Best of 2021
Looking though all 3552 frames I’ve kept from 2021 it’s clear that this has been the year of the GFX for me. After having shot only with analog film for half a decade, I got a digital Nikon body (D750) in 2019 for practical reasons. I used it mostly as a backup system and to keep the cost of shooting new-face models from ballooning, but all my favorite photos still ended up being shot on film. This changed this year and the Fujifilm GFX50R together with the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens I adapted to it and the film emulation profiles from The Archetype Process is the sole reason for this. Looking though my 2021 catalog, almost all my favorite frames are digital captures. I would be lying if I said this hasn’t triggered a bit of existential crisis in me, but the truth is the truth. I have a lot more to say on digital versus analog, but I’ll save that for another letter.
Here are my 30 favorite frames from 2021, in no particular order:
Wake-boarder, captured in the old harbor in Limhamn, with a Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. We were there for a shoot with Beatrix (see below) and I just happened to see this person out on the water against the setting sun. I think all the magenta of the profile I used for this image made it just other-worldly. Developed with the Fujifilm 800Z+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Serene at Stenshuvud, captured in blistering winds and rain. I walked behind her and shot this at 1/15 of a second, in shutter-priority. Fujifilm X100V, with wide-angle converter. Developed with TRI-X Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Seagulls, on a wintery sunset, when everything turned apricot. Fujifilm X100V. Developed with Fujifilm 400H+2 Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Beatrix in a dress by Magnus von Soest. I get this Alice in Wonderland vibe from this frame, where Beatrix decides to balance the tea cup on her head. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 400H+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Anna Hertze.
Lernacken at sunset in May. We went there to scout for a shoot with Yuli later that spring. Olympus OM-1, Kodak Pro Image 100. Scan by Carmencita Film Lab.
Ian at the very end of a head-shot session in our living room. This was also the first studio shoot I did with the GFX and the moment I fell in love with the possibilities of digital. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the TRI-X Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Anna Hertze.
Alfie at Skummeslövstrand, at one of the many evening swims in the ocean close to our summer home. I love the distant shoreline and the boat. Fujifilm X100V. Developed with Portra 800+2 Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Alice and Anna in an in-between moment. I love the absurdity of this frame. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 400H+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Anna Hertze.
Matilda during a shoot in Hjärup. I love the timeless feel in this frame. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Ilford Delta 3200 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Åsa and her son during a family session. Once again, I love these in-between moments. I also feel the technical imperfection (it’s out of focus) makes it more like real life. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 400H+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
The Hertzes, at Hovs Hallar. One of the many frames captured during our annual family shoot. It started out raining, but then the sun returned for the only time during that week. Olympus OM-1, Kodak Gold 200. Scan by Carmencita Film Lab.
Alexandra in our living room. I love the shape here. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Ilford Delta 3200 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Lina Ling.
Melisa. She is capable of such classical beauty and quirky goofiness almost at the same time. You just have to point the camera at her and try to keep up! Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 800Z+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Anna Hertze.
Serene at Stenshuvud. I love the simplicity of this frame and the way her face lights up against all those darker tones. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 800Z+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Yuli at Lernacken, Malmö. We never planned it, but the winds were cold, so we wrapped her in our old beach blanket. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 800Z+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Alexandra. This was the same session as above, but we snuck outside as the sun set to snap some frames. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 400H+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Lina Ling.
Alfie in canola. I just love the color here and the diagonal lines. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Ektar 100-1 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Alice in Lomma. I love the peach tones here and the feeling of vast winter landscapes. Fujifilm X100V. Developed with Fujifilm 400H+2 Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Zoe in our living room, making laying down and posing somehow look effortless. This was one of the first shoots with Fujifilm X100V. Developed with Portra 160+1 Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process. Makeup by Gabriella Jäderlund and hair by Anna Hertze.
Skummeslövstrand at dawn. I’ve walked by that cottage so many times and it always reminds me of something out of a fairy tale. Fujifilm X100V. Developed with Portra 400+1 Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Falsterbo. I love the pair of dogs bombing this frame. Fujifilm X100V (without a lens hood). Developed with Portra 160+1 Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Beatrix at the old harbor in Limhamn, close to sunset. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Fujifilm 800Z+2 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Melisa, speeding through the whole range of human emotions for a project of mine. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Ilford Delta 3200 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Anna Hertze.
Serene at Stallgården, lit by a ceiling window. Nikon D750 and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Portra 160+1 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup and hair by Lina Ling.
Alice at the kitchen table in our summer house. Fujifilm X100V. Developed with TRI-X Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Looking down from the Lighthouse at Kullen. Fujifilm X100V with a wide-angle converter. Developed with Portra 400UC+1 Frontier profile, by The Archetype Process.
Tilly. I love the feeling of life in this frame. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Portra 400UC+1 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Ryan at his workshop in Copenhagen, wearing a brain beanie knitted by Anna. We only had a few moments to take his portrait and I found this worn-down white renovating ladder in a corner and made him climb it. Ryan is one of my photography heroes and I’ve been following his work closely ever since I watched the Film Show back in the day. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the TRI-X Frontier profile from The Archetype Process.
Yuli. I love the feeling of tranquillity here. Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the TRI-X Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup by Cecilia Tram and hair by Anna Hertze.
Zlatko at the end of a shoot, when we snuck outside (as we often insist on). Fujifilm GFX50R and the Voigtländer 58mm/1.4 lens. Developed with the Portra 160+1 Frontier profile from The Archetype Process. Makeup by Anna Hertze.