ONE FRAME DEEP: MATS B HALVORSEN
Mats B. Halvorsen is a true multi creative, musician in @ekkoloddband, creator of the beloved Instagram’s hashtag #treemonday, and of course, a brilliant photographer.
Today, we focus on a single, evocative frame from his series ‘Bedehuset’ (The Assembly House) to understand the choices behind the light, timing, and carefully curated details.
This image offers a masterclass in composition and color harmony, inviting the viewer into a quiet, storied space.
*image from @h.a.l.v.o.r.s.e.n Instagram account
What they chose to include
Halvorsen builds a frame within a frame, letting the yellow outer wall echo the yellow interior. This connection creates depth and an immediate harmony.
The warm, red and yellow curtains contrast beautifully with the cooler pink panels.
The overall color harmony is striking.
A subtle masterstroke: the yellow uniform in the painting and the pink accents on the stools mirror the room’s colors perfectly.
Geometric shapes dominate, squares, triangles, and a gentle circular bulb that softens the whole composition.
Warm light pours in through the curtains, becoming a subject in itself.
The half seen, dark, piano and the two stools introduce narrative tension: is this a room between uses? A rehearsal paused? A memory waiting?
The open lower third adds breathing room without ever feeling empty. A hint of reflection suggests movement, maybe even dance.
The use of space here is what truly elevates the image: it’s so finely controlled that the eye naturally travels in loops, discovering new details on each pass.
What They Chose to Exclude
The painting is cut in half, keeping only the essential yellow figure just enough to support the palette without overwhelming the frame.
There are no distracting elements in the foreground; by excluding clutter, Halvorsen makes the interior feel even richer and emphasises a sense of quiet appreciation for the main interior space, ensuring the focus remains inward.
Halvorsen masterfully employs selective cropping by focusing the viewer’s attention purely on the elements that serve his narrative, without any distraction.
Why It Works
This is first a masterful composition, dense with detail, but never crowded.
Second, Halvorsen finds the sweet spot between order and narrative space.
The bright color palette is expertly balanced. The 60, 30, 10 rule is loosely applied, the dominance of yellow/cream (60%) and red/pink (30%) is clear, with the small, but vital pops of contrasting green and blue in the painting as the powerful last (10%).
Final Thoughts
Halvorsen excels at creating moody, intentional scenes, and breaking down his work is always a joy.
His choices, what to cut, what to keep, how to shape the light, show a deep understanding of visual storytelling.
The open floor space in this frame is a standout element for me, giving the composition its dynamic rhythm.
And perhaps most inspiring: Halvorsen often shoots SOOC (Straight out of Camera) with both new and older cameras.
His work is a reminder that you don’t need the newest gear to make meaningful photographs, just intention, awareness, and the willingness to create feeling.
Exactly what he’s achieved here.
Photographer: Mats B. Halvorsen
Website: mbhalvorsen.com
Instagram: @h.a.l.v.o.r.s.e.n
*images from @h.a.l.v.o.r.s.e.n Instagram account