Photo Hiking and Work Process

Photo hiking is a big part of my life, I've always loved being outside, it gives me a sense of freedom, of being one with life.

The Norwegian coast with rocks and reeds, the mountains with so many different habitats, - old forests, lakes, rivers, streams and high mountains.

The digital images are subsequently created from several images, often from different landscapes, or as a mix of physical paintings, watercolours and drawings.

On a photo trip in my kayak outside Verden Ende on Tjøme

The trips, that's what it all started with, I have a deep and heartfelt relationship with going on walks in nature, almost no matter when and where, - I'm ready. As a child, I stood outside the house and waited with my backpack on my back for an hour or so before the rest of the family arrived and we finally drove to the cabin or boat. As an adult, it became a lifestyle and gradually cameras also became part of the trips. I am married to a photographer and he always went around with his camera and I eventually inherited a Nikon camera that was perfect for me.

The camera gave me a playful freedom, my background as a visual artist in painting and drawing broke through. There were water mirrors and light surfaces, there were lines in rock that told stories. It was the colors of seaweed, mushrooms and rocks at the shore water level that captivated me. I got into 'flow' and found colors and stories everywhere. It became a strong fascination that, together with a proper digital screen, created a whole new direction in my artistry. I am deeply grateful to live and work in the rich Norwegian landscape. The Norwegian coast with its soft rocks and reeds, the mountains with so many different habitats, - old forests, lakes, rivers, streams and high mountains. Here I get inspiration and nourishment for my digital photos. After the trips, the images are digitally processed and often mixed and composed with other images, it can be a mix of physical paintings, watercolors and drawings. I still make a lot of watercolors and I use digitized paintings and drawings from my time as a visual artist. The digital life has given me great freedom and the opportunity to choose nature as my raw material and studio. I'm so grateful.

Ringshaug