hellocloud photography by Ken Lönnström

I can’t understand that it is already February. Where have this last year gone? Last time we saw Sweden was when the flowers blossomed, the birds began to sing and the first warm days arrived. I remember everything so well. The Excitement – the Chaos – and then the Freedom. What always makes me sad is when you leave people behind that you love dearly and the last time you see them, is not the last time, though you won’t see them again for a long time. Also – you cannot be completely sure they’ll recognise you when you get back. Or that others change and grow up until you meet them the next time. At least, that’s the way I sometimes think.

In my opinion I haven’t changed that much. I am still childish sometimes and at other times too mature for my own age. Always been, but I have began wondering if my age and myself will catch up in a few years time. Maybe you don’t really understand what I mean, neither do I occasionally, but I’ve always been too mature. A little bit too serious in everything I have done and soon I won’t be too mature for my age. Then I will be in phase.

What will probably happen then is that I’ll become more childish from the passing years. I don’t mind. I kinda like being… just me. What about you?

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Aperture Priority

Exposure Time

1/125

F Number

22

ISO

200

Focal Length

17mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

We have all been there, at least once or twice. At that place where we might have cried, screamed or been upset and felt the river of despair and seen nothing but the unmoving mountain in front of us. Blocking our way. Taunting us. And what can we do about that?

There is really no other option than climbing it and make it to the top from where we can watch down in order to see the progress we’ve done. To see the rough edges we passed and the places where we put up shelter.

It’s important to remember that we can’t always be on top but I bloody am gonna try – and so should you.

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Normal Program

Exposure Time

1/400

F Number

1.8

ISO

400

Focal Length

50mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

For an hour now I’ve been trying to come up with something poetic regarding the emotions from this picture. Although I have some ideas that I have even written down, none of them seem to fit perfectly. There was a time, around five-six years ago that I could have drawn up a whole world in a matter of minutes. The words, my emotions, they wanted to leave my senses, my heart and soul to get written – in an instant. They were so fast not even my fingers would catch up with them. Except for these occasions when the phone rang, then I could write down what I had in my mind at the same time as I talked.

What I wanted to say in poetry, now just have to be acceptable with my words. That is, while I was waiting for my passion for writing to return, I think it got even more lost. Since it disappeared a few years ago I’ve sat down a few times and been waiting for the right moment to write. It never really came and so I’ve been sitting here with my pen and paper waiting… when what I should have done is to just write! Exercise my mind, go for it, both wild and crazy! Just close my eyes and write whatever comes out although it might be utter rubbish. I would still be writing down some part of my soul even if it at this stage came from the surface of my soul.

Despite the fact I’ve always been interested in photography, it has become more and more profound with these last years and mostly with this last year. It’s a way for me to function with the necessary creativity which is bound in all of us. You yourself might not paint, play music or write poems. I can however guarantee that if you are truly happy, you probably express yourself in some sort of creative way. There are so many ways. One big example people might not think of is cooking. Cooking is art. So is being a great listener. Understanding people, as well as writing poetry or any other of the classic things. Designing a computer game or a new application. That is art. So is enjoying life. Some are born with a natural instinct of seeing the beautiful in life, while others have to try hard. We are all different. We are all better at certain things.

The trick if you want to accomplish something, is to practice every day. Try. Learn. Open your mind. Change your views. Instead of pulling the shower curtain to the left or the right, as you always do, try pulling it the other way. Instead of left, take it to the right. You’ll notice an immediate change in just by changing small things. Then you feel it is a new day and with that comes new opportunities because you are broadening your mind. And if you really want to be better at something, then practice. Practice every single day. Practice as much as you want. That is something I’ve unfortunately been very bad at when it comes to gaining new writing skills. Instead of trying and practicing, I have been waiting for the right moment when I should’ve just grabbed the moment myself by the neck.

If you only wait for new opportunities instead of creating them, then you’ll be in for a long wait. In the end you might be on the brink of dying. And life is just too beautiful for dying. At least if you are only waiting. It’s much more pleasant to die when you live, in some macabre and poetic way.

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

1/25

F Number

5.6

ISO

200

Focal Length

41mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

1/320

F Number

9

ISO

100

Focal Length

85mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

For a month now, since we came back to Australia, I’ve been struggling with different things. Dreams, thoughts and visas. That’s just a few of them. Although there has been plenty to do, I have enjoyed every moment of this time. It’s not until it is over, that you can look back and see how far you’ve actually come. Too see for yourself that you have changed, grown and developed yourself.

Also that things often turn out better than you’d expected. My 2nd work visa have been accepted, which means I’m not crippled anymore to just exist. We can go wherever we wan with no consideration that I have to leave the country in three months time, just to come back in a few days.

I have a clearer plan for the future. Instead of no map, I have now made one, showing some of the way to my future that I want to create for myself. In six to seven months me and Jenny are coming back to Sweden. Not to stay permanently, but to gain a much better chance for a permanent Australian or New Zealand citizenship. We are going to study for a few years.

Have finally decided what I want for a career and that is to work with my photography. That’s why I’m considering to study International Marketing, since that’s a big part of being a professional photographer. In my spare time I’ll focus on the photography and also take every opportunity for photo-meetings or that like. Also become more active on some photography communities, everything in order to get more critics and new ideas.

