Thomas Ohlsson has not only been so kind to provide us with a stunning cover photo for November 2020, but has also been featured in an Editor's Choice earlier this month.. Now it's time to round off this month with a feature about the Swedish photographer. Read all about how he got started, how he developed his passion of people photography and what he thinks makes a photo stand out from the average!
Thomas, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with.
I am from the most southern part of Sweden, and my day job is in IT, or to be specific as an application consultant in warehousing. A technical job that has also allowed me to do some travel, which is always appreciated from a photographer’s point of view as well. Photography is my main passion, but I also enjoy road bicycling, a little bit of gaming (board games and computers), and the occasional beer festival with Copenhagen being less than an hour away from where I live.
Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
For as long as I remember, I have been taking snapshots. Growing up during the 1990’s, I had a couple of analog cameras, but that was entry level pure ‘point and shoots’. I also saved up some money working during the summer to buy my first digital camera, an Olympus Camedia C-1 with whopping 1.3 Megapixel. 
It continued with digital point and shoots, but it was only snapshots and not more than that. It was only around 2010 when I got a DSLR that I started to get a bit more interested in the creative aspects of photography. It was definitely from a technical angle, and a general interest at first, but after some years, I gravitated more towards portrait photography, which I would say has become my main area of interest since around 2015.
What does photography mean to you? 
The fundamental part is that it is a way of being creative. There are many steps and aspects if you start to break it down, of where I find that photography lets me combine multiple aspects that I enjoy. The creative process for me consists mainly of two parts: firstly, in the moment of capturing the images, that is working with the model, and secondly, when working with and bringing out the best in the images. Another aspect which is less creative, but which I still enjoy is the mechanical and technical side of things. Last but not least, another important aspect is of course meeting and working with people. In my case both amateur models, but also friends and family.

Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
I would say, I am mainly picking up small pieces of inspiration here and there, currently mainly from Instagram. I think, it is also a bit subconscious when consuming media in most forms as for example movies, books, magazines and games.

Among your works, which is your favourite and why? 
Impossible to pick, but I like when I have the possibility to work with the same model multiple times and be able to show a good range of photographs with similar input.
What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started?
I already mentioned the very early stuff, but the first proper DSLR was a Pentax K-x with “dual” kit lenses (18-55 and a 50-200). Fortunately, quite early on I came across a “nifty-fifty” that allowed me to really discover and play with the selective focus – an eye opener for me and something I would recommend everyone to explore. Today, I still use Pentax to some extent, especially lenses. To that I have added Olympus and Fujifilm hardware. For portraiture, and thus my most used camera is the Fujifilm X-T2. To me, that’s a great size, lots of external control, and useful features like focus peaking and wi-fi. I do a lot of adaptation of lenses, especially the Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR line (Pentax’s final M42 lens line).

What is your favorite lens?  
My all-time most used lens is the Pentax SMC-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited. It has great image quality, great metal build, small size, and a lot of character. The last few years I have been using the Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 85mm F1.8 as well. I like to explore different lenses, so I usually bring something proven and something new to try out. I have gravitated towards the classic portraiture focal length of 85mm (or there around) more and more. I like the look of 135mm as well, but the working distance is a bit too long for full-body shots.
Can you tell us about your workflow from the point until you showcase the developed picture?  
I don’t want to plan too much in detail before a shoot, but to share basic ideas of a mood, location and general direction is of course a good start. I also leave room for the model and makeup artist to be creative as well. During the shoot it is on me to adapt and bring out the best of the available light and surroundings. This means it can sometimes take a slight turn from what was planned originally, and it is a great freedom to have as an amateur photographer. Typically, I will do two or three sessions with a model, with a change of location and outfit in between.
The work after the shooting is a bit of sorting the couple of hundred shots per session. I will often do some batch editing in a certain direction that I have had in mind and based on that come down to a final of five. At least that’s the aim, but most often a few more will be added that then can be further looked at. I almost work exclusively in Lightroom where I think it corresponds to what I believe is photography. Sometimes I also use Photoshop for more advanced “digital artistry”, but that is quite rare. Usually, my goal is to come out in the end with a nice session of approximately five coherent pictures that make sense together, for instance some full body shots and some closeups. 
What or who has influenced your work?  
It can be very small things I pick up, and I would not say that I have one or a few big things that influence my work. I remember one photography class I took that focused on how we observe images, and that, if you have someone specific in mind as a viewer that can be helpful in making a message clearer. Most often I do not have a particular viewer in mind except myself though.
What is your favourite subject to photograph? 
Much what is in line with this magazine, that is outdoors portraits of people. Quite often, I go for classic settings like small city streets or a park environment, but now and then I also try a few new things of course. I have a simple home studio but that is more a backup for when the Swedish winter does not comply.

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?  
This is a very difficult question to answer, but I think it is the possibility to adapt to existing light. It might not turn out exactly like something planned, but, in my humble opinion, in general it turns out good – and the models also seem quite happy with the result most of the time. 
 
Tell us your funniest photography story.  
When travelling I like to plan photoshoots with local models, often trying to find Facebook groups or so for that city or area. One of these times I was spending a couple of days in Hong Kong, and I had arranged a shoot with a model there who was also from Europe. I don’t think Europeans are that rare in Hong Kong, this was even close to the Star Ferry crossing so not an uncommon place for tourists, but for some reason we were quite popular for selfies with the locals. Several times during the shoot it was break for selfie-time. It was quite funny and memorable. 
You mentioned that you try to organize photo shoots when travelling. How is shooting while travelling different from shooting at home? 
Shooting with a new model in a new place of course displays some extra challenges, but there is not much difference from shooting "at home". I try to plan as best I can in advance, although part of the charm is to use the location and the light there and then. When you travel, it is usually a new place, a new model, a day and no possibility of re-scheduling. Extra flexibility is required - so it is also important to make use of the model who often has local knowledge of places that previously worked well. You can also try to find local photographers who can come up with tips. Some places I photographed while traveling (privately or in connection with work) are Tokyo, Austin, New York, Houston, and then Hong Kong. I have no dream destination for model photography but are rather seeking to find rewarding collaborations and the opportunity to work with the same model regularly.
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In your opinion, what makes a good picture stand out from the average?  
If it is memorable – preferably years down the road, it is a better picture in my mind. What makes it memorable will of course be different for everyone. Within portraits as well as many other types of photography different observers will see different pictures, for example looking at colors, the mood, expression of the model, clothes, setting or most likely a combination of all.

What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
Don’t think too much before. For portraiture a short telephoto lens and more or less any digital body from the 2010’s will be a good start. Get some friend to practice with you and learn and improve as you go along.
Do you want to see more of Thomas or contact him?
Check out his website or find him on Social Media!

Website  http://thomasohlsson.com/ 
Instagram http://instagram.com/thomasohlssonphotography
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thomasohlssonphotography
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