These two photographs were made almost a month apart, right near a place I called home for many years.
In my early years there, Maridalsvannet was an open landscape. You could walk all the way down to the water’s edge, tracing the perimeter of Oslo’s primary drinking water source. But as the city grew, so did the need for infrastructure. When the water treatment plant expanded it was decided to lock down the area around the water as it was classified as critical infrastructure.
Today, large fences and locked gates – particularly on the Akerselva side of the water – have severed that connection. To stand where I made these pictures would now likely involve breaking the law.
Looking back at our archives often reveals these changes. Environments, cultures, and infrastructure change constantly. These images are no longer just landscapes; they are proof of what once was, providing a historical context that can no longer be seen with the naked eye.
It’s good to be back to writing for the blog. Going forward, I’ll likely focus more on the content itself – both archival work and new projects – and less on the technical side of things. I’ll still do camera and lens tests and reviews when it feels right, but I’m no longer chasing the “tech” side of photography.
I’m currently using a Ricoh GR IV as my daily camera and a Sony A7V with a few small and light Zeiss Loxia primes and Sony FE primes as they fulfill my current needs the best. I’ll be posting my experience with these setups after using them for 6+ months in the near future.
See you soon.
— Børge
