A selection of multiple exposure photos shot between 2013-2017 by Finland-based photographer Christoffer Relander. All the images were blended/exposed in a Nikon D800E, without the use of manipulation or layering in an external software such as Photoshop.
Christoffer Relander was born in Finland December 1986 and grew up in the countryside of Ekenäs. Relander’s interest in art started at an early age, but it was not until he served the Finnish Marines between 2008-2009 that he got interested in photography.
“My goal as an artist is to be true to who I am, and aim to create art that will stay around for its good cause.” – Christoffer Relander
As an experimental fine art photographer, Christoffer Relander applies a technique inspired by multiple exposure to create ‘We Are Nature’: a series of dreamy, surreal images based on the ambiguous relationship between man and nature. Christoffer uses his camera as a tool that can help him create surreal, dreamy images with a few clicks – a tool he chooses over pencils or brushes.
“Using a different tool should not necessarily change my work from being classified as art. A common argument is that anybody can take a photograph but, actually, anybody can learn to paint as well. It’s all about how you use your instrument.”
“I literally photographed everything I could think of, I never left my camera at home. It wasn’t just what I photographed that was so enticing. I also enjoyed experimenting with different kinds of techniques, as well as exploring the various characteristics of the NIKKOR lenses and cameras I used.”
For his “We Are Nature” series, Christoffer began experimenting with this technique back in 2010 while shooting spontaneous portraits. The series, as the title suggests, revolves around the ambiguity of the relationship between man and nature. Some people might argue that man is an integral part of nature – much like nature is an integral part of Christoffer’s work. “If there is a possibility to create productively with a technique that fascinates you, I couldn’t be more satisfied.”
“The series is not about any specific individual; it is about man and nature itself. By keeping the identities of my models anonymous, it leaves space for the viewer’s own perception. Our perception is subjective.”
At the initial stage, Christoffer scouted for overexposed settings to shoot in to mask his subjects, which he placed in darker areas, from their background. The portraiture images, as well as the texture images, needed to be shot against bright backgrounds. He didn’t like too many peripheral objects distracting his focus and he prefered hills with adjacent trees as the backdrop. Then, once he located the scene, he creates the portrait image by visualizing how the shapes will overlay and blend with the nature.
“It’s important to keep in mind that each exposure will only add light on the next one – light areas cannot get darker even if you multiple exposed a completely dark image on top of the previous one. It is similar to film; the sensor only registers light.”
Shooting in RAW format, Christoffer draws the basic s-curves in post-production to add contrast. In turn, he also uses it to lower the output so as to make the whitest white slightly toned. He does not feel that plain white appears natural which, essentially, is the core of his “We Are Nature” series.
To view more of Chirstoffer’s work, head to his website. You can also find him on Facebook or Flickr. Previous work you can see on our website.
