Sometimes I see beautiful photographs taken by other skillful photographers that I really admire.. and wonder how to they do it. These last couple of weeks, I have made a little challenge with myself; I would find a couple of photos I really found beautiful, and I would use the inspiration from these to take even better photos myself. This includes both taking the picture, but also process it and find my own style in the post-processing. It was also important for me not to just copy the original photos I found, but take the ideas I got from others further, into developing my own photographic style.
Just wanted to share one of the results from this little personal challenge 
It was cold… about -11 or -12 degrees C, but Maria and Erlend wanted to get some pre-wedding-shots before the “real thing” coming up soon. It was really fun photographing the two lovebirds; we all laughed, smiled and had a really great time! Below are some of the shots we took during the relatively short photo session (I wouldn’t be responsible for forcing the couple to stay too long in the cold, getting sick before the Big Day is no fun…).
I am really looking forward to shoot their wedding!
Yes… you probably guessed it… the wedding couple… The church is booked and the venue for the reception is ready… rings are ordered and the wedding outfit has been tried on and found perfect…
Just wanted to share a couple of shots taken while preparing for three(!) weddings I am going to photograph in February. I am really excited about getting the opportunity to capture the most important day for some really wonderful couples I have always found a lot of inspiration in wedding photography, and can’t wait to get going
Tags: bride, bryllup, bryllupsfotograf, canon 5D, decoration, foto, fotograf, groom, photo, tor-ivar hals, Trondheim, wedding
Just wanted to post this one… taken a couple of days ago. I love you, sweetie!
…
Canon 5D mk II + Canon 50mm 1.4 @ 1/250 sec at f2.0, iso 100
We have had a wonderful winter these last couple of weeks. Yes, it has been freeeezzing cold here in Scandinavia, but at the same time it has been really beautiful. Since I am in the final phase of finalizing my Master’s dissertation these days, there is not much time for photography (unfortunately 
). But yesterday, the light was so insanely beautiful with the sun just above the horizon, and some really thick fog above the ground, so I decided to take a short brake from the writing, and get some fresh air These are taken just a couple of minutes walk from my house:
Canon 5D mk II + Canon 50mm @ 1/8000 sec at f1.8, iso 100
Canon 5D mk II + Canon 50mm @ 1/3200 sec at f2.2, iso 100
Canon 5D mk II + Canon 50mm@1/4000 at f4.5, iso 100
As you might have guessed, I have tried to use the Christmas holidays to think and reflect. I addition to all the eating Not sure if I have moved the history of great thinkers and philosophers so much further… but still…
A very good friend of mine posted a couple of days ago a new years eve greeting at Facebook with the comment; “Happy new year; may we all be better at always seeing the larger picture“.
Let us remind ourselves throughout 2010 that most of us living in the western world are lucky. Yes there might be issues with friends or family, or problems at work which might seem like mountains impossible to pass. Or someone close is seriously ill. And all of this hurts. And it is allowed to be hurt.
But let us also spend some time in 2010 on focusing at the larger picture…
All photos: Canon 5D mk II+ Canon 50mm f1.4 @ f1.4 or f1.6, 1/250 or 1/500, ISO 100
Two weeks of christmas holiday celebration is coming to an end. For many of us, the christmas holidays are spent with family and friends gathered around the table, eating (see pics below ), chatting, laughing and enjoying each others company. We should keep reminding ourselves that we are blessed having the possibility to have one to two weeks “off” during the year for this celebration.
We have had a lot of friends and family coming over this Christmas. Christmas and food seem to be important elements all together. At least in my family. And amongst my friends. Below are some insights into what has been served to our guest.
Ok, not all of this is traditional norwegian food. But still. It was very tasty
Enjoy.
Taken with 5D OR 5D mk II – and Canon 50mm 1.4 or Canon 24-70L 2.8
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As we are ending 2009, it is time for the annual “what have I accomplished this year”-thoughts. Did you have any goals for 2009? Did you reach any of them? Sometimes we get so focused at achieving our goals, that we forget to seize the days and the little moments as they fly by… Publishing personal goals out on the open internet is definitely a more or less stupid way to build a high tower of expectations to fall from when 2010 is coming to an end. Still, I think one of my goals for 2010 will be to pay more attention the the little every-day moments, that will just fly by like busy butterflies if we don’t stop and take time to notice them…
Best Happy New Year-wishes to all of my blog followers.
Few things are more important in life than friendship and having people that are close to us. I am blessed to both have friends that I see often, and friends that I see more seldom due to distance. But still its great to know that when we meet as true friends, it always seems we’re just continuing a chat where we left off the day before. Openness, trust, support and having great fun is what friendship is all about The portrait in the post is of a great person and a genuine friend that I have known for more than half my life. Thanks, man!
Taken with my Canon 5D using the Canon 70-200L f4 lens.
The photo in this post has been “aggressively” edited, inspired by Andrzej Dragan, a photographer born in Warsaw, who also has a PhD in Quantum Physics and is also a musician. I realize I have miles to go before being close to this polish photograper (who also is younger than me… hm.. I guess I need to realize I am getting old 
), both when it comes to photoshop skills, composition and use of light. But what is photography and creativity without inspiration?
I did the “harsh” photoshop-work with intent – trying to learn the Dragan way of photoshopping The technique is a bit tricky, and does not work for all kinds of photos. For this portrait I think I managed to get the look I was aiming for, though.
For you interested, click on the thumbnail for a “before-after” illustration, just to give the idea of what is actually done with the image.
I might even consider to publish a small tutorial describing the editing process
Tags: andrzej dragan, dragan, dragan effect, editing, friendship, photo, photographer, Photoshop, portrait, tor-ivar hals, winter
Summer. The warm breeze is making the straws down by the lake move slightly back and forth. The sun just set below the horizon, and the beautiful colors of the sky are still playing a show in my imagination. I just want to sit up all of this warm summer night. The warm weather brings joy and happiness. I am thinking about the ones I love and care about. Summer. The sun and the warm weather brings life.
Or…
Mid december. Snow and ice. Minus 12 Celcius. The cold brings out a mist over the water moving down to the big sea. It’s mid day, and the sun is working hard to make it over the hills across the river. A few live giving rays of sun are barely making it to the place where I sit. The straws by the river shore are deep frozen. Not moving. Waiting for the spring.
Warm weather…is coming… soon…
Early November. Planning. Looking forward to christmas. Happy. Start thinking about gifts. More planning. Thinkin about Christmas preparations. December. Christmas is approaching. Suddenly realizing all the things needed to be done before Christmas. Stress. Chaos. But also fun. Last gifts bought… on overtime. Food bought and plans are made.
Christmas is here… and you suddenly get time to relax. Stress down. Be with friends and family. The ones we love. Take time to appreciate the small but important moments.
Personal note: 2009 has also been a little photography-adventure for me personally, and (luckily!) I see some progress in my photos over the year. Perhaps others do as well. Anyway… as long it gives me joy and happiness, I’ll continue my little photographic journey throughout 2010.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all of you following my blog!
Just wanted to post this cute little girl with the lovely little smile I also tried out a new way of doing bw conversion, and liked the feel of it all. This is one of the first shots I took with the 24-70L i just got. The lens provides what all review state;sharpness and popping colors. I think I have got myself a new favorite lens.
by Tor-Ivar
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