Interview with photo artist Erik Johansson

I came across Eric totally by accident a little ways back. Now I know alot of people don't think alot of photo manipulation, this young man showed so much creativity and imagination that I knew I had to share him and his work with all my readers.

How long have you been into photography? I got my first digital camera when I turned 15, I discovered photo manipulations quite early but I've learned almost everything the past 2 years.

What inspired you to start manipulating your photo's?
I guess that I wanted to improve reality.
When did you start working professionally?
I don't know if I can call myself a professional, perhaps from now.But I have learned most of the things I know about manipulations and photo the last 2 years.

Have you recieved any formal training?
No not really, but there are a lot of good tips out there on the world wide web.

I really like the piece "long road" can you give us a little insight into what inspired it?
I had an idea about making roads in different ways, the initial idea was to use a truck instead of a human. But this just felt better in the end, and became symbolic in a sense to depending how you interpret it.

Who would you say has been your biggest influence?
I get inspiration from everywhere, but I really like Salvador Dali and M.C. Escher.

I know you are still very early in your career but tell us about some of your accomplishments.
I have done some work for an advertising agency in Gothenburg but nothing big yet, but I have a few things going on, the future will tell.

What is your favorite piece by another artist?
I like a lot of different stuff, but one of the first photos I saw that got me in to retouch was this one http://www.mojo.com.ro/blog/uploads/svenprim_C659/Sven_Prim.jpg by Sven Prim.