Feature Artist: Martin Widlund
An Interview With: Martin
Dr. Christophers: Please give me a little background on where you come from and the lifestyle that set in motion your desire to become an artist.
Martin: I'm thirty two years old. I was born and raised in Karlstad, a small peaceful city in Sweden. In 2001 I moved, like many Swedes do to Norway. So, here I live with my girlfriend, two year old daughter and twelve year old step daughter. Photography was always an interest that I had. I also had a great passion for film. This passion took me to studying at university. And, my work in photography is just a continuation.
Dr. Christophers: How did it all start for you with regards to your inspiration for making art? Who and what were the main inspirations for your style of artwork?
Martin: I got my first DSLR in 2008 and I guess it was then that I became a little bit more serious about my photography. It was also around this period in time that my interest for digital editing began.
I had always been a fan of horror movies and the "dark arts" so when I discovered urbex photography I became seriously hooked.
There are many great artist out there. They are all a great inspiration for me personally, and my work. Some explorers are not the best photographers, but I really admire their passion for finding these places. So inspiration is not always about personal photographic style, more their ability to find these places.
Dr. Christophers: Talk about the medium you use mostly and why - talk about process.
Martin: When it comes to urbex photography I always use an HDR technique (High Dynamic Range). Most of these places are really dark. And to get the best results, I must use at least 3-6 exposures (shots) at each set-up location. At the same time, I like a realistic looking image, so I try to tone down the effect. I try to control the highlights and shadows. I always process each shot to the best of my ability. Tones are a fun thing to play with, I try to not make my colors pop out too much, and side on a rather more desaturated image. For me, it's about the mood each shot creates.
All my shots are being processed using Photoshop.
Dr. Christophers: In your eyes, your most memorable moments you had "Urbexing", can you give me an example?
Martin: A good story is when we did the CDC (Chambre Du Commerce) With quite a big crew. We rolled up to this busy town in Belgium. Lots of banks and companies in the area. We knew the way in was underground. So we opened a drain close to a big shopping street and sent a guy down to find the way in and open the place from the inside. Lots of people where looking at us, and we did see one or two reaching for their phones.
Anyway, it was time to move in. Although, while waiting for a call from our friend on the inside two police cars arrived in the street. We lay low for a while and got the call that the door was open. Inside at last, amazing place and we all split up and started to shoot.
Meanwhile, some other people (maybe another urbex crew) must have seen us slip inside and wanted to come in as well. We didn't want to let people in that we didn't know. They could have been vandals or thieves. One of us was packing a yellow security vest (always a good thing to bring). So, we all went out of the main door with him screaming at us. The guys outside started to walk away thinking we where busted. When they had disappeared our friend took off his vest and we all returned to a great mission.
Dr. Christophers: Talk to me about Martin Widlund designs (wishes for the future with regards to your photographic artwork, etc.
Martin: I am quite tied up with my regular job and kids these days. Nevertheless, I hope, and know, there will be some great tours in 2013. Future tours are always a good thing to think about - an escape from these cold winter days in Norway. Urbex and photography is just a hobby for me. Saying this, and of late, it has become a little bit more serious than just a hobby. I have been lucky enough to sell some of my work which goes towards financing further trips. It also has its personal rewards, to be able to sell my work and the sense of achievement this brings.
Thank you for showing interest in my work -- Martin
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer
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Description: Urbex Photography by Martin Widlund
Medium: Digital: Photomanipulation to High Dynamic Range (Urban Exploration)
Online & Contact Information: Portfolio; Flickr; Website
