WHO?
I received classical photography training in Cologne from two renowned photographers, (Wald Huth and Karl-Hugo Schmölz), and then studied art.
After short teaching assignments in photography, I then worked for the Federal Government Press Office, where I headed a picture department. After that, I worked primarily as an artist and showed my images in several exhibitions.
I mainly photograph people in their surroundings, portraits, and street scenes. I also photograph posed portraits and architecture.
WHERE?
In cities, neighborhoods, or regions that I pass through—where the images just happen to come my way—I’ve been called a ‘flâneur with a camera.’ Portraits of neighborhoods or smaller towns.
Works of landscapes or towns that span a longer period of time. Mostly in the immediate vicinity of where I currently live and while traveling, most recently a lot in Italy, where I portrayed a smaller town (Altidona), for example.
WHEN?
Since 1970. I photograph almost exclusively in natural light, usually with very small equipment—often just a camera with a fixed focal length. This way, I stand out less when I’m shooting street.
For portraits and photo series, and for architecture, I usually work with a medium-format camera like the Rolleiflex or Hasselblad (analog).
WHY?
An example: When I walk through cities and photograph people, I often talk to them to learn about their lives and what moves them. This also helps me correct prejudices.
For me, photography is about focusing the perception of a situation with sounds and smells in a single glance.
