We at Surfbunker caught up with Swedish based lens man Staffan Rennermalm for a few quick words.
SB: Hi Staffan, where in the world are you at the minute?
Staffan: For the moment I’m in Portugal on the algarve coast in Lagos. Working on a Bootcamp with surf coach Sam Lamiroy for The Surf Experience.
SB: Are you managing to get any good waves?
Staffan: Yea I always get a chance to squeeze in a surf session between my photography duty. We had some really nice days down here.
SB: How long have you had an interest in Photography and what got you started?
Staffan: Been interested in photography since I was 20. Bought my first camera for my first paycheck when I start working after school. Always been interested in photography and had fascination for images since I was a kid. So buying a camera felt like a natural decision.
SB: Being as you’re from Sweden not the best know for it’s surf, when did your relationship with surfing start and what is it about surfing that inspires you to take such great shots?
Staffan: 2009 I went on my first surf trip down to Portugal. Only tried surfing once before that in Australia. I brought my camera on that trip and I just fell for it all both the surf photography and the surfing. I guess it’s the ocean, the landscape and the dynamics of the sport that inspires me. Wave surfing is so much more dynamic compared to windsurfing, kitesurfing or bodyboarding. Love the movement of the surfers body when he/ she’s riding the wave.
SB: What do you think are the key factors that make a great surf photo?
Staffan: Patience, great light and take a lots of pictures. It helps a lot if you surf your self for the understanding of the sport and what looks good.
Where else do you get inspiration from for photography? Street photography, you can learn a lot from street photographer. Especially when it comes to lifestyle pictures. Visit photo exhibitions and galleries from all kind of photographers not just surf photographers.
SB: You’ve managed to get a few shots in Wavelength magazine, how did that relationship happen?
Staffan: I’ve worked with Sam Lamiroy as a photographer and he writes a lot for them. So he been using my pictures for some of his articles.
SB: What are you working on at the moment?
Staffan: For the moment I’m editing the pictures from the Bootcamps with Sam. I shot 19000 pictures during three weeks with Sam.
SB:What are you plans for the future? Where do you see Photography taking you?
Staffan: I would love to be able to surf and do more photography than I do now. When my kids finished school i would love to move somewhere where the surf is a little bit more consistent than it is in Stockholm.
SB: Where can we see your work?
Staffan: My Instagram account @staffanrennermalm and my blog. staffanrennermalm.wordpress.com
SB:Thanks for taking time to answer a few questions for Surfbunker, look forward to seeing more of you work in the future.
Staffan: Thanks
Pictures courtesy of Staffan Renneralm.
