Desert Island DSLR

Erik Johansson

We put our questions to Erik Johansson, surreal photographer

Surreal photographer and retoucher

What’s your current mood?

Excited and creative, and working on lots of new photographic projects.

What is your favourite place on Earth?

For nature, I love Norway and Iceland. For parties, Berlin and Prague.

What’s on your memory card now?

Photos of a man holding a huge transparent beach ball out in a field... obviously for an upcoming project.

What animal would you be?

A bear, just walking around in the forest, eating blueberries all day long.

What food do you take on a shoot?

Lots of chocolate bars. Filling, but not a recommended long-term diet.

The first photographer that comes to your mind and why?

Philippe Halsman, because of his amazing portrait of Salvador Dali.

What did you want to be when you were five years old?

A farmer. I grew up on a farm. Living the dream already, then.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A painter or in nature. I’d love to paint more; there’s just something about that medium.

Be honest – what kind of photography are you bad at?

Family portraits. I just make people look awkward somehow.

Tell us a secret about your photography that you’ve never told anyone before…

On my first big assignment, I had no idea how to operate a flash. I was reading the manual and watching YouTube videos en route to the studio!

What’s in your kit bag right now?

Hasselblad H6D with a 50mm. I usually shoot with the 35-90mm zoom a lot, but I love the crispness of the 50mm.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you have done?

I studied computer engineering and have a Masters in interaction design. There’s a big chance that would be it.

What book should every photographer read?

I love children’s books with lots of illustrations – not to read, but to feel inspired and peek into another world.

You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What would you be and why?

Something that stands out. A glowin‑the-dark neon-green colour.

Could you live without Photoshop?

Yes, I would just have to apply my creativity differently.

How many shots do you take a year?

I shoot tonnes of images but only produce about 6-8 final composite montages. It’s frustrating sometimes.

What personal projects are you currently working on?

Coming this year, working titles: Lightkeeper, Empty Memories, Dreamgirl, Head in the Clouds.

And finally – what is your Desert Island DSLR?

A compact X1D Hasselblad – with a backpack filled with batteries! Erik’s Nature Illusions exhibition is at Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Stockholm, until 11th March