Rune Werner Molnes was born in 1978 in the town of Bergen, Norway. This is also where he has had his photographic base the last couple of years. However, his inspirational muse was found through the encounter with the rugged coastal landscapes of his home Island of Vigra, outside the town of Aalesund. His family have lived in this area for many generations. Growing up here has given him a strong bond to these melancholy, windswept coastal landscapes. This was where his photography started, and he has since then ventured out to explore most of Norways far- stretched western coastline, as well as the alpine areas along the sea front.
His photographic quest have brought him to exotic destinations such as the Faroe Islands, Iceland and other parts of the far North, coincidentally keeping within the realm of the Old Norse culture. A journey on which he intend to continue, including destinations such as Greenland and Svalbard.
Rune has a strong concern for the parts of nature which are still untouched by man. Currently he is working on a project in connection with preservation of the alpine regions of Sunnmore which are threatened by the plans for a new major power line. "Untouched nature is becoming a scarce recourse, and it is important for me to communicate the unique features of this majestic mountain region to as many as possible. Hopefully I will be able to make a small difference."
Apart from photography he has a passionate interest for music, existentialism and philosophy in general, interest which feed back into his photography. In his own words: "Each landscape has its own melody and I always listen to music when post- processing my images. I usually find some music which suit the mood of the photograph in order to stir my own imagination, most of the time improving the end result." His photographs are said to transcend but not deny their literal situation, in the sense of a soothing, melancholic mood with references to the eternal aspects of nature, independent of man.
Awards Px3 People’s Choice Gold Award - Prix De La Photographie Paris 2012.
FEP European Fine Art Photograph of the Year Award, finalist 2012.
National Photo Circuit Norway Highly commended award. (Landskonkurransen, Norges Fotografforbund, NFF 2012.)
Artist of the Year, Municipality of Giske, 2012.
National Photo Circuit Norway Two highly commended awards. (Landskonkurransen, Norges Fotografforbund, NFF 2011.)
Gullsnitt Silver Award, 2010. "Gullsnitt" is Norway's most important competition for professional photographers.
IPA In 2010 I received several "Honorable Mentions" from the International Photography Awards (IPA) in their section for working professionals. IPA is recognized as one of the most prestigious international competitions.
B&W Magazine ”Silver Award” in their Single Image Contest 2008, in competition with 5500 other contributors. Black & White is internationally renowned as the ultimate resource for connoisseurs and collectors of black and white fine-art photography. The magazine has a circulation of 45 000 and is sold in 36 countries.
IPA In 2005 I received an ”Honorable Mention” from the International Photography Awards (IPA). I received my award in the ”Fine Art - Landscape” category in competition with other professionals.
