Gran Canaria. Pentax 645Nii and Ilford Delta 100. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

Ilford Delta 100 Professional – the first choice for high-resolution black-and-white images

December 28, 2024

In the autumn of 1992, I stood in a darkroom filled with expectations beyond the ordinary. For the first time, I had exposed and developed the brand new Ilford Delta 100 Professional film and was preparing to make enlargements. As the image gradually emerged in the developing tray under the red light, I saw a picture quality I had never experienced before from an ISO 100 film.

The Landscape of Gran Canaria: A Scenic Paradise for Photographers

December 23, 2024

Gran Canaria, one of the primary islands of the Canary Islands archipelago, offers an astonishing variety of landscapes that enthral visitors from around the world. This island, characterised by its vibrant history and distinctive geography, presents a diverse environment where towering mountains intersect with arid deserts, and lush, green valleys merge with the clear waters of the sea.

The Wilhelm Gustloff Disaster: A Haunting Incident of Terror and Tragedy

December 20, 2024

The screams of people in mortal fear pierced the air. Three powerful bangs had made the air vibrate around the ship just moments earlier. More than 9,000 people descended into the depths that January evening in 1945. Total silence descended over the icy cold waters of the Baltic Sea. The world’s largest maritime disaster and one of the most horrific instances of terror against civilians had become a grim reality.

Pomorze!

December 13, 2024

After a series of trips to Gdańsk since autumn 2017, I began to develop a growing interest in the region where this beautiful and exciting city is located: Pomerania. Over the past few months, I have embarked on several journeys to the areas west, south, and east of Gdańsk. Here, I have discovered fascinating coastal towns with vibrant fishing cultures, beautiful forests, and stunning sandy beaches. I have approached the region with my diverse interest in photography and have endeavoured to depict human interaction and the landscapes in which these people live.

The photographs were taken in Krynica Morska, Kąty Rybackie, Stogi, Łapalice, Hel, Orłowo, Łeba, and numerous other locations in Pomerania.

**Pałac w Bożkowie. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.**

The Palace in Bożków: A Historical Treasure in Decline

November 17, 2024

The Palace in Bożków, also known as Bożków Castle, is a striking historical edifice located in the Lower Silesia Province of Poland. Built in the 16th century by Count von Magnis, this magnificent structure holds a rich history intertwined with nobility, architectural grandeur, and a series of unfortunate declines. Today, it stands as a fragile relic of its former glory, beckoning for attention and restoration.

Szpital Zakonu Kawalerów Maltańskich w Mokrzeszowie. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

The Historic Hospital in Mokrzeszów: Echoes of a Troubling Past

November 3, 2024

In the heart of Lower Silesia lies the former Maltese hospital in Mokrzeszów (Szpital Zakonu Kawalerów Maltańskich w Mokrzeszowie), an architectural gem that tells a tale of elegance and darkness. Constructed in the late 19th century, this neo-Gothic clinker brick building has served numerous roles throughout its tumultuous history. As discussions surrounding its potential sale grow, the historical significance of this site—along with the haunting stories it is said to contain—continues to captivate both locals and visitors alike.

Słowiński National Park (Słowiński Park Narodowy) in Poland. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

Breathtaking Dunes in Słowiński National Park

November 1, 2024

Słowiński National Park (Słowiński Park Narodowy) in Poland is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, which include dynamic sand dunes, coastal lakes, marshes, and forests. The moving dunes stand out as one of the largest shifting sand areas in Europe.

The Benedictine abbey in Tyniec

June 29, 2024

The exact founding date of the Benedictine abbey in Tyniec remains unknown. There is speculation that King Casimir the Restorer may have re-established the Abbey in 1040 as part of his efforts to reconstruct the Kingdom of Poland following a Pagan rebellion and a disastrous raid by Duke Bretislaus I in 1039.

Storwartz at Røros. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

Røros & Helvete Analogue Photography Workshop 2025

June 26, 2024

UNESCO World Heritage Site Røros, cloaked in its finest winter splendour, is a photographer’s dream. The old mining town, the landscape, and old industrial facilities offer exciting and varied photographic opportunities. At the river gorge Helvete, in Espedalen, you will encounter the largest glacial potholes (giant's kettles) in Northern Europe, adorned with icicles and other fascinating ice formations. During a seven-day photo workshop, you will have the opportunity to soak up what Røros and Helvete have to offer – and to develop your skills in analogue photography with a group of like-minded people. [Røros and Espedalen January 27 – February 2, 2025]

Nes medieval church ruin at Ullershov (Norway) revisited

June 25, 2024

Nes church ruins, dating back to around 1100, were destroyed in a fire in 1854. Situated at the headland where Glomma and Vorma converge, the church was not reconstructed due to the risk of landslides. Instead, a new Nes church was constructed a few kilometers away.

