Hans Borg
Bruges,Belgium
Hans Borg is a 31 years old and living in Bruges, Belgium. Hans' daytime job is being a truckdriver an is based out of port of Zeebrugge. As a former skateboarder, Hans found his interest in photography much later in his life. He always carry a camera with him and his photographic style is very instinctive.
What is photography to you and how did you get started with it?
We always had a camera around at home. My parents had this big case of family albums. I spent so much time flipping through all of the photographs. I got some small digital cameras, but never found the time when I was younger. Skateboarding was ruling my life back then. Everything changed when I had a bad injury. I was there stuck on the sideline. The only thing left to do was documenting my friends. Soon it became more than just documenting. Getting more and more interested in every aspect that photography brings made me curious. It is such a nice way to translate your life to other people. It’s very unique.
What impact do you think your childhood has on your photography?
Quite a lot! My dad always had a camera to capture family stuff. Later on, I was surrounded by creative people.
A few friends already documented skateboarding through video or photography, others had another creative talent. It’s not the first time you read something about skateboarding leading up to creativity. I just hadn’t got the time or didn’t think I could be creative like that. When I was getting older I realized, maybe just try it.
What challenges do you face as an artist? How do you overcome low periods of motivation or creative ruts?
Maybe to reinvent yourself again and again? I don’t know, It’s rather an evolution for me... If the work is on hold, because life gives you too much stress or you just don’t see it than that’s ok. I always keep exploring photography. Influences from everywhere keeps you inspired. Someway it always comes back, and if it doesn’t, maybe you found another way to cope with things.
Please tell us about your process and vision?
Basically I always carry a camera, trying to shoot stuff that makes sense to me very instinctively. My daytime job is being a truckdriver. I’m based in the port of Zeebrugge, it’s a very small port. My job let’s me be free. There’s always time to stop or take a photograph. It’s also very interesting that being in the same place everyday doesn’t cut you creative energy. To be in you own world and gather your own personal stories to give to others is something I really like doing. When the images pile up, you start noticing a storyline, or photographs that fit one another. At that point the storytelling already started, the search for more photographs in that distinct way goes on untill the project is finished. From one project to another.
What inspires you the most?
Hmmm, a lot of things! I like work with a soul, when a concept is strong and it’s soaked in feelings. Artists who can take you to another world. I really like a lot of different styles. Jack Davison, Renato D’agostin, Christopher Anderson, Masahisa Fukase, Wouter VandeVoorde, Gregory Halpern... Here In Belgium, Christopher De Béthune, his work is magical. He lives in Bruxelles, the capital. His work flows there. Strong black and white images capturing the ethic of the city. Thomas Vandenberghe lives in Ghent, it’s a city nearby. We do a kind of art swap via mail. His work is lovely. Silver gelatin prints from the most daily objects. Apples, pears, coffee mugs, spilled milk... How rad is that? He’s also translating his environment into something of beauty.
Reading books, doing something completely new, go swimming, skateboarding... It’s just searching for that spark of energy flowing into creating.
What gears do you generally use? What is your ideal piece of gear and why?
I have used the same 35mm rangefinder cameras for years, Leica M6 and M10. In between I switch with a medium format or shoot some other digital cameras. It doesn’t really matter in the end. But I always come back to simple black and white 35mm film. There’s a lot more aftermath with film, the darkroom can be a warm place to hide in winter or a shelter for the sun in summer. In the very beginning I was very focused on gear, seeking hundreds of reviews online, but I guess that’s maybe a stage? After a while you figure out it doesn’t depend on the gear you use.
Tell us about a photo you’re proud of.
I'm still on a journey to find a photo that I can truly say I'm proud of in the traditional sense. I believe my true pride will come when my images create a meaningful impact on society or even just one individual's life. As I continue to hone my craft, my goal is to capture moments that provoke thought, inspire change, and touch people's hearts. But if we talk about my favorite photo taken by myself, every photograph I have taken is like my own child, and I'm proud of each one, all of them are my favorite. They're a reflection of my inner self or deepest emotions, and I cherish them all equally.
How would you define photographic success?
Trying to keep busy, building something to look back on. The success maybe lies in the search for your own style and voice. Once you’ve found out what’s your voice, everything becomes a lot more organic and natural. Photography has the magic to make your surroundings a lot more interesting and attractive. It also made my daytime job a lot easier. Even in the most banal places on earth you can shoot a photograph. It will always be your unique vision regardless of the inspiration you’ve had up front.
Any new projects that you are working on currently? What does the future in photography look like for you?
There’s a new photobook coming. I’ve already got a title but don’t want to spoil it. I’m really excited.
It’s going to be all scanned darkroom prints. I’ve been working on it for over a year. Constantly using the same film over and over again. The photographs are from three holidays to Italy.
My girlfriend and I love the country, we went three years in a row for one month. After the second year L. got really sick, cancer. It was a really bad period, but she pushed through. The holiday after the recovery was a total different trip. We were like little children again.The book is about how I dealt with the situation. Untill today I have a rough time if I hear about cancer, or see something on tv about cancer. Tears fill my eyes. The work with the erupting volcano’s is about that. I’m letting them erupt very abstractly in the darkroom. This is a metaphor for what I felt the day we got the news. Our whole world fell apart. Time stood still. I’m working on the last bits, and hoping it will be out near summer 2024.
Image copyrights © Hans Borg
