"Wirehead"
self-portrait
Gelsenkirchen, Germany
July 28, 2010
Showing posts with label portrait. Show all posts
Showing posts with label portrait. Show all posts
Photo of the Day 2010-07-28: Wirehead
"Wirehead"
self-portrait
Gelsenkirchen, Germany
July 28, 2010
published on
R.I.P. Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper (†May 29, 2010)Hotel Atlantic, Hamburg, Germany
January 23, 1991
published on
Photo of the Day 2010-03-23: Chaka Khan
Happy Birthday, Chaka Khan (57)!
Chaka KhanHotel Ramada
Hamburg, Germany
May 25, 1989
published on
Her mocking smile says it all
Every once in a while, I am going through a Marlene Dietrich phase, watching movies (or my favourite parts of them), re-reading books (I just ordered some more from Amazon), listening to some songs, but most of all looking at photographs, Dietrich's face perfectly sculpted by light. I love those precisely constructed compositions for their artificiality and irreality and probably for the same reasons they are the exact opposite of my own photographic style. But then the perfect images cannot grab my attention for very long and I turn towards the rarer to find candid photos that might reveal the woman behind the image.
Looking up from reading Steven Bach's Marlene biography I contemplate the empty space on my wall and whether a Marlene photo or poster would be the appropriate decoration that could keep me inspired. I am rather unfit to make simple decisions like this and it takes me ages to actually get these things done (as if a poster could not be removed ;). And I sure cannot think about it without having the complete lyrics of Suzanne Vega's "Marlene On The Wall" spinning 'round in my head, a song forever engraved in my memory. Although many think Vega's second album "Solitude Standing" featuring the breakout hit "Luka" is her best, I personally prefer her self-titled debut to any other album she made. Maybe I just have a knack for debut albums (like Patti Smith's "Horses"). But then it is exciting to hear something fresh and - literally - unheard of.
When Suzanne Vega's first album came out in 1985, everyone that I knew loved it. The music may not be up to par with the elegantly crafted lyrics but the clever arrangements and the distinctive guitar sounds produced by Lenny Kaye make them sound interesting, even more than 20 years later. To promote her album, Vega went to Europe and did some small-club gigs, the kind that is mostly targeted at journalists to "spread the word". She debuted in Hamburg at the Café Schöne Aussichten, a perfect location for such a rather intimate performance. Opening the show with her a cappella rendition of "Tom's Diner", she displayed a healthy dose of self-confidence from the first minute on. Her witty between-songs banter and her flawless performance charmed everyone in the room.
Between soundcheck and concert, I had the opportunity to take some pictures of Suzanne Vega. I opted for a park bench outside the venue, even though that meant using the (until this day) much-hated flashlight. For me, both the portraits and the live photos reflect the excitement and the lightheartedness of that moment where bigger success was on the horizon but everyone was simply enjoying it, there and then.
Suzanne Vega
Café Schöne Aussichten
Hamburg, Germany
October 15, 1985
This pic actually sucks. But it was the kind of "let's take a quick visual note: who, where, when". Still works ;)
Suzanne Vega
Café Schöne Aussichten
Hamburg, Germany
October 15, 1985
Suzanne Vega live
Café Schöne Aussichten
Hamburg, Germany
October 15, 1985
I'm a sucker for dimples...
newspaper article in Hamburger Morgenpost
published October 19, 1985
text and photo by Moni Kellermann
Links:
Suzanne Vega Official Website
video: Suzanne Vega - Marlene On The Wall (live, Bukarest, 2009)
Poolside Marlene (my current fave Dietrich pic)
video: Marlene Dietrich - Hot Voodoo - live performance from the movie "Blonde Venus" (1932)
Looking up from reading Steven Bach's Marlene biography I contemplate the empty space on my wall and whether a Marlene photo or poster would be the appropriate decoration that could keep me inspired. I am rather unfit to make simple decisions like this and it takes me ages to actually get these things done (as if a poster could not be removed ;). And I sure cannot think about it without having the complete lyrics of Suzanne Vega's "Marlene On The Wall" spinning 'round in my head, a song forever engraved in my memory. Although many think Vega's second album "Solitude Standing" featuring the breakout hit "Luka" is her best, I personally prefer her self-titled debut to any other album she made. Maybe I just have a knack for debut albums (like Patti Smith's "Horses"). But then it is exciting to hear something fresh and - literally - unheard of.
When Suzanne Vega's first album came out in 1985, everyone that I knew loved it. The music may not be up to par with the elegantly crafted lyrics but the clever arrangements and the distinctive guitar sounds produced by Lenny Kaye make them sound interesting, even more than 20 years later. To promote her album, Vega went to Europe and did some small-club gigs, the kind that is mostly targeted at journalists to "spread the word". She debuted in Hamburg at the Café Schöne Aussichten, a perfect location for such a rather intimate performance. Opening the show with her a cappella rendition of "Tom's Diner", she displayed a healthy dose of self-confidence from the first minute on. Her witty between-songs banter and her flawless performance charmed everyone in the room.
