The Interview: Photographer Arne Vidar Stoltenberg

For this month's feature, I interviewed photography student: Arne Vidar Stoltenberg from Norsk Fotofagskole on location, (whom I will be collaborating with in the near future on a project)...

After a quick welcome when I arrive he laughs at the amount of snow covering me! Arne was about to start a photo shoot for an assignment and I was invited to see how he works with the camera. This was a nude-photography project where Arne had to illustrate the effect of light settings and how this plays an important role towards the final result of the image. Amongst the many intricate details that form a single image: contrast and intensity of light have a vital influence on shape and form.

Pictured below: Arne Vidar Stoltenberg (Photo by Martine Lein Skrove)

After the shoot, we had a chat about Arne's journey through the world of film and photography education....

Q: When did you discover your passion for photography?

A: I started with a course in media communication, and it was the first fiction film project we worked on that helped me decide my educational route. I then worked as a technical apprentice for an independent Norwegian film company called 4 1/2 Film. It was there I decided that as much as I love the technicality, I wanted to also learn how to work with visually interpreting and communicating a story and theme.

A: The crew at 4 1/2 Film taught me a lot, and I appreciate the experience that gave me. I decided to further my education by starting a course at NKH (Norsk Kreativ Høyskole) in film. There I learned a lot about the effects of lighting, amongst other important technical skills. I learned how to interpret a story using an artistic approach.

A: I like cinematic photography coming from a film background, so I want a picture to tell a story.

A: Fashion is challenging. I like to have more than a plain background in the picture.. I still want the image to have detail and expression.

A: Inspiration to me means admiring the creativity of others and learning from them, but not copying. At the end of the day as artists we are all individual and we should express our interpretation based on what we see and experience.

After the interview and tour of the Norsk Fotofagskole, we sat down to work on a mood-board to plan our photography project which I am looking very much forward to!

I leave the article with a final picture which illustrates an example of photography being approached in a context where the image will be used as a cover photo for a music LP. It has a subtle signature of Arne's taste in cinematic aproach.

Text: Amin Cadie (Art Director)

Photography courtesy of Arne Vidar Stoltenberg

*except photo of Arne: courtesy of Martine Lein Skrove