OBT020 Tierfotografie – Karsten Mosebach im Fokus

Der international anerkannte Naturfotograf Karsten Mosebach (http://www.karstenmosebach.de/) hat mit seinen atemberaubenden Naturfotos zahlreiche Preise gewonnen.

Unter anderem gewann er zusammen mit dem Naturfotografen Bernd Volmer den Titel “Naturfotograf des Jahres 2011” der Gesellschaft Deutscher Tierfotografen (GDT).

Das Siegerfoto “Steinkauz” ist schon heute eine Ikone und ein Meilenstein der Tierfotografie.

Karsten Mosebach hat über die Jahre ausgefeilte Techniken entwickelt und die Tierfotografie technisch perfektioniert.

In unserem Talk bzw. Interview erläutert er anhand ausgesuchter Tierfotos seine persönliche Vorgehensweise. Dabei zeigt er uns allerhand technische Tipps und Tricks und unterhält mit seinen persönlichen Naturerlebnissen.

Interview No. 047: Alastair Humphreys

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Date: 12th August 2009

About Alastair Humphreys. Adventurer, author, speaker: www.alastairhumphreys.com/about

1. What makes a good photo for you?
Something that reminds me that even “normal” things are beautiful if only you remember to look.

2. What do you not like in photography at all?

Interview No. 046: Miss Aniela

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So werden ausdrucksstarke Selbstportraits gemacht!!!

About Miss Aniela:
http://missaniela.com/

1. What makes a good photo for you?

I struggle with this question daily. I look at the pictures already in my portfolio and try to categorise them into different types, determining for which images the ‘capture’ was more important or the processing was more important. For each, I try to say what it is about the capture, or processing, that made it a ‘good photo’ in my eyes.
I have realised that shape is so important. The SHAPE one creates in a photography, whether in the camera itself, or when compositing pictures together in processing. The shape of the subject, that you have created, is everything. The shape you have made with the light, with someone’s face and body, with objects. There has to be some character to whatever you have photographed, embodied within its shape.

2. What do you not like in photography at all?
Can this question be about anything, technical or conceptual? I do not like pretentiousness: people claiming the can judge a good photo. Then again, I like to judge other people’s work, and my own work, but I don’t like to impose my views on others necessarily.
I have my preferred subjects to look at: women, animals, some landscapes. The images that bore me tend to be those that do not do anything different: for example, the typical sunset pictures that tries to ‘correctly’ perform the conventions of photography, other tame, ‘safe’ cliches like women in conventional poses, that are trying only to appeal to the mass general public and not challenge the status quo.

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3. Which book helped you most in the development of your photography?
I dip in and out of books, especially ones with lots of images. I suppose a book on Balthus inspired me the most, in that I created a whole series of inspired pieces.

4. Which internetlink would you advice other photographers?
Oh, Flickr.com, of course. 😉
Or, missaniela.com!

5. How would you describe your photographic style? What is characteristic about your photos?
I think this question is for each of my viewers to answer, according to their own interpretation. However, if I were to describe my own style, it would be: colourful, moving, beautiful, challenging: always seeking interesting shapes, particularly from the human body (my own, mostly). I like to touch upon the surreal, without losing the ‘real’. I love overt processing, but not to make something look too far from a ‘photograph’; that crucial halfway-house between a painting and a photograph. I like to make things simple, which is why I have an inclination for less equipment, and also for nudes. I like to get enough of a context into a photo without being too far away from the subject.

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6. What was your most intense photographic experience?
It is hard to think of my most ‘intense’ experience, because most of my work consists of small, short sessions producing one final image. In that case, my most intense was probably my lampshade Balthus series I did in a hotel. I produced at least four images in one day, in the same place with the same theme, which is rare for me. I was very pleased with being able to produce so many images I was individually satisfied with, in one space of time.
(the four with lampshades in this set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndybisz/sets/72157604250789383/)

7. What is your favourite tool/equipment when you are taking photos?
Other than the camera itself? My wireless remote, which I have only recently acquired! 90% of my self-portraits are taken with the 10-second timer: others, with a wired remote (not as convenient as wireless but still helps), or with a person assisting, holding the camera for me (boyfriend or sister),

8. Who is your favourite photographer/ your photographic idol?
I don’t have one, I don’t know one photographer too well. I have started to learn more about Cindy Sherman, Annie Leibowitz (from people telling me of their similarities to certain images of mine); I also have a book of Ruth Orkin’s pics. I like Gregory Crewdson, Julia Fullerton-Batten. I don’t look at enough books!

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9. What is in your fridge at the moment?
It’s rather empty at the moment. I have a big bottle of whole milk (I have a glass every day), some mint leaves, sauerkraut, butter, a yoghurt, various condiments.

10. What is your favourite music/ your favourite musician?
I like allsorts, including Robert Palmer, Michael Jackson, The Darkness, The Offspring, RDB, Elektryczne Gitary.

11. What advice would you give to an ambitious photographer?
Be open-minded and take a second opinion, but ultimately, do what you want. Try to be different, and aim to be paid for it.

Interview No. 045: Brian Rueb

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Date:   2-24-09

About: Brian Rueb
I live in Northern California with my wife, 2 boys, and 3 dogs.  I have a degree in Photography from CSU-Sacramento and have been into photography since 1992.  It’s only been in the last couple of years that I have really began to take this endeavor seriosuly, and try to make myself relevant in the field.  I’m a big believer that as a landscape photographer, I’m simply taking what God has created and presenting it as best as I can for the world to appreicate.

http://www.brianruebphotography.com/

1. What makes a good photo for you?

For me…good photography is about light, and effort to get that light.  Being in the right place at the right time is so vital.  I really enjoy seeing photos that I know took a great deal of effort to create.  If long hikes in really bad weather were necessary to create an image…I totally appreciate that, and to me those are the images that create the greatest amount of emotion and applause.  I like to see unique perspective of places that I am familiar with.