Between soundcheck and concert, I had the opportunity to take some pictures of Suzanne Vega. I opted for a park bench outside the venue, even though that meant using the (until this day) much-hated flashlight. For me, both the portraits and the live photos reflect the excitement and the lightheartedness of that moment where bigger success was on the horizon but everyone was simply enjoying it, there and then.
Suzanne VegaCafé Schöne Aussichten
Hamburg, Germany
October 15, 1985
Suzanne VegaCafé Schöne Aussichten
Hamburg, Germany
October 15, 1985
Suzanne Vega liveCafé Schöne Aussichten
Hamburg, Germany
October 15, 1985
newspaper article in Hamburger Morgenpostpublished October 19, 1985
text and photo by Moni Kellermann
Links:
Suzanne Vega Official Website
video: Suzanne Vega - Marlene On The Wall (live, Bukarest, 2009)
Poolside Marlene (my current fave Dietrich pic)
video: Marlene Dietrich - Hot Voodoo - live performance from the movie "Blonde Venus" (1932)
published on
Photo of the Day 2009-10-08: Sigourney Weaver
Happy Birthday, Sigourney Weaver (60)!
Sigourney WeaverHotel Vier Jahreszeiten
Hamburg, Germany
September 18, 1986
published on
Photo of the Day 2009-08-25: Wayne Shorter, Elvis Costello, Gene Simmons
Happy Birthday, Wayne Shorter (76), Gene Simmons (60), Elvis Costello (55)!
Wayne ShorterHamburg, Germany
February 26, 1987
Elvis CostelloHamburg, Germany
February 16, 1989
Gene Simmons (Kiss)Hamburg, Germany
March 12, 1994
published on
Photo album: Alfred Eisenstaedt 1986
All my life I have been a photo junkie, as a kid I could spend hours looking at trading pictures, sports photos, anything. But it wasn't until in my early twenties when I started taking pictures and became the photographer that I had always meant to be. I never had any role models or have been influenced by any other photographer. Throughout my career, people have sometimes dubbed me "the German Annie Leibovitz" (and I know they meant it as a compliment) but my whole work ethic is so different from hers that I cannot relate to this at all. The only photographer I can relate to - although I have not been influenced by him whatsoever - is Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Alfred Eisenstaedt
Hamburg, Germany
May 5, 1986
I met Eisenstaedt one day in 1986 when he visited Hamburg to attend the opening of an exhibition of his work. Of course everyone knows his most famous photographs but it was only after read the accompanying stories in his book "Eisenstaedt on Eisenstaedt" the day before my photo op that I realized how much we have in common (if I may say so). His equipment was simple, he worked with available light only, he studied the location before the shooting, he observed the people and connected to them and finally he didn't spend several hours bossing folks around. And being typically German, he was always on time.
newspaper article in Hamburger Morgenpost
published May 6, 1986
(text and photo by me)
I did not get the chance to have an exclusive photo session with him, there were a handful of colleagues present as well. Mr. Eisenstaedt was 88 years old at that time, he was in great spirits and just a little insecure finding himself being photographed. He was such a sweet guy! I do not like to ask people for autographs or have them sign anything but I could not resist having Eisenstaedt sign my copy of his book. He took a ballpoint pen and scribbled "Eisenstaedt" in small letters into my book - no first name:
signed Eisenstaedt book
Eisenstaedt is quoted having said "When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear" which is very close to what I feel like when I take a photo - I simply feel so much being my real self right at that moment that it gives me inner peace and a connectedness to my soul that I may lack in other situations.
Alfred Eisenstaedt in action
Hamburg, Germany
May 5, 1986
Alfred Eisenstaedt with his camera
Hamburg, Germany
May 5, 1986
And I just realized today that the last photo session he did was Bill and Hillary Clinton on Martha's Vineyard. My alter ego Hill Force One really likes this!
So, if you really have to compare me to anyone else, please dub me "the female Eisenstaedt". :)
On the Web:
LIFE on Both Sides of the Camera: Alfred Eisenstaedt’s Surprising Self-Portraits
Alfred EisenstaedtHamburg, Germany
May 5, 1986
I met Eisenstaedt one day in 1986 when he visited Hamburg to attend the opening of an exhibition of his work. Of course everyone knows his most famous photographs but it was only after read the accompanying stories in his book "Eisenstaedt on Eisenstaedt" the day before my photo op that I realized how much we have in common (if I may say so). His equipment was simple, he worked with available light only, he studied the location before the shooting, he observed the people and connected to them and finally he didn't spend several hours bossing folks around. And being typically German, he was always on time.
newspaper article in Hamburger Morgenpostpublished May 6, 1986
(text and photo by me)
I did not get the chance to have an exclusive photo session with him, there were a handful of colleagues present as well. Mr. Eisenstaedt was 88 years old at that time, he was in great spirits and just a little insecure finding himself being photographed. He was such a sweet guy! I do not like to ask people for autographs or have them sign anything but I could not resist having Eisenstaedt sign my copy of his book. He took a ballpoint pen and scribbled "Eisenstaedt" in small letters into my book - no first name:
signed Eisenstaedt bookEisenstaedt is quoted having said "When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear" which is very close to what I feel like when I take a photo - I simply feel so much being my real self right at that moment that it gives me inner peace and a connectedness to my soul that I may lack in other situations.
