It took me twenty minutes to figure out that godd#$#@ Danish lettering. I KNOW that language is fake, and the Danes are doing it to trick us into thinking they are SO much happier than the rest of us tired sods. Everyone knows they speak Spanish at home. And the national drink is Inca Kola. When someone sends me a link to a “real” photographer, it makes me happy. We have Flemming to thank for this post. Flemming and I were exchanging messages, talking about bikes, the industry, contracts, and Danish ambient techno, chill, psychedelic, house, trance, dub music. When I say “real,” photographer, it sends the online photo hipsters into a tizzy, but that’s their problem. Real to me means working as a full-time photographer, doing assignments, shows, exhibitions, and books. This Danish dude ticks all the boxes.
Did someone say “birds?”
That’s all I needed to see. Many of you will know him already from his murmuration project, “Black Sun.” But what I was hoping you could notice is the number of DIFFERENT books he published on this one subject. That’s called an intelligent move. He also did an exhibition. That would be another smart move. I’m sure he’s on social. I don’t care. Don’t need or want to know him on social. I have the site, and that’s a much better way to engage with his work; if I want more, I’ll buy a book. (Which I can’t do now. Major changes are happening for Uncle Danno.)
The other thing I would like you to notice is his book “Stages.” This documents the behind-the-scenes of the Roskilde Festival. I know what you are thinking, “So what, he documented a festival.” FOR TWENTY SEVEN YEARS. Boy oh boy, talk about driving the online hipsters crazy. They document an old gas station for twenty minutes and make a film about it. This guy put in twenty-seven years of coverage. I’m being a bit harsh here, but it’s deserved. So many photographers now are seeking immediate fame, relevance, and respect, without ever putting in any real work, especially work that is true to who they are and not true to the algorithm. I, for one, have no time for it. I almost feel bad. Almost, but not quite.
If you look at his work, you will see he has several long-term projects. Love this. He even has portraits of Duane, who died this past week. Duane was a gem. I have a portrait of him, too, somewhere. (PSPF) Søren’s site is perfect. Well, not perfect, but it’s good, simple, clean, and shows me what I need to see. Photographs, publications, exhibitions. I would love a written element, but I’m greedy. For those of you out there who claim to want more. Pay attention.
Comments 3
Thanks for sharing! Love seeing inspiring work like this.
Wow! I have come across the murmuration pics before, but don’t think I saw the coloured ones previously. Beautiful the way the birds catch the golden light. The Photographers Posed series had some high key black and whites that reminded me of the black and white murmuration photos, as did the Duane Michals ones with the moving figures, and the nude in the swimming pool in the places section. Those would all look cool together. Interesting to see the Stages book layouts. 400 pages is justified for a 27 year project. Lots of variety in the layouts.
Well Dan if you’re not going to add to your bookshelf, I guess I’ll add to mine. The black and white murmuration images without anything else identifiable in them could be a new-fangled Rorschach test.