The art of being lost

In a world where roads, sign and people are everywhere I can't get lost.

For most of the year I live in a structured society and my little niche is well defined, I am just a small cog in a massive machine and there is very little wiggle room.

I never have to really think how to find a place even if I have never been there before. My car or my phone can talk to me and tell me where I am or how to get where I want.... there is never any guessing.

F.Zuiko 32mm f1.7  1/5000sec

Once I year I have the luxury to be off grid where I can exercise the opportunity of being lost.

I paddle out in my kayak away from houses and roads and I just wonder around, not really too concerned with where I will end up in the evening. After all, I have right with me what is needed for a least a few days, food and shelter are guaranteed.

Canon TV-16 50mm f1.4  1/320sec

I generally take the direction that looks prettiest to me and I wiggle my way through the islands trying to not go around in circles, but if I do that's fine too. I have given up on "destination anxiety" and I no longer set myself with a goal of so many miles per day. I rather spend some time on a particularly interesting island and explore its shore to spend some time photographing.

Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f3.5-5.6  1/100sec

I have no desire to find out and then go to "good campsites", the "must see spots" and I never plot a course beforehand and follow it. I much prefer to travel spontaneously to suit my mood and interest as the day goes by.

I don't carry a GPS as I don't want a machine to tell me how I am doing, how fast I am going and how far I have to go. What is the point of getting away from it all to then create yet another unnecessary constraint?

I have a basic map with me that helps me find a place that might have supplies for the next few days and I consult it when time comes.

And in between those necessary stops I feel free to think and I am present in the moment, absorb my surrounding and allow myself to be off-line, not answering to any calls or not slave to this screen.

Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f3.5-5.6  1/500sec

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Sheltered camp

Paddling along the Northern outer fringe of the Åland archipelago we always looked for a campsite that would offer shelter from the wind and potentially increasing swell.


M.Zuiko 14-42mm EZ    f5.0  1/160sec

Camp on Kestenskär

Heavy clouds loomed around in the afternoon making camp selection a bit more tricky that day: we needed flat ground but where water would not pool under our tent.
Finally a bit higher above the sea we settled for a place that was facing towards the sunset.


M.Zuiko 14-42EZ    f3.5   1/125sec



M.Zuiko 14-42EZ    f5  1/15sec

Journal writing

The therapeutic act of journal writing at the end of the day, time to reflect over the day's events.
The air just a bit too chilly to lay on the rock, a sleeping bag provided the comfort to feel cozy.


M.Zuiko 40-150  f8  1/100sec

Old school

... we were assured that life will become more safe, more secure and easier. In the end, the price for a bit more comfort is a steep one. We’re getting incapacitated by technology, because we’re not able to do most basic things by ourselves anymore. _Theme



Canon 220HS

Journal writing, old school style: pen and paper.
Camping low-profile fashion, close to the ground.



Canon 300HS

I like to think that technology sometimes enhances my life but I beware of falling dependent on it. I don't want to loose the skill to do it "old school".

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Alfresco dining

No restaurant with fancy service can match the feeling that I get from preparing and enjoying a meal outside, with minimal utensils, away from civilization.



M.Zuiko 14-42mmRII   (at 14mm)   f4.5  1/125sec

Day 23 of the sea kayak trip from Trosa, (Swe) to Marienhamn, Åland (Fin)

Kiss in the rain

The day started sunny but heavy clouds gathered after lunch.
We paddled an open stretch of water when the storm hit and lightening was around us.
Reaching the shore was a relief.


Canon 300 HS, 4.3mm f2.7 1/1250sec


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