Inspired By H.P. Lovecraft, This Bizarre Photography Series Is About The Global Problem Of Water Pollution – Design You Trust

Inspired By H.P. Lovecraft, This Bizarre Photography Series Is About The Global Problem Of Water Pollution

According to photographer Markus Aspegren: “This photo series is a story of nature and people. The making was at once both burdensome and awesome. Many months these images haunted my dreams and permeated my thoughts for much of my waking hours. This work used up my strength, time and money. And at each session, it gave something back. This series’ intention is to stir up emotion also in the audience. Bring the mind to the present. To tell a story of our waters.”

More: Markus Aspegren, Instagram, Facebook h/t: boredpanda

“Nature has always been an important part of my life. Since early childhood, I’ve spent countless hours in the great outdoors. All my childhood summers I spent boat-traveling in Finland’s lakes and rivers, and sometimes the Baltic Sea. Water has come to be a very meaningful element. It’s a part of me,” Markus told Bored Panda.

“The plastic pollution of our waters is a global problem. We dump 8 million tonnes of waste in the sea every year, 80% of it plastic. For instance, the Great Pacific Gargabe Vortex is now an area three times the size of France. Pollution brings detrimental changes in aquatic ecosystems. Vast amounts of rubbish and industrial waste end up in the same waters where we take our food and drink. This is my great worry, and it ought to be the concern of everyone here on the planet. Pick it up, people!”

“This series is inspired by the horror stories of H.P. Lovecraft, particularly The Shadow Over Innsmouth (1931), wherein rising from the sea a dark threat lurks o’er the village of Innsmouth.”

“The images are a blend of these themes. The story of sea creatures, wrought in filth. The story of our waters’ contemporary troubles. The creatures’ emotions vary from wistful and sad to anger.”

“In the beginning, I had a notion of styling the model with nets and fish, and paint for the skin. I thought this would be a one or two image thing. The concept grew and ripened. The environmental aspect came along and the whole business escalated.”

“I had planned the series quite far before the first shoots. Yet the plan varied and evolved along the way which is natural with a big project. A few mistakes were also made, luckily nothing catastrophic. They in a way opened up new possibilities to improve the series.”

“In November 2018, we held the first planning sessions with the series’ stylist Laura Puntila. We laid out the styling guidelines and generally discussed the project we were about to embark upon. The styling employed, for instance, coffee grounds and body-paint to create shine and grainy skin texture. Many parts of the setup we were able to borrow or had gifted to us, e.g. self-caught fish, tridents and a sack of old fishing nets from my session assistant’s grandparents. Though not all of the seafood we used was edible I still had pangs of conscience at times when perfectly good fish got spoiled in the making. Yet I held the images’ message in such regard that I was able to ignore such pains.”

“Many models showed great interest from the very start but after the first making-of’s came out, requests to take part began really rolling in. I am quite delighted that the models are from all over Finland. One of them actually lives all the way in Berlin! People wanted to model for me and be a part of the series. That’s when I felt having done something right. No one was bothered by being topless, or with a fish on their head. Everyone went casually and bravely along. At some sessions, the stink was pretty horrible, but no one paid it much thought.”

“For the sessions, I had an incredibly fabulous team whom I cannot thank enough. Laura worked dozens of hours preparing, testing and then actually transforming the models into aquatic beings. Tekla Kokkonen was there at almost every session helping me, Laura and the models. Tekla too was of crucial assistance and she also modeled for the series!”

“The editing went pretty quickly. I had prepared texture and tone layers in advance. The pre-work took many hours but sped up the editing. The images needed only minor fixes afterward. It’s been quite a journey. This is where we’ve come. My biggest gratitude of thanks to all who took part.”










If you want more awesome content, subscribe to 'Oh, Design You Trust,' our brand new Facebook page! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories

Brilliant Landscape Photography In Hawaii By Jason Wright
Photographer Andrei Mihai Captures The Little Ballerina Levitating On The Streets Of Bucharest
Before-And-After Pics Reveal How Much These Beautiful Images Are Photoshopped To Look Surreal
Photo Masterpieces Of The Red Bull Illume Photo Awards 2016
Funny Photographs Of People Surprised In Their Privacy
Beach Bunny Bride
Photographer Zachariah Epperson Captures The Magical World Of Ballet And Dancers
There’s An Online Community That Makes Fun Of People Trying To Sell Mirrors
Fine Art And Dark Beauty Portrait Photography By Haris Nukem
Sochi, The Russian Riviera Of 1988 Through The Lens Of Photographer Carl De Keyzer
Stunning Shots Feature Brilliant Yellows, Reds, Blues & Purples As An Array Of Sunlight Hits The Water At The Perfect Time
Winners Of The London Street Photography Festival 2021
Japanese Photographer Shows The Otherworldly Beauty Of Nara Prefecture In Serendipitous Scene
Photographer Celebrates 100 Years Of Polish Independence With This Stunning Photoshoot
Belgian Photographer Xavier Portela Captures Asian Cities Bathed In A Neon Pink Glow
Photo of the Day: The BeeOs
40 Weeks and a Mirror: Mother Documents Her 9-Month Journey with Child Through Selfies
A Photo Serie Where The Dancer And Photographer Arthur Cadre Twist His Body Into Mesmerising Position
Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2017 Finalists
Project 12:31
David Bowie In Mustard Yellow Suit, Photograph By Terry O'Neill In 1974
Boxers Before And After The Fight: Beautiful Photography Project By Nicolai Howalt
2013 National Geographic Photo Contest, Part 1: "Places", Weeks 1-3
For the Last Decade, Artist and Collector Thomas Sauvin Recovered Discarded Negatives from A Recycling Plant Outside Beijing