Having to look at one’s composition, on the basis of the economical light that is available, including assessing the available light sources and the way they should be included in the photograph itself.

Alone in the dark

Walking the streets after dark is not always logical and most often, almost always, it happens on its own. I really enjoy the lonely moments – there is a special calm over photography in the evening / night and at the same time it requires a lot of patience, as there is a certain kind of waiting time per. image due to the exposure time.

The waiting time is most often used for reflection and at the same time a respite from everyday myriads of sounds and information. In the dark I am alone, most often quiet and one’s vision is limited in terms of impressions and environment!

I like to seek out the areas in daylight before I venture out into them in the dark.

The few people I sometimes meet out there are usually people who are also looking for alone time and in that way a natural respect and distancing from each other arises.

To use common sense and respect

I am often asked if I am not insecure about taking photos at night? I have to admit that I’m generally not nervous about moving around on my own – it’s sometimes more exciting than others (especially the places where one’s own horror movie is allowed to take over the mind and suddenly you hear sounds everywhere), but no , I do not feel insecure or otherwise scared.

However, I have experienced insecurity and the feeling of being nervous when I photograph in the dark. I have come across it, a few times, and it has only happened in big cities where I have moved into the more “scary” areas. It has happened that I have simply had to evacuate myself from an area relatively quickly, because I sensed that some people had a different intention than the one I had and that a possible outcome would have consequences …

Meeting people in the dark is for many a cross-border thing. We are by nature programmed to find safety and shelter for the night, as our sight is not built to move around in the dark, which is why we are basically really on guard against other potential predators that see better than us.

It is always with common sense that I go out into the dark. The fact that I have a camera hanging around my neck and carrying a camera tripod means that the people I meet are in no doubt about my intentions, which is positive both for them, as they can continue without being nervous about me.

In addition, I respect that people can be insecure. I politely greet those who are curious and I sense that people just want to be at peace, so I keep a natural distance from them. Again, it’s about using common sense and respecting the environment.

Hillerød supply and immediate area

I will admit that I had actually planned to make a series of pictures of ‘Recycling Station Hillerød’, where the area is artificially lit. However, the challenge was somewhat greater on my arrival late in the evening as the light was simply not on. Unfortunately, these are some of the issues that I can not control with this type of photography.

In other words, this was no longer an option.

Instead, my curiosity was aroused by the neighboring building ‘Hillerød Forsyning’ as well as the surrounding roads and intersections. The exciting thing about these areas is for me the light, the atmosphere and the symmetry.

Despite the fact that I suddenly had to improvise, it was actually a positive surprise and within a relatively short time, I found what I was looking for in a composition within this genre.

The technique behind these images is done with a Mavic 2 Pro drone from DJI. The actual exposure is done with 1/3 of a second, f/2.8 in burst mode (5 shots).

Indlægget The dark time has come – Finally it’s time to create content in a dark environment! blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.

So what’s special about it ?! A club like SponZ is in the same way as all other organizations, also affected by the COVID19 restrictions, even though they exclusively practice outdoor activities at high speed and naturally with a distance to each other.

When asked if I wanted to help make a movie for them, I had no doubt about my answer as it was simply a fun and different task where the fight was going to be between the enthusiast and the restrictions!

A one man setup

In addition to the shooting happening outside of “normal” opening hours, it was a huge plus, for me – despite it being a one-man setup – that there was room to experiment along the way with techniques and methods.

I can only recommend others to contribute and support their local associations, whether in your own interest or hobby. It makes a difference for the association life and not least all those involved, whether it be for the enthusiast, the member or the local people in the area.

SponZ MTB Club

Sponz MTB Club is a mountain biking club in Hillerød, North Zealand, where there should be room for everyone with a focus on the social and fun of the sport. Everyone is welcome.

You can find more information about SponZ on their website http://www.sponzmtb.dk

Indlægget SponZ MTB Klub – Commercial blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.

The reason we produce both images and films is partly because the hopsital does not want an army of journalists around the house and produces their own material with the danger of accidentally infecting the staff and patients and partly to ensure work peace for the employees to perform their duties in the best possible way.

I think it makes good sense and at the same time the press can start editing their content faster without having to spend time making similar images and stock footage.

Reflection on what we do in everyday life

When I finished the assignment, I couldn’t help but reflect on the assignment and not least the content of the pictures. This is probably best described as a work injury in most people when you begin to analyze one’s performance and not least the result of it, but that’s not how I look at it – I call it learning and improvement!

The day after, I chose to post on Linkedin, about this experience, as well as a desire for people to listen to the authorities and otherwise care for each other. Attached to the post was the image of the intensive care unit.

