Blaubeermund

Dear Diary,

2010-02-05T14:37:00.002+01:00

I wanted you to be of highest quality. Maybe I even wanted you to be from film. But you know what? I also want you to exist. That's why, dear diary, you will be shot with my mobile phone. Screw it! Tiny things rock anyways.

Aaaand, often heared, good to keep in mind: It's not the camera that makes the picture!

This guy will live in Stockholm soon. Yay!

Photoshooting today!

2010-02-05T13:59:00.003+01:00

I had a shooting this morning, for my current project. It sure was something! To give a few hints, it involved a not quite frozen lake with at least 40cm of snow on it. Making the ice really mushy, so much that it actually was a bit scary. Thanks to my mum, I had really good shoes, but my poor models? Not so much. I never handeled the large format camera that quick though. 30 minutes? Check.

Afterwards:

Once warm again, Evah made well-deserved breakfast!

Day 2

2010-01-17T19:38:00.003+01:00

There´s still lots & lots of snow here. I´m not sure if I can make it, taking a picture every day. Not without a really convenient, easy to carry around camera. Maybe with the mobile phone camera, or one like this. Yes, this would be nice! But for once, I think I will for sure go digital. With film, you´re just too careful with what you shoot. And with this diary, it´s mostly about documenting the year where you normally forget your camera in the drawer. So maybe it doesn´t have to be that strict anyways.

Day 1

2010-01-14T21:27:00.004+01:00

New year´s resolution for 2010. Almost the only one. I can´t decide which camera to use though, and if to choose only one at all. A photo diary is difficult enough as it is!

It really is winter here.

Stockholm December Awesomeness

2009-12-16T12:20:00.004+01:00

These last days I had my first visitor here in Stockholm, not counting my boyfriend. Andi, a friend of mine from Munich, came here for a few days, taking advantage of lovely Ryanair. Also, it started to snow. Thick flakes and a 25-30 cm snowblanket on my car!

Since the lack of new posts, you can probably tell that I love it here. Really really love it!!! It´s quite dark now, making everything very cozy. Sparkling lights in every window, cold air, fun activitys, hot drinks, safran, the sea, oh yeah, christmas songs everywhere and of course the snow!

Andi and me bought the same funny caps... they keep your ears and head incomparable warm. We look quite Russian now.

a bit of how I live

2009-10-20T21:47:00.005+02:00

Finally, a glimpse of the surroundings here! So may I introduce, this is the view from our apartment´s balcony.

It´s into the backyard, which is pretty nice with barbecue nooks and playgrounds full of cute toddlers in the morning hours.

I´m sharing the apartment with a Swedish girl named Helena and two dogs and three cats. This is us, still in August, around 5am in the morning walking home from a party... I was super tired but Stockholm is great at this hour!

We live on an island called Södermalm, which is very nice and cozy with a lot of cafés, 2nd hand shops, or maybe a lot of little shops in general. Here you can see the island on google maps.

So this nice one with the big brown eyes is Kayla, one of the dogs.

This gentleman is Boop, originally planed to be a Betty Boop, but turning out not to be the first.

And this Lady here is my absolute favourite! Isn´t she adorable? This is Greta, the softest grey cat in the world.

She´s snuggly without end, pourring and cuddling all the time, and such a kind and lovely and awesome creature. I totally lost my heart. Just look at her wonderful whiskers!

pictures without beginning and end I

2009-10-19T19:00:00.009+02:00

This is one of the photographs from my bachelor degree project series. It was shot with a large format camera on 4x5inch negativ film. Since the whole series involves a lot of details, it´s meant to be seen in quite a big format, what´s a bit difficult on the internet. But here are some details to compensate for that. You can click each image to see it in higher resolution.

Having it shot on large format film allows me to print the image quite big. Basically, as big as I want. 2 metres? No Problem!

In other news, the scandinavian darkness is starting to creep in. In just a few weeks we will barely see sunlight or any light anymore. I'm actually looking a bit forward to that, since it's my first time and I imagine it quite cozy. But on the other hand, I'm already getting more and more sleepy and ready to hibernate. We'll see how that is one month from now!

edit: somehow when uploading to blogger today it converts the photographs to a terrible quality. I will try to find a better way as soon as possible!

Autumn in Stockholm

2009-10-17T11:13:00.005+02:00

I was so looking forward to autumn in Stockholm, because it is the only time I have not experienced here, and, for two or three weeks now, colorful leafs have arrived! It´s awesome so far, perfect weather with cloudless blue sky and cold sunshine, and when raining, it has been raining during the night, being cloudless again by morning. So considerate!

