My name is Morten Andresen and I`m a street photographer based in Oslo, Norway.

I am primarily known for taking colourful photos involving lots of light and shadows.

For the last 15 years I have worked as a television director, and I believe the way colour is used to grab the viewer’s attention has had a big impact on my way of doing photography.

When was your first picture taken? 

I really don’t remember the very first picture I ever took, but I started doing street photography in 2018. On a trip to Hong Kong with my wife. She was already into street photography and I got inspired by her to try it out. It was so much fun exploring a place like Hong Kong through a viewfinder. 

How do you put the person, place, or thing  in front of the camera onto  film, chip, or paper  the way you want it to?

I usually find a location I like and wait for something interesting to happen in that space. I’m a patient man so I don’t mind hanging around one spot for a while. I think it’s because the location is just as important to me as the subject

What photographers have influenced you, and how have they influenced the way you approach your subject

I get influenced and inspired everyday from all the stuff happening around me and all the amazing work I see on social media. I don’t really have one or two photographers I look up to that have shaped how I work or take photos

I try to only focus on what I enjoy doing. Both when I’m out in the streets or when I’m editing. It has to be fun and give me joy and excitement. I really try to follow this rule and not copy other artists. I am of course unconsciously inspired by many photographers during this process. 

What exactly do you want to say with your photos, and how do you make your photos do that?

I often hear that people like my photos because they are so colourful and fun. That is really cool but I am also trying to capture the urban loneliness people can feel living in a big city. 

That’s why I like to capture shadows and silhouettes against a colourful background. Life is beautiful but it also has a darker side.   

What photographic gears do you use to stay focused on what you do best when shooting?

I still use the first real camera I bought back in 2019. A Fujifilm X-T30, and at the moment I usually shoot with the 35mm f1.4 or 56mm f1.2 lens. They are always with me when I’m out in the streets. 

I’m really happy with this setup, but I will hopefully get a new camera some time later this year. I will continue with Fujifilm but I’m not really sure which camera yet. 

Any technology/software/hardware?

Yes! I use both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to edit my photos. I love the editing process. It has probably something to do with my time in the television industry. 

I enjoy all kinds of street photography. Edited and unedited, but having worked in television for many years I think it is in my DNA now to manipulate reality if I think it serves a purpose.

What motivates you to continue taking pictures? Is it  political, intellectual or emotional?

Emotional. Taking pictures out in the streets is like meditating for me. I don’t think about work or problems. I am usually totally in the moment. I am kind of a restless guy so I like being on my feet and roam around. 

Website / Instagram

Our Newsletter

Sign up to receive awesome content in your inbox, every month.

(Visited 4,905 times)
Previous Story

Shot By Matt Higgins

Next Story

Shot By Ken Wilkinson

Latest from Blog

Monochrome Narratives: Stories in Shades

We are excited to announce the release of Interpubliq’s special black-and-white edition, “Monochrome Narratives: Stories in Shades.” This issue takes you on a journey into the rich world of monochrome photography, where light and shadow tell stories that transcend time, place, and genre. This edition is a celebration of the

Shot by ELLEN FRIEDLANDER

Ellen Friedlander is a Los Angeles-based artist who uses a variety of in-camera and post processing techniques in her practice. Friedlander is Co-Director of Pasadena Photography Arts, which promotes diverse projects by established and emerging photographers worldwide. She has exhibited internationally, and has been featured in Lenscratch, The Candid Frame

Shot By Magdalena

Her work has evolved from celebrating the feminine form to embracing more inclusive representations of race and body beauty. She has received recognition from the International Photo Awards, the Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Pen Women of America Can you share your journey from studying Commercial Advertising at Brooks

Shot By Frank Jackson

This interview has been transcribed to preserve the speaker’s core message. Can you tell us about your beginnings in photography and how you landed your first photography job with the New York City Summer Work Program in 1975? I was fascinated with being able to draw and um, sketch and

Shot By Brian Moreland

Brian’s images feel natural and give the viewer an understanding of how he observes his surroundings. He doesn’t go looking for specific things to record but attempts to find images that exude physical feelings and stimulate thought. Your work has been described as capturing “nothing in particular.” Can you elaborate on
GoUp