Viðtal í Shutterbang #11

Í júní var haft samband við mig frá veftímaritinu Shutterbang þar sem óskað var eftir að taka viðtal við mig vegna ljósmyndanna minna.

Ég fékk leyfi frá blaðinu að birta greinina og hér kemur hún.

Worth a Look – “I value pictures that can transport us to another place and make us long for it.” – National Geographic Photographer Jim Richardson

This month’s featured photographer, Thorsteinn Ásgeirsson, better known as IceRock, takes just such pictures. In addition to being an excellent photographer, IceRock is also an excellent journalist/ambassador, providing interesting detailed information about the scenes that he photographs. As Jim Richardson says, IceRock makes you long for his “place.”

His background? In his own words:

I have always been pretty active and tried many fun things in my life. I was pretty much conceived on downhill-skis! So I competed in downhill skiing until I was 22 years old. I also played and competed in ice hockey for many years but quit about the same time as the skiing. It was a complete change of focus in my life, I had a wife with whom I had two very talented daughters.

I didn’t retire completely from sport even though I became a family man. I hunted birds and salmon, quite successfully. At the same time I focused on (pardon the pun!) photography, target shooting, bridge and chess. Shooting target agreed with me. I became one of the nation’s best hand gun shooters and traveled to quite a few tournaments to compete for Iceland. Later I became the president of the National Gun Association for nearly 20 years. I got the hang of chess and bridge quite well and competed a bit but it is impossible to focus on too many hobbies. So I gave up target shooting, chess and bridge. Photography has always been closest to my heart and mind and I have no intention of giving that up! At least not while I have my health.

My education is pretty standard compared to other Icelanders my age. A formal education was as simple as going to trade school which got me a plumber’s degree. I still work as one and run a small plumbing company. I have, however, always craved knowledge. I love people-watching and trying to figure out what makes people tick.

I have also worked hard to try to understand the technology and the art behind photography. My career in Iceland as a photographer has been quite good. I have put on a few displays (I can’t remember how many) but in recent years I have put on at least one show a year and sometimes as much as three. It all depends on where I get the offers from . I would say I am pretty well known in the photo industry here in Iceland.

Here are IceRock’s responses to the standard questions:

Who or what influences your work? The variety in photography is endless. My love for my country has kept me true to the subject at hand. I believe that no country in the world offers as much varieties in terms of photo opportunities.

Favorite location(s)? (Where do you like to shoot?) I love to lug my camera around to so many different locations. But, for whatever reason, the Icelandic highlands always pull and I usually end up there even though I initially planned on going somewhere else! So, that would be my favorite location… in winter!!!

Favorite subject(s)? As I see photography as a constant challenge, I have tried hard to photograph as many subjects as possible. The most remarkable ones for me are where man is intertwined with the landscape. But then again, my favorite subjects change… they vary by seasons, my moods etc.

Most useful photo tool? The camera is usually all I use without any extra tools. The light meter, I have pretty much stopped using as the camera has become an extension of me. I do use a flash sometimes.

Best photo advice ever given to you? Create your own style and don’t try to copy other photographers.

What makes a good photo? The photo has to have a message or tell a story. The eye has to be clearly led through the photo without interference. The main subject has to be placed where the eye will stop and try to be as close to the subject as possible. Also it is important to remember that background plays a big part in all photos. Technical issues are often the least important in my photos, so when I break the rules, I make sure I do it well.

Favorite photo? My favorite photo is like my music. I love it all!

Photographic ambitions? (What would you like to achieve?) I have probably gone as far as I’ll go but I am still developing my style. That is really exciting right now.

There are two places where IceRock’s work can be seen. The first, PhotoIce.com, is his own website. The second is on PhotoPoints.

At the PhotoPoints site, IceRock presents a detailed narrative with each picture. I value his informative, and sometimes amusing writing about the land that he loves to be priceless. (I would encourage him to consider publishing a book of his work.)

Here’s the tradeoff. You have access to better pictures on PhotoIce.com, but you do not get the interesting narratives that accompany each picture. For those, you must visit IceRock’s PhotoPoints site.

Here are the links:

http://www.photoice.com/

http://photopoints.com/main/photos/photographer.aspx?ID=667