Unrest Sunglasses
Composite im Studio. Nächstes Mal: erst Brille putzen…
Slokker-Serie
Das schöne Orange der Slokker-Sonnenbrille passt hervorragend zum blauen Anzug — ist aber auch zum Holzhacken stilistisch ganz sicher die richtige Wahl.
Endlich Frühling!
Set: Linh Duong
Foto: Jan Söhlke
Konzept: Jan Söhlke & Linh Duong
Easter Trip to Weimar
It has been a while since I last rubbed elbows with Goethe, Schiller and the likes in this neat little town — close to a quarter of a century to be precise. In total everybody in the family loved the experience, the only place we found somewhat disappointing was the Bauhaus-Museum.
Happy Easter
Frohe Ostern allerseits!
Zwei rohe Eier: eins mit eins ohne Schale. Mit Schale in natürlichem Licht, ohne im Studio mit einem Aufbau von Gary Perweiler.
Familienportrait
Ein Familienportrait aus Sonnenbrillen in einem vollkommen verregneten Frühling.
Baume et Mercier Watch
My wife’s Baume et Mercier wrist watch before and after cleaning up the many scratches and replacing the bitten out chunks. Incredible what becomes visible in a close up.
One light setup, focus stacking 200+ picures for a 15 image composite following a tutorial by Max Bridge.
Marcel Kawentel
Schlagzeuger Marcel Kawentel. Beruflich auch Kawentel der Drehbuchautoren Kawentel & Lombeck. Mit Dank an Sohn Luis, der assistierte.
Fast enough
“If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough” (M. Andretti).
Der nächste Sprung endete vorm Baum und ich war – einmal mehr – froh, dass Heike dabei war.
Fuel your Engine
Rocket fuel concept with background image by NASA via https://unsplash.com/photos/dCgbRAQmTQA
Naschwerk-Schokolade
Obwohl es zwei Tage vor heilig Abend war und somit die engste Zeit des Jahres, nahm Maître Chocolatier Markus Podzimek vom Naschwerk sich spontan Zeit, mir die besten Stücke herauszusuchen. “Boom!” wurde sogar eigens in die Produktion geschoben. – Vielen Dank!
Beate Weiß Keramik, Siegen
Besuch im Siegener Keramikstudio von Beate Weiß (http://www.weiss-keramik.de/).
Lilian Weiken
Deutsche Meisterin und Weltmeisterin im Ju Jutsu aus Siegen. Weltklasse-Athletin und -Mensch.
Walnussbaum
Das Geschenk eines Eichhörnchens wuchs zu nah am Haus und der Baum musste weg.
Linh Duong Blumenkunst: Adventsausstellung
Dokumentation der jährlichen Adventsausstellung bei Linh Duong Blumenkunst in Siegen.
Der Schiffhobel meines Großvaters
Making of:
Pour Shot
Behind the scenes:
Cai Dao
Chinesisches Küchenmesser des vietnamesischen Herstellers Dao Vua, der die Messer aus alten LKW-Federn fertigt. Trotz der Ähnlichkeit mit einem Fleischerbeil ein sehr filigranes Werkzeug.
Markus Boßlet, Restaurant Bar
Mit vielem Dank an Markus Boßlet, Küchenchef und Inhabe des Restaurant Bar in Siegen, der sich so großzügig Zeit nahm und Jakobsmuscheln “Ras El Hanout” und ein herbstliches Calamari-Risotto für mich kochte.
Adventsausstellung Linh Duong Blumenkunst
Einladung zur Adventsausstellung von Linh Duong in Siegen. Photographie, Gestaltung und Druck der Postkarten.
Kaffeerösterei Pagnia
Zu Besuch in der Siegener Kaffeerösterei Pagnia.
Geigenbaumeister Clas Reimers
Zu Gast in der Geigenbauwerkstatt des Siegener Geigenbaumeisters Clas Reimers.
Dachstein Retreat
Im Herbst 2014 hatten Julia und ich das große Glück, am Dachstein ein Retreat mit Coach und Trainer Hans-Peter Beingrübl von Pushkar Nature verbringen zu können. Sein großes Wissen und seine reiche Erfahrung ruht in seiner allgemeinen Entspanntheit, so dass sich in einem wirklich angenehmen Rahmen ein paar erstaunliche Dinge in Gang setzten.
Nach einer Nacht im Freien ohne Zelt und einer von Apfelstrudel und Freundlichkeit geprägten Nacht auf der Gjaid bei Isi, Hannes und Indra, einer Tour fast auf den Gjaidstein, viel Nebel, einem weiten Blick vom Zwölferkogel und vor der Kulisse des wunderschönen Dachsteingipfels reiften weitreichende Entscheidungen. Und als wir wieder hervorkamen aus dem Gebirgsnebel stand am Ende der Satz »Ich kündige!«.
