Interview: Finnish Photographer Konsta Leppänen

Photographer Konsta Leppänen with his adopted pointer Buster, found in the streets of Spain. "People are the most interesting subjects for me as a photographer. They’re also the most difficult subjects, since 10 percent is the photography and 90 percent is about observation and interaction."

Konsta Leppänen is a talented photographer from Finland, a member of the 11 Collective and he has won the biggest Finnish photojournalism prize, the Patricia Seppälä Foundation Award. Andreas Romagnoli and Jeanne-Marie Cilento ask the hipster and intellectual 10 Questions about his life and work

KONSTA Leppänen’s landscape and urban photographs often have a solitary figure lost in a vast alienating cityscape or a sea of snow and water that capture a sense of spiritual and physical isolation. Yet his portraits of people are full of dynamism and life and seem to fizz with suppressed energy. Leppänen alternates between using black and white pictures and those that are more saturated to explicate the contrasts in Finnish life and culture.

His passion for photography began when he started shooting portraits of people on the street and then later joined the 11 Collective, the group of avant-garde photojournalists. He says the collective's aim is to create a new type of Finnish documentary photography. Working with the group, he produces annual in-depth photo essays around chosen themes. 

“Our first project was about Finland and the exhibition has toured around the country for a year now, including at the Finnish Museum of Photography in Helsinki,’’ says Leppänen. “The main idea is to collectively help each individual with their personal projects and to diminish the loneliness of the process. From very early on we expose the process of visual storytelling to the analytical evaluation and constructive criticism of members of the group.”

Today, Leppänen is studying the Master's Program in Visual Journalism at Tampere University and works as a freelance photographer and photojournalist, alternating between working for well-known Finnish magazines and newspapers and making social documentaries.

1.What are you currently working on? 

I’m working on several different projects, two of which are part of our 11 Collective’s upcoming group projects. I was recently in Egypt reporting about the unrest there and I'm still trying to make sense out of those photos. The other is a broader and more personal essay-like study on men of my generation. However, for the next couple of months I’m also working as a staff photographer for Aamulehti, which is the second largest newspaper in Finland, so I won’t be able to work much on these projects right at the moment.

2. What inspires your creative work now?

I’m a typical Finn so very often my inspiration derives from anxiety and sheer envy towards those more talented than myself. It’s a very unhealthy and unproductive way to push yourself forward, but so far it has helped me to pursue my photography.

3. How did you choose photography as your creative metier?

I didn’t choose photography as such. I started studying journalism and worked in newspapers. I could appreciate beautiful, dramatic and clever pictures especially in the context of journalism, but at that point I couldn’t even dream of taking such photos myself. When I finally bought my own first camera, which was relatively late, in my early twenties, it infested me like a disease. I didn’t want to write anymore, writing didn’t motivate me to push forward like photography. Nothing did, really.

4. Can you describe the experience, person or training that has had the greatest impact on your photography style?

Actually, I’m not even sure I have a coherent style just yet, I think I’m only beginning to recognise what my style could be. This is something that should be asked from Elina, my girlfriend and mother of my child.

Since the beginning of my photographic pursuits she's been there encouraging but also judging quite harshly when necessary. You know ~ a slap on the face to get me back on track. I still feel the need to show her everything I've done immediately to see what she thinks about it. I think she knows what my style is way better than I do.

5. What do you find the most challenging aspect of your work technically?

Technically the most challenging thing for me is to not think about the technicalities at all. To let go of the technology, not to think about apertures and focal lengths and flashes and what not. They’re not important. What is important is what you’re taking photos of, not with what you’re doing it. 

For the past year or so I've been very tired of shooting with my DSLR aside from work. It's just too huge and intimidating. I bought a small mirror less camera and I have it with my everywhere I go and it's brilliant, nobody gets scared of it and nobody thinks I'm other than tourist. And the best thing is that I don't think about the technicalities at all! It really has rekindled my photography, same as Instagram, I guess.

6. What do you like to photograph?

People are the most interesting subjects for me as a photographer. They’re also the most difficult subjects, since 10 percent is the photography and 90 percent is about observation and interaction.

7. Do you have a set schedule of working creatively everyday or is the process more fluid?

Since I’m Scandinavian, I’ve tried to organise my creativity. I’ve tried keeping diaries, I’ve promised myself to shoot everyday and so on. So far nothing has really worked. I cannot force it. I think the most important thing is to keep your self somehow inspired everyday. Watch a movie, eye through some photos, analyse illustrations or just listen to music and try to enjoy it.

