Photographer Ari Jaaksi Embraces Bad Weather for Artistic Effect

Summary

Photographer Ari Jaaksi deliberately seeks out foggy, rainy, and low-light conditions, viewing them as opportunities rather than obstacles. He likens his approach to that of a sculptor, removing elements to reveal the essence of a scene, with fog naturally aiding this process by eliminating background clutter. Jaaksi uses film cameras like his Leica and Rolleiflex with specific film stocks and development methods, such as Rodinal, to add character to his images. He also applies this philosophy to sound, muffling piano music to retain only its core essence, mirroring his visual approach.

Key points

• Ari Jaaksi intentionally photographs in adverse weather like fog and rain.
• He employs a 'sculptor's' approach, removing distractions to focus on the subject.
• Jaaksi uses specific film stocks and development processes for artistic effect.
• He contrasts this by using his best gear in challenging conditions, not ideal ones.