Un/Taken ep. 12 Chris Alfthan
Want to read what you don't get to see?
This topic is about the photo you did not take. If you haven’t seen the previous episodes, read those stories here.
In this episode we get to know the story of the Finnish outdoor photographer Chris Alfthan. He tells the story of his photos, taken and untaken.
Here we go.
Untaken
Which photo was untaken and why did you not take it?
We were heading up to Kebnekaise mountain station in Sweden for the winter season for work. The morning that we crossed the Finnish/Swedish was brutally cold, -28C but there was 'snow smoke' as we call it in Swedish and the sunrise was incredible. There was a river that we crossed where the water reflected the sky and it looked like a river of molten gold with a mist dancing on top of it. The pure white snow added some contrast and it was one of the most fantastic winter scenes I have seen. We had a timetable to keep so I had to accept the fact that I would not be able to capture it on film. Still hurts to this day!
Taken
Which photo that you did not expect to take surprised you the most?
A small surf beach in Sagres had this sandy cliff segment where the light was hitting each ridge, bringing all sorts of reds and oranges to life. We were doing a quick scouting mission for sunset and at first I thought 'I'll take the photo when we return' but thanks to learning some hard lessons through photography, I took a quick snap of it before heading off. Upon returning to the same beach, the cliff was drenched in shadow and lost all of its magic. Goes to show that one needs to take the photo when the opportunity arises, no excuse.
Who is Chris Alfthan?
My name is Chris Alfthan and I am a professional outdoor photographer from Southern Finland. I split my time between a farm and my cabin by the sea so I can spend time as close to nature as possible.Find me on IG @Chrisalfthan or check out my website ChrisAlfthan.com
Do you like Un/Taken?
If so, which photographer would you like to see in a next episode? Please leave a suggestion in the comments. Have a story to tell yourself? Fill in the form
Last chance to get this Special Offer! 🎉
It's hard to believe, but Darkrooms has turned 2! To thank you for being a part of my journey, I have an exclusive deal just for you.
For the rest of July, become a paid subscriber and get 50% off your yearly subscription! Instead of $45, you’ll pay only $22.50 for a whole year. That includes 52 newsletters and 4 quartely magazines.
Why Go Premium?
While all my posts are available for free (and will be), paid subscribers receive special perks. By upgrading, you can download the quarterly online Darkrooms Magazines and any additional ebooks I publish. Your support not only helps me continue delivering high-quality content but also allows me to create these additional resources.
Plus, your support means the world to me and helps keep this community thriving!
That’s it for this week,
Till next time
DARKROOMS is a free, weekly photography newsletter, published on Tuesdays. See the archive for all posts & interviews. If this newsletter was shared with you, consider subscribing. Already a subscriber? Please help me develop Darkrooms by upgrading your subscription.