JONATHAN CHERRY: What did you have for breakfast this morning?

DOUGLAS LJUNGKVIST: Corn Flakes with a sliced up banana, milk, and a triple café latte. I’m a huge milk addict!

JC: Are there any emerging artists inspiring you at the moment?

DL: I’m not sure how “emerging” they are, but I enjoy the work of Alessandro Imbriaco and Sasha Rudensky very much. Both are great at capturing mood and atmosphere. 

JC: What has 2011 got in store for you photographically?

DL: I want to establish myself as a Travel photographer, editorially/commercially, and I will continue photographing for my personal projects. Hopefully some exhibitions opportunities will come along, and if I’m fortunate, secure publication for my Ocean Beach project. I often hear in portfolio reviews that my work feels very European so I will pursue more opportunities in Europe (Sweden, Italy and the UK especially), too, both editorially and exhibition wise.

JC: What is Ocean Beach all about?

DL: Ocean Beach, on a personal and emotional level is about time and memory.  Little has changed since Ocean Beach (New Jersey) was constructed in the late 40’s as an affordable vacation option for working class families in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Where neighboring communities have paved roads Ocean Beach roads are still made of sand which adds to a strong sense of place. I remember the first time I walked around Ocean Beach, it felt like stepping into another decade, like time had been suspended. It also makes me think of simpler times, when a family could rely on blue collar jobs and one income per family. It’s a memory of an era gone by. I also have personal memories from having vacationed there three times in the 90’s. I’ve traveled extensively across the world and been to much “fancier” resorts or vacations spots, but I always longed to return to Ocean Beach. Time and memory can be felt inside of the cottages, too. Wood paneling and beach kitsch decoration was par for the course and part of the charm. Now more and more owners have exchanged the wood paneling for white walls and flat screen TV’s.

Visually there are certain aspects of photography that I respond to that can all be found here, and in many of my other personal projects; color, geometric shapes, space, and the ability to create relationships between the cottages through composition. The grid like layout appeals to my sense of style and order.

JC: What is it that draws you to photographing landscapes?

DL: Generally I’m not that interested in landscape photography per se. Ocean Beach is an exception. I live and do most my photography in the urban landscape of Brooklyn. But then again I’m always happy to be doing anything near the ocean, especially in the off season. It instills a sense of inner calm and perspective.

JC: When not photographing what can you be found doing?

DL: Travel is the most important thing in my life except for photography. And when I’m not doing either, chances are I’m playing ping pong, backgammon, or watching movies.

JC: Any words of wisdom to recent photography graduates?

DL: Trust your instincts. Never mind the latest visual trends. Play to your strengths, whether you’re a technical, intuitive or conceptual photographer/person. Be an individual.