Presentations at Trondheim Documentary festival 24
Students from the Masterclass, Project Development at the Norwegian School of Photography recently presented their ongoing work at the Trondheim Documentary Festival. This event offered a unique opportunity to showcase their evolving projects to an engaged audience, providing insight into the creative process and the compelling themes they are exploring through photography.
The presentations highlighted the students' dedication to developing their craft and experimenting with storytelling techniques, while also allowing them to receive valuable feedback from industry professionals and documentary enthusiasts. Their participation underscored the important role of emerging voices in shaping the future of documentary photography.
We are looking forward to be publishing these projects as books very soon!
Presentations:
August Grøstad’s project explores the lives of Russians in exile in Belgrade. Through his evocative photography, Grøstad captures the complex realities faced by individuals who have left Russia, offering a nuanced portrait of displacement, identity, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of Belgrade, a city that has become a crossroads for many seeking refuge, the project delves into personal stories that reflect broader socio-political tensions. Grøstad’s work sheds light on the human aspect of leaving the place one calls home, as a nessecity for survival, presenting an intimate and thought-provoking perspective on a timely issue. His project stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling in amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering deeper understanding.
Through a blend of candid portraits and atmospheric scenes, Grøstad invites viewers to engage with the human dimensions of exile. His photography serves as a poignant reflection on migration, identity, and the search for connection in the face of political and personal upheaval.
Kristin Rosmo images of the public swimming pools in Norway captures the unique interplay of architecture, history and cultural significance of these communal spaces. Rosmo’s photographs often focus on the mid-20th-century public pools, many of which were constructed during Norway's post-war period as part of efforts to promote public health and social welfare. These structures often feature minimalist designs, functionalist influences, and a subtle interplay of light and color that evoke both nostalgia and modernity.
Through her lens, Rosmo highlights the architectural details that define these spaces, from sleek tiled surfaces and glass facades to the interplay of natural and artificial lighting. As well as the subtle traces of those who have used the facilities
and the ravages of time. Her images not only document the physical spaces but also explore their role as social hubs that foster community and connection. Her work bridges art and documentary, preserving the legacy of these spaces while inviting viewers to reflect on the cultural importance of swimming pools in Norway's modern history.Ingrid Halvorsen’s work deeply examines social and cultural issues, with a notable focus on the complexities surrounding suicide in Japan. Her photographic projects delve into the stigma, societal pressures, and human stories that underpin the nation’s high suicide rates, a topic of significant concern in Japanese society.
Halvorsen's images are strikingly poignant, often blending intimate portraits with haunting landscapes. She explores settings such as Japan’s infamous Aokigahara Forest, also known as the "Suicide Forest," juxtaposing the serene natural beauty with the somber reality of its tragic reputation. Her work also captures urban environments, highlighting the intense societal pressures of conformity, overwork, and isolation that are prevalent in Japanese culture.
Through her lens, Halvorsen humanizes a difficult subject, shedding light on the individuals and families affected by suicide while challenging the silence and stigma surrounding mental health. Her photography serves as both a documentation and a call for awareness, sparking conversations about prevention, empathy, and societal change.
Alexander Nerleir Søtorp is a photographer whose work shines a light on pressing environmental and social challenges, with a notable focus on the issue of pollution on the beaches of Ghana. His photographic series captures the staggering scale of waste—particularly discarded plastics and clothing—that inundates coastal areas, juxtaposing the beauty of the natural environment with the harsh reality of human impact. Søtorp's work also delves into the social dimensions of this crisis. His images portray the lives of local communities who are deeply affected by the pollution, such as fishermen whose livelihoods are compromised by the contaminated waters and individuals engaged in informal recycling efforts. By documenting their daily struggles, Søtorp brings attention to the intersection of environmental degradation, poverty, and resilience.
Søtorp exposes the consequences of global overconsumption -focusing on discarded clothing from the fast fashion industry, and advocates for collective responsibility and sustainable change.
