Stockholm Photo Marathon and a Dash of History

In the realm of marathons, we typically conjure images of long, grueling races. However, there’s one marathon where distance is gauged not in miles, but in hundreds of artistic photos.

Yesterday, in the enchanting heart of Stockholm, I started my journey in one of the globe’s premier photography marathons. This distinctive event beckons professionals and aficionados from all corners, providing a fixed window each month to craft and share a series of snapshots around preordained themes. It’s a melting pot where fierce competition and raw creativity coalesce, ushering participants on a city-wide quest to find those unparalleled frames and race to the finish line.

The Legacy of Stockholm Fotomaraton

The history of Stockholm Fotomaraton stretches back, making it one of the world’s oldest photo marathons. Since its inception in 1987, Stockholm has been filled with groups sharing the joy of photography. Tove Voss founded Stockholm Fotomaraton in the summer of that year, freshly returned from Madrid where she had participated in what was likely the world’s first photo marathon. In its debut year, over 1,000 participants took to the streets of Stockholm, cameras in hand, eager to start their journey. Tove managed Stockholm Photo Marathon for nearly a decade before passing the torch, just as the digital era in photography was dawning. Participants received the original concept based on a 24-exposure film roll, which began to fade. However, after a hiatus, Emil Gyllenberg, inspired by a 1991 documentary about Stockholm Photo Marathon, revitalized the event in a digital format. Relaunched in 2014, Emil, along with his family and friends, revived the marathon. Today, Emil collaborates with Gabriel Modéus, who joined the group in 2019, and Deeped Strandh, who joined in 2022.

Rules of the Game

The Stockholm Photo Marathon has clear guidelines for participants. It’s a digital event, welcoming both digital cameras and mobile phones. Participants must ensure they photograph the set themes in the correct order, always during the marathon’s duration. Interestingly, all photographs must be taken using a single device and in JPEG format. Editing after the shot, including cropping, is forbidden, ensuring raw talent and creativity shine through. At the start, strict timing, submission protocols, and ethical standards must be maintained, and participants receive their badge for identification. The timing of the photographs is crucial, and competitors need to complete their submissions within strict deadlines to reach the finish line.

A Diverse Judgment: The Jury

The judging process for Stockholm Photo Marathon is multi-faceted. While several juries assess each theme separately, a main jury reviews the entire series, determining the top placements and awarding stars. Each year’s jury is comprised of individuals with keen insights, creativity, and a passion for visual storytelling. Their method involves a systematic four-step process, narrowing down from a broad selection to the final top three. Individual themes are evaluated by a diverse mix of experts, ensuring varied interpretations and valuations of the different photographic styles.

A Celebration of World Photography Day

The photo marathon took place simultaneously with the celebrations of World Photography Day, which falls on August 19th. This special day was established to honor the invention of the daguerreotype technique, the first practical photography process.

Origin of the Daguerreotype

In 1839, Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype to the world, a method of capturing images on silver-coated copper plates. Once treated with iodine vapors, they became photosensitive. During the imaging process, subjects had to remain immobile for many minutes. Subsequently, the plate underwent a procedure involving mercury vapors and was rinsed in a solution of sodium thiosulfate or salt, resulting in the emergence of the final photograph.

The Specifics of the Daguerreotype

Subsequently, the plate underwent a procedure involving mercury vapors and was rinsed in a solution of sodium thiosulfate or salt, revealing the final photograph. Despite being groundbreaking, daguerreotypes were delicate and prone to damage. To protect them, they were housed under glass. One distinct feature of these images was their mirror-like appearance, changing depending on the viewer’s angle. This unique technique ushered in a new era in documenting the world, laying the cornerstone for future innovations in photography and the way people shared information

The Art of Photography: A Personal Reflection

Stockholm Photo Marathon, in the context of World Photography Day, is an inspiring reminder of the deep roots and continuous evolution of this magnificent art. As Adams said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” In my work as a photographer and photojournalist, every frame is a testimony of my passion, heart, and commitment to documenting the world around us.

A Note on the Featured Photographs

The photos I took during this marathon, according to the rules, I cannot publish until the results, which will be in October. So for clarity, these are my photos taken at another time. Keep your fingers crossed!