About

“FOR ME PHOTOGRAPHY

IS NOT TAKING A PICTURE,

IT IS TO BE THERE"

My first camera

Foto: Morten Krogvold

Oddvar Paulsen


I’m a photographer & graphic designer based in Kristiansand, Norway.
I have a photo studio/gallery along with two others at the top of Odderøya,
close to the new, coming Artsilo Kristiansand. ( kunstsilo )




I have been working with photography in more than 50 years. I started capturing moments with my very first Ricoh Mirror camera using Ilford, Kodak and Agfa films.
My main focus was creative black and white photography, basic camera and darkroom techniques, as well as color slides.
Olympus, first OM2, has followed me from 1977 until today (digital), I continued developing my photography interests and skills. As a graphic designer, the principles of design and composition became a part of my everyday life. Fortunately I was able to combine my work and my passion.

From 1998 and until December 2018, I had the privilege of working for the Norwegian NGO, Stromme Foundation. Meeting people all over the world and their cultures did change my understanding of silence, peace and communication, and I believe it reflects in my photos.
After years in my own "The Gallery - Fine Art Photography" I am now based at Odderøya in FOTOHUSKRS. A studio & Gallery along with two others, all working with photography.

OddvarP

Some ”highlights” from the last years

  • In 2010 I entered CGAP`s photo contest (www.cgap.org) (1000 partic. from 40 countries) and got a final photo among the 30 best.
  • The same happened in 2013 with 4000 partic./90 countries.
  • I´ve had the pleasure of attending five Photo Workshops, 2010, 2011 (Rome) and 3 x 2013 in Vågå, Norway (I+II+III), conducted by the Norwegian photographer Morten Krogvold.
  • The exhibition "And One Behind" was shown in the Fotohuset Gallery in Kristiansand, Norway September & October 2012.
  • In 2014 from 1. April until 10. May the exhibition "Tracks of Lines" was shown in Rachmaninov Garden Photo Gallery in St. Petersburg, Russia.
  • In June 2014, The exhibition "60|60" was shown in Christiansholm Festning, Kristiansand, Norway.
  • A selection of photos was shown as a part of  The International Triennale of Graphic Arts in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, June 2014.
  • Photo illustrated the poet book "Underveis" published November 2014.
  • Summer exhibition in Farsund, Norway, from 9. to 11. of July 2015.
  • The Photo Book "Byen på Vranga" Nov 2019.
  • My own The Gallery, for exhibitions and events 2016 – 2020 (1st May)
  • Exhibtion at Hillestad Gallery May 8 – June 20 2021.
  • --> 2022 Today my studio at FotohusKRS, at Odderøya close to Kristiansand centre.

CV

1972              started in photography. My first SLR camera.
1970–1977   Education through Economy and Advertising and graphic design

                        studies incl. art.Work experience
1977–1982   Advertising Agencies, freelancer in graphic design, advertising and photo.
1982 –1997  Graphic Design/Art Director/photographer in regional newspaper FVN.
1997 –1998  Graphic Designer/photographer in Bekkkelund Information.
1998 –2018  Graphic Designer/Art director/photographer in Stromme Foundation.
From 2010:   Own Photo Studio

 

Photo Workshops
2010              Rome, March with Morten Krogvold
2011              Rome, March with Morten Krogvold
2013              Vågå, Morten Krogvold – step I + II + III

2020              Vågå, Morten Krogvold - step IV

 

Photo exhibitions
2012              ”And One Behind”, Kristiansand Kunsthall, Solo, September
2014              ”Tracks Of Lines”, Rachmaninov Photo Gallery, St. Petersburg

                        1 April – 10 May, Solo

2014              ”60/60” My anniversario, Festningen, Kristiansand

                        (30 May – 1 June) Solo
2014              ”Graphic Arts Triennale” White Nights Festival,

                        St. Petersburg (June)
2015              ”Kaperdagene”, Farsund (July) Solo
2016-2020    Own Photo Gallery in Kristiansand, Norway. Ended May 1. 2020

2019              "NORD" – Exhibition in The Gallery, Kristiansand

                        (23 March - 14 April) Solo

2019              Exhibition "Kristiansand i transformasjon"

                        /project "Byen På Vranga" "Tempus" Gallery
2020              Exhibition "LINES" in "Tempus Gallery" /December
2021              Participated the Spring Exhibition at Hillestad Gallery May 8th – June 20th
2024              27 January – 1 March "TIDSLINJER" (Timelines) Galleri T I D  in Mandal


Books

2014              All picts in the Norwegian poetry book "Underveis – fra mitt vindu"

2019              Photo book to my Norwegian project "Byen På Vranga"

 

Competitions
2010              CGAP world photo competition (1000 from 48 countries). Among top 30.
2013              CGAP world photo competition (4000 from 90 countries). Among top 30.