Contemporary Photographer - KRISTOFFER AXÉN

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Stockholm,S weden  in 1984, Kristoffer Axén studied photography and motion picture for three years at an upper secondary school just outside the capital. At 2008 he began his one–year full–time program in General Studies at the International Center of Photography in which he graduated from in 2009. He currently lives and works in New York.

SIGNIFICANCE

Axén is well known for his manipulation of light, location and form. His work has been exhibited in countless galleries and magazines.

COMPOSITION

This photo, from Axén’s At Sea, At Night series, is framed to show a chain of shadowy buildings. The focus is on the center building, but the other two buildings add context, giving an idea that the photo is of a city. The perspective of this image could be of someone looking up or down, but the tilted nature of the photograph prevents the viewer from knowing for sure. Contrast is created by the white/gray lighting of the fog and the string of lights on the building’s windows.

CONCEPT & MOTIVATION

The image is about the obscurity of cities and building at night. It reflects the idea that night changes the nature of objects.

METHOD

The image seems to have been taken from the ground, looking up into the sky, on a foggy night. The image was then turned upside down to create disorientation and uneasiness.

OPINION

I love this image and I love this photographer. This image really forces the viewer to pay attention to what is going, and even still, it’s difficult to tell. The lighting here creates a complete sense of uneasiness, and makes the viewer wonder if something unsavory is lurking in the shadows.