Details From The Witness: The Photography Of Hansi Johnson
/ July 08, 2021
Words and Photos from Bjørn Olson
Any time spent on the Hyperlite Mountain Gear blog or website will quickly reveal that we have some very talented photographers from all over the globe in our family. There are a million ways to document a place or people and a moment in time, but a great photographer captures it all while telling you a little bit about themselves, too. We’re pleased to introduce you to Bjørn Olson. Read on to find out how Bjørn approaches his craft and gain a few skill-building tips and nuggets of wisdom in the process.
Name: Bjørn Olson
Residence: Homer, Alaska
Years Shooting: 13
Favorite Location(s) to Shoot: Remote Alaskan winter trails
Camera Setup: Canon 5D MKIII, Canon 1Dx MKII, with Canon L series glass (most often 24-70mm II USM f/2.8 and 70-200mm L IS II f/2
What got you into photography, and what keeps you at it?
My dad was a photographer, and as a kid, I loved reviewing his work, which often bordered on professional. I learned how to develop black and white film when I was in junior high, but my deeper interest in photography didn’t come until later.
During my first decade as a wilderness adventurer, I would often carry a point-and-shoot camera, but I became frustrated with my inability to translate much of what I saw or wanted to capture with that limited technology. This was the motivation that finally propelled me to take photography more seriously and is what continues to motivate me.
Many of the places I explore here in Alaska are remote and hard to reach. I often assume that I will never have an opportunity to see many of those areas again. Doing my best to capture a mood, sense of place, culture, or to translate what the experience of being in a unique region is like is invigorating and something I try to take seriously while on trips.
Out in the wild, what are the elements in a setting that will stop you in your tracks and make you grab your camera?
Before I head out on a backcountry adventure, I will often consider something that I want to learn about or will have an idea for an end product, like a film or a slideshow. This is not always the case, but I find that when I do take the time to perform this pre-trip mental exercise, I do a better job of holding myself accountable while underway. It’s easy to tell yourself to screw the camera when the going is tough, or the camera is buried in the pack, or any number of excuses not to get the shot. When I know that I have an end product in mind, I find it easier to accept that taking time to document is as important as being there.
What elements will you wait or hunt for? Where and why?
Although wildlife photography isn’t my forte, I love stalking animals and trying to put myself in a position to capture them in their element.
If you couldn’t use words to describe what kind of photographer you are–you could only share one of your photos–does one come to mind? Why? Where was it taken? Describe the scenario.
Difficult question, and there’s a strong chance that I’ll think of a better example at a later date and regret my current choice. However, one that comes to mind is a shot of my partner, Kim McNett, riding her fat bike on the Iditarod Trail. On that trip, we were plagued by ferocious winds. Often, we both find it difficult to relate to friends and others’ what our experiences were like. This one photo, for me, helps capture a sense of what it is like to ride a fat bike in the sub-Arctic during a blizzard.
You can pass five short tips on to aspiring shooters. Go.
Where can we see more of your work?
I can also be found on Instagram under the handle, @fatbikebjorn and on Facebook @alaskabjornfilms
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