Last week I finished another round of the eWorkshop «Finding Your Photographic Voice» and once again I was very impressed by the level of commitment and not the least the final result. For the last four weeks the participants were working on a personal photo project, and they were all able to show some incredible images captured during those weeks. In the next couple of weeks I will present a small edit of each of these personal photo projects, and first out is Kristina Eriksson.
For her personal project she chose to work on the theme she called «Come to Stillness». This is going to be part of a larger body of work that Kristina is compiling to a book she is planning to publish not too long in the future. Her idea is to combine her photographs each with a haiku poem. The images she captured show a broad range of subjects, from people to landscape to details. It was particularly the latter that caught my attention. Kristina has a special ability to capture those small details and moments in nature that holds stillness and contemplation in their simplicity. Just looking at them makes your mind come to stillness. There is a transcending tranquillity radiating from those images, as if nothing but peace and stillness and serenity ever exist. It’s possible to spend time with each of her photographs and just sink in and become part of that peacefulness. For more of Kristina’s work, please look up her blog Kristinas bilder.
In Flow with Otto 
I just LOVE the first shot..so WELL seen, so simple, works so well. Must add, I like all the photos as well. Interesting project to do.
Thank you for the feedback on Kristina’s photos.
I agree; that first shot is stunning!
Thank you, Lisa.
I like these photos a lot – I love the idea of capturing stillness in our hurried world.
It’s a reassuring idea, isn’t it. Thank you for commenting, Mary.
Very beautiful!
Thank you – on behalf of Kristina.
These are wonderful. She has a great eye, and I bet the book will be fantastic.
I think so, too. Thank you, Mary.
How beautiful. I especially appreciate communing with the squirrel in the last image. Kudos!
I am glad you liked her photos, Elen.
Beautiful, the first one is my favorite
Thank you for the feedback, Ellen.
Lovely captures of stillness….a marvellous antidote to our manic world.
It sure is. We need to feel that stillness from time to time in our otherwise manic world – as you say. Thank you Sue.
Beautiful work.
Thank you, Jane.
Wow, great creativity with these shots ~ thinking about angles and perspective, really incredible and beautiful work.
Thank you for the feedback, Randall. I am very happy you like Kristina’s work.
Very nice work indeed. I’m particularly drawn to the 3rd one from the top – I find it to be very peaceful and calming.
Yes, it is isn’t it. Thank you for the comment, Mark.
She has good photographic eyes to see things at the conceptual level and capture them. The first 3 pictures are just that and she just did that so well. The last picture is different level more of natural but it is nevertheless engaging – you stop along with the squirrel stops at the same moment.
Thank you for the very nice comment – on behalf of Kristina.
when i see awesome work like this it really really begs me to take up close up photography… i don’t know why i never do it, because i love work like this so much!!!
There is only one way to get around that problem, you know… 🙂
Beautiful contemplative images of stillness in nature by Kristina. Inspiring! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiring words, Cathy.
Fantastic work
Thank you, Rajiv.
I don’t have a lot to say beyond “wow!” I am really drawn in to these photos and think Kristina has an amazing eye! I love the theme of “Stillness.”
I am happy you like her images. Thank you, Debra.
great work, kristina.
Thanks a lot.
I was impressed with Kristina’s first image. Then scrolling down, the next image was just as interesting if not more so. And each photo there after stayed true to her theme. She HAS a theme! She shoots for a theme. She is focused and it shows. I learned a lot about myself viewing her captivating, thought provoking images. And….what a great idea to write haiku poem with each photo she publishes in her book. I can tell from her commitment and excellence with her photo assignment with your class she WILL publish that book, real soon. How many times do I say I should publish some of my work. I never make the time. Photos sit on my hard drive. It’s sad I don’t make my time, effort and love of photography more a priority. Life is too short. So again, thanks Otto and Kristina for the wake up call!
I see the same devotion in Kristina’s work as you do, so, yes, I absolutely believe she will soon publish her book. As for what you write about yourself, I am also one who has often said to myself that I will get this work published or exhibited, but in the end don’t make the time for it to happen. Time to change. 🙂
Stämningsfullt, konstnärligt och mycket väl fotograferat och en strålande ide att göra en bok med haiku poem. Har följt Kristinas blogg sedan jag började fota och hon är en inspirationskälla för mig. Boken vill jag absolut ta del av och du har gjort en fin och innehållsrik presentation Otto.
