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WinPics

name: Espen
surname: Winther
year of birth: 1969
country: Norway

Hooded Reaper
by WinPics

Q1: When did you start making art?
I have always been interested in creative work/arts. I started drawing before I can remember. I’ve been painting, writing, making music, shaping wood, making ceramics and….well…the whole lot!
I got my first camera at the age of 7. When I was in my teens music caught my interest and it was not until I turned 40 that photography changed my world again. Now I don’t leave the house without my Canon.

Q2: What does inspire you?
I can be inspired by anything. A face, another photographer, a movie, a song, or if I’m at a flee market and find a dress or a hat that makes my head spin. I get new ideas all the time.

Q3: What are your techniques?
I’m not sure if I have any particular technique. My favorite motives are faces/portraits and I try to present them as natural as I see them. When doing portraits I most often use a 135mm lens that keeps me from getting too close to the subject. It makes it easier for the model to relax and show a more natural calm face.

Q4: What is the main idea or feeling behind your works?
I hope my photos make people think deeper than to the surface of what they see.

Q5: What is the main color of your art and why?
Oh, that’s a hard one!
More than the physical color I try to leave a feeling in the result. It’s not easy to explain, but I like the feeling of brown. Even in a blue photo I can feel brown.
Ok, I’ll try a comparison: When I listen to TOOL (the best band ever!!) I feel brown. That’s the feeling (color) I’d like my art to be.

Q6: What would you improve about your work and why?
Everything all the time
I will always hunt for the perfect photography, but I hope i’ll never succeed!
“The chase is better than the catch” 😉

Q7: Do you have any project for the future?
I always have new plans or projects. I’m hoping to be finished with a book this year. It will have lots of Viking photos and small stories.

Q8: Describe yourself with 3 words capturing the essence of WinPics.
Dark, humorous, brown.

Q9: Show us (link) your very first work. Describe it from techniques till feelings.
This one HERE is from late 2007 I think. Shot with an Olympus camedia 3030. Not really sure if it’s the absolutely first, but one of them.
I used “liquify” hard (photoshop) and freehand drawing with wacom pen.
At the time I felt i had too many choices and I guess it kind of shows.

Q10: What did change from your first work till now?
At first I thougt Photoshop would fix anything. Now it’s more pleasing if I shoot the picture as I see it and
the work I do in Photoshop are just minor adjustments.
And of course my equipment is far better now

Q11: What is art for you? Escaping from reality or the essence of life?
Both!