Torben Nielsen takes on life

“Because my work photography is so structured, quite often I just shoot from the hip.”

Torben Nielsen

TAKES ON LIFE

Taking life one step (and one frame) at a time, Torben Nielsen has fast earned a reputation for his first rate photos, as JON RAWLINSON explains.

Most of us get only one shot at life; a photographer, Torben Nielsen has many in some ways and at least two in another.

“About five years ago I died. I was in the queue to go on a chair lift for the luge in Queenstown and, basically, dropped dead from a blood clot. Luckily, the guys in the ticket booths were trained in CPR otherwise I wouldn’t be here; it would’ve been a different story.”

A much different story or a great deal shorter one at least!

Thankfully, there with the grace of God goes Torben, sharing drop dead gorgeous photos of the world with the world. From animals to landscapes and people, this Hill Park local’s work features a wide range of subjects.

“I don’t stick to a certain genre; I like variety. That does [contrast] with the photos I take for work [as a real estate photographer],” he says. “Overall, photography is a balance of having the eye to see something and having the ability to take it. Really, it all comes down to light and composition,”

On occasions, Torben will have a location and subject in mind but, most often, he shoots first and plans later.

“Because my work photography is so structured, quite often I just shoot from the hip,” he laughs. “One of the photos which appears in the [2021 Auckland Photography] festival – The Joy of Playing with Bubbles – was an off the hip shot taken at an event in Totara Park last year.”

When it comes to post-production, art photographers tend to take a different approach to (for example) photojournalists. In fact, this is where much of the artistry comes into frame. His photos are taken in colour but, in some cases, he converts them to black and white.

“I used to think what you shot is what you should put out; my attitude is completely different now. I do go with what I’ve shot sometimes, but I’ll also crop, delete or add things without any qualms about it at all. I’m trying to portray something that’s in my mind, as much as anything else.

“Photography is an art form and [editing] is part of that,” Torben explains. “Knowing what looks better in black and white comes down to intuition. By taking away colour [digitally] a photo can focus the eye more on form and shape, making the subject stand out without the distraction of colour.”

His love of photography began in his teens with a talismanic piece of equipment, courtesy of an acclaimed Kiwi wildlife photographer.

“My first camera was actually David Lloyd’s first camera; he sold it to me when I was at uni’. We were members of the same church at the time and became friends. He actually introduced me to my wife and was a groomsman at our wedding, so, although he wasn’t a mentor, he had a huge influence on my life.”

Torben and his wife, Maria, now belong to The River Church in Pukekohe. Born Wellington, Torben has (for the most part) lived in east Auckland before moving south to The Gardens then on to his current home in Hill Park. After stepping away from his camera for (approximately) 25 years due to work and family commitments, his talent was rekindled thanks to a trip abroad.

“In about 2005, we took a trip to Europe. I borrowed my mate’s Canon ‘point and squirt’. I’d had a jigsaw of Cinque Terre in Italy when I was young and always wanted to go there.

“When we did, I managed to take a photo that was almost the same [as the jigsaw image]. That really inspired me to get back into photography.”

Although local subjects (including landscapes) often fall within his frame, this talented artist is planning to shoot off abroad when possible.

“I’ve travelled but not extensively. When the borders open up again, I would love to go back to Europe, especially southern Europe, Scandinavia, and America – New York, New Orleans and San Francisco, in particular,” he says. Art snaps are his passion but Torben’s ‘day job’ as a real estate photographer (he’s currently with Total Focus Photography) has helped sharpen his skills.

“Everyone asks me ‘so you’re the one who makes all the rooms look bigger’! I get that a lot, but I don’t use fisheye [lenses],” he laughs.

“It’s all time behind the camera, though, and my editing skills have improved vastly. Real estate work requires the best possible composition, so I’ve improved in that way too.”

It has improved, so much that Torben was awarded LPSNZ, an honours distinction bestowed by the Photographic Society of New Zealand last year and his photos have featured in the annual Auckland Festival of Photography for the past few years. Two of his photos are on display as part of this year’s fest’ at Uxbridge Arts & Culture in Howick – June 1-30.

In addition, he’s snapped up awards in competitions including the Photographic Society of New Zealand National Exhibition, as well as the prestigious Trenna Packer Salver and George W. Glennie photography contests.

“I haven’t been entering competitions for very long but I’ve done well,” he adds. “Awards may help sell works but, mainly, entering competitions is more about gaining recognition that you’re on the right track.”

Photos by Torben Nielsen: (clockwise from top) Waikato River — Tuakau Bridge; Time Out In Paris and The Joy Of Playing With Bubbles.