8.What part of photography gives you the most happiness and do you find your creative process is more rational or instinctive?

I think that if someday I'll be able to be totally instinctive about my photography I could finally be satisfied with myself. Hopefully that never comes. Satisfaction will kill off the urge to push forward and my photography is always closely tied to being unsatisfied. A certain level of struggling is elementary for my progress. But to answer the question: my photography is instinctive at best but usually very rational.

9. Is there a town or place in the world you consider inspiring?

If we talk about street photography or similar, Finland is a difficult country to work in. People are so reserved and they don't show too much emotion (or anything else, for that matter). That's why I really enjoy Rome, for example. People are relaxed and open in public spaces and allow glimpses into who they really are. It's almost as if they don't care and that is very fascinating and scary for a Finn.

10. In our digital age what is the relationship between photography and contemporary art?

I try not to bother myself with questions such as what is art and what is not – especially when it comes to my own work. Even though my photos have been exhibited in galleries and museums, I consider myself to be a journalist, not an artist. I most certainly have nothing against art photography and I am very pleased if someone thinks that my photos are interesting enough when considered in the context of art. However, I'm just not keen on making that distinction myself. With the 11 collective we've been very eager to mix and mess with the concept of art and concept of documentary and I intend to keep pushing those boundaries in the future. 

For more information about Konsta Leppänen visit: http://konstakuva.com

Click on photographs for full-screen slideshow

The 11 Collective won the Patricia Seppälä Photojournalism Award in March 2013, the biggest prize in Finnish photojournalism. Konsta Leppänen is at the far right.

A photograph from the 11 Collective's series 3.6 meters or more, an essay about Finns' relationship with their surroundings. It was shot around Finland during 2011 - 2012.

Another picture from the 11 Collective's series 3.6 meters or more about Finns and their environment. 

Looking like a group of medieval saxons, Leppänen's photograph of the Finnish band Death Hawks taken in 2013

A photograph from the Rome series taken in 2011: "I really enjoy Rome ~ people are relaxed and open in public spaces and allow glimpses into who they really are. It's almost as if they don't care and that is very fascinating and scary for a Finn."

 Finland's young Artist of the Year Jarno Vasala, photographed for Finnish Art Today magazine in 2013.

Another picture of Jarno Vasala, the young artist of the year for Finnish Art Today magazine shot in 2013.

A large man in a tiny Fiat 500 from Leppänen's series on Rome.

A plane caught in flight with a dynamic conflagration of birds and a street light. 

An evocative picture simply titled Hangover 2012.

From the Collective 11's 3.6 meters or more essay about Finnish society and landscape. 

Leppänen's photograph of a girl from a story on Finnish dental care taken in 2013

New Looks & Trends: What We'll Be Wearing Autumn/Winter 2016

Tangerine, red and pink with dashes of lime green were key notes at the Fyodor Golan collection. Photo by Mike Rolls

Now the London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks have come to a close, our correspondents Limor Helfgott and photographer Mike Rolls take a look back at the highlights and trends that will influence what we'll be wearing during the next autumn/winter season

WINTER fashion always seems more challenging than the spring or summer with toned colour's and many more layers. But London Fashion Week, even with freezing temperatures, proved that winter collections can be colourful and exciting. Designers looked back to the seventies and eighties for inspiration and used furs, asymmetric cuts, leathers, feathers and a lot of fringing and bling. Here are the best of the highlights, designs and trends that were seen on the catwalks this season.

Leather, Leather Everywhere

The first really noticeable trend this season was the use of leather in many of the collections. One of my favourite designers, David Koma, presented a show which was powerful with leather pieces seen on the catwalk alongside nude fabrics, knitwear, wool dresses, lace and macrame. The inspiration for the textiles came from the Op Art designer Barbara Brown.

Leather cut out pieces revealed and concealed flashes of skin and appeared not only in black, but in stunning blue with trims and ruffles. The collections also explored the shapes of the sixties and seventies with the era’s trademark angular lines, asymmetrical cuts and structured shapes. The colour palette was a mix of bright orange to bold indigo, mixed with black and classic nude. The combed back hair and minimal make-up kept all the focus on the clothing.

The Eighties Are Back!

