A big print of a sculpture in Höggmyndagarðinn taken by Bjorn Arnason graced his apartment ten years ago. This symbolic photograph, he took in an obscure angle from the back of the sculpture, manifests the start of his artistic journey to photography. His most influential mentor Mary Ellen Mark whom he had the privilege to work as an assistant in Iceland encouraged him to hone his minimal style and ambiguously introduce people. Her training became his alter ego when walking around taking pictures to get the perfect shot that is true to his distinct expression. Becoming a student for two years in her workshops in Oaxaca gave Bjorn the best exposure to the diverse world of photography.
By Bjorn: The environment that surrounds me is usually my inspiration, nature, manmade structures and people. When I go somewhere and plan on photographing I usually have some sort of a plan on what I am going to do but sometimes the surroundings take me to a completely different direction. I set my mind on going to some place like Reykjanes and just go there a few times and see where the surroundings take me, sometimes the nature is my focus and sometimes the buildings and the people in the small towns are more interesting. The technique I would apply more to my work and I already started doing is going closer up to people when I am shooting. Not like really up close but I am a shy person and I find it hard to obviously take a photo of a person but I am getting better at it.
I use natural light in most of my personal projects. I love dark and gloomy light. Like when its cloudy or foggy here in Iceland. I just love photographing nature in that light. You can see it very well in http://www.bjornarnason.com/untitled-iii Like the first pictures, I love how the clouds just hover over the top of the mountain. Like its a soft cotton just slightly stoking the edge of the mountain. Don't get me wrong, I love the sun just as much.
As for working with any kind of project, Bjorn visits the place numerous times to see all the angles of the place to generate the best composition. His advice to people of any age who are starting to build their photography skills would be to find their inner voice, find their personal style, keep on practicing and do not be afraid of making mistakes.
Icelandic lakes and glaciers form a unique panorama cold and distant yet heartwarming. Bjorn Arnason had a journey seemingly in parlance with the majestic landscape and his camera. Textures, formations and atmosphere conquered and celebrated in its austere simplicity.
