The inspiration for this project came from a photographer named Michael Somoroff, who made a project called “Absence of Subject“. He took the legendary photographer August Sander’s monumental work “People of the 20th Century” and simply erased the subjects, putting the background in primary focus.
To me Landscape Photography in general is not very interesting unless something unexpected is added to the picture. So when I started to add light to the scenes something happened. After that I used both subjects and light together.
In the series ”Traces” I use coloured lights to fill in the absence of a subject or an object. We all leave traces in this world, it can be a smell of perfume in a room, a heated chair or sometimes it might just be memories from the past.
In The Woods
Outside of Gothenburg is a placed called Nääs, known for its fishing waters and recreational nature. The equipment I used for these images was a Mamiya 645 Super with a 45mm lens and Cinestill 800T.
Dead Wood
These trees seemed dead but actually they had some fresh leaves on them. Again, the equipment was the Mamiya 645 Super 45mm lens and Cinestill 800t.
Gazebo
This house I found not so far from where I live. It seems maladjusted and made me think of the animated film “Spirited Away“. This time the equipment I used was a Hasselblad 500 cm, 80mm lens and Kodak Portra 160.
At Night I Fly
I also shot for this project in my neighbourhood. Here some kids skating on a very late summer night. The equipment used here was the Hasselblad 500cm, 80mm lens and Kodak Portra 160.
Fireflies
This was shot outside Gothenburg on a site that was used for depositing garbage. In time it has become a hill used for skiing and downhill mountain biking. The equipment was Hasselblad 500cm, 80mm lens and Kodak Portra 160.
Mobile Home
A couple of sheds I found in the woods. I think they are used by construction workers, although there is nothing to construct in the woods.
These were taken with the Mamiya 645 Super, 80mm lens and Cinestill 800T.
Occupied
An Outhouse next to the sheds I found. Mamiya 645 Super, 80mm lens and Cinestill 800t.
Jump!
A Diving Tower at a very popular bathing place outside of Gothenburg. It’s interesting what becomes of structures that are so full of people in the summer but off season just monuments that reminds us of the past. Mamiya 645 Super, 45mm lens and Cinestill 800t.
Swing
Another popular bathing place outside of Gothenburg. Mamiya 645 Super, 45mm lens and Cinestill 800t.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
To see more work visit my Instagram or website.
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Comments
Martin Siegel on Traces – A Photography Project – By Stefan Aune
Comment posted: 20/02/2022
Fine read and great pictures!
Stefan Aune on Traces – A Photography Project – By Stefan Aune
Comment posted: 21/02/2022
I realise my lumberjack-skills are very low, so it sounds very logical that the sheds are used by them.
Huss on Traces – A Photography Project – By Stefan Aune
Comment posted: 21/02/2022
Stefan Aune on Traces – A Photography Project – By Stefan Aune
Comment posted: 22/02/2022