All images by Bjørg-Elise Tuppen. Used with permission.
“Through the Enchanted land series I wanted to convey not only the beautiful and dramatic landscape up here, but also the feeling it afflicts on you when you dwell in it” says Bjørg-Elise Tuppen about his project called The Enchanted Land. Bjørg-Elise lives in northern part of Norway; and received a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design from the University of Herefordshire. But this is more than just a series of landscape photos.
On finding his work on Behance, you’ll see two parts of a project that he calls “The Enchanted Land.” But what you’ll notice about the images is an almost ethereal look to them.
Phoblographer: Talk to us about how you got into photography.
Bjørg-Elise,: I got my first camera as a Christmas present when I was 9 years old. Since then photography has been one of my main interests. I started expressing myself through images at a young age, and taking pictures became a natural part of this. Besides being a photographer I also paint and illustrate.
Phoblographer: What made you want to shoot landscapes?
Bjørg-Elise,: I worked as a portrait photographer before I decided to study graphic design. During this period I started doing a lot of landscape photography both as a part of design projects, but also based in a wish to convey the landscape around me. I live in the arctic part of northern Norway, and the landscape and seasons here are dramatic and inspiring. I always try to convey this through my landscape photography.
Phoblographer: The Enchanted Land has two parts; and both of them focus on grand landscapes. What was the creative vision and intent behind this project?
Bjørg-Elise,: Through the Enchanted land series I wanted to convey not only the beautiful and dramatic landscape up here, but also the feeling it afflicts on you when you dwell in it. The year up here is dominated by extreme contrasts, from the bright summer when the sun never sets, to the winter and The Time of Darkness, which lasts for 6 weeks. During this time the sun is under the horizon even on its highest point. The nature up here can be beautiful, seductive and dangerous and I wanted to convey all these qualities through this series.
Phoblographer: Did the creative vision come out more with the editing or in the picture taking process? The images seem to depict very ethereal looking places.
Bjørg-Elise,: The nature up here can be quite unreal even if you have been born here. The beauty of it never seizes to amaze me. So I would have to say both. Trying to capture the beauty and mood of the landscape here is an ongoing project for me. In my editing I do take subtle but artistic liberties in my editing. I search for that extra, which will underline the feeling I want to convey.
Phoblographer: So what are you trying to do with this series? A Book? A gallery? Is it part of some sort of commercial means for you?
Bjørg-Elise,: This series is born out of an artistic process, my interest in photography, as well as a wish to convey the atmosphere and mood of the landscape up here in northern Norway. Everything on top of this is a bonus. And in January the series will be part of an exhibition.