Two quick portraits of Magdalena from last spring. You may recognize her from one of my interviews with Creative People I did earlier this year.

Tjuvholmen is a fairly new district of Oslo arising from the fjord. It is still under construction and its last part, the Astrup Fearnley Museet will be opened on 29th September 2012.

It has been fascinating to watch Tjuvholmen grow next to Aker Brygge. When I first visited Oslo four years ago, it was one huge construction site. Last year, almost all of it was finished, with only the last island still closed and empty.

I was quite surprised when I learned that this last part is intended for a museum of modern arts. Once again the City of Oslo proved that it is the place where innovation and arts go together beautifully.

The Fjord City Project

Building on water, creating islands and tunnels does not come without sacrifices. It is very expensive—much more than traditional architecture. But Oslo did not begun its big project, the Fjord City, to impress others (although it is an amazing byproduct). They build it because they don’t have much other choice.

The city is surrounded by mountains and forests known as Oslomarka (or simply Marka). The terrain is considered as a nature reserve and is protected. Besides an occasional hytte you will not find there any building sites. Norwegians want to keep the nature there at its purest form.

Therefore the City of Oslo has no other choice than to turn to the fjord and build on (and under) the water. Tjuvholmen is only a tiny part of the whole expansion. You will soon see more districts built on artificial islands.

Impression no. 7

When they opened the newest part of Tjuvholmen, I took a walk there. It was a beautiful day, with calm, orange-red sunset. I went there with creating an impression on mind—wondered around and sought the right place and moment.

The artificial islands are separated by channels and marinas. They are full of reflections, lights and rippling shapes of the surrounding buildings. It makes a perfect place for delving into the emotional world of impressionistic photography.

The technique was similar to my other impressionistic photos. The moved image has a purpose of capturing the main shapes and color, but not exact detail. It’s similar to the way you see while you only look briefly on something. You know how it felt, but you don’t remember every single detail.

I will continue my journey with photographing my impressions. Who knows where it will lead me.

The world got fascinated with the moustache. Many different types of moustaches—straight, curled, twisted… They are often used in graphical projects and function as a symbol. People even begun making bets on which next TV presenter will start growing it. In one word, the moustache is back in fashion.

Through that whole moustache movement, we completely forgot and neglected the beard. I’m personally a fan of both and wear it proudly. We of course don’t have to overdo—like in the recent Book of Beards—but it can be small, a bit pugnacious or even almost unnoticeable.

My today’s guest, Emil, has exactly that. A simple, narrow beard, accented lightly by his sideburns. This way he makes an ideal material for some quirky portraits.

Tech

During the session, I used a combination of two different set-ups that we switched between.

For the close-up, I decided to go with a single, on-axis light source. It was a silver, medium-sized reflective umbrella with a small strobe inside hanging on a boom just over my head. The backdrop was a two-ply gray vinyl that was rendered black without additional lights.

I lighted the other two headshots with 2 strobes. The main source was a 1,5 meter, white reflector that I shot through. Because small strobes give quite directional light, the light wasn’t even, so I added a white shoot-through umbrella to soften it more. I was standing just in front of the source, and my subject was only a meter away. This gave us a very soft, even look. Emil has a short, harsh beard and by using a soft light I wanted to make a delicate contrast between the two.

For the gray background, I used another small strobe with a green and blue gels stacked on each other. It created the exact color I was looking for.

What do you think about beards?

Beards are as popular as moustaches, especially here, in Norway. However, they somehow did not get as much attention as the moustache. Maybe it’s time to change that and give them some love.

Do you think the beard movement will come?

Lets have a walk in the city with an enchanting guide. She will show us much more than we would expect. Alexandra Pacula takes us round the New York’s nightlife—exciting, full of experiences, where the play of lights and reflections predominates the landscape.

Sometimes, we associate the night with darkness, blackness and nothingness. The moon, street lamps and neon signs bring back the details from that shade, and stimulate our imagination to fill the spots that we can’t see. Alexandra beautifully captures those glimpses into the darkness through her oil paintings.

I was drawn into her art by its dynamism and color. I saw the long shutter speed, blurred and blown highlights, and a photographic eye.

What’s fascinating is how differently people can treat photos. While photographers finish on them, for Alexandra it’s only the beginning. She takes photographs and gives them a completely new dimension.

You can get to know more about her world by reading our talk below.

Interview with Alexandra Pacula

Marcin: When and how did your fascination with the city nightlife begin?

Alexandra: I think my fascination with the city nightlife developed over many years. I moved to the metropolitan area of New York at the age of 14 and I remember distinctly how impressive the City was. Coming from Krakow, Poland in 1993 the change was shocking. In those years Poland was just getting out of the communist rule and I remember how much darker and quieter Krakow was.