At the time of this posting, this post has circulated over 1300 views since it was published. Of course, I think it’s cool to be seen, but the intention was definitely not to be seen, but instead to be heard!

We all have a responsibility to each other! We also had that before COVID19, but sometimes it is the one thing that makes the connection that makes the big difference and in this case there was an effective voice tube via Linkedin.

The actual posting can be viewed on Linkedin via this link (Danish article): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/clatho_pressebilleder-rigshospitalet-covid19-activity-6649441100543119360-vH3S (the link opens a new window).

To produce press images under intense and sensitive conditions

Upon arrival, I had actually planned for an hour of preparation, where I would see the location, prepare the equipment and not least set my mindset in relation to the mood. That plan was quickly changed.

Upon arrival at the hospital, we were greeted by a very busy press officer who announced that everyone was very busy and that the schedule was pushed by an hour – in other words, we must start the task now! We were subsequently followed over to the new established building and were presented to the staff who should be helpful both in guiding us around and posing.

ACTION

I ripped out my equipment and was close to being struck by the ‘photo-panic’ due to the situation, as I immediately noticed that the light was miserable and that 15-20 people were simply too many people in this location and that everything was similar to a scene from a disaster movie. Instead of stressing and adjusting the equipment (this is typically what you do when you panic, you can always press on your equipment or screw on your racks, etc.), I simply chose to breathe and get control of the situation … myself and my equipment and secondary all the other things in the room!

At the same time, I noticed that my colleague was running around with a camcorder on his shoulder and filming while a nurse looked nervously into the camera and told about the conditions – it seemed that he had activated his own panic button and was just running autopilot. .. it is here, fortunately, that experience comes into play.

When I had ‘set’ myself and found focus again, I started shooting. My plan initially was to produce some photographs with a wider angle. This is mainly due to the fact that I would like to create some general photographs that contain the space and its contents while avoiding too much involvement of the actors in the image.

I try my best to be ‘the fly on the wall’ and at the same time build confidence in me as a photographer with the actors.

Next, I start to interact with the actors. The way I do this is that I pick a person whom I then follow, and slowly begin to direct in the form of small phrases like “Can you just repeat that election?”, “Stand completely still, please!” or simply something as simple as “Can you tell me about your work? (while performing their actions)”.

Unfortunately, I find many photographers who do not remember their social skills in their efforts to capture the images. I make a great effort to acknowledge the people around me and not least to be polite and say thank you. It makes a huge difference to the mood and the individual’s experience and doing.

What equipment did I use for this task

In addition to the camera body (5D mark IV), I chose to work with a zoom lens (24-105, f/4). I had other lenses in my bag in the form of both prime and other zoom lenses, but this lens is super effective and, for me, a pure workhorse that provides flexibility in such locations as this one.

In addition, I had mounted an umbrella on a tripod where, with my speedlights, I illuminated the areas I needed to highlight. In the portrait photos of the doctor, I chose to use a softbox to give him a little more soft light than the rest of the room. In addition, for some pictures I had chosen to mount a flash on the camera – I primary rotated the speedlight so that it was shot with direction against a wall / ceiling and thus create a slightly more soft light – again only to highlight the person / equipment, etc.

Reflection – Did I Need Additional Equipment?

Did I need additional equipment ?! ALWAYS … Under the optimal conditions I had hoped for in the beginning, I would have liked to have full control over the light in the room and thus also the opportunity to create some study-like conditions. I was well aware that this was not possible, but as I said, it would be the ideal solution for me. I had hoped that I would have had time to reconnaissance the location and made some measurements before we started. By making these preparations before the actual photography, I can switch between the scenes faster as I do not constantly have to check if things are in the right way and thus focus 100% on the composition.

The result can be seen in the following – this is an excerpt of 12 out of 42 images in total. All pictures can be viewed via the Capital Region website at https://www.regionh.dk/presse-og-nyt/Pressefotos/Sider/Pressefotos-fra-coronapandemien.aspx (Opens in a new window).

Indlægget Press releases – COVID19 – for the COVIta Intensive department at the danish hospital Rigshospitalet blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.

Being a storyteller requires that you can build a story in a communicatively exciting way that partly ensures that the viewer gets the right information at the right time and partly maintains the viewer in such a way that they choose to follow your universe.

Constructing therefore covers both the construction itself, but equally the narrative – both are important!

Who are we and what are we doing?

To get an identity, we have to answer 2 basic questions: “Who are we?” and “What are we doing?”

By starting from these questions, you can already begin to tell your story either in the form of pictures, text and video. The story can be advantageously told at the construction site (eg along fences, signs etc.) but even better digitally through your own SoMe channels.

