31st of May

Distortion Copenhagen Day 2: Vesterbro


Distortion continues! Yesterday the party carried on at Vesterbro. This neighbourhood traditionally has been known for being the epicentre of drugs, prostitution and porn shops in Copenhagen, but int the last decade or so it has really started flourishing.

Distortion took on a whole different mood yesterday compared to the first day. It all seemed much more laid back and relaxed somehow. More calm. Maybe there was just more space for the same amount of people? Or maybe people where just recovering from the hangovers from the night before?

The sun gods where with us again, and the weather was lovely. Unfortunately the direction the light hits Vesterbro – from a photographers point of view, is not as interesting as compared to how it hits Nørrebro, but I still enjoyed myself in the company of my new best friend the Fuji x100s.

In the evening there was briefly a tiny bit of rain, but it definitely did not scare away the locals!

All you need is some beers and some friends!

All you need is some beers and some friends!

The sun was shining on Distortion once again!

The sun was shining on Distortion once again!

The sun brought out the skirts and tshirts!

The sun brought out the skirts and tshirts!

People enjoying the sun and some pizza from the funky pizza van

People enjoying the sun and some pizza from the funky pizza van.

Radio host from Radio 24 syv

Radio host from Radio 24 syv.

Even though its called a street party, no need not to make yourself comfortable

Even though its called a street party, no need not to make yourself comfortable.

People getting their moves on!

People getting their moves on!

This has to be the most creative sound speakers I have seen so far during Distortion

This has to be the most creative sound speakers I have seen so far during Distortion.

The rain came out for a few moments, but this did not scare off the locals!

The rain came out for a few moments, but this did not scare off the locals!

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Categories:  Photography
30th of May

Distortion Copenhagen Day 1: Nørrebro


Every year Copenhagen is hit by a party tsunami, also known as Distortion. Its a celebration of the various neighbourhoods of Copenhagen. Last night it all kicked off at Nørrebro, which is the most densely populated area in Copenhagen.

It is a very interesting neighbourhood – a mixture of different cultures. You will find main stream coffee shops next to shawama shops and halal butchers. I love this neighbourhood! Unfortunately it has always had a bit of a bad reputation due to various social problems.

The day started off looking very grim in Copenhagen – gray gray and gray, sprinkled with rain. But the sun gods decided to shine on Copenhagen after all, and early in the afternoon the sun was here, and stayed with us all evening. It was truly amazing! Gorgeous light for the people to enjoy this giant outdoor party, and gorgeous light for the photographers to enjoy.

Most of the evening I roamed the streets on a never ending hunt for photographs, pushing my new Fuji x100s to its limits. In the evening I was joined by my good friend Peter and his gorgeous girlfriend Isabel.

Distortion was of to a great start indeed!

Queen Lousise bridge fills with people as they head towards Nørrebro where the party is at

Queen Lousise bridge fills with people as they head towards Nørrebro where the party is at.

The sun was really shining on the party this evening. Gorgeous light and colors.

The sun was really shining on the party this evening. Gorgeous light and colors.

Locals selling their produce from stalls outside. I think anyone in the fast food industry was doing very well on Nørrebro this evening.

Locals selling their produce from stalls outside. I think anyone in the fast food industry was doing very well on Nørrebro this evening 🙂

This is why I love Nørrebro - its full of interesting places like this!

This is why I love Nørrebro – its full of interesting places like this!

Resident enjoying his dinner while watching the party.

Resident enjoying his dinner while watching the party.

Probably the best view off the party on the whole of Nørrebro.

Probably the best view off the party on the whole of Nørrebro.

People enjoying the last hour of sun.

People enjoying the last hour of sun.

Most people dressed casually, others not so much :)

Most people dressed casually, others not so much 🙂

This is what its all about - the music!

This is what its all about – the music!

The party carries on into the night

The party carries on into the night

After 22PM the party continues inside at various places around Nørrebro

After 22PM the party continues inside at various places around Nørrebro!

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Categories:  Photography
27th of May

Paris Reunion With Lucy Jumper


I met Lucy Jumper first time in my life, way back in 2011 when I was visiting Istanbul. I met her through couch surfing, and we hit it off pretty well. Lucy is one of those people that is very easy to be around. We definitely had a fun time in Istanbul – lots of good memories! So somehow we managed to stay in touch even though she lives far away on the other site of the Atlantic ocean in the big apple, also known as New York city.

Last year I received a message from Lucy on Facebook, asking what I was up to next weekend. I didn’t have any plans really, and much to my surprise Lucy suggested that she purchased a ticket to Copenhagen and popped by!! Actually at the time I had just returned myself from traveling in Asia for half a year, so I was living on the couch with Dorthe and Dennis (bless their souls). So all of the sudden they had an additional visitor 🙂

Now this year, I was going to Paris to visit some libraries, and the Magnum photo office. Again Lucy surprises me by telling me that she was going to pop by Paris for the weekend – on her way to Chile!! Paris is definitely a slight detour to say the least, on the way to Chile, when your starting destination is New York city.