Jördis Tielsch: Virtueller Hut im Lÿz
Am Samstag, 28. April 2020 spielte Jördis Tielsch gemeinsam mit Peter Schneider ein Benefizkonzert im Kulturhaus Lÿz.
Möglich wurde die Veranstaltung trotz Corona dank des virtuellen Hutes – einer Initiative, die zusammen mit dem Kulturbüro des Kreises Siegen-Wittgenstein lokale Künstler und Kulturschaffende unterstützt und in Zeiten des Kontaktverbots heimische Kultur in die Siegerländer Wohnzimmer bringt.
Amsterdam Family Portrait
Earlier this year my dear friend Nic had asked if I would be interested in shooting a portrait of his family. Since they live some 1200 km away, the crucial question for me was not so much if but more when. Then, in early September, I was in the vicinity (meaning: only 400 km away), and spontaneously opted for the detour to pay a long overdue visit to Amsterdam – and also finally meet their daughter.
I did not have my gear with me and there only was an hour left in between the idea to go for the shoot and me having to be through the door for the train station, so in order to put the opportunity to good use we had to move fast and I had to borrow Marlene’s old Canon. Of course time was even scarcer after the usual displacement of furniture had taken place, and the combination of time pressure, borrowed equipment and a different camera maker resulted in a couple of technical blunders on my part, but we all had a fun time and in the end were pretty pleased with the results.
»Show up early…
…and stay out late. That’s when the most interesting things happen.« (Corey Rich)
Made in Sweden
We’re down to the last match now, so before it goes I wanted to preserve some of the match-box-glory in photographic form.
I used my tilt-shit lens for this, hence the angled plane of focus.
Almost Gone
With roaring, rumbling and growling yesterday’s thunderstorm evidently scared away the last fragile remains of summer. It left behind a few white clouds over the Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion which as well will soon cease to be.
Los que me acogieron
My friend and colleague Doc Babel not only taught me rudimentary Spanish, he and his wife also provided me with a home in Munich during the last few years, which made many things easier than they easily could have been.
And now that it’s their turn to look for a new home, they pack some aluminum boxes bound for South America and thought that some decent head shots would make their new start easier. I was of course more than happy to provide that part of their luggage.
Friends Visiting
Old time friends Nic and Marcel (a.k.a. Kawentel of Kawentel&Lombeck and Carl of Club Carl) took the overnight to Vienna from Amsterdam and Osnabrück for my birthday.
Hochschwab Hiking
Second time Hochschwab, second time no summit. This time better pictures, though.
In late May, I started in Präbichl and, through considerable amounts of snow, made my way up to the Sonnschienhütte where I had the dorm all to myself. Unfortunately, I had my eyes at the wrong place at the wrong time and so I fell and injured my finger. Thus, instead of summiting the Hochschwab the next day, I went down to Tragöß (via Grüner See) – and straight into hospital where the trip ended with an »Eintrittsaufforderung«. Luckily nothing serious came to light in Koje 1, but damn you Hochschwab, next time I do want a summit. Please.
Cumberland Studios: Marianne Vlaschits & Mirjam Schweiger
Die Künstlerinnen und Künstler standen kurz vor dem unfreiwilligen Auszug aus Ihren Wohnungen und Studios in der Wiener Cumberlandstraße, als Marianne Vlaschits und Mirjam Schweiger “$chwanger” Schweiger mich am 4. Juli 2014 in ihre Ateliers einluden. Zu den Bildern…
Failing Better with Marianne Vlaschits
Last year in March I shot a portrait of Marianne Vlaschits for »Project 12 pt. II«, so we thought we’d do another one for the first anniversary. My original plan was to recreate her neon-pictures from the Blue Crystal Fire-series (see here), but what can I say? I completely and utterly failed. From white cardboard and stuff lying around on location I built what I deemed to be perfect neon light replacements, yet the effect was completely different at best and not at all visible most of the time.
Once again I learned that photography sometimes is like cooking: when you want to try something exciting for the first time, don’t do it in the presence of important guests. But I also learned that in Marianne’s presence, failing means that in the end it still is going to be an awesome afternoon resulting in pictures we both like – good to work with a professional. And just like Beckett writes: »Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.«
I am also happy about the three derivative works that came from the shoot: a portrait of the photographer by Marianne (seen in pictures 4 + 5); a Feiyue »Vlaschits Edition« by me (from slipping on paint) and »Painting the Artist« by Hyo Lee.
And despite my clumsiness (that not only led to Feiyue »Vlaschits« but also saw a falling SB 800 just miss Marianne’s head), the Comme des Garçons-robe Marianne’s neighbour and fashion designer Thomas van der Jeught gave us in his infinite trust stayed clean.
