Not all grief is loud.

Some of it lives in routines that end quietly. In a coat no longer worn. In a chair that stays empty. In objects that remain long after something else has left.

This month, I am beginning a new project: Traces of Everyday Silence.

It is a study of quiet grief — not only the grief of loss, but of change, of distance, of the unspoken things we carry.

The photographs do not directly show sorrow. They show what is left behind—a fold in fabric, a window no longer opened, light falling on absence.

If this resonates with you, I would be grateful to hear from you. What everyday griefs do you carry, especially the ones you have not had time or space to process? Just reply to this email or write to marta@fotograf-lovberg.no

— Marta Anna

Thoughts and frames from my blog

A Photography Practice to Try

Landscape with Shallow Depth of Field

A shallow depth of field, often used in portraits, can also be equally impactful in landscape photography. This technique allows you to isolate elements, guide the viewer's eye, and create emotional layers. It subtly shifts the visual focus, encouraging quiet reflection.

To achieve this, use a fast lens with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider). For zoom lenses, set them to a longer focal length with an aperture of f/4 to f/5.6. In bright light, an ND filter can prevent overexposure.

Look for scenes with layers, placing a small foreground subject—like a textured rock or a branch—close to the lens, with the landscape behind it. Aim for elements with texture or emotional significance. The blurred background enhances separation, inviting a sense of stillness. Instead of capturing all details, let mood and absence take precedence, suggesting deeper meaning in what remains unseen.

On my reading table

How Colour Photography Destabilises the Philosophy of Photography

On Vilém Flusser’s Towards a Philosophy of Photography