Tack till er båda.
Monica
Og takk til deg, Monica, for dine inspirerende ord.
You really do have to be “looking” if you’re going to find this kind of subject matter. It’s a challenge to “look” past the everyday and find the gorgeous tiny details.
It is absolutely a challenge to look beyond everyday matters. It takes practice and devotion. Thank you, Alli.
Wonderful photos! Good job Kristina. I like your last post too. All so very true.
Thank you, Linda.
Her work evokes calm, contemplation and tranquility. Each image fits so well into her theme. Thanks for the introduction to her work.
I am glad you like Kristina’s photo. Thank you, Sally.
Great shots…
Thank you.
I wanted to send Kristina the following words but didn’t succeed:Es ist eine Wohltat deine Bilder zu betrachten und die Ruhe zu geniessen, die diese ausstrahlen. Danke. PS. Leider kann ich deine Sprache (Finnisch?) nicht!
It’s wonderful, dear Otto, to be able to show your students their road and feel happy about their achievement. My compliments:)
Thank you for the nice words, Martina.
Love Kristina’s photos.Your title is perfect, Otto.
I am happy you like Kristina,s photo, Sylvia.
Kristinas photos are very fine. My friend, Birgit, is also writing haiku poems and shooting photos – she has written two fine books in this way: Ballehage Strandhaiku ( http://bibak.dk/ballehage.html ) and Brabrand Stihaiku ( http://bibak.dk/brabrand-stihaiku.html ). Maybe Kristina could be inspired here?!
I certainly hope so – and that she will pick up your links. Thank you, Truels.
Oh, my goodness, these photos are fantastic!
Thank you for the nice words, Schuttzie.
I suspect that a vast pool of patience underlies these photos. To capture the quality of stillness in nature, it is necessary that we, ourselves, be willing to be still. It certainly gives the phrase “still photography” a new and deeper meaning.
That’s a good one. And of course you are right about stillness. But so it is for any photography. If you want to convey a specific feeling through your work, you will need to be there yourself. Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Linda.
What a great project. Stillness…something we all need more of I am guessing. I’m in love with that third shot. Such simplicity but at the same time depth. Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing.
And that you for your feedback, Laura.
You’re welcome 🙂
Those first two would make really cool fantasy material. Nice pics.
Thank you, Arthur.
Bellissime foto, complimenti a Kristina e grazie a te Otto, per avercela fatta conoscere!!
Saluti, Patrizia
Grazie, Patrizia.
Thank you for sharing Kristina’s peaceful portfolio, her photography is beautiful.
I am happy you like her photos. Thank you Elisa.
oh what beautiful work! So lovely and calming and I love how she has captured such wonderful detail that many others may overlook. Thank you for introducing her to us.
Thank you for the feedback on Kristina’s work.
Superb images Otto.
I love Kristinas’ subject and style of photography.
Interestingly enough, I have a similar image to the first one, (minus the bubbles), in one of my own photo folders.
I am learning so much while viewing other photographer’s way of seeing the world around them through your presentations.
If one is open for it, it’s always possible to learn something from other’s photography, isn’t it. Thanks for the feedback on Kristina’s photos.
Kristina has such an amazing eye for details. Splendid work.
Thank you for the comment, Uday.
Marvelous work.
I am happy you like her work.
Thank you so much all of you for your kind comments. .was so glad for it . I’m writing and maskingevär pictures for the book all fre time and the projekt is going well. And to Otto: stort tack för all inspiration o en mycket givande kurs!
Takk for de fine ordene, Kristina. Dine bilder har virkelig slått an på bloggen!
Not maskingevär! The computer writes himself. Shall bee: making !😝
These are all extremely beautiful images. Thanks for showing them.
And thank you for the feedback, Andrew.
Transcendent tranquillity~I love that.
Thank you, Melissa.
🙂
Very interesting!
I agree. 🙂
In combing through her blog, it’s clear that she’s an outdoor spirit.
I would think so yes. Thank you for your comment, Allan.