Busy market day!
Summer is market season in my part of the world and over the years I think I’ve been to almost all of them at one point. One blank spot in my market memory was the one in Sjöbo*, even though it probably is the second largest attendance of all the province’s markets after the one in Kivik (I’ve not seen official numbers but the expectation was for 100,000 visitors over two days, so that will give you an idea). So to remedy my lack of visits to this market I convinced my photo buddy (a.k.a. Dad) that we should drive the half-hour east and experience this market.
Pride in the rain
At the start of July it was once again time for the Pride parade to make its way through the city of Malmö, and I was there to document the event. I definitely enjoy photographing at Pride, and to be there to show my support for the cause. To me it’s utterly incomprehensible the way we are still, in the year 2025, having people who are so incredibly intolerant and stuck in their old ways and can’t accept that other people have other lives to lead, lives that won’t affect their own in any way whatsoever!
Get closer, find more colors!
One of the basic “rules” in photography that I’ve heard over and over in the 25 years or so since I started to explore photography with more than a casual holiday shooter’s interest is to “Get Closer, Get Better Pictures!” While a good zoom lens is a good thing to have, there’s not really any substitute for using your feet to “zoom”.
Photos in a haze of exhaust fumes
There is an annual tradition in my small south Swedish hometown of a big motor festival right around June 6th (our national day), or at least a weekend close to that. This year that happened on June 7th and the whole of Main Street as well as several side streets as well as the town park were blocked off to be part of the parade and later display area for the dozens and dozens of vehicles that people wanted to show off and see for themselves.
Nerd Parade Time!
One of the nice traditions I’ve enjoyed in the last decade or so (minus Covid years of course) has been to take photos at the local Nerd Parade, put on by the Sci-Fi Bookstore in Malmö, Sweden, to celebrate the inner nerd that resides in all of us. This usually manifests in cosplay from various sci fi/fantasy properties, many of which I do not have a clue about. Many of them are from various anime and manga universes, which I have yet to explore. That’s perfectly okay with me, I just enjoy seeing how multiple generations get to enjoy shared interests and not be mocked or ridiculed for an interest in a certain character, genre or story.
Pictures from a Town Fair
One of the annual events in my little south Swedish hometown is the Bonnamarknaden (literally meaning Farmers’ Market, although there’s not much related to farmers these days). I don’t go down there every year, since it tends to be more or less the same thing every year, but I figured I’d have a go at it this year, since I’ve not done much street photography lately. I can always do with some practice, to keep my observational skills honed and ready!
Park Life
There’s been a bit of an unintentional hiatus due to medical issues in my immediate family (most of which are thankfully on the mend now). I’ve not done a whole lot of photography lately; somehow the snapping of pictures isn’t all that important when such things happen…however, saying that I have done at least a few snapshots that I want to share in this post.
Cold by the coast
When the sun shines on a cold winter morning (the thermometer was at -6 C or 21 F) it feels just right to pack oneself and the constant photo partner (a.k.a. Dad) into the car and head down to the coast at Falsterbo. There’s just something special about seeing that horizon line that makes me feel more harmonious inside!
Night Streets
I wrote in the last blog post that I didn’t really have any plans for what I am going to do with my 2025 photographic or creative year and that still stands. No clue yet…however I also wrote that I’d try to get out there more to take more pictures, even if it is still pretty meh around here as far as light and weather goes. It IS getting better though, the days are getting longer and you don’t risk freezing body parts off when out and about (provided you wear sensible clothing of course!).
Christmas Market Time
The three months ending the old year and beginning the new (November to January) are usually the slowest photography months for me, usually because the light is pretty much non-existent bar a few days when we have clear skies and (maybe) some snow covering the ground. Those days are good for photography, but otherwise…perhaps not so much. I usually put my camera away for much of this period since I find the lack of light so uninspiring. However, to combat these photographic doldrums and feelings of “why bother” I ventured into the center of Malmö to see if the ongoing Christmas market stalls and people there would inspire me.