Tanja Bundgaard

@tlbundgaard

Welcome to the first interview in the first edition of «Beyond the Frame» newsletter

Today, I'm excited to feature Tanja Bundgaard, a skilled graphic designer and passionate photographer from Denmark. Tanja’s journey began during her education as a visual arts teacher

In this interview, Tanja shares how her graphic design skills enhance her photography and provides practical tips for photographers of all levels. From her analogue beginnings to her digital workflow, her story is inspiring. I learned a lot from Tanja's insights, and I'm sure you will, too.

Read on to discover Tanja’s creative process and gain insights that can help your own photography.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself? How and when did you get started with photography and graphic design? What are your favourite photography subjects?

 Hey, I'm Tanja, a hobby photographer based in Vejle, Denmark, with my wonderful family. Nature is my happy place, and I love nothing more than venturing out to capture the beauty of landscapes, flowers, and the shifting seasons through my lens.

 My interest in photography began during my education as a visual arts teacher. I learned, among other things, about color theory and composition. I chose photography as an elective, and it caught my interest immediately. I had an analogue camera and developed my film in a darkroom back in 1997 before digital cameras became common.

 After that, I trained as a multimedia designer and took an extended course in desktop publishing, where I learned to create printed materials such as books, brochures, and flyers.

This led me my first job as a graphic designer back in 2004, and in 2006 I bought my first digital camera. As I have always loved spending time outdoors, nature photography has remained my favourite subject to photograph.

 2. What inspired you to pursue both graphic design and photography, and how do you think these two fields complement each other?

I love being creative and producing visually appealing results. Graphic design and photography, two of my greatest interests, have this in common. Both fields aim to communicate messages visually, whether through an image or a graphic layout. The goal is to convey a specific message, idea, or emotion.

Creativity, aesthetics, and visual appeal are important in both photography and graphic design. Therefore, working with composition, colors, and shapes is crucial to produce visually appealing outcomes. Editing and enhancing photos is also a common task. Having the skill to edit photos is highly beneficial, as they are an essential part of graphic design.

Competence in one area benefits the other. A graphic designer with photography skills can create custom images for projects, while a photographer with design skills can produce more cohesive visual results.

3. As a graphic designer with 20 years of experience, do you have any simple tips for hobby photographers to make their photos more aesthetically pleasing?

For aesthetically pleasing photos, I always use one or more of these points:

• Rule of Thirds: This is a great way to create a balanced composition. Divide your image into nine equal segments using two vertical and two horizontal lines. Place the key elements along these lines or at their intersections. For instance, place the horizon line along the top or bottom third of the frame rather than in the middle. Often, I crop my photo afterwards and make sure the horizon is aligned.

• Leading Lines: Use natural lines to guide the eye into the scene. Roads, rivers, fences, and pathways are great examples of leading lines that add depth and focus to your photos.

• Lighting: Natural light, especially during the golden hour (shortly after sunrise and before sunset), can dramatically improve the look of your photos. The light is softer and warmer without the harsh shadows of midday.

• Depth of Field: Play with the aperture settings to control the depth of field. A shallow depth of field (small f-number) can isolate your subject against a blurred background, making it stand out.

• Perspective and Angles: Don't always shoot from eye level. Try different angles—low, high, or side perspectives—to make your photos more interesting.

• Background: Keep an eye on the background and ensure it’s not distracting from the main subject. Sometimes, a simple background can make your subject stand out more.

• Negative Space: Use the empty or less detailed area surrounding your main subject to create a sense of simplicity and emphasize the main subject. Negative space can evoke emotions like calmness or isolation and can convey a feeling of sophistication and simplicity.

• Editing: Simple adjustments in brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness can make a big difference in the outcome of your photos. When editing, keep it natural; don’t make it look unnatural. Avoid oversaturated colors or oversharpening details.

   

4. How do you stay inspired and motivated in both your photography and design work?

 When it comes to photography, exploring new places is a regular part of my routine as I seek out new subjects and fresh perspectives to capture. I'm active on Instagram, where I connect with fellow photographers, draw inspiration from their work, and share my own. Occasionally, I join local photographers on photo walks, exchanging tips and stories while exploring our surroundings together. Additionally, I visit exhibitions to see how professional photographers approach their work.

 In my design work, I'm constantly seeking inspiration. I follow fellow graphic designers on social media and participate in webinars. I dedicate time to mastering new design tools and staying updated with software, as new features can provide new ways to express creativity.

Constructive feedback from my colleagues is important because different perspectives can offer valuable insights and motivate me to improve. I also use Skillshare.com, which provides online classes for creatives, including photo editing courses.

 5. Can you recommend any design tools or apps that hobby photographers can use to improve their photo presentations, like making photo books or Christmas cards? Could you also say a little bit about these apps or programs and give some tips on how to create a basic photo book?

In my daily work, I use Adobe InDesign, an app designed to set up everything for print and digital media. I highly recommend InDesign for creating online photo books, which you can make interactive with links, buttons, and more.