The action picture below is taken by my friend Veronica Orrholm Zentio in August 2008.

Manufacturer

NIKON CORPORATION

Model Name

NIKON D80

Exposure Program

Normal Program

Exposure Time

1/100

F Number

5

ISO

400

Focal Length

18mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

Also when we are back in Sweden, we’re gonna have the best of times! Meet friends, whom I often think of, but that I see with too large gaps. Not any more!

One other thing that feels so good today is that hellocloud photography is finally open! I’ve spent so many weeks, just this last month, to work on everything with the blog. The design is new, the structure is new, the pictures are new even for some of the old posts. I do have a few new plugins, which there is probably only one that concerns you guys/gals…

If you are interested in photography and are wondering what settings I’ve used for the pictures… all you have to do is left-click the picture once and then all my settings will show. Click once more and it goes away.

Would you happen to have any thoughts concerning the new blog design or regarding my pictures, please feel free to write. I appreciate honesty.

Now it’s time for bed, but thanks for reading. Take care and stay happy!

Ken Lönnström
hellocloud photography

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Aperture Priority

Exposure Time

1/200

F Number

5.6

ISO

400

Focal Length

187mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

Lately I have been thinking about kids and parents. All of us have different experiences. I have honestly disliked and have had problems handling kids. Just seen them as annoying and irritating, sometimes even bad tempered and horrible. And at other occasions seen them get ill treated.

The reason why I probably haven’t liked kids that much is because of my own life. They have reminded me of my childhood where I was afraid of going to school everyday. Everytime I see a kid treat another youth bad all I can see is red because I know the feeling of being pushed.

Lucky for me, just the last few years I’ve gotten to know some awesome kids. For instance my nieces. They are adorable and I miss them alot. That’s the hardest part about being in the other hemisphere, I miss them so much. It is a fact that they do grow centimeters and IQ everyday. And one day I want to take their photographies. Tell them stories, read to them and use all different kinds of voices. Just be there for them, because that’s what they deserve.

Unfortunately I only have good pictures of this little spillevink though I know my sister Petra have awesome pictures of hers and Niclas’ wonderful treasure.

I am so grateful of having the opportunity nowadays to associate the word “kids” with my nieces and others I’ve met, compared to before when all I could think of was the kids from school who chased me home, stole my things, called me names and tried to break my spine on a hand rail.

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

30/1

F Number

4

ISO

1600

Focal Length

17mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

Tonight is one of those nights. One of those that turn your breath into mist. One of those lovely nights filled with silent contemplation. Understanding. And at the same time not, since you have more questions than ever. Questions none but you can comprehend nor answer. This is a special night, surrounded by an overwhelming sensation of something out of the extraordinary. Tonight, is one of those nights where it seems like your life is painted only with stars on the non-existing roof of the Earth. Where every breath you take seem to move the world. Or better put, the world take deep breaths with you. Good night world… And good morning!

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

10/1

F Number

10

ISO

100

Focal Length

70mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

A song. One single song, is all that is needed to get you to remember forgotten times or memories. Some of them make you cry and others make you laugh with happiness. I’ll give you some examples to get yourself started!

• 2 Unlimited – No Limit
  Makes me remember all kinds of crazy things from this year, especially when me and a few mates went crazy in an Audi during Easter.
• Linkin Park – A Place For My Head
  School trip with my Spanish class in 9th grade. “No-one” had heard of Linkin Park at that time and I bought the pirate copy of  ”Hybrid Theory” from a big, dark, african fellow on the beach who claimed it to be an original. I liked the cover. This song was Lars-Daniels favourite at the time.
• Staind – How About You, Zoe Jane, Could It Be
  Summer of 2006 with my old Golf VR6. These songs reminds me of how it felt, crawling down into the car on a sunny day, turn the ignition key and hear the car vroar. Can even remember the way the car smelled, how the gear shift felt in my hand and how the air condition cooled everything. Just cruising around.
• Howard Shore – Helm’s Deep from The Two Towers
  Sharing my double bed with two-three guys and one girl after the premiere in the night. If I remember correctly, we had school the day after and were a bit sleepy. But I was lucky and snuggled up with one of the guys!

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

3/5

F Number

5.6

ISO

200

Focal Length

17mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

If in doubt, try and open your eyes.

View full post »

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Normal Program

Exposure Time

1/25

F Number

5.6

ISO

200

Focal Length

66mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

After five years waiting I have finally taken the step combining the future with my past. What before felt so hard, just now feels so right. What is it that sometimes scares us so that we hide parts of ourselves? Working with Beetles will always remind me of the time me and my father spent together all these sunny days and dark rainy nights in the garage. Dreaming. Fantasizing. Discussing. Drawing. Spending time.

Why have I lost so much time not working with Beetles since I have so many wonderful memories linked together with them? They give me so many flashbacks from a time long ago, that during certain periods lay forgotten in the pool of memories. Probably because I know I will never ever experience and gain more mental pictures together with my dad.

But I can get many more special memories that will remind me of my father. And honestly, what is life worth if you don’t have any good memories to pull forth from the back of your head? Isn’t that really what life is about? Any day you want, just sit down and be able to go through everything that have made you smile, laugh or just given you that good feeling inside of your chest.

View full post »