The designer of the moment, J.W. Anderson, also presented leather pieces such as wrap-around leather skirts and long leather dresses. But the label also proved that the 1980’s are back, and I have a feeling it’s the next big thing. With Human League’s music opening the show, the models appeared on the catwalk wearing pussy-bow blouses, over sized printed jumpers, metallic tops and spray-paint effect sweaters all accessorised with belts, big earrings and chunky colourful heeled knee-high boots. It was all about clashing textures, prints and colours.

The Eudon Choi collection also showed hints of the 80’s trend with big, rich metallic pieces but his collection was more geometric, taking inspiration from a Japanese radical architectural movement called “Metabolism” and re-utilising existing Asian design by recycling popular styles. This created a wearable and stylish collection of brave outerwear and precise suiting, layered with structured dresses and architectural knits. There was also a wink towards the 1970’s in the form of over sized fringed shawls and shearling lined jackets and flares. 

Topshop Unique was also all about the Eighties. Creative director Kate Phelan created a collection that mixed a nonchalant Yves Saint Laurent party-girl cool with the 1980s-Kings-Road-Saturday-night vibe. Tailored dresses, black velvet mini dresses and wide flares teamed with big knits plus pieces of leather.

Another trend that was seen on the Topshop catwalk was fur, which will remain the rage for AW15 and was seen on many other catwalks. The House of Holland, Gareth Pugh and Holly Fulton have all given their own take on the fluffy look. And it came in all colours too! Ashley Williams paired her pink fur with PVC to add to her Goth collection. Those less brave among us who are not sure about going for the full furry look, can go for the cuffs and collars which were seen at the Topshop Unique show. 

Furs were also seen at the Jean-Pierre Braganza catwalk that were teamed wonderfully with the other major trend of leather, in the forms of a cropped fur jacket over a leather dress, an aviator jacket, given a glamourous touch with fur trim and stiff leather bracelets as accessories.The show started with the deafening sounds of air-raid sirens, that I have to admit were a bit disturbing to my Israeli ears, and I was half expecting to see utility detailing and khaki coming onto the catwalk. 

Instead, I was surprised to see origami folded dresses more suited to cocktails than a cockpit. The Collection, called “Excelsiora” was created with a modern, strong woman in mind. Like a modern incarnation of an exacting film noir vixen and war-time heroine, she looked deceptively elegant. There were pieces such as Amelia Earhart’s sheepskin flight jacket, A-line skirted designs and thigh-high boots replacing the rigidity of the jet theme to turn it into something more modern and carefree.

Fur and leather detailed pieces were also found at Hakaan Yildirim’s collection, which was the last show for the week. The collection was inspired by the movie “Grey Gardens” and its main characters, a mother and a daughter who lived in poverty but still with great style, using their creativity and imagination to wear the same pieces in different styles. These two women reflected on the attitude of the whole collection against today’s limitations. Oversized duster coats were given a luxury makeover, and garments were teamed with turbans and abstract headwear to add a bohemian edge. Wool, viscose velvet and silk met black, green, cream, red and beige tones and dominated the beautiful collection.

Colours: Red &Tangerine 

At New York fashion week, a certain 70's burnt orange ruled the catwalks, but in London, it was tangerine. Stepping away from the standard sea of beige and neutrals expected at this time of year, this zesty shade made a big impact at the David Koma, Christopher Kane and Sibling shows and I predict it will find its way onto the high street too. So it's going to be a bright next winter. Red was also everywhere, in different shades mixed with pink, white and navy. Tangerine, pink and red were key colours at the Fyodor Golan collection.

The talented Latvian-Israeli duo presented the rainbow wheel collection, collaborating with My Little Pony which they have been “obsessed with since childhood" bringing their own interpretation of the animated characters. Collaged onto garments, the figures bring an element of naivety and joy of nostalgia. The reds and candy-coloured pinks met with bright purple and acid green. Floating on to the catwalk came exciting and innovative pieces inspired by trips to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong such as a soft pink ribbed turtleneck, structured kimonos, an asymmetric skirt and animated horses across flirty cocktail dresses.

Another collaboration was with Michael Wolf translating his images into plasticized textured prints based on the photographer’s colourful and abstract work of Hong Kong’s housing complexes. As fun and light hearted as the collection was, it was built around luxurious and sophisticated pieces combining clean, geometrical silhouettes with modern luxury. Maybe it will not appear wearable to some of us, but they have certainly brought us a lot of magic.