Alfred Eisenstaedt in actionHamburg, Germany
May 5, 1986
Alfred Eisenstaedt with his cameraHamburg, Germany
May 5, 1986
And I just realized today that the last photo session he did was Bill and Hillary Clinton on Martha's Vineyard. My alter ego Hill Force One really likes this!
So, if you really have to compare me to anyone else, please dub me "the female Eisenstaedt". :)
On the Web:
LIFE on Both Sides of the Camera: Alfred Eisenstaedt’s Surprising Self-Portraits
published on
Photo album: Bongwater 1991-03-07
A catchy album name can make me want to listen to the music. "The Power of Pussy" is a no-brainer, as far as I am concerned. And its impact cancels out the dull band name for me - Bongwater? I wouldn't care.
In March 1991 Bongwater came to Germany during their European tour to promote the album. I met them before their gig at the Japanese-styled Hotel Nippon which by design (ha ha) inspired Kramer and Ann Magnuson to channel their inner John & Yoko. They donned the hotel bathrobes and posed on the bed - it is always nice to work with professional posers who know what to do in front of a camera :)
Bongwater - Kramer and Ann Magnuson
Hotel Nippon, Hamburg, Germany
March 7, 1991
And that was just the warm-up. Their show at the Kleine Markthalle (which is an intimate 200-capacity room above the regular venue) was nothing but spectacular - I hope you get an idea from my photos!
But even if it is on my "best concerts I've ever seen" list out of thousands I've seen overall, I will always remember it for something else. And I'm not sorry if I now will have to start talking about boobs again!
It's the only gig ever where a performer teased me and made sure I would NOT take what easily would have been the "photo of the day". As it was a really small stage, Ann Magnuson was very much aware of me being there with my camera. So, during the sequence when she was sporting that bra outfit, she waited for a moment when I was just watching and NOT aiming my cam at her, turned in my direction and - for a split second - flashed her boobs! She knew that I was unable to take that photo and grinned. And I am still grinning back! :D
Ann Magnuson (Bongwater)
Markthalle Hamburg, Germany
March 7, 1991
Although I didn't get to take THAT photo, I came up with an exceptional number of really good ones which you can drool over in this album here:
As for further watching, I recommend the totally underrated 1987 movie "Making Mr. Right" by Susan Seidelman (of "Desperately Seeking Susan" fame) starring Ann Magnuson and John Malkovich. You can get it from Netflix here or - if you are in Germany, buy a copy for just 8 Euros from Amazon.
Links:
Ann Magnuson Official Website
In March 1991 Bongwater came to Germany during their European tour to promote the album. I met them before their gig at the Japanese-styled Hotel Nippon which by design (ha ha) inspired Kramer and Ann Magnuson to channel their inner John & Yoko. They donned the hotel bathrobes and posed on the bed - it is always nice to work with professional posers who know what to do in front of a camera :)
Bongwater - Kramer and Ann MagnusonHotel Nippon, Hamburg, Germany
March 7, 1991
And that was just the warm-up. Their show at the Kleine Markthalle (which is an intimate 200-capacity room above the regular venue) was nothing but spectacular - I hope you get an idea from my photos!
But even if it is on my "best concerts I've ever seen" list out of thousands I've seen overall, I will always remember it for something else. And I'm not sorry if I now will have to start talking about boobs again!
It's the only gig ever where a performer teased me and made sure I would NOT take what easily would have been the "photo of the day". As it was a really small stage, Ann Magnuson was very much aware of me being there with my camera. So, during the sequence when she was sporting that bra outfit, she waited for a moment when I was just watching and NOT aiming my cam at her, turned in my direction and - for a split second - flashed her boobs! She knew that I was unable to take that photo and grinned. And I am still grinning back! :D
Ann Magnuson (Bongwater)Markthalle Hamburg, Germany
March 7, 1991
Although I didn't get to take THAT photo, I came up with an exceptional number of really good ones which you can drool over in this album here:
As for further watching, I recommend the totally underrated 1987 movie "Making Mr. Right" by Susan Seidelman (of "Desperately Seeking Susan" fame) starring Ann Magnuson and John Malkovich. You can get it from Netflix here or - if you are in Germany, buy a copy for just 8 Euros from Amazon.
Links:
Ann Magnuson Official Website
published on
