As I reflect on my journey after parting ways with Kaddy at Nordkapp, I find myself navigating a new chapter in my life. The transition from vanlife to cabin living has brought both challenges and rewards, forcing me to seek life balance: vanlife and cabinlife. This post delves into my experiences during this shift, the joys of rediscovering my photography, and the ways I’m adjusting to life in my cozy cabin with my loyal companion, Ludde. Join me as I explore this journey of personal growth and the search for harmony in my new surroundings.
Journey After Tromsø:
After parting ways with Kaddy, our journey reached a bittersweet conclusion at Nordkapp. While Kaddy took a scenic tour through northern Finland before starting her new life in Tromsø, I decided to return to Stavanger. I realized I was missing some essential gear, as I had limited packing space while helping Kaddy move. Initially, I planned to spend August and September on the road capturing fall photography, but I quickly realized I wasn’t set up for it. Fall was still far off, and without a clear focus, going back on the road felt more like adding to an already overwhelming task.
Since last October, I’ve been in moving boxes mode, from transitioning to my cabin in winter to managing my old apartment in February and March, all while assisting Kaddy with her move from Germany to Norway.
Vanlife to Cabinlife Transition:
Upon returning to Stavanger, I recognized it would be more beneficial to focus on settling into the cabin and piecing my life back together. I winter-prepped Knotten and concluded my travels for this year. Admittedly, I struggled with Knotten during the season; the transition to a new camper required me to rethink how I operated on the road, especially now that I was alone again. The changes to my life have been a gradual process since 2021, and this season marked another chapter in that journey.
Ludde's Adventures:
Ludde has embraced our new morning routine, relishing the freedom of no longer being confined to the old crate in Knotten, which has seen better days and will need replacement next year. He’s thrilled to be back in his toybox, especially enjoying “Grisen,” a rubber pig that squeaks when he plays with it. The floor often resembles a battlefield, scattered with his toys, a testament to his playful spirit.
Photography: Current Situation and Future Plans:
I’ve recently begun developing old analog negatives that have lived in my fridge and freezer for nearly 20 years. I’ve updated my darkroom setup, allowing me to develop film at the cabin, and I’ve invested in a Valoi Easy35 setup to scan negatives directly with my D800 into Capture One. While many analog shots from last year were destroyed during the development process, I’m not overly concerned since I have digital versions from those locations.
I also bought a “new” camera—my old Mamiya DSX 500, which I fondly refer to as getting back with my “ex.” This camera is the sister model of my first love, the Mamiya MSX 500. The DSX offers both average and spot metering, unlike the MSX, which only has spot metering. I’m excited to use my old SX-series and M42 lenses with it.
Unfortunately, my attempts with my great-grandfather’s AGFA Billy Record, a 6×9 medium format folding camera, did not yield satisfactory results, so I won’t be posting any more about that camera. However, I plan to explore medium format photography and aim to acquire a 4×5 large format camera that can work with a medium format film back, allowing me to shoot panoramic images from 6×12 to 6×17, as well as 6×7.
Websites/Blogs:
I was not entirely satisfied with the design I created last year for both Toffa and Knotten and Toffa Berg Photography. I’ve only recently been able to work on them due to all that has happened this year (as noted in my earlier blog post on Toffa and Knotten). My primary focus now is to finish the updates for Toffa and Knotten, with plans to tackle Toffa Berg Photography after the New Year.
Life Balance: Vanlife and Cabinlife
This journey of transitioning from vanlife to cabin life has been both a challenge and a rewarding experience. It’s a continuous process of finding lifebalance between vanlife and cabinlife, rediscovering my passions, and making a home in both the van and the cabin. As I settle into this new rhythm, I look forward to what lies ahead—both in my photography and in life.