Somehow most Americans I have met on my travels have either been recently graduated students on a gap year, or working professionals between jobs. My impression is that its quite a work centered culture and taking time off for long periods is just not an option (if you want to keep your job that is). Somehow Lucy manages to roam the world still!

It was great catching up with you Lucy! I am sure we will meet in 2014. This time I should really cross the Atlantic ocean 🙂

Also on a site node, this was one of the first outings of my brand new Fuji x100s. A lot of these photographs where shot indoors at iso 6400. I am amazed with the quality of this tiny camera. You practically do not need light any longer. Exciting times!

Reunited with Lucy Jumper in Paris. Last time we met was in 2012 in Copenhagen

Reunited with Lucy Jumper in Paris. Last time we met was in 2012 in Copenhagen.

The kind french family hosting the first nights party. They made an excellent Margarita btw!

The kind french family hosting the first nights party. They made an excellent Margarita by the way!

The funky bar hosting the first night out. Cool place!

The funky bar hosting the first night out. Cool place!

My first mango based cocktail. Have to say it did not disappoint!

My first mango based cocktail. Have to say it did not disappoint!

Lucy Jumper definitely enjoying the party :)

Lucy definitely enjoying the party 🙂

I can see me house from here!!!

I can see me house from here!!! Juvaila enjoying the view!

Very passionate French bartender cooking up some funky drinks!

Very passionate French bartender cooking up some funky drinks!

There is always time for some shopping when in Paris

There is always time for some shopping when in Paris 🙂 Lucy shops for clothes (women!) and Bently has his priorities in order and shops for food.

It is becoming a great tradition for Lucy Jumper and I to enjoy waterpibe whenever we meet up! Nothing beats the waterpibe in Istanbul though ;)

It is becoming a great tradition for Lucy and I to enjoy waterpibe whenever we meet up! Nothing beats the waterpibe in Istanbul though 😉

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Categories:  Photography Travel
24th of May

Cambridge Beer Festival 2013


Every year in May the CAMRA organisation organizes the Cambridge beer festival – this year they actually celebrated their 40th anniversary. And it just so happened that I was in Cambridge around this time… (coincidence? careful planning?)

I have to say that I was quite pleased with the beers I ended up tasting. My criteria was to go for the darker beers – with funny names (such as Dark Arts, Negra Como Tu Corazon, Pleasant Nightmare, etc). Also I tried to go for something not too strong, and always half pints – a good strategy to maximise the amount of beers I was able to sample without passing out.

To me there has always been something timeless about Cambridge – an interesting mix of contemporary with classic. It has always been something that attracted me to this city. It just has a certain kind of character that I haven’t managed to find anywhere else. Therefore I think black and white photographs is a nice fit for this event, to celebrate the timelessness of Cambridge. And just as black and white never goes out of fashion I don’t think beer ever will either.

It was great catching up with friends again, it has been far too long since my last visit to Cambridge! As a side note – this was a great occasion to test my new Fuji x100s camera. Very pleased with this little gem!

Health and safety at the Cambridge Beer festival

First things first – no British event without proper care for health and safety!! Warning – you must wear footwear, you must not smoke, you must provide proof of age, etc etc. God bless the health and safety – what would we do without it??

First beer of the day at Cambridge Beer festival

Cheers! First beer of the day – definitely not the last! Personally, I went for the “dark arts” as my first half pint. Good stuff! Smooth, and full of flavour.

The beer hall at Cambridge Beer festival

The beer hall. A mecca for beer lovers!

This is what it is all about at Cambridge Beer festival

This is what it is all about. Beer! (And cider/mead for some).

Everyone is welcome at the Cambridge Beer festival

At the Cambridge beer festival anyone is welcome – four legs, two legs, one legs – it makes no difference. A friendly athmosphere to enjoy beer, cider, mead, food, friendship and life.

Why settle for one beer at the Cambridge Beer festival

Why have one beer, when you can have two at the same time?

Svend Hesselholt Henne Hansen enjoying two beers at Cambridge Beer festival

Some call it greed… other call it dedication! Svend also goes for the two beers at the time approach.

Svend Hesselholt Henne Hansen and Katie Benson enjoying pork scratchings at Cambridge Beer festival

Nothing like a pipe shaped pork scratchings to bring out a smile!

Fish and chips at Cambridge Beer festival

And of course there was plenty of food stands to serve the hungry masses! Fish and chips are still awesome btw – and a great nutritional complement to beer, I am sure!