Interview
Björn Carlsson
Björn started his digital photography career in 2014. He has a background in analogue photography, where he developed everything himself in black and white. Björn is also trained in colourising black and white images. Parallel to his analogue career, he painted some works in oil and watercolour. His goal is to put an artistic touch on a photograph. Discovering all these tools when he started photographing was like comparing them to a color palette and brush. He could suddenly start painting his photo to enhance certain elements in the image, or create a certain mood.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“How do I view the photographic process and image creation. My goal is to put an artistic touch on a photograph. I have a past in painting (oil and watercolor) and have now embraced the technique/creative creation in my photographs. Discovering these tools when I started photographing was like comparing them to a color palette and brush. I could suddenly start painting my photo to enhance certain elements in the image, or create a certain mood. I have now gone a step further and add objects and backgrounds (composite) not to be confused with montage. This is for me an exciting creative process.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“The focus is on conveying the feeling I have at the moment the photo is taken and reproducing the light and color exactly as I saw it at that moment. I also want to convey the beauty of nature and mysticism, for example in my mushroom pictures and fantasy worlds. With my Gothenburg 360 pictures, I want to convey what Gothenburg looks like from a bird's eye view. Here you will find the basis for my fantasy images and the story behind them.
‘The Lanterns of Elowen Grove’ - Deep within the whispering forest of Elowen Grove, where time drifts like mist and the air buzzes with ancient magic, stand the glowing mushrooms. These are no ordinary mushrooms—they are known as Lantern Caps, living torches lit by the forgotten spells of the forest spirits. These mushrooms are said to mark the entrance to the Fae Realm, a hidden world where dreams and light dance in harmony. Legends tell of a forest guardian, a creature named Sylra, who protects the Forest Hats. Only those with kind hearts and quiet footsteps can catch a glimpse of her, flitting through the forest like a streak of moonlight. If a traveler finds one of the mushrooms and makes a wish by touching its glowing stem, the forest may grant them a single truth—or a secret long buried by time. To enter Elowen Grove, you must pass through the right gate. There are gates to both the good world of Elowen Grove and the evil world of Ebonfern Forest, where silver mist clings to the earth like a whispered memory. The only way to find the right gate is to connect with the sun fairies who can guide you there.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Sometimes planned, such as the images from my projects ‘Glowing mushroom’ and ‘Göteborg 360.’ In my project ‘The world off fantasy,’ much is based on improvisation and creative thinking.”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“I am an omnivore and am inspired by many photographers.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I have several projects underway. One of these is ‘Glowing mushroom.’ Here, I photograph mushrooms illuminated from above with a strong LED lamp. The goal with these images is to make it look like the mushroom is glowing from within. I process these images in Adobe Lightroom and layer management in Adobe Photoshop. Another project I have just started is to integrate my ‘Glowing Mushrooms’ into different fantasy worlds. I have generated these worlds in Adobe Firefly. The characters are taken from freepik. Some of these environments are completely finished, some are under construction. Everything is put together in Adobe Photoshop. During the spring, I will be photographing a very talented fantasy cosplayer who builds her own costumes. These photographs will replace some of the figures in the different environments. The goal is to integrate these photographs into the different worlds as much as possible. The third project that is underway is to photograph famous places in Gothenburg in 365 degrees. Then transform these into a finished sphere-shaped image.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Being able to photograph and edit means a lot to me. I immerse myself in a world of inspiration drawn from the beauty of nature, but the mysterious also draws me to objects I have not previously discovered. This world offers me a respite from the everyday and routine.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“Landscape photography. I have a great fondness for these images, which can be very fascinating as the weather and wind, angles, and use of different lenses are very changeable.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have exhibited three times at the Vårgårda Nature Photo Festival, where many talented Swedish nature photographers exhibit and the admission process selects those who are offered the opportunity to participate. I have also exhibited at two smaller cafés in Gothenburg and am planning a larger exhibition at one of the city's libraries. I have also exhibited at a small basement gallery for emerging artists, Creative Dreams Gallery. I have also won a bronze medal at the Riksfotoutställningen, a national competition organized by the Swedish Photographic Association.”
