Nordic Grandmaster in Photography
About me
I am a 1963 model Grandfather, with 2 great grown up children (84/88 models) and a wonderful wife. We live in Kristiansand, at the south part of Norway. I am originally from Svolvær in Lofoten, but have lived in Kristiansand for the past 35 years. Butterbay is the English version of my surname Smørvik (Smoervik in English alphabet)
The family site is located at: http://home.broadpark.no/~psmorvik/index.htm
I became a Grandpa in 2009/2011 for Christer and Tone. Some really lovely children, who spread a lot of good feelings around me and my wife. As photographic objects, they are a gift:-).
Specially Tone I have used a lot as a model, and both she and me really enjoy it. We have got som great results in several competitions, like Norwegian and Nordic Championship.
Early photographic years
I started with photography in 1977 with the legendary Pentax MX. For 25 years, this was my only camera. In 2002 i bought the MZ/ZX 7, who i used until 2008. Then i got my first DSLR, the Pentax K200D. It opened a new world, with a lot more opportunities. I became more active and took a lot more photos. In 2012 my wife gave me the Pentax K-30 for Christmas (she must have seen my wish list …) To Christmas 2014, I was lucky again, and got the K-3, who I still use, together with Fujifilm X-e3.
My photography
My photographic philosophy is Creativity tru Simplicity. I admire many sorts of photographers and photos, but my favorites are Fine Art, Portraits and Streets.
Portraiture/Fine Art
About portraiture. You can often read a lot from peoples faces. The older faces can tell a story about the life they have bee living and the visdom they have. The young ones have often expectations and wonderings in their faces. That’s one of the reasons why i like to shoot portraits. I am also experimenting with different expressions in photography. Sometimes i try to tell/make a story out of my pictures.
Streets
I like to shoot on the streets, because it changes all the time. Always new people, things and situations. Often i do this in black/white, because i think the photos got a stronger expression.
When you are out on the streets, you can see all kind of persons, and it reflects our society. I have respect for the individuals, and do not want to take photos who set´s the objects in a bad light. All sorts of people deserve our respect, even those who hav felt of the ordinary life.
Down South Project
I also have an ongoing project, called «The Down South Project» with my friend Øystein Lie. We let our ideas and thoughts float, and making absurd and surreal pictures.
https://www.instagram.com/downsouthproject/
In 2020 I proudly awarded the title NSMiF/b (Nordic Grandmaster of Photography/bronze)
In 2022 I proudly got awarded the title NSMiF/s (Nordic Grandmaster of Photography/silver)
Photography Thoughts
This quote from Elliot Erwitt says a lot about how to do photographing, and i bring this words with me all the time.
“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
I try to not let this hobby become too serious, so it don’t destroy the fun and quality time with the camera.
Equipment
(this is not the most important…but still, here it is.)
The K-3 is my primary camera, with a selection of lenses from Pentax and Sigma. One of the nice things about Pentax, is that i can still use my lenses from the older cameras, thanks to the K-mount. I use The K-3 on all sorts of photography, also on the streets. So as you see, I’m an old Pentaxian:-)
In the last years, I also use the Fujifilm X-E3, paired with the XF 18-135, XC 15-45 or XC 35 f2. This is also my newest equipment, and it has impressed me with its picture quality. The JPEG´s are great and the film simulation modes is nice. 3 versions in one click:-)
As a pocket camera i use my iPhone 13 Pro. I also got the Fuji XQ1, who mostly use for holidays with my family.
http://www.butterbays.com/camera-lenses/
For editing, I use iMac 21, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro 11’’. I useAperture, Photos, Lr and Photoshop . As plugins, mostly NikCollection. Snapseed are my favorite on the iPad.
PRIMARY PHOTO MEMBERSHIPS
FOKUS PHOTO CLUB
The club was founded August 2001 . We have about 6o members from Mandal to Kristiansand. The members are all from amateurs to international photographers.
PENTAXFORUMS
PentaxForums.com, the friendliest photography forum on the web.
PentaxForums.com. offers free photo space for all its members, in the User Photo Gallery. They also have valuable resources, such as the Lens Review Database and Pentax Camera Database, that delve deeper into the world of Pentax equipment.
Media:
http://www.theinspiredeye.net/street-photography-magazine/
Proud to make the CD Cover for Norwegian writer Kjartan Fløgstad´s new album
Liverpool FC
I am also a passionate Liverpool FC supporter and have been that for the past 50+ years. The LFC philosophy and the consideration for the supporters, players, staff and people of Liverpool, is quite unique.
«If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.»
Che Guevara
Thank´s for visiting my site and hope you enjoyed it:-)
NSMiF/s
Pål M. Smørvik