Embellishments

Another Trend brought to us through this collection was the trend for bling and embellishments. Fyodor Golan brought us delicate orchids and many other designers this season decided that decoration isn’t for spring/summer only: it looks like sequins are going to make their way into our wardrobe in a big way. Holly Fulton presented feathers, jewels and dresses with all-bling detailing and Mary Katrantzou’s collection was full of lavish embellishments, bright patterned furs and multiple prints and textures.

At Jasper Conran’s collection, the bling came to life in a very sophisticated way with geometric sequin dresses and silk Georgette shirts with corsage embroidery. The collection, presented on a carpet of brown leaves covering the catwalk, inspired by painter Augustus John, was full of rich tones of dark navy, bottle green, brown, plum and rich yellow. As always, his signature wearable, simpler looks were my favourites, with a touch of femininity and fine tailoring.  He used wool, cashmere, suede and silk on garments like tunic dresses, A-line skirts and chunky knits to create the perfect head-to-toe wardrobe.

Of course, I can’t finish any LFW coverage without reporting on Burberry’s show. This year was all about one woman: Naomi Campbell, who showed up very fashionably late, and caused a social media meltdown walking into the show with a gorgeous larger than life fluffy white fur coat. Of course, the Burberry show, always highly anticipated, didn’t disappoint. But I am curious to see what trends it will inspire this year. Last year, Burberry’s blanket scarves were all the rage but this year, it was all about bohemian fringing and vibrant prints.

Mosaic encrusted crop tops, heavy fringed ponchos, quilted floral jackets, folk dresses, and lots of trench coats also dominated the catwalk. Colours were darker and more romantic: teal, maroon, olive and magenta with a Sixties touch. So what did we learn from LFW AW15? Fringing is here to stay, so is the leopard print, and it is certainly okay to clash three different prints in totally different colours.

Click on photographs for full-screen slide show

David Koma presented a powerful show using leather, nude fabrics, knitwear, wool, lace and macramé. Photo by Mike Rolls

 Eudon Choi's collection took inspiration from a Japanese radical architectural movement called Metabolism. Photo by Mike Rolls

The geometric collection by Eudon Choi reutilised Asian design by recycling popular styles. Photo by Mike Rolls

Eudon Choi's Japanese-inspired collection included structured dresses in brilliant hues. Photo by Mike Rolls

Leather and stripes were standouts at Eudon Choi. Photo by Mike Rolls 

There was also a wink towards the '70s in the form of oversized fringed shawls at Eudon Choi. Photo by Mike Rolls

Jean-Pierre Braganza's fur jacket with a glamourous leather dress. Photo by Mike Rolls 

Jean-Pierre Braganza's Excelsiora collection was created with a modern, strong woman in mind. Like a incarnation of an exacting film noir vixen and war-time heroine, she looked deceptively elegant. There were pieces such as Amelia Earhart’s sheepskin flight jacket, A-line skirted designs and thigh-high boots. Photo by Mike Rolls 

Leather was featured at the Hakaan Yildrim collection which was inspired by the Grey Gardens film. Photo by Mike Rolls

Turbans and abstract headwear added to the bohemian edge at Hakaan Yildrim. Photo by Mike Rolls

Long, red leather dresses and black turbans featured in the Haakan Yildrim runway. Photo by Mike Rolls

Lavish, oversized coats were highlights of Haakan Yildrim's show. Photo by Mike Rolls 

Leather dresses with cut-out pieces concealed and revealed at David Koma. Photo by Mike Rolls

The David Koma collection explored the shapes of the '60s and '70s with those eras' trademark angular lines, asymmetrical cuts and structured shapes. Photo by Mike Rolls

The colour palette at David Koma was a mix of black and classic nude with bright orange and indigo. The combed back hair and minimal make-up kept all the focus on the clothing. Photo by Mike Rolls

The talented Latvian-Israeli duo Fyodor Golan presented a collection inspired by the animated series My Little Pony. Photo by Mike Rolls

Tangerine, pink and red were key colours at the Fyodor Golan. Photo by Mike Rolls

Candy-coloured pinks met with bright purple and greens on the Fyodor Golan runway. Photo by Mike Rolls

Jasper Conran presented a very sophisticated collection of geometric, sequined dresses presented on a carpet of brown leaves. Photo by Mike Rolls

Silk Georgette shirts with corsage embroidery were a highlight at Jasper Conran. Photo by Mike Rolls 

