Jarle Hvidsten

Jarle grew up outside of Lillehammer and now resides in Trondheim, but he travels as much as he can. He describes himself as a passionate and classic man, with a love for new and corky twists. As such, Jarle is intrigued by those who dare to be different, and doesn’t mind going against the grain of society. He aspires to work on projects with these characteristics in the future, and has several ideas in his Moleskine notebook, just waiting to be realised.

“I feel like much of my life has been outside my comfort zone. I like it there. I have this drive. I can’t help myself. I just have to get moving.”

In the mid 90s, Jarle began his photography career as an assistant to the photographer at the Norwegian Maritime Museum. He has a wide creative education from Coventry Polytechnic, Central St. Martins in London, and Westerdals School of Communication, and has worked as an art director for many years. When he finally made the leap to photography seven or eight years ago, Jarle was very technically focused to start. Once he had mastered the different lighting setups and light shapers, he began his ongoing quest to find his genre.

“The camera is just a tool. It’s so strange that people speak about photographers like we’re working with the same thing. It’s like everybody that’s working with a knife is doing the same thing.”

Since the market in Norway is relatively small, Jarle explains that commercial photographers need to master different styles and genres of photography to make a fair living. He signed with See Management in New York four years ago, which has opened up the opportunity for Jarle to focus and specialise more on different types of genres and his own voice. Though he doesn’t feel that he’s found his space within the industry just yet, he believes he’s on the right track. “I’m getting closer, but then again, maybe I’ll never get there.”

Jarle started shooting analogue again 3 years ago, but still shoots digital on assignments. His cameras and lenses of choice are the Leica M7 with different Summilux lenses, the Pentax 67ii with the 2.4/105mm lens, two Leica SL2 cameras with the Summilux 1.4/50mm lens, and the Leica S3 medium format system with the 2.0/100mm lens. Jarle develops most of his film himself, but he’ll get his work professionally developed if there’s a lot of Portra film or no room to muck up the job. Editing wise, he uses Capture One and Photoshop.

When it comes to finding inspiration, Jarle admires other artists who have dared to be different and who have found their own voice. In addition, he says that his partner in crime Tanja is very inspirational. His advice to aspiring photographers is to free yourself from your perception of good imagery and don’t fall into the trap of believing that you need to spend a fortune on equipment. “Becoming a communicator is a process,” he adds.

The most interesting and emotional project that Jarle has ever worked on would have to be capturing Prima Ballerina at the Norwegian Ballet Company.

INSTAGRAM @JARLE.HVIDSTEN.STUDIO

It was a project with designer Frank Remme and dancer Camilla Spidsøe, shot in the construction site of the new National Gallery. As for his most beautiful or inspiring image, Jarle told Localfolk that the images in which he’s managed to capture strong emotions are the ones he’s most pleased with.

When asked to share how he found his distinct photography style, Jarle talks about his quest to free himself from styles and perceptions of so-called superb photography. He spent many years trying to master different styles as an art director, but he got so bored with it and in the end, he felt it was a waste of time. Now he’s on a personal search to locate his fears and strengths, and to capture and communicate both emotions and curiosity.

“Photography is about capturing life, but in my world, it is also about creating an alternative universe, and communicating feelings and emotions.”

A Norwegian creator from Levanger, Christian has lived in Trøndelag all his life. He currently works as a process technician for Norske Skog Skogn, and does photography and videography on the side.

Images / Christian Trustrup Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN TRUSTRUP