INTERVIEW
October 23, 2020
THE FINNS
Photography by Simo Väisänen
Interview by Karin Svadlenak Gomez
Simo Väisänen is a Finnish self-taught photographer. He is mostly interested in people, places and details. His love for old Finnish black and white movies, Italian neorealism and Akira Kurosawa's and Sergei Eisenstein's productions have partly influenced his photographic style. His street and documentary style photographs speak to the viewer very directly and sometimes leave room for questions and wonder. For this interview Simo shared with us some photos from two of his series, "The Finns" and "Almost Photography".
“I was born and raised in Kuopio, Finland in the middle of the beautiful Finnish Lake district. After my studies in Oulu, Helsinki and Jyväskylä Universities I got a position in Mikkeli, which is also surrounded by big lakes. Both Kuopio and Mikkeli are situated in Central Finland. I am a Special Education Teacher and Teacher of the Deaf.
My interest in photography started as a school boy. Me and my kid brother once got an Agfamatic 100 Sensor camera for Christmas. We really put that camera through its paces and the images we took were pure expressionism. Later, during my studies in Oulu I bought a second hand East German miracle called Praktica Super TL with a 50mm lens. I used that mainly to take photos of my family and friends. After that photography has been an essential part of me.”
IN CONVERSATION WITH SIMO VÄISÄNEN
THE PICTORIAL LIST: Simo, please tell us what is it that you want to express through your photography? And what are some of the elements you always try to include in your photographs?
SIMO VÄISÄNEN: Photography is almost always associated with a reproduction of reality. To me photography is making known my thoughts or feelings. The reality of the world we live in becomes the reality of how I use my visual language or how I feel about a specific idea or subject. Daido Moriyama once said ”Photography is the expression of our desires”. That’s how it is.
Light is photography. Photography is painting with light. If the light is uninspiring or dull I just don’t shoot.
TPL: Where do you find your inspiration? And do you have a favourite place to photograph?
SV: I believe I could say my passion for photography is my constant source of inspiration. I usually shoot for a theme and try to visit somewhere new to get out of my comfort zone. Favourite place to photograph? Could say anywhere. But I could travel to the end of the world and feel frustrated if the light and the environment didn’t inspire me.
TPL: Do you think place matters? Do you try to show a sense of place in your photos?
SV: Any place is good enough If I find the place interesting and inspirational enough. To me a sense of place is a feeling or perception I hold. That’s why my photographs differ from all others.
TPL: Do you have any favourite artists?
SV: My love for old Finnish B&W movies, Italian neorealism and Akira Kurosawa’s and Sergei Eisenstein’s production partly explain why I photograph as I do. And if you don’t understand Daido Moriyama or Junichiro Tanizaki you don’t know me.
TPL: You have shared with us a story about the Finnish circus. What gave you the idea of doing a photo series on the circus?
SV: I’ve always loved circus. It all begun when me and my kid brother hadn’t even started school yet. Our Mum took us to a circus which had come to our home town Kuopio in Finland. It really took me back to my childhood memories when our daughter was old enough to be taken to circus. It was then I realised I must start recording the present that one day will be the past to my daughter.
TPL: The circus is a place of colour and light. How come you chose to use black and white for your photo essay? Especially since your photos in your Instagram gallery are otherwise often colourful. How do you decide what should be presented in black and white and what in colour?
SV: If you look closely you’ll notice that only 62 of my 309 images in my Instagram gallery so far are colour images. That alone proves I’m a B&W guy. As you said circus is a place of colour and light. The light, however, is never constant and therefore you must start using high ISO values. That leads to colour noise. I shoot B&W for all classic reasons. It’s a creative choice. When you shoot for black and white, you challenge yourself to remove the distraction of colour. These include colour casts and differences in colour temperature (ambient light sources), as well as specific colourful elements that are strong, which may reside in the background or take away from your story. I even set my camera for B&W. That results in B&W photos on my LCD and in my viewfinder and allows me to better see lighting, shape and form.
I reserve colour mainly for travels, family snapshots and random weddings and funerals. The light must really be something special if I otherwise start shooting in colour. Of course I recognise a good colour photograph when I see one.
TPL: When you go out on the streets, do you have a concept in mind of what you want to shoot, or do you let the images just "come to you", or is it both?
SV: I’ve always thought that the world is full of images just waiting for us to come and get them. When I hit the streets my main target is people, but I won’t spit on any other potential good image either. The more you shoot the luckier you get. And the luckier you get the better images you get.
TPL: Does the equipment you use help you in achieving your vision in your photography? What camera do you use? Do you have a preferred lens/focal length?
SV: There’s a tool for every task. When I hit the streets I want to be as inconspicuous as possible and use wide angle primes. Getting close to the subject has never been a problem to me. My The Finns Series is a proof of that. When I don’t have to worry about being noticed a 24-70mm f2.8 zoom is my tool of choice.
I jumped on the mirrorless wagon very early on. Currently I use Nikon mirrorless cameras and lenses. The future is absolutely mirrorless. I’m a Nikon Z Creator.
TPL: Have you ever been involved in the artistic world before photography?
SV: Music has always been a part of me. My register in a male choir was Second Tenor but unfortunately I had to leave the choir because of my work. I just couldn’t find time enough for evening rehearsals or weekend courses far away from my hometown. However, I haven’t forgotten singing completely. When the house is empty I turn into an operatic tenor. Otherwise I sing in the shower to my family’s delight. Believe you understand.
TPL: Are there any projects you are currently working on that you would like to let everyone know about? What are some of your goals as an artist? Where do you see yourself or hope to see yourself in five years?
SV: I constantly add images to my old photo series. Don’t know for sure yet but I’d like to devote next winter to winter images of Finland in black and white. That would also involve going to the woods. I used to be a nature photographer before mirrorless cameras so that won’t be a problem for me.
First and foremost photography is something that makes me feel happy. I couldn’t imagine life without it. When I see a good final image on my computer screen or as a print, the emotion is often physical. In addition to this very personal side I want to expose my work in public. All artists need publicity. If my images make people feel even a tiny bit the way I felt when I made the image, I’m happy.
I don’t actually believe in photo exhibitions. I really hope I could publish a book at least in five years. Exhibitions come and go. Photo books last forever.
TPL: "When I am not out photographing, I (like to)…
SV: When I am not out photographing I like to spend time with my family, listen to my favourite music or read books. Sometimes I have to forget music and books completely because of editing my images. But as I said before, post-processing can be devastating, it can be revelatory, it can actually be great fun."
Simo Väisänen's photographic style is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers. His mastery of street and documentary photography has allowed him to create moving and thought-provoking works of art that remind us of the influence of old Finnish black and white movies, Italian neorealism and Akira Kurosawa's and Sergei Eisenstein's productions. We are left with questions and wonder as we view his photographs. If you want to experience Simo's genius for yourself, take a moment to view more of his photography.