 Many platforms offer templates and tools that simplify the design process for photo books. I use CEWE (www.cewe.co.uk) for my calendars and photo books. The prices are competitive, and the products are beautifully produced. I use the free CEWE Creator software, which you can download from their website.

Creating your photo book, have this in mind:

• Choose a Theme: Focus on a specific photography project, like landscapes or portraits.

• Select Photos: Sort through your photos and select the best ones that fit your theme. Aim for a balance of wide shots, close-ups, and different perspectives to keep the book interesting.

• Simple Layout: Choose a layout that lets your photos stand out. Avoid cluttering pages with too many images or too much text. Use a consistent style for fonts and sizes.

• White Space: Allow for white space around your photos. This makes the images stand out and gives the book a professional look.

• High-Resolution Photos: Ensure your photos are high-resolution to maintain quality when printed. Adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance as needed.

• High-Quality Paper: Select high-quality paper. Glossy paper works well for vibrant, colorful photos, while matte paper can give a more classic feel.

• Proofread: Check for any errors, such as typos or misaligned images.

• Personal Touch: Consider adding a brief foreword or afterword to create a personal connection with the viewer.

• Attractive Cover: Design a cover that reflects the theme of your photo book. Use one of your best photos as the cover image. Include a title, dates, or a brief description to make your book look complete.
  

6. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in landscape or nature photography?

 My best advice is just to get out there and appreciate the natural beauty around you. 

The more you shoot, the better you’ll get.

Understand aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which are fundamental settings that directly impact the exposure and quality of your photos.

You don’t need expensive gear to get started. The quality of a photograph is primarily determined by the photographer's creativity, vision, and skills rather than the equipment used.

A newer mobile phone can also take remarkably good pictures. 

 7. Do you feel like your graphic design background has influenced how you frame and compose your photos? And if yes. How do you feel like it has impacted your photography?

 Yes, because as a graphic designer, I work with composition and colors daily, just as I do in my photography. This constant practice has trained my eye to visualize a beautiful image before capturing it. I'm always looking for great lighting and compelling subjects to photograph, even when I don't have my camera with me—I can't help it. 

In my job, I often draw inspiration from others in photography and graphic design, as these two fields are closely related.

8. Can you describe your process for editing and preparing a photo for print or social media? What program do you use to store and edit your photos? And how do you decide which photos to share and which to keep for personal use or other projects?

I prefer to shoot in RAW because it provides high-quality files, allowing me to create the best possible images. When editing, I use Camera Raw in Adobe Photoshop. Here, I crop my images and make simple color and light adjustments. I never add subjects or use AI in my photos because I love keeping them as natural as possible.

Sometimes, I edit my photos on my mobile using Snapseed, a free photo editing app by Google. It supports both JPG and RAW formats, which is super convenient.

After editing, I usually crop my photos in a 2:3 format for printing (the classic 10x15 snapshot) and in a 4:5 format for Instagram, which is perfect for vertical photos.

Choosing which photos to share on Instagram is a mix of my personal taste, engagement, and aesthetics. I always select my sharpest, most well-composed, and properly exposed photos. The ones that tell a story evoke emotion or capture unique moments. Images that resonate with my audience are likelier to get likes and comments.

I keep personal photos with friends and family private. Mixing these with my nature content can blur the lines and impact my professional image.

9. What role does color theory play in your photography and design work? Can you explain the basics of colour theory easily to our readers?

 Color theory is crucial to both my photography and design work. It helps me understand which colors look good together and create visually appealing content. Here are some basics of color theory that I rely on:

The color wheel

The color wheel is a circular diagram of colors arranged by their chromatic relationship. Primary colors (red, blue, yellow) form the foundation, and mixing them creates secondary colors (green, orange, purple).

 Color combinations:

• Complementary: Two colors on opposite sides of the color wheel, like blue and orange, create high contrast, make each other stand out, and make elements pop.

• Analogous: Colors next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green, blend well and create harmonious expressions.

• Triadic: Three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel, like red, yellow, and blue, offer vibrant and balanced contrast.

• Monochromatic: Different shades and tints of a single color, such as various blues, create a cohesive and soothing look.

The color wheel also divides into warm and cool colors:

• Warm Colors: Red, orange, and yellow evoke warmth and energy. I often use these to add a sense of excitement and vibrancy to my photos.

• Cool Colors: Blue, green, and purple convey calmness and tranquillity. These are my go-to colors for creating serene and peaceful images.

  I use color theory to enhance the visual impact and emotional appeal of my photography and design work. It’s amazing how the right color combinations can transform an image and evoke different feelings.

I hope you enjoyed our chat with Tanja Bundgaard. Make sure to follow Tanja on Instagram to see more of her photography: @tlbundgard

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Next month in in the “Beyond the frame” newsletter we’ve got something exciting lined up. Another great interview, with Arthur Childs, a medical doctor and avid photographer. He’ll share his travel experiences and insights on starting a YouTube channel and discuss how photography and spending time outdoors can boost your health. Plus, we’ll have a new video tutorial on longexposure seascape photography, a special giveaway and much more.

Thanks for reading and for being part of our community. I look forward to seeing you in the next issue of Beyond the Frame!