You have certain fashion stores you just love and Alpha 60 is one of them, with shops in Sydney and Melbourne. I had a portrait assignment at RMIT and contacted the Melbourne based design duo Georgie and Alex Cleary at Alpha 60.

I went to the design studio with my assistant to do a location portrait and we started to set up lights. Alex grabbed a shirt from one of the many hangers in the studio and came back a couple of minutes later with the new shirt on. I wish I could do the same.

Georgie and Alex Cleary, Alpha 60

Photoassistant: John Szatkowski

La vie en rose

Candice Canon and Robbie Yates

Photoassistant: Suzy Barraclough

Ellen

Model: Ellen Purtill
Hair and make-up: Lysha Maree

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Model: Emma Relph
Hair and make-up: Lisa Flynn
Photoassistant: Suzy Barraclough

Hearts on Fire

I really like Cut Copy and had a lot of fun dancing at their gig. And I am very excited that I will photograph the band in a couple of months.

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Model: Emma Relph
Hair and make-up: Lisa Flynn
Photoassistant: Suzy Barraclough

Roar

Model: Emma Relph
Hair and make-up: Lisa Flynn
Photoassistant: Suzy Barraclough

Peek-a-boo

I am graduating from RMIT in a couple of months and today I have photographed some of the photographers in my course for the graduation catalogue.

The ladies are two of my best friends, Ellen and Suzy.

*

Model: Jessie
Make-up artist: Lysha-Maree

Appearing, disappearing

Walking Across the Atlantic
Poem by Billy Collins

Gallery review - Let It Fall

An art student at the university contacted me and asked if he could interview me. He, Mitchell, needed to write a review of an exhibited set of works currently on and he told me that he liked to write about mine. And he did:

What is the purpose of photography? Are photographs merely two dimensional reference materials from which we identify people, objects and places of the past – tools that tell us details of our world indifferent to human sentimentality? Or do they posses within themselves individual interpretations? Can they offer us more? Can they disarm our sensory control and ignite within us feelings that challenge our rational thought and grant us the kind of experiences often submerged under the silence of dreaming?

These are some of the questions that you may find yourself thinking after viewing Melbourne based Photographer Annevi Petersson's series Let it Fall, currently on exhibition at The Brunswick Street Gallery.

The twelve photos are hypnotic, involving the expressions of movement detained underwater, elegantly captured using only muted blue colours. They are haunting and dramatic without being overdone and mysterious in the way each shot has been captured without being overbearing. They are all simply numbered and are hung in a grid formation rather than side by side, which surprisingly works well without making them seem too cluttered. Although this is the case, sadly the space given to this series isn't near enough; each individual image could easily command an entire wall, more likely giving the viewer an even better appreciation of each.

Photographs like 8 and 12 cleverly use illusion which completely de-rails the viewer’s sense of distinction between underwater and the surface. Annevi has also very effectively hidden the features of the face so as not to distract from the complete composition, where in some, the difference between the reflection and the actual body become less identifiable. The narrative by Annevi, written on the plaque next to the photographs is simple yet powerful, acting almost as a meditation, guiding the senses to fully absorb the almost overwhelming experience silently pulsating within each photograph.

Annevi's ideas and technique with this type of photography is certainly unique and while there are no obvious influences for the Let it Fall series, some links may be seen in the underwater work of contemporary artists like Narelle Autio and Trent Parke. Annevi said she was interested in the dying Ophelia mythology, with the Let it Fall series exploring instead the idea of Ophelia fighting and choosing to live. While some may see the photographs as being too dark, Annevi sees them as being the complete opposite saying the series is a journey "from the darkness, stillness and despair, to the fight, attitude and courage to live and also the joy of life".

Annevi has said of her work that she doesn't "like to tell what the reader or audience is suppose to feel; I think that is very much to insult the reader. What I hope to do is to create a mood, a feeling that stays with them that they can reflect upon.” This is a real strength, especially for works like Let it Fall, because you do not necessarily need to understand the metaphoric, mythical or even existential overtones in order to enjoy the simple beauty of each photograph. Good advice would be to first read the narrative, then allow yourself to be absorbed by the pictures, to feel weightless with them and in that moment, leave the world behind.

Thank you Mitchell! (published with consent)

I have previous published the exhibited body of work here.

Faaashion

RMIT Applied Photography, used a couple of my fashion photos to showcase the program I am enrolled in. It is my final semester and I look forward to the graduation show at the end of year.

The Examiner

I've got an image in The Examiner; it’s the photo of stand up comedian Fox.

Ben Abraham

Ben Abraham is a Melbourne based singer and songwriter, known from Australian Idol and music scenes around the city. He is also a good friend and we have photographed a couple of times.

You can listen to his music here.

Disorder

Final week

It's the final week of the exhibition and my underwaterseries will be shown till Wednesday 12 August at Brunswick Street Gallery, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The Gallery is open Wed-Sun 11-6pm.

And all I ever saw

Tori

Model: Tori Bellentina
Make-up artist: Leyla Swatman
Photoassistant: Nicola Tantari

Abraham

When you walk away

Credits to the wonderful team:
Models: Liam McIntyre and Alison Ottrey
Hair and make-up: Leyla Swatman
Photoassistant: Suzy Barraclough

Miss Ottrey

Alison Ottrey, stand up comedian