Therefore, autumn in Stockholm: cozy and well-smelling and two thumps up. Anyway, last weekend some photo tours have been made, so you can see for yourself.

On my classmate Dan's flickr site, you can see even more photos from a photo tour on friday.

Last two day's have been an exception, by the way. It's raining. How dare it!

Somewhere in East Village

2009-08-30T15:48:00.007+02:00

Still browsing through last November´s New York Photographs... all taken with the then brand new mobile phone.

No idea why, but crummy mobile phone photos are growing on me. I'm starting to really like their aesthetic. So maybe it is time for a pogo printer after all?

We´re having a grill party with the neighbours tonight... have to show you this buildings backyard soon, it´s pretty nice, with hangout places and little children playing late into the summer night!

Little golden days

2009-08-28T12:37:00.004+02:00

The light here in Stockholm these days made me think of our time in New York last October. It´s been fabulous and I get warm fluffy feelings whenever remembering it. Such a great city!

So, I forgot the card reader at home, and they are more than three times that expensive in Sweden. No way I´m buying one here, I´ll sit and wait til a German one comes around, one way or the other. That is also the reason why a proper introduction post to my new life here´s still missing! But look at that New York photograph snapped on top of Empire state building (where Wolfram and I accidentally met three guys I´ve been in the Munich university choir with).

Anyway, what´s happening up here?

Friday: Kissed Wolfram goodbye at the airport. A movie-like farewell scene... sigh.

Saturday: Sleep. Long sleep. Then finding a lovely muffin/cupcake shop. Visit me and you can find it too!

Sunday: Watching the morning rain. Photographing the city.

Monday: I tried to stroll to a bathing island northwest of my island. Got caught up on the way by a try-all-the-food festival. All the Swedish provinces came and brought their food. And urged you to try it. Nice! And sooooo crowded. When I arrived at the island, it started to rain.

Tuesday: Sleeping loooong. Photographing. Exploring. Taking dogs for a walk.

Wednesday: Swedish housewares are amazing! Photographic evidence will follow.

Thursday: Webdesigning, coding. Welcome home! Got the giggles while being in the supermarket... without any reason! Than being in the supermarket.

Friday: Running along the lake in the morning with a little brown dog. Accidentally climbing a tree with said dog.

You see, I´m having a hard, lazy holiday life. Enjoying it so much! Can´t remember when I´ve been just sleeping in as long as I like the last time before. Being more of an early bird, that almost never happens!

Monday, university will start. I´m excited!!!

Scandinavian air is waiting for you!

2009-08-21T20:24:00.006+02:00

To all my friends from home, I thought I should let you know immediately what I discovered today:

Ryanair flies from Memmingen (Munich west) airport to Stockholm and back for 8 Euro! Starting end of october.

So, if cozy autumn weather, golden leafs, the sea, one of the prettiest cities in europe, dozens of cool museums and not to forget a lot of sweet cafés, kanelbullar and amazing clothing stores sound appealing to you, come visit me for a weekend! If you´re alone, I´ll even share my room with you.

When you arrive, I will already now a bunch of really nice places to go... my list is growing! For example, we can spend time in Gamlastan and go eat yummi elk köttbullar there. We´ve been there and I can´t wait to go back and bring someone! Or what about some snow and christmas markets in december?

But be quick, the flight offer might not last too long...

Hejsan Stockholm

2009-08-10T00:34:00.008+02:00

So we two, I and my sweetest boyfriend helping me move and making sure everything is ok high up north, arrived in Stockholm, Sweden safe and sound.

We took our time with the long drive and spent like three days on the road. Things that have been waiting for the freshly baked designer (me) here in Sverige:

- perfect, blissful summer weather with the bluest scandinavian sky and just the right temperature (despite my boyfriend´s prophecy of doom that it will rain here all the time, based on his time here last summer, when it did exactly that)

- Kanelbullar in raw amounts! Kanelbullar are Swedish cinnammon rolls, the best pastry on earth, only available in Sweden and the true reason why I came here. You can buy them just like you can buy water. Kanelbullar seem to count for a vital good here.

- a new flatmate, three cats and two dogs. Yes you read that right!

- the island I live on. Yes I live on an island. How great is that?!?

- the sea (or the lake? I think they meet in this very place), just a quick walk down the street from the apartment

- other things & discoveries that I will dwell on later.

What is a blog secret so far: the successful graduation from university, my bachelor of arts in design, the final exhibition and saying goodbye to the good old home in Munich. Busy times!

For now, I wish all of you sweet dreams and I sent you a virtual kanelbulle to make them even sweeter.

Only two more days...