2. What do you not like in photography at all?

1)  I really don’t like horrible HDR work.  It takes away from the image, and requires no work on the artists part. Anybody can take 3 exposures and run them through a program.  I like REAL post processing…done by folks who treat the computer like a dark room….and add to a piece to make a style or an original image.

2) I don’t like photographs that required no effort to make.  A photo shot at noon under a bright blue sky 100m from the parking lot took no effort, creativity, or planning.  I can’t stand that kind of image.  With the push to digital, it becomes SO easy for everyone to fire off a millions shots and post them for the world to see.  ugh.

3. Which book helped you most in the development of your photography?

I’ve never read a book on photography that really helped me…and that doesn’t mean that books like Ansel Adams Autobigoraphy weren’t good, and I didn’t appreciate reading his take on thing…but you can’t learn unless you DO…and books don’t do it for you…

4. Which internetlink would you advice other photographers?

There’s a lot of great sites out there.  I use Flickr a lot….it’s a great way to see what has been done, both good and bad, and network with folks from a lot of great areas who can help you by telling you of their expereinces photographing certain areas.

I also like a lot of photographers sites…  http://www.stephenoachs.com Stephen is a great friend, and resource for me.

5. How would you describe your photographic style? What is characteristic about your photos?

If I had to describe my photos…I think color and light are the biggest qualities.  People tell me that my images have a certain emotion to them, or quality that makes them of stands out.  I try to use what I learned as an art major in college and apply it to photography…color theory, aesthetics, balance, etc…

I also force myself to get new perspectives…which means I’m usually IN water or out on a ledge, in snow, up a tree…somewhere different.  I research a lot before I go out and photograph.  if I notice that a particular spot hasn’t been photographed well in the snow…then I make it a personal goal to go get that image and do it as best as I can.  While I don’t always acheive my goal, my goal when I go somewhere is to to it better than it has ever been done. It’s hard given that most places I’m only at for a day or two…and getting an iconic type image in that time span is hard….but I try.

6. What was your most intense photographic experience?

Photographing Horseshoe Bend in Page Arizona was the most ‘intense’  Not that conditions were amazing, but the location is atop a very VERY high vertical cliff (with no guard rails), looking down on a curve in the Colorado River.  The day I was there 40mph winds were going crazy as well.  I have a pretty big fear of heights, and the lack of guard rail, and those winds made shooting VERY VERY scary.  Everytime I got close to the edge to try and shoot, I would hear the wind pick up, and within moments I was being balsted by sand.  It would freak me out and I ‘d run away from the edge and curl up in the fetal position with my camera until the wind stopped.  It didn’t help that other people were there photographing as well and some of them were way too close to me for my comfort that high above certain death.  The whole expereince was totally nervewracking, and I’m not sure I could do it again.

7. What is your favourite tool/equipment when you are taking photos?

I love using filters…Singh Ray filters are a total key for me to get the kind of color and intense images I strive for.

I’m also a fan of the Canon L lenses…the clarity they provide is very good.

8. Who is your favourite photographer/ your photographic idol?

I have a lot of favorites.  Historically, I think Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell did a lot to influence the way landscape photography is done today.  I like folks like Stephen Oachs, Kevin McNeal, Ryan Dyar, Jesse Estes,  Zeb Andrews, Leon Turnbull, Adam Attoun, Mike Jones to name but a few…they all have similar photographic philosophies as I do.

9. What is in your fridge at the moment?

Uhm not a lot currently, Pay day isn’t until Friday…so just some milk, beer, and I think some yoghurt for the kids..

10. What is your favourite music/ your favourite musician?

Mono, Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, and bands in that sort of genre.  I like music that priovides a soundtrack I feel goes along with my images.

11. What advice would you give to an ambitious photographer?

Shoot as often as you can.  Force yourself to step outside your comfort zone….learn from people you respect and admire.  Taking a workshop in a location you’d like to shoot, from photographers you respect and admire will teach you what you want to learn better than a book or reading it on a website can.  There is no substitute from being out in the field, learning, and putting to practice exactly what it is you’re trying to acheive.  Think about how you can personalize your style…and practice processing at home when you’re not able to be out shooting.

Die ZEIT im Interview: Fotoblog

Schon eine Weile thront auf meiner Startseite ZEIT ONLINE und hat nach Jahren SPON abgelöst. Interessantweise stolperte ich über den Fotoblog von ZEIT ONLINE erst über den persönlichen Blog von Fabian Mohr. Begeistert von dem, was ich in dem Fotoblog von ZEIT ONLINE sah, habe ich Fabian Mohr um tiefere Einblicke in dieses Projekt gebeten:

Olaf Bathke: Wie finde ich von der ZEIT ONLINE Startseite meinen Weg zu dem Fotoblog?

Fabian Mohr: Good Point. Um ehrlich zu sein, ist uns die ersten Tage nicht weiter aufgefallen, dass wir keinen Teaser auf der Homepage hatten – wir haben es nur kurz getwittert und ab da war es ein erstaunlicher Selbstläufer. Das Fotoblog wird künftig aber regelmäßig in der “Drehscheibe” auf der Startseite auftauchen und in den Blog-Teasern.

Wie kann man die Zielgruppe dieses Fotoblogs beschreiben?

Wenn wir es schaffen, ein paar Leute mehr für gute Fotografie zu begeistern, wäre das wirklich fein. Eine Zielgruppe im engeren Sinn, für die das Fotoblog speziell konfektioniert wird, gibt es aber nicht.

Nach welchen Kriterien kommen die Fotos in den Blog?

