The relationship between man and nature has been the theme in my work for a very long time. From early projects as the film Whirl (2004, later version 2007) to the upcoming photo exhibitions Soul Tattoo (2014) and In the Valley of Shadow of Death (2015). With my work I hope I can inspire people to think more about their own relationship to nature. 
SOUL BRANCH, BLACK & WHITE PRINT, 2012. MODEL: KRISTIN CALABRIA.
I look at mankind’s seperation from nature as something sad. Something that changed our culture and made people lose touch with their roots. How are you supposed to know who you really are when you have forgotten that you are part of nature? Just as nature are part of you. I know I’m preaching here but I wish we all could find that inner nature of ours and feel that we belong somewhere. I sure do because I grow up in a small village close to nature. But it was also easier back then. It was long before the internet and social medias became part of our everyday life. Back then the only thing you could do was to take a long walk or go fishing. Or drink beer with your friends. Stress wasn’t even an issue then. At least not in the countryside. Now the world is redrawn. More and more people move to cities by the day and urbanization hasn’t even reached it’s peak yet. We move further and further away from nature. Who knows maybe further away from ourselves? 
HOLD, BLACK & WHITE PRINT, 2012. MODEL: KRISTIN CALABRIA.,
The photos I’m posting today was shot in 2012 when I took part in an artist in residence program in Prague. Me and my friend and colleague, Susanne Hedman, helped me out during the entire photo shoot. Of all the beautiful places in Prague I choose to do most of the shooting at Kampa, a park in the middle of Prague just close to the Charles Bridge. The wonderful model during the whole three day photo shoot was actress Kristin Calabria. The theme for the pictures are of course our relationship to nature. We used many of the beautiful trees at Kampa in the images.
By the way, to hug a tree is something you should try. It makes you calm and relaxed!
The photos were shot on a Canon 550D and a 50mm 1.8. Cheap gear, but gives wonderful raw files to work with. Converted to B & W in Silver EFEX pro 2. All other adjustments made in Lightroom 4.
Martin Karlsson 