Nyksund. Vesterålen. Norway. @Bjørn Joachimsen

Nyksund in Vesterålen - a decayed and abandoned ghost town that got new life

June 25, 2024

Few of the coastal fishing villages are as surrounded by myths as Nyksund. The proximity to the fishing grounds and good harbor conditions made the place an attractive fishing village for traveling fishermen from the Norwegian coast. Later, Nyksund was completely abandoned.

*Pentax 645N was the world's first medium format camera with an autofocus system. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.*

Pentax cameras – a long history of innovations that changed and still change the camera industry

June 14, 2024

Even though many today perceive Pentax as a niche player in the camera industry, many of the most important innovations in camera history have carried this brand name - Pentax. And the innovation continues – with an upcoming analog camera for new generations of photographers who like to shoot with film instead of memory cards!

Abandoned castles and palaces in Poland

April 23, 2024

Poland is an amazing country in many respects. The largest country in Central Europe has a proud history and a cultural heritage that most European countries would envy. Despite losing most of its cultural heritage during WW2 due to attacks from both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Poland still has about 500 castles and 2500 palaces left. Many of these are abandoned and some are ruins. Today, some of this buildings are carefully restored to their former glory and beauty.

Stocznia Gdańska

Stocznia Gdańska – the shipyard where the breakdown of communist Europe started

September 23, 2023

Stocznia Gdańska (also known as Stocznia Cesarska and the Lenin Yard) was the scene of one of the most important political movements and some of the most significant events of the 20th century. Under Lech Wałęsa's leadership, the Solidarność trade union became a powerful force that was, in many ways, the beginning to the end of communist Europe.

Nowa Huta – a communist Utopia

September 22, 2023

Nowa Huta (“The new steel mill”) was an attempt to build a city from the ground, based on communistic principles and industrialization. The city was built next to Kraków in the Małopolskie region in Poland from 1949. Nowa Huta is one of the largest planned socialist districts ever built and one of the most renowned examples of deliberate social engineering in the entire world.

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Płaszów konsentrasjonsleir-02905-©Bjørn Joachimsen.jpg

Płaszów konsentrasjonsleir-02922-©Bjørn Joachimsen.jpg

Płaszów Concentration Camp

September 21, 2023

On the former Old Cemetery of the Podgórze Jewish Community SS of the Nazi Germany established one of its largest concentration camps in. They destroyed the cemetery completely in the Podgórze suburb in southern Kraków.

Láhko National Park. Norway. Photographed on Ilford HP5+ 8x10 sheet film with a Gibellini GP810 camera. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

New images from Láhko National Park (Norway)

August 13, 2023

After a full week of intensive work with my Gibellini GP810 8x10 inch camera in Nordland this summer, I have extended my collection of images from this beautiful area. Láhko NP is one of the larges areas of alpine karst in Europe and provides countless of photographic opportunities.

Click here to view the entire collection.

The equipent in use for my 2023 trip to Láhko was:

Gibellini GP810 8x10 camera
Nikkor SW 1:8/150mm
Rodenstock Apo Sironar N 1:5.6/240mm
Nikkor M 1:9/300mm
Nikkor M 1:9/450mm
Sekonic L758DR light meter
Sirui Sirui R-4214 tripod with a K40ii ball head

Láhko National Park. Norway. Gibellini GP810 8x10 camera. Nikkor SW 1:8/150mm. Ilford HP5+ 8x10. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

Kentmere Pan 400 – high quality black & white film at a low cost

June 7, 2023

As film prices are rising in all countries and from all manufacturers, both amateaur and professionals are trying to source cheaper products. However low priced products do not always yield satisfactory quality. In this article I give some views and show some examples on the use of Kentmere Pan 400.

Gran Canaria. Kodak Gold 200/120. Mamiya 6MF. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

Kodak Gold 200 – a high quality color film with a vintage look

May 4, 2023

Having used Kodak Gold 200 in my 35mm cameras for many years, it was a great pleasure for me that this film became available again in 120 format. This allowed me to use my medium format cameras to shoot with this beautiful classic from Kodak.

Ilford XP2 Super 400 – an attractive alternative in black/white film

April 7, 2023

How many different black and white films does the world really need? In reality, many of the products are very similar - or indeed identical (due to so-called "rebranding«). Ilford XP2 Super 400 is a film type that is the only one (remaining) in its class. This is because it is a black and white film that is actually based on color technology. A color film that is completely color blind - and therefore a black and white film. If this seems confusing, let me clarify a bit.

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