Further Information

Background

I have been interested in folk tales from early age. I am brought up to believe in fairies and elves and I have a deep respect for all gracious powers we people get to see very seldom. I love visiting places that have a connection with a specific folk tale and sometimes when I come to a new place I feel like something must have happened there.

As a photographer I have worked with capturing pictures of events as they enfold. Then the project is to document events and preserve the moment. I learned very early one that a good photograph can tell the whole story. It should not need any words.

I have wondered for years how I could combine my interest in folk tales and my need for telling stories with the camera. I settled on letting specific places I visited tell me the stories. Visit these places often and get the feel of the place. Then I tried to recreate the feeling I felt in these places in a single photograph inspired by them. Sometimes other things inspire, my grandfathers lantern from Loðmundarfjörður, a silver shot glass I found in a second hand store or the skull of Gráflekkur, an old ram from my home at Miðhús.

About the author

I am born and brought up at Miðhús in the district of Egilstaðir, the birthplace of Sigfús Sigfússon, collector of folk tales. I graduated from the upper secondary school at Egilstaðir in 1984 and planned to become a carpenter just as all my male family. Faith did not share my intentions and before I knew I was working as a press photographer in Reykjavík. I then studied photography in Gothenburg and came home to Egilstaðir where I worked asa carpenter and as a photographer. For the last 16 years I have lived in the town Höfn and teach photography at the upper secondary school in Höfn, and at the upper secondary school at Tröllaskagi. I am a member of FÍSL, The Icelandic Contemporary Photography Association and have been part of two exhibitions as a member. I have also had seven solo exhibitions.

Support

I am asking for your support to be able to print this book. By supporting this project you are helping me getting this book out in the world to people of all ages that can use the pictures as ideas for stories to tell. As the book is based on pictures not words it can be useful to anyone, independent of mother tongue or reading ability so the stories can fly all over the world. Of course you would get an autographed copy of the book sent you you.