Inspired by painter Augustus John, Jasper Conran's collection was full of rich tones in yellow, plum and dark green and navy. Photo by Mike Rolls

   

Human League's music opened the J.W Anderson show with models wearing 1980's pussy-bow blouses, printed jumpers and metallic tops. Photo by Dan Sims, British Fashion Council

Topshop Unique's creative director Kate Phelan created a nonchalant Yves Saint Laurent party girl cool mixed with a 1980s-Kings-Road-Saturday-Night vibe. Photo by Sam Wilson, British Fashion Council

Mary Katrantzou's collection was full of lavish embellishments, bright-patterned furs and different prints and textures. Photo by Shaun James Fox, British Fashion Council

Holly Fulton AW15. Photo by Shaun James Cox, British Fashion Council



Norway: Architecture for a Dreamland Photo Essay

The reflective waters of Norway's Sognefjord is like a fairytale landscape of green mountains, clear lakes and picturesque villages. 

Travelling through Norway’s fjords and glaciers, Andreas Romagnoli captures this mysterious northern landscape and the country’s famous ancient churches and stark new architecture 

NORWAY'S landscape merges the grey-brown colors of winter with the green of spring and the ethereal blue of its lakes. The countryside’s scarce population make great stretches seem like uninhabited lands, where every journey represents a metaphorical journey within ourselves, exploring our fears and dreams.

But it is the architecture of Norway that captures the country’s response to changing cultural, climactic and economic conditions. International architectural influences are often apparent in Norwegian design but they are adapted to meet the local climate including the difficult winters and high winds. During the 20^th century, the architecture has been determined mostly by Norwegian social policy and its focus on innovation.

The history of Norway differs from other European countries in never adopting feudalism and maintaining its traditional ways of farming. Combined with the prevalent use of wood as a building material, this ensured the country has few examples of the elaborate baroque, renaissance or rococo styles built by the ruling classes in the rest of Europe.

Much of Norway’s vernacular architecture has been preserved on farms in open-air museums that show buildings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century such as the Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo and Maihaugen in Lillehammer.

Today, Norway is also the only country in Northern Europe with intact wooden churches from the Middle Ages. While stone cathedrals were being built across Europe, Norway continued building in wood. From the period of the Vikings, Norwegians worked with wood for boats and buildings. This tradition culminated in the stave churches.

These wooden churches are an important part of Norwegian architectural heritage and the oldest is Urnes Stave church in Luster by the Sognefjord. A church has been on the site since 1130 and the current building dates to the 17th century. The builders were aware of international trends in architecture but used wood instead of stone to create the new forms. The interior of the church is richly decorated with animal motifs such as elks and doves as well as centaurs and dragons. This decoration has become known as the Urnes style and it is the only stave church on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Oslo's Opera House built in 2008 is representative of the contemporary Norwegian aesthetic where glass and brick has replaced wood. Designed by Snøhetta architects, the Opera House is the place where Norwegians come to enjoy both the performances inside and the vast marble rooftop where they can contemplate their city and harbour and view the cluster of cranes soaring above new buildings.

Click on photographs for full-screen slideshow

Grasses and hardy plants grow amid the lands surrounding a solitary wooden house in Eidfjord. 

Lighthouse on the coast at Krakenes.

Trollstigen or Troll's Road is a surreal landscape of undulating rocks and grasses.

Bergen's beautiful waterside promenade with it's traditional gabled buildings.

Bergen's imposing 19th century buildings are a mix of wood, stone and brick.

Alesund's apartments cluster around the water with boats moored virtually at the doorstep.

The famous Urnes Stavrchirchen from the 17th century and the oldest wooden church surviving in Europe today

Once a private church for a powerful family, the original builders were aware of international trends in architecture but used wood instead of stone.

This is the Stavrchirchen in Flam looking like a religious Ginger Bread house.

A masterclass in woodwork, the Norwegian traditonal churches go back to the Middle Ages. 

Two girls sitting on the vast marble rooftop of  the Oslo Opera House, contemplate the new construction going up around them.

The Oslo Opera House with it's marble roof terraces where Norwegians can stroll, skate and enjoy the harbour.

Snøhetta architects wanted the art, material, form, landscape and people to be united in the Opera House project. They worked with artists Jarunn Sannes, Kristian Blystad, and Kalle Grude to create the roof as a piece of public art. 

A girl plays on the Opera House's terraces. At 20,000 square meters, the marble roof is made from about 30,000 different stone pieces.