Growing up in New Jersey in such close proximity to New York I used to go out to clubs and bars in Manhattan regularly. I loved the energy of the city at night. When in 2004 I was looking for a more personal subject to paint I realized that the City with its bright lights and tumultuous energy was it.

Electric Wonderland

Marcin: What is your creative process? How important are photos in it?

Alexandra: I got my first digital camera in 2004 and right away realized how crucial a tool it was for me. I thought about all the snapshots people take during their night out and that most of them come out blurred. These blurred, unsuccessful photos are actually the ones capturing the real moments that would otherwise be forgotten.

I wanted to incorporate these shots in my work. I use photographs as reference for my paintings. I do not project or trace because I want to have freedom to change things while I paint. Sometimes I look at 2 or 3 different photos, take elements from each and combine them in my painting. When I first start a painting it looks very expressionistic because I concentrate on the energy first, I work wet into wet to keep the painting looking fresh and spontaneous. Later I develop detail and glazes.

Marcin: When looking back in your art, how do you feel it evolves? In what direction does it currently go?

Alexandra: When I first started this series of paintings I was interested in indoor scenes such as bars and restaurants. I was inspired by the way glistening glasses, reflective mirrors, wet counters and indoor lighting created a certain mood and evoked a feeling of intoxication. I resolved to capture that feeling in my paintings hence the term I still use to describe my work “Visual Intoxication”.

Visual Intoxication means that the way the painting is executed is very enticing to the viewer. The vibrant color, luscious brushwork and luminous quality draw the viewer in and in a way intoxicate, at the same time mimicking the experience of a night out.

Next, I began painting street scenes. The street offered a broader subject. I traveled to different cities such as London, Taipei and San Francisco and created a series of paintings that captured the individual atmosphere of each.

Saturated Reflection

Now, I’m concentrating on New York City. Living in Brooklyn I am able to go out and explore different parts of NYC anytime. I painted a Triptych “Diverse Rhythm” last year, which captured three distinct neighborhoods of NYC, each with its own energy and rhythm.

My newest piece a sequence of 10 small paintings, which is installed in my current solo show titled “Shifting Perspectives” at Mighty Tanaka Gallery in Brooklyn, captures the experience of crossing the Manhattan Bridge on the N train. The sequence begins in Brooklyn in the area known as DUMBO and ends in Manhattan’s Chinatown. I also created a sound piece as part of the installation. The sound is a sequence of trains tumultuously rolling over the Manhattan Bridge.

My next series of paintings will be an aerial exploration. I want to capture the whole span of the city in one painting. I find it fascinating to look down at the city from a birds-eye point of view.

Marcin: Do you have an artistic dream or some distant plans that you would like to share?

Alexandra: I would love to create a huge painting installation at a major museum. This installation would consist of 15-foot high paintings that wrap around the room and fully engage the viewer.

Marcin: What tips would you give to artists that are at the beginning of their careers?

Alexandra: Create a strong body of work. Spend a lot of time in the studio developing your ideas and engage in dialogue with your contemporaries. Networking is important as well but there is no point to it unless you have something to show. Once the opportunity arises and your work is fully resolved you’ll be off to a great start.

Marcin: Thank you for your thoughts.

Check out more of Alexandra:

Alexandra Pacula Website
Alexandra Pacula Art Blog

When I went out on Thursday, everything seemed so quiet and calm. A few Norwegian flags fluttered from windows, a few elegantly dressed people walked around. On a bus stop, there were three girls who looked like from an another era. They waited to get to the Palace.

I walked towards Karl Johans gate, and with every block more people joined me on the way. They all had one in common: red and blue cross on flags, ribbons and clothes.

When I arrived to the main street, I suddenly fell into a sea of experience, color, redness. The landscape was dominated with crimson, it was hard to focus, impossible to embrace the surrounding—too many sensations.

This is how 17th of May, Norwegian National Day looks like every year. Never-ending parades, a river of color, sounds of marching orchestras, occasional “Hurra!”

I was enchanted by the detail. Beautiful embroidery, hand-made clothes and amazing diversity, although all in one familiar style. Norwegians are fond of their locality, they are proud to wear traditional costumes (called bunad) that come in hundreds of recognizable styles (see some of them here).

They are happy for their country, for the celebration and for the king. A man standing besides me had a little boy on his shoulders, he said to him: “Look, it is our king, you can wave to him.” Children from the youngest years learn patriotism on that day.