2009-06-30T15:16:00.004+02:00

during the last few days I thought, a bit surprised, that everything would come to an end very calmly and unexcitedly, but suddenly I´m as nervous as a beehive!

The birds, sun and summer smell coming through my open window don´t help. I´m fidgeting as I type this. 48 hours to go!

(this pretty polaroid transfer was made by elandsman on flickr, check out the rest!)

9 more days

2009-06-24T16:14:00.005+02:00

... until my degree project is due! Scanning cleaning retouching... and graduating!!!

... until my best friend since Kindergarten, my Michelle, will return home after spending 1 1/2 years in New York & Virginia! It´s good to have her back! Although I majorly enjoyed hearing all her exciting stories... She was also sweet enough to always welcome the things I "couldn´t live without" and ordered from US stores, and make sure they´d find my way!

This is us in Virginia, when I visited her last November and had the best three holiday weeks! We´re playing pilgrims here. Isn´t the cap made for her?

Antler Magazine

2009-06-15T19:42:00.005+02:00

Hello there!

You can find a little interview with me & some of my polaroids in the recent issue (No 4) of lovely Antler Magazine! Not only does it have the cutest "fav-badge" (that´s a word, right) ever, but it is worth reading for featuring quite a lot of interesting work & interviews, like the one of Pat Hamou, who makes me want to move to New York, or Sofia Barao. Check the preview here, or have a look at the three past issues, also.

Just saw that Pat Hamou also as an etsy shop, how nice! If I could make a wish, I´d ask him to draw some female tap dancers (which seem to be mighty popular right now). I love his males, but I love the females even more. Maybe he reads this?

White & Fluffy

2009-06-12T13:17:00.003+02:00

Last of the Sheep
Originally uploaded by rivadock4

"Excuse me, this may sound a little strange, but there is a sheep in my car, and would you perhaps help me carry it to my apartment?"

I am quite certain I did not say that ever before today, to my neighbour. She was really cool and didn´t blink more than once.

Location hunting...

2009-06-08T14:02:00.003+02:00

not seldomly I really swear about it, but then there are times like these when it makes me very very happy.

Crappy photo´s from my mobile phone, which is always used to shoot locations. Is it a common photographer problem that you have so many professional cameras that you forget to buy a little digital one to just take with you for fun and smiling friends?!

Today...

2009-05-28T20:19:00.007+02:00

* I almost bought an ice cream machine. I KNOW I´d have to move out to fit it into the apartment. In fact, I am moving out soon, so it makes no sense at all. But the thought of making yoghurt ice cream every day is very nice.

* after shopping for props for another photoshooting on saturday all day long, I turned left and went into Toys´r´us. Couldn´t help it, I just love toys. And nowadays toys do so rock ("furreal" furry moving talking dogs)! But had the impression that Barbie dolls turned uglier. When I was small, they were so pretty!? (I wandered to the attic one day, and found all my old dolls, and despite having thought they were adorable little things years ago, I was horrified to see they all looked very creepy)

* after that, turned left a second time and found myself in the pet shop. Furry little creatures! The rabbits were too cute to be real. And, other than 15 years ago, I now COULD afford them...

* got to know Passion Pit and love Moth´s Wings. Perfect soundtrack for daydreaming about what´s to come very soon...

* watched a long & great DVD from artist William Kentridge and swooned. I adore his style. The charcoal drawings and animations, the films and this overall subtle and sublime creepiness! Watch here, for example.

the photo credit for this post goes out to illustrator George Pollard!

News to share!

2009-05-22T15:46:00.000+02:00

I´m going to Stockholm! I´m going to Stockholm!!!

I got an acceptance letter for the master´s program storytelling at konstfack in Stockholm, Sweden. Woooohow!!! I wanted soooo much to study there. I feel dreamy! Off to dancing :-)

Some things worth dancing

2009-05-21T08:51:00.003+02:00

I love it when people create playlists on the internet and I get to know new music! That´s what Elsie did and I just wanted to share it because I have so much fun listening to her summery list while working on the computer and just dreaming to go outside. Having so much to do in summer isn´t really one of my most favourite things. I´d rather be able to just go outside and enjoy the warm weather. But well, only 1 1/2 months to go, and university is over for me.

I tweeted it more than a week ago, but just wanted to link it again because I think it is so great: love this collection of old German childrens book illustrations gathered by illustrator Patrick Wirbeleit! So good. Found via drawn!, which is a more than excellent source for things like that. If you´re looking for eye candy & inspiration & awesomeness, that´s the place to go!

