Time has come to showcase the first work by one of the participants from the workshop I taught in Villajoyosa in Spain earlier in May this year. As mentioned last week I will alternate between showing participants’ work from respectively this workshop and the eWorkshop that finished up just before the workshop in Villajoyosa.
Erik Waage was clear from the beginning that he wanted to work with religion as a theme for his personal project during the workshop in Villajoyosa. And he set out with a determination that was impressive. Already from day one did he return with strong and telling images. There is an immediacy and a respect in the way he approach his theme. The viewer feel connected to the event taking place in his photos, whether it’s of the deepest religious nature or of a more unrestrained joy. Erik Waage is the observer in the classical sense of a street photographer. He waits for the moment, and captures this moment when it’s most telling and at its peak. His images are quiet, but show profound sensitivity. It doesn’t matter if it is people dancing or artefacts of religious value; Erik Waage captures the essence with a direct and magnificent expression. His colour palette is gentle and gracious, just like the way he portrays the world as he sees it.
In Flow with Otto 
Great job by Erik, and excellent introduction by the supervisor! Thank you, Otto!
Thank you for the kind words.
Great series of photos, he captures emotions and feeling of the scene which I think is one of the most difficult things a photographer faces ~ becoming one with the scene so as to get that special moment. Well done.
There is indeed a very strong emotion connection in Erik’s pictures.
Wonderful photography!
Thank you, John, on behalf of Erik.
He certainly did capture the essence. I especially like the fact that he chose a theme or subject that most of us wouldn’t take on for whatever reasons. The quality and emotion of this series shows just how personal the theme is to him.
You are quite right, Allan. And exactly because it’s a personal theme for Erik, that’s why the images are so strong.
There really is an aura of respect coming from these photos – and of the people featured being at ease.
Well said, Tamara.
A fantastic works! I can feel the pendant is moving and I just love the dancing picture with the dynamic movement. Yet, Erik glued them together nicely with the theme!
A great comment. Thank you.
All I can say is Wow! Great street photography.
Erik certainly has a way with the lens. Like you say he has strong images, but still with a sensitivity to the subject in the frame. I particularly like the 2nd, 4th & 5th images. Nice angles and focal points.
Thank you for a very nice comment, Vicky.
Pertains respect and a strong emotion. Great pictures!
Thank you – on behalf of Erik.
I really like Erik’s work …. full of emotions. And respect, just like Leila said. And so is your post … full of respect for a man’s art. Not a religious person as such, but my favorite is the lady kissing the cross. A Beautiful image. Thanks for sharing; Otto.
And thanks for stopping and sharing your thoughts, Thea Maria.
My pleasure, Otto! *smile
Excellent series EriK, you spent your time well.
🙂
Waage’s work well deserves the attention you’ve given it, Otto. His work has such tenderness and immediacy that I feel like I know his subjects. What reverence he gives the elderly!
Well said, John. Thank you.
Inspirational images! Thank you for sharing.
And thank you for visiting.
🙂
Loved looking at these images, Otto.
I am glad to hear, Sylvia.
Wonderful images.. Now i understand more clearly when you say one needs to have the images connect the viewer with the photo..he mastered this very well..
Thank you for sharing these with us all!
Without this connection a photo appears uninteresting and unengaging. Thanks for the comment, Lynne.
After looking at his set of images a few times, it struck me that his watchful eye also recorded the intimacy of hands. I found them more interesting as a theme.
An interesting observation, Sally, and I agree with you.
Splendido lavoro di Erik, le sue immagini colpiscono molto, sono veramente belle ma soprattutto catturano momenti molto particolari!! Complimenti anche all’insegnante 🙂
Saluti, Patrizia
Grazie per le belle parole, Patrizia, a nome di entrambi Erik e me.
There’s a wonderful intimacy in these views. Erik certainly has a way with the camera.
He certainly does. Thank you, Andrew.
Erik does make us feel like we are there in the moment through his pictures. How he captured moments and gave it life, truly inspiring. Great post. All the best to you and family.
Thank you, my friend, same to you and your family.
There is a deep sense of calm and understanding in these images. Great work by Erik. Thanks for showcasing these beautiful images Otto.
And thank you for stopping by, Shivani.
Otto, I love the way you are showcasing your workshop participants’ creations. So ‘nourishing’ creatively speaking for all of us – us viewers especially.
I am glad you like it, Tish.
Since I work for the Catholic Church, Erik’s sensitivity to the subject really impresses me, especially the photo of kissing the relic. The person’s hand on the priest’s hand, keeping him close, but gently. The detail of the cloth to wipe the relic clean before the next person is a reassurance… this is all subliminal to the average viewer, but really well done. Bravo!
Thank you, Linda, on behalf of Erik. That is quite a complement.
These images express strongly the personal emotional engagement of the photographer with the events he is recording.
Indeed they do, don’t they.
Marvelous images.
Thank you, Elena.
These are wonderful Otto – thanks for sharing them! Erik has a wonderful future ahead!
Thanks for the comment, Tina.
So nicely seen and captured.
Thank you for sharing, Otto.
Thanks, Lisa.
Erik did a fine job. I really like the last picture with the motion blur in the girl’s dress!
It’s a great picture isn’t it.
I think it is great to showcase your workshop participants. You have a way of describing the photographer that cuts right to the heart of the matter. Erik is very talented. Nice angles.
I love to showcase great work. Thank you for the nice words, Jo.
Kudos to Erik! I particularly find the first image utterly captivating.
🙂
Erik has done a wonderful and respectful job of catching what I think is the true essence of faith. The joy. Too often religion is portrayed with such a heavy hand that it becomes dark and scary.
That’s a very good observation, Michelle, and I agree with you. Erik’s approach is definitely not heavy handed.
I’m struck by the exquisite lighting in Erik’s photos, especially the first one in the series. I hope he’s as proud of his work as he should be!
I think he is content with his efforts. Thanks for commenting, Linda.
Dette er bilder jeg liker! Alle med en sterk følelsesmessig nærhet. Liker spesielt det tredje bilde i serien.
Ønsker deg en god dag!
Takk for kommentaren, Anita. En god dag til deg og.
Congratulations to Erik! This is an amazing collection. Every one of them is cool in its own way. I liked the first one best 😀
Thanks for commenting, Paula.
as a strict amature photographer i aim to get an image of what i see and what therefore can be seen by other people. I delete tons of things because they dont reflect my vision – no matter what they look like. i like very much people who admire what is true. so theres my 2cents. i have just found your blog because you took the time to read one of my poems and liked it. thanks for that. and for the great place here to explore.
Thanks for your 2cents – and for the nice words.
These are beautiful. Do you know if he found it difficult to photograph people during times of spiritual reflection? I personally would find that difficult, but the tone that comes across in the photos is very intimate and respectful as you mentioned, and doesn’t seem intrusive. The last one is my favorite – love the point of view!
I think he had no problems – more or less at least – to get access to the people he photographed. Most of the times the limitations are the ones we impose on ourselves. Thanks for the nice comment, Lynda.
Beautiful series! Erik has got a great eye!
I very much agree. Thank, Uday.