Embroidery decorating traditional clothes

Children use leather harness to help them carry large flags

Members of orchestras pride themselves on taking part in many events

People of all ages wear clothes that represent their ancestry and the region they feel connected with. It is a celebration of tradition, pure happiness and openness. It’s a celebration of everyone and for everyone.

If you would like to get to know Norwegian culture, 17th of May is the day you should see.

Isn’t it amazing that young people find tradition actual and cultivate it with such power? Do you think Norwegian traditional design and fashion can be attractive to people from other countries? Let me know in the comments.

In any town, big or small, it is possible to have Pecha Kucha Night. There are currently 522 cities participating in the event, with over 2000 nights already organized. And what’s fantastic about it, anyone can participate.

I took part in quite a few Pecha Kucha Nights already, both in my hometown Koszalin and in Oslo. One time I prepared a presentation about street photography and other times just came to watch. I’m amazed by all the enthusiasm and creativity surrounding the night.

In my town people organize the event themselves, in different places. On the streets, in pubs or galleries. It took place in The Homeless Gallery that was organized in an old, abandoned building. Other time they even closed the main street creating a pedestrian zone where the stage was set up.

Volunteers prepare the space, organize the equipment and gather people. In Koszalin they even cleaned up an unused backyard between old tenement houses in town’s center, recreating a beautiful space everyone forgot about. People need to engage themselves to make it happen—that’s why Pecha Kucha is so unique.

20 Reasons why You should go to Pecha Kucha

1. You will meet some really strange people
2. You will rest from your computer
3. You will learn what people in your surroundings do
4. You will learn a thing or two
5. You will broaden you perspective
6. For 7 minutes You will enter someone’s own world
7. You will improve your mood
8. You will forget about your daily duties
9. You will see beautiful things
10. You will be amazed
11. You will see more possibilities
12. You will feel the urge for change
13. You will come up with a new idea
14. You will find motivation to start up
15. You will learn how to prepare a good presentation
16. You will learn how to sell yourself and your idea
17. People will learn about your idea, business or dream
18. You will find like-minded people
19. You will meet potential customers or recipients of your project
20. You may find your second half

Check it out yourself

Pecha Kucha draws it’s name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat.” It has a very simple but distinct presentation method: 20 images in 20 seconds. This way presentations are concise and they move at a rapid pace. They never get boring and the tempo encourages people to tackle their topic in a creative way. Sharing ideas has never been more fun.

Below two presentations from the Pecha Kucha archives.

Be up to date

Pecha Kucha Night Koszalin on Facebook
Pecha Kucha Night Oslo on Facebook
Find a event near you.

Conclusion

When you have some spare time in the evening, and Pecha Kucha happen to be near you, give it a try. Your head will be spinning with ideas, I guarantee.

Even if Pecha Kucha hasn’t yet come nearby, why not organizing it yourself? You can check the requirements on the official website, it’s easier than you think!

Do you participate in Pecha Kucha Night? What other offline creative events do you know?

If you’ve got a room—and I’m pretty sure you do—you can prepare it for one of the coolest, yet simplest weekend projects. Camera obscura is easy to make: choose a window, darken it with thick curtains or black foil and make a hole in it. You don’t even have to cut it, just prepare a black cardboard, cut a round hole in it and stick it to the window.

Then all you need is to seal the curtains so they don’t shine through, turn around and be amazed. It’s fascinating how such a simple thing can create a beautiful image all over your wall.

No wonder people were intrigued with camera obscura for ages and used it in numerous ways. I remember how I was amazed with the idea when I read how Edvard Munch used a more portable version to make sketches for his paintings.

And it still impresses me that the very same method can be used in creating beautiful art also today. And through the years it did not loose it’s value.

How about you? Let me know what you think about camera obscura or simply choose your answer:

1. I’ve done it
2. I plan to
3. Not interested

PS: More than one answer can be correct.

One of the places that I like to visit regularly, even if I can be there just for a moment, is Sognsvann lake in Oslo. It’s a beautiful place, especially in the winter, perfect for a short walk or a longer trip in the forest.

Throughout the year you can meet there many people who look for a little rest—most often very active one. In the summer it’s a place for a barbecue and picnic. Many people run on the path around the Sognsvann, other swim in the lake, ride a bike or go roller skating. Sunbathing is also very popular although keep in mind that summer is a bit shorter in Oslo than Western Europe.

In the winter, when the lake freezes, it’s surface begins to have a new kind of life. Ski trails show up crossing the lake from every side. Of course, paths that run around the lake are even more popular now than in the summer. Norwegians are well known for their passion for cross-country skiing and you can really experience that around the Sognsvann lake.

