Q: Tell us something about your life and yourself.
Hi! My name is Niklas Porter. I was born in Sweden but grew up in Colorado, USA. I moved back to Sweden when I was 14 and have been here since then. I am now 26 years old and currently studying graphic design.
Q: When and why did you start taking pictures?
I started really getting into photography about 4 years ago as it was a personal search for an emotional outlet. I love to photograph emotions and am drawn to the subtlety of emotions.
Q: We believe that every artist shows a part of their personality and character in his photographs. What do you want to show in yours?
What I want to show in my photographs is emotions.
Q: It seems that you like shooting during low light conditions. Why?
I am very drawn to the mystery and mood in low-light situations.
Q: Can you tell us more about the solitude we perceive through your pictures.
I link my work with solitude both on personal level being that I’m almost always alone whilst taking photos and feeling alone at times in life and in what I capture visually. When making photos I am usually drawn to subjects the seem alone or situations where there is a lack of human presence. For me I feel differentiating between solitude and loneliness is not easy. I believe solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely whereas loneliness is a state marked by isolation. Even though there is this distinction I find it difficult to know where one ends and the other begins. In a way, I find myself drawn exploring that ‘grey-zone’ between the two terms with my photography.
Q: Why do you still shoot film? And what is your favourite setup camera/lens/film?
I started off using a digital camera but always ended up editing them with an analog look. So short thereafter I decided to buy an analog kamera instead and fell instantly in love with analog. For me it is a completely different way of taking pictures and there is something tangible to it. It has substance and depth. I also really enjoy that you have to wait for results. Not having the instant gratification that we are so used to today is something that I find very appealing. I recently sold most of my camera equipment and bought a Leica M6 with a 50mm lens which has become my favorite setup. I also recently decided to try out medium format and for that I use a Pentax 67 which I really like. My favorite film right now is Fuji Venus 800 but I like to try out all different typs of film.
Q: What does inspire you? How do you choose the subject to shoot?
For me inspiration comes from many different places. Cinema is my biggest influence aesthetically. I watch a lot of films for inspiration. Directors and cinematographers like David Lynch, Wim Wenders, Robby Muller, Stanley Kubrick and Roy Andersson are a few of my favorites. Artists/painters like Edward Hopper and René Magritte are a big inspiration. Am am very much inspired by other photographers as well. William Eggelston, Henri CartierBresson and Lars Tunbjörk are all photographers who’s pictures really inspire me. Music is also a very big inspiration.
Q: If you could meet a great photographer who he/she will be?
It is so hard to choose just one. But if I have to choose just one i guess it would be Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Q: What are your projects for the future?
I’m very busy in school at the moment so that is my main focus right now. But I hope to do some fun projects in the near future.
Q: Suggest us a film and an album.
Watch anything by David Lynch and listen to Fever Ray.
All images © Niklas Porter
