A Nostalgic Journey Through My Rediscovered Photo Prints

Let's celebrate work that manages to remain timeless even when we forget about it for a while.

So, imagine this: I'm on a mission to decorate my living room with some works on my newly created art wall.

While sifting through my analogue archive of printed photographs, I stumbled across a collection that had been gathering dust in a forgotten corner. A series I hadn't thought about in ages, but man, did it take me on a trip down memory lane.

In a happy twist of fate, my trip down memory lane was triggered by a fellow Substacker's newsletter:

Susanne Helmert

. She had shared the intimate story of her old pictures, a cascade of nostalgic reflections on the art she had created in the past. As I immersed myself in her words and photos, I felt a gentle reminder that our creative journeys are woven with threads of shared experience and the universal dance of artistic evolution.

Inspired by her reflection, I began a search through my own print archive, a repository of moments frozen in time. The very act of turning the physical sheets, feeling the texture of each photograph beneath my fingertips, brought a sense of connection to the artistic process. And then, as if the universe had conspired to affirm the power of storytelling, I stumbled upon this forgotten series.

What struck me most was the sheer joy that I felt looking at these images. It wasn't about fame or exhibitions; it was about the thrill of turning vague ideas into something tangible. The forgotten series, now back in the spotlight, became a time machine of emotions that brought me back to the artist I once was.

Another twist of fate, reading a newsletter this weekend, by

Wesley Verhoeve

contained a quote about time travel. It made me reflect a lot that day. A great post about time travel and diving headfirst into the memory pool.

"It's funny how photography becomes a vessel for time travel. Each click of the shutter preserves a moment - a lonely walk through golden fields, a silent conversation with the past".

- Wesley Verhoeve

Now, when I think about hanging some of these pictures on my art wall, it's not just about decorating. It's about saying, "Hey, remember when we did this? Good times, right?" These photos aren't just decoration; they're a reminder that the creative journey is messy, unpredictable and absolutely worth it.

So join me on this trip down memory lane. Let's celebrate the joy of creation and the art that manages to remain timeless even when we forget about it for a while. After all, it's not just about the pictures - it's about the stories they tell and the creators who lived them. And believe me, this creator is ready for more.

The series: Festive break

The series I rediscovered was about amateur football pitches and canteens, deserted because of the festive break or as we Dutchies say ‘Winterstop’. Lonely, empty places that needed some attention. The idea came to me when I was in Belgium and saw the loneliness these places breathe.

The idea came to me as I walked through empty fields, each goalpost standing watch in solitude. The canteens, normally buzzing with camaraderie and cheers, now echoed with a profound emptiness. It was as if the very essence of community had been temporarily suspended.

Driven by a desire to shed light on these forgotten realms, I began a photographic exploration. The series aimed not only to capture the stillness of winter's grip on the fields, but also to bring a sense of attention and recognition to these lonely spaces. Each image became a visual ode to the resilience of these places, patiently awaiting the return of warmth, laughter and the spirited chaos of football matches.

The definite series Winterstop / Festive Break

Yes, they are in color. One of the few series I’ve made in color, but this theme needed color though not really saturated.

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Kickstarter Campaign by Kjetil Karsen

One of the photographers in Darkrooms Magazine issue 1 is Kjetil Karlsen. His project was highly appreciated by the readers.

Currently Kjetil has a Kickstarter campaign to fund his first monograph. It will be published by the Norwegian publisher Skeleton Key Press.

If you enjoyed his photographs, you might consider backing his project.

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That’s it for this newsletter.

Till next time,

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