Cross-country skiing on Sognsvann

Sognsvann is perfect for outdoor activities—it is fully adapted for use by man and yet it’s not being degraded. It is also a marvelous place for landscape photography as the views are beautiful—the lake, mountains and forests, they all work together in a quiet harmony that is so unique for Norway.

How do you like it? Would you like to go for some cross-country skiing?

I’ve recently come upon a link on my twitter feed from Zack Arias. The tweet said:

I heart Kai RT @fstoppers: [Video] Become a Professional Photographer in One Week (or not) fstoppers.com/?p=24954

— Zack Arias (@zarias) February 20, 2012

At first it didn’t catch my eye, but the next day I couldn’t stop thinking if they really nailed it—training a rookie into a professional photographer in just a week? Crazy at first thought, or is it?

I came into the photography when the digital was already well popular, but it wasn’t taken for granted. But ever since I remember, everyone around talked about cameras, and much less often about actual photos. Since then, we’ve witnessed a crazy technological development, cameras getting smaller and more intuitive. The manufacturers have been pushing the pixel craze harder and harder. And as cameras became ubiquitous, everyone can be called a photographer.

Kai Man Wong from the online photography channel DigitalRev TV made quite a point with his video. However, what struck me most was not the fact that (spoiler alert) they couldn’t teach an ordinary young guy into a pro over a week. That was quite obvious for me. What did strike me, was that they got the idea that it could be possible.

More and more people have awesome cameras nowadays, just because they can afford then, not because they need them. And let’s be honest, most people would do better photos with a point and shoot camera than a DSLR. As Zack Arias mentioned in his article on medium format, sometimes those paying for photos own better gear than those getting paid to create them.

What do you think?

Is the future of photography in the hands of every other guy or gal with a camera? Or (as Kai has proven) the equipment and photographic lingo is way not enough?

The guy with dreadlocks

A while back I had a chance to take some photos of my friend Kuba, a very open-minded and unusual person. He is a guy who simply can’t walk by unnoticed. Since I remember, he’s been growing his, now over a meter long, dreadlocks. You can check them out below.

For the photo-shoot, I decided to use my ordinary white-background set-up and spice it up a bit by moving the main light from side to side. For the close-up portrait at the bottom, I used similar set-up to the one from my Week 5 self-portrait and mixed it with the ideas we developed during Sessions for Friends.

While reviewing photos from our session, I discovered that they remarkably well illustrate a notion that I have been thinking about for a while now—the feeling of being overwhelmed by the amount of information that surrounds us.

Do you feel entangled in too much information?

Too much information can lead us to callousness—we stop caring about things around us. We feel that most of them are meaningless. Do I need that billboard on the wall? Do I care about the adverts in the sidebar? Do I have to see the same and the same slogans all around?

Simultaneously, living is such world gives us many possibilities. We have the whole world at our fingertips. In one moment we can read local news and then take part in an online event initiated on another continent.

But all those possibilities force us to make decisions. What should we choose? Or rather how can we choose those that are most valuable to us? Some people content themselves with newspapers or radio, other can’t imagine a day without Internet. And other can’t imagine a day without Facebook.

In some way, social media came for a rescue allowing as to create our little, customized worlds of information and to help us communicate and share. But isn’t it true that our walls and news feeds are a mess? It leads us to another decisions on which pieces of information to choose. Which articles, posts, videos are significant? Too much information indeed.

The rise of curated media

Many of us feel overwhelmed by information, and that can be one of the reasons for the growing numbers of websites that allow users to sort and rank information. Those looking for only the most essential stories will be grateful for this new trend of media curation.

In curated media, users themselves can decide which news or articles are important for them. This way, other readers can check major headlines at once and read most useful stories. In addition, like minded people and tribe leaders can share most valuable information for their niches.

For those of you not familiar with the idea of tribes, there is an excellent free ebook by Seth Godin where he answers many tribe-related questions. In my opinion, curated media make it even easier to be a part of a tribe.

Recently we could see the rise of many new services which let people curate information. Websites such as Quora or StumbleUpon have been here for a while. Newer ones like Scoop.it! or Inbound.org allow us to search and follow information that is most valuable to us. What we basically do there is share what we feel is important and let others do the same. However, differently from social media that have mostly open and endless streams, they create certain capabilities to allow users curate that information.

Which path do you prefer?

By curated media you will learn what is the most important for the community. You will know what song is on top, but you probably know it from Facebook already. But none else besides you knows what is really valuable for you.

I know Kuba deals with it quite well, so I’m curious what ways to deal with the overwhelming information you’ve got. Share in the comments.