Gunilla Steen

Jun 1 - Written By Angela Nicholson

How did you get into photography?

It started 15 years ago as a way to document and remember what I had planted on my allotment. After a couple of years, I realised I needed to learn how to really photograph. From then on, it has been learning and exploration. First, more traditional nature photography and then, now I hope, more creative photography.

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Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?

I have completed different shorter courses, workshops and a one-year course in visual interpretation.

What’s the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?

I cannot remember.

What do you love about photography?

It is a way to go out, take a walk in the woods and relax. I enjoy trying to see things differently.

What do you wish you’d learned about photography earlier?

Lots of things. Not so much about rules, but how to understand an image and put words to how to express a feeling about an image. Seeing lots of images from different photographers and learning from that has also been important.

Where is your favourite place for photography?

The surroundings close to home or islands like the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and the Faroe Islands.

Do you have a favourite photographic technique?

No, not really.

Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?

I edit in Lightroom and in Silver Efex if it is a black-and-white image. I try to keep it simple.

What’s your favourite lens?

Maybe the Pentacon 50mm f1.8.

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Do you have a favourite accessory?

No, but I use extension rings with the Pentacon.

Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?

Nope.

Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?

One is Lee Miller. It might be more about her life and everything she experienced and achieved. Her image Portrait of Space is one of my favourites. There is also the Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide who creates really powerful images. For creativity, Helene Schmitz. For ICM, Charlotte Bellamy and Shona Perkins. For flowers, seed cases and more, Lena Granefelt.

Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram

Helene Schmitz @heleneschmitz, Graciela Iturbide @gracielaiturbide and Lena Granefelt @lena_granefelt

Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don’t have yet but you’d like to buy at some point?

More vintage lenses.

Read: Creative Photography: What It Is and How to Get Started

Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven’t tried yet?

Maybe, but I think I would rather learn more about the genres I am already exploring.

What’s your proudest photographic moment?

This year, I received an international publication and three images were accepted for an exhibition.

If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?

Better eyes.

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Please tell us a little about yourself

I started photography seriously about ten years ago. Before that, it was only for documentation and not really photography. I think street photography is a bit scary and I have never been interested in sport or travel photography, so I started with nature photography. At first, I created very traditional images, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to do something different.

After having Covid, I was feeling a bit low and a friend suggested Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) courses with Charlotte Bellamy. That led to a couple of years exploring ICM and woodland photography. Creative photography is still what interests me most.

Nowadays, I am retired. Some days I do not do very much, while on other days I work on my allotment and go horse riding once a week. I also go to the gym twice a week because I have arthritis.

I enjoy reading and books by writers such as Peter May and Anne Cleeves inspired me to visit the Isles of Harris and Lewis as well as the Shetland Isles. I also enjoy Icelandic writers.

Gunilla’s Favourite Images