Do you want to develop the story – or simply follow up on an existing one – then you need to ask yourself a third question: “Why are we doing this and who is involved?”

With this question you open up a lot of opportunities in terms of communicating your stories, your results, your employees and not least your values. In this way you can both prevent, but also mitigate in the case of, for example, delays or the like in a positive and constructive way.

Why mention values ?!

Values are something that we humans partly identify with and partly have a strong attitude to, whether positive or negative. Creating value simply requires more than just a headline, a sign outside with an architectural design of the building – creating value requires communication, results and persistence.

For example, it is no use to say that we are building a new subway when the construction site is operating 24 hours a day – all neighbors are bothered and the construction risks being delayed due to external factors … what is the value added in this announcement? The construction is completed in several years and before then, all the neighbors have become one’s opponents. Opponents often escalate the conflict and suddenly the opposition is not only rebellious but also political…

Premise, conflict and perspective – storytelling

Instead, try to address the premise – can we create a narrative that clearly presents the premise for construction? What conflicts / challenges are we facing and what is the perspective in this – what’s in it for me!

In all projects it is important to communicate about one’s progress and seen from my world, so the communication also helps maintain commitment, ownership and not least support for one’s project.

It is therefore with great wonder that, as a contractor or owner of a building site, one does not as a matter of priority prioritize one’s communication!

With a unique opportunity to link the construction with storytelling, it offers an opportunity, in part, to cultivate one’s image, values and, not least, media coverage. At the same time, it also provides an opportunity for the outside world to keep up with the process, including new sponsors, partnerships and future stakeholders, etc.

It is all about seeing and seizing the opportunities while communicating about one’s progress, values and brand! This can either be in the form of independent photographs (in this example they are made as fine art), text and short films or documentaries – Can you see the difference?

The photographs in this example are from the building site “Frederiksbro” in Hillerød, Denmark. The total supplier is the Pihl consortium and the developer is M. Goldschmidt Ejendomme. Furthermore, there is a single photograph from the building site on Carlsbergvej, in Hillerød, which is carried out by JN Construction as well as a photograph from Crown Princess Mary’s Bridge where equipment continues to be in public view and one that is more communicative. Common to all of them is that they have not chosen to communicate their history through the construction site in, for example, enclosures or nearby areas. The same applies to the digital platforms (SoMe, websites and other media).

Indlægget Building is not just about creating constructions – You must also build a relationship to stakeholders and sponsors blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.

The plan was relatively simple – fly up, photograph the object and land again …

Unfortunately, this is a somewhat simplified version of what is actually happening. Photographing with a longer exposure while hanging in the air is also likely to mean blurring the image due to movements in the drone. The slightest wind or correction of the drone’s location can actually ruin the photograph – unfortunately this often happens, which is why it also requires more patience than that.

However, the challenge with this image was slightly increased as the composition itself, as I imagined it, had to be adjusted while in the air. Suddenly, there was a parking space that filled more of the picture than initially assumed, and which in fact brought one’s eye-catching with it in a different way than I had anticipated before the flight. So I decided to change my composition a little bit and thus also create another thread around the image.

The composition itself remained as planned ie. same foreground, center and background.

• Metadata: DJI Mavic 2 Pro – 10,26mm (28mm), 1/4 sek, f/2.8, ISO 2500.

Bonus material

Indlægget A gathering point for sports and events in a different perspective blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.

A trip into the dark is always exciting and if you like the slightly longer exposures and other natural challenges, it is also fun at the same time – I think so at least.

Patience is a virtue

I must admit that I can quickly become restless when it comes to my own ideas … often it means that I become impatient and after a relatively short time, I can hardly control it anymore. I just have to do-the-thing-with-my-camera no matter what!

So I decided to go on a night out and look at the area and the opportunities that are now available – call it a test shot, a bad excuse to get off or just a new idea that flourishes on the original…

The advantage of going out to these locations before the planned shot is to learn more about the area, the possibilities and not least the challenges that can arise in my composition (trains moves which gives lighttrails, people on the platform moving around, light from alternative light sources, wind and weather etc.).

Metadata

Indlægget A trainstation in the night blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.

Indlægget Do you have 32 seconds – New intro has just been added to YouTube blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.

Credits:

• Skafti Brynjólfsson, Icelandic Institute of Natural History
• Wesley Farnsworth, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
• Ívar Örn Benediktsson, University of Iceland
• Anders Schomacker, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
• Claus Falkenberg Thomsen, Video- and stills photographer and producer

And of cause a big thanks to the land of fire and ice – Iceland!

Indlægget Lake sediment coring in northeast Iceland blev først udgivet på FALKENBERGTHOMSEN.