The Darkroom Was Never Neutral There seems to be a growing belief that photography was once pure — untouched — honest in a way that today’s tools are not. But that has never been true. Long before digital editing, photographers shaped their images in darkrooms. They dodged and burned. They adjusted exposure by hand. They retouched negatives. They hand-colored black-and-white portraits to bring warmth to skin and life to lips. I own a wedding portrait of my parents — originally black and white — later carefully hand-painted. Soft blush on the cheeks. Red in the flowers. Depth added to shadows. Was that manipulation? Or was it artistry? Photography has never been just about pressing a shutter. It has always been about interpretation. The Illusion of “Straight Out of Camera” Today, when I transform my original photographs through a guided digital process, some people say: “This is straight out of a machine.” But a machine does not imagine. It executes. A tool does not create intention. It

At Mirrafoto, AI is used as a creative tool — never as a shortcut. Every artwork begins with an original photograph taken by the artist. The transformation process is carefully directed, with specific instructions guiding adjustments in mood, styling, age representation, composition, and tone. Nothing is generated randomly or without intention. Mirrafoto does not: Use children in advertising-style artwork Copy existing artists’ styles Reproduce copyrighted imagery Generate mass-produced anonymous visuals Instead, AI functions as a digital assistant within a clearly defined artistic vision — comparable to advanced editing software, but guided step-by-step by the artist. The authorship remains human. The ideas remain original. The responsibility remains personal. This approach ensures that each piece reflects authenticity, ethical awareness, and creative ownership.

- The creative journey behind Mirrafoto posters - At Mirrafoto, every poster begins with a real photograph. Nothing appears by accident — each piece is carefully developed from an original image, guided by a clear artistic vision and thoughtful direction. The journey from photograph to finished wall art has been both challenging and deeply joyful. There is something profoundly nostalgic about revisiting the products and visual atmosphere of earlier decades — especially the brands and aesthetics that shaped childhood memories. The Sinalco & Spur Cola Posters The Sinalco and Spur Cola posters were both developed from the same original photograph. Through a detailed creative process — adjusting age, expression, colors, styling and atmosphere — the image was transformed into two distinct vintage-inspired works. One important decision in this transformation was to portray the model as an adult. Mirrafoto does not use children in advertising-themed artwork. The final pieces reflect a more t

Við hjónin fórum í göngutúr um daginn inní Mandal og ákváðum að labba Sjøsanden því það er ansi langt síðan síðast. Man næstum ekki eftir að hafa labbað þarna í snjó áður, sem er mjög skrítið. Eða ekki því ég er ekki mikið fyrir göngutúra í snjó en nú þegar snjórinn hefur verið hér síðan um áramót þá þýðir ekkert annað en að taka stöku göngutúr. Færðin er ok ef maður heldur sig á göngustígum en við ætluðum að fara í gegnum skóginn á bakaleiðinni og lentum bara í því að hoppa (því snjórinn var svo mikill) okkur út á strönd og göngustíg aftur. Þannig að þetta endaði sem göngutúr fram og til baka með smá hoppsnúningi. Þangað til næst, ykkar Kristin á Nesan.

Kristin Jóna is an Icelandic photographer and visual storyteller living between landscapes and light. Her work is rooted in observation — in the delicate balance between shadow and illumination, fragility and strength. Having blogged and documented life for over two decades, Kristin’s artistic voice has evolved into something quieter, more distilled. Her photography is less about capturing a scene and more about holding a feeling. Her main blog is written in Icelandic — her mother tongue — where she shares personal reflections, recipes, photography, and everyday life. For those who wish to read and get to know her more personally, most browsers offer easy translation. Influenced by Nordic light and the emotional stillness of nature, her images are created to bring calm into interior spaces — to soften walls and create room to breathe. Each piece in In Stillness is part of a deeper exploration of presence, patience, and poetic simplicity. This is me. Untill next time, Kristin Jona @Mirr

There comes a time in life when you begin to crave quiet. Not silence as absence — but silence as presence. In Stillness was not created in a rush. It grew slowly. In soft mornings. In forests where light filtered through trees like breath. In the fragile pause after rain. These images are not dramatic. They do not demand attention. They invite it. They are about noticing. The way dew rests on a fading petal. The way sunlight enters a forest without asking permission. The way a single bloom can stand alone in shadow — and still be complete. This collection reflects a season of slowing down. Of choosing softness over noise. Of trusting that quiet beauty holds power. In Stillness is not only about nature. It is about space. And what happens inside us when we allow it. Follow up to get more about Mirrafoto shop. Here is a link to my "In Stillness" collection. Untill next time, Yours Kristin @Mirrafoto