Next Monday (23.6.2014) at the Archiv für Gegenwart (Mühlfeldgasse 5, 1020 Wien) you have the opportunity to see Marianne Vlaschits – who by the way is also responsible for the highly acclaimed cover art of Hercules and Love Affair’s latest album The Feast of the Broken Heart.
Project 12R: February
In March »Office« was the topic for our second portrait. We went scouting at Caritas Mall »Carla« (first three images). Thanks to the generosity of the employees there, we obtained permission to shoot there during the hour before they opened the doors to the masses.
Three days later, we showed up with enthusiasm, a general idea of what to shoot, loads of gear and little time. Once more: »don’t let good light ruin your picture«. When there is no time, one really only has two options: either everything needs to be checked and nailed down before the shoot or one has to KISS (keep it simple, stupid). Otherwise much of the positive energy is eaten by all the wrong things (an SB800 under a vow of silence for instance). Consequently, we picked a test shot as the final picture from when we were both still relaxed and hadn’t set up the light.
Jasmine
I liked how the twig changed depending on air versus water refraction.
Max
The »man with nothing to lose« asked for a portrait.
Vienna Postsparkasse by Otto Wagner
A few days ago I finally made it into the Postsparkasse (Otto Wagner finished the Savings Bank in 1906). The main hall has both a glass floor and a glass ceiling and the light really is breathtaking.
Project 12: Julia
The (rather late) October portrait for »Project 12« was taken in January and finally edited only a few days ago. It is of Julia, who is not only a close friend, proper hiking buddy and HR professional but – and this points to the root of the lag – godmother to my daughter, who was born in November. Julia recently moved into a new flat and redecorated it, so we decided it was an suitable setting.
On new year’s eve she at one point donned a turban, looked stunning and someone took with a camera phone – and as we had the gear in place anyway we thought it was worth recreating the opportunity. At the end of our 5 hour session we were both pretty happy but also pretty knackered (and one of us still needed a haircut – desperately).
Project 12R: January
In 2014 »Project 12« gets a slightly different spin and is now »Project 12R«. The plan is to take 12 pictures of Rosina. Starting in February, we shoot one photo a month that derives its theme from the events of her preceding weeks.
The first installment involved a poster for a party that was stuck onto many distribution boxes. We narrowed it down to two location options that were close to each other: one spacious and quiet, the other at a busy tram stop in the middle of an equally busy crossroads. We decided to opt against comfort and for better looks, which unfortunately meant I had to shoot from the tracks with trains rattling in from three different directions by the minute. Thus, I was constantly shifting my light and tripod and Daniel, who was kind enough to act as assistant, not only patiently braved wind and coldness but in addition held on to the contraption for the black background with cars whooshing past very close by – thanks a lot Daniel!
Project 12: Rosina
In September I photographed my friend Rosina for »Project 12«. It was a new experience in a couple of senses:
First of all, Rosina is a designer by profession and it was as interesting as instructive to take a picture of someone who is both meticulous and knowledgeable when it comes to composition, colours, set design and furniture. I enjoyed it tremendously as it allowed me to concentrate on the lighting.
Secondly, it was the first time I shot tethered, which meant we continuously discussed all changes, thus the final images really feel like a joint effort.
And finally (probably also a result from second), the approach was very methodical. Usually I move around quite a bit while shooting, but this time we first looked for a frame that worked, then nailed the tripod to the floor. Then moved furniture in and out, tried a bunch of clothes to match the environment etc. So in the end, we settled with just two shots: her favourite (first) and mine (second).
Wien Südbahnhof
I spent New Year’s Eve with magician, architect and fellow photographer Sven Wuttej. Going through his images from the last day at Wien Südbahnhof reminded me of the pictures I took of the monumental old landmark when I still lived right across the road from the train station. Somehow I quite liked the architecture, and was hence rather sad to see it go. So here are a couple of images from the transition of the hood: »Wien Süd« to »Quartier Belvedere«.
The first few pictures, where the train station (if already partly demolished) is still busy are from August 2009. The ones of the gutted building I took in February 2010 and the last two, where nothing remains of the old glory, are from September 2010 (you can see the very last one with just a flat stretch of sand where the station once was in full size).
Theresa
When I last photographed my friend Theresa, she had just secured her first job after graduation. A year later, the resourceful health and safety professional sticks to the good advice my friend Rob once expressed: the best time looking for a job is when you have one.
Since a picture is mandatory for almost all job applications in Austria, we put my spacious living room to good use one last time before I had to move out and shot some formal portraits. Luckily there’s also one to sneak into »Project 12«. This, that and the relocation got into the way, so it took me way too long before I managed to get round to editing (and seeing the barber).