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spending more time realising an idea in front of
the camera and less on the computer screen,
I still find retouching and compositing to be a
skill in itself that has to be mastered and, to me,
it’s one of the most intriguing and satisfying
parts of the development of the final piece.
Initially, I had my doubts about creating
imagery that doesn’t document reality, but
portrays made-up or, in some cases, even
surreal scenarios. I once voiced my concern
regarding my artistic approach and I was
reassured that a photograph or artwork
doesn’t necessarily have to capture or emulate
everyday occurrences. It encouraged me
to find a way of building up pictures that are
composed but feel genuine at the same time.ER How did you come to start using
photography as your medium?NO In my teenage years I spent most of my
free moments writing short stories, drawing
or painting but not to express myself through
those creative channels, rather just to keep
myself entertained. Later on, I purchased
a graphic tablet and became interested in
digital painting and photo-manipulation which
eventually lead me to photography, which I
recognised to be a great tool for more than
just passing the time, but to articulate my inner
turmoil and to pursue my creative aspirations.
Untitled 12Untitled 7‘I see my pictures like pages
of a colouring book in
which content is stripped
to the bare essence.’
ER What do you want to convey through
your work?NO Portraying a sense of calmness based
on geometric shapes is a recurring theme
of my work. I see my pictures like pages of a
colouring book in which content is stripped to
the bare essence. The shape of the human
body blends in with its surroundings like the
lines of a drawing fuse together to form a
composition. With a portfolio that consists
mostly of self-portraits – the reflections of
my persona – that give the viewer complete
control over interpretation, it keeps the work
from becoming too self-indulgent. It’s always
interesting to hear different opinions regarding
the same piece.ER Most of your later work is untitled – can
you say why this is?NO My first images were always titled and
presented with no other description at all. I
tend to be somewhat reluctant to explain the
thoughts behind the pictures as I wouldn’t
want to influence the viewer with my own views›