Today, all shops and things are closed, which I find wonderful. No possibility to organize anything, just the normal work stuff, for a change ;-)

May

2009-05-19T07:53:00.006+02:00

This Polaroid was shot from the top of a hotel in Virginia Beach, USA.

And it might be my favourite of my Virginia-Polaroids. Maybe off all Polaroids ever (hope I didn´t say this before).

1 1/2 months until I have to have completed my bachelor project. The process of graduating is such a strange time...

Family Portrait III

2009-04-22T14:42:00.005+02:00

On with the family portraits. These two photographs weren´t together in the original series, but I put them together here, for me. Say hello to my grandma and her famous bratwurst with sauerkraut, franconian style (the only real way to eat them). She makes them for us whenever we come home from anywhere else in the world, outside franconia.

Her photograph might be one of my favourites from the whole series, because when you look at her eyes, you can see the real teaser she is. She used to babysit me a lot when I was little and as far as I can remember, we were always singing and dancing and telling little stories or searching for treasures in the attic. I was always and still am proud to have the happiest and most good-humoured grandma there is in the world!

Of Fleas and Markets

2009-04-21T09:32:00.010+02:00

Saturday, it was time for the annual big, huge, fat fleamarket in Munich. It takes place where the Oktoberfest always happens, and is indeed a huge event. Everybody goes there. You can find brilliant things, if you´re only willing to rise early enough.

I really wanted to be able to close my cupboard doors again (so did my boyfriend), thus this year, Jessi, Kathrin and I decided to take part as sellers.

We got up way early to be there at 5 am, and it was about time... a lot of people where already there. It was tricky to find a place to set up table, because a lot of folk had reserved space by lingering there for the previous two days and acted all kindergarten-like... great fun! It was still dark, but the first buyers were already there, equiped with flashlights and, strangely, hats, digging for treasures.

One hour later, we were all set up, and the fun/selling/bargaining began! Here´s our booth...

We met a lot of curious people, including this special one:

Old South-European Lady, wearing headscarf: "How much for shoes?"

Jessi: "4 Euro!"

Old South-European Lady: "Naaaaah" (throwing her arm away and making a disgusted face)

Jessi: "3 Euro!"

Old Lady: "Naaaaaaah" (throwing her arm away and making a disgusted face)

Jessi: "2 Euro!"

Old Lady: "Naaaaaaaaah" (throwing her arm away and making a disgusted face)

Jessi: "1 Euro?"

Old Lady: "Hmpf. Too small!" (scuffing away)

At 16.30, the flea market officially ended, and that is, as Jessi expressed it, "when the party begins". Sellers start to throw away unsold stuff they don´t want anymore into big red containers, or they just leave it where their booth was.

That´s when hundreds of people start rummaging through the left boxes, or climbing into the containers, and take everything what´s still kind of usable in one way or the other. Between them, shovel dredgers try to collect the litter and shoo people away.

After a few seconds of watching, Jessi and I became very excited. We ran back to the car, grabbed our cameras and hopped over the field, photographing everything we encountered for two more hours or so.

All in all, selling was very successful, and I´m so happy about the extra space in my apartment! The good thing about selling is you can´t buy a lot (that´s what I did the years before). Although I went for a little toilet walk three times, and always came back with one or the other treasure. Those I will show tomorrow!

Family Portrait II

2009-04-07T20:43:00.003+02:00

Here´s the next pair of photographs from my family portrait.

Focusing is a bit tricky with my Mamiya, but when it works out well, like here, I'm in love with the depth of field. You don't get that without a medium format camera, and you especially don't get that digitally. Or maybe you do, but you'll have to sell the house first...

I spent the whole first half of the day on the sunny front porch, and the evening on the balcony. Spring is so wonderful, and it smells so incredibly good! To even improve that smell, I'm thinking about planting some nice smelling flowers in a few pots ;-) there's a garden centre near here that sells sets of flavored flowers, like vanilla flower, chocolate flower, flowers that only smell in the evening... Doesn't that sound sweet? I already imagine dozens of warm evenings, spent outside with a book and lovely, as good smelling company, in the middle of those scented flowers... just add a lonesome lake and you have my perfect summer!

the last snow & first spring

2009-04-07T00:24:00.003+02:00

I spent the last two weeks doing things like this:

visiting one of my best friends for some days after phone-only-friendship for several months :-)

being a (photographer's) assistant at an underwear photoshooting. Who wouldn't like that?

working on my bachelor's project that is due to july and unfortunately top-secret at the moment, because of university law or something like that... it's killing me!

So, just after we spent a few last days skiing in snow wonderland, it seems spring is finally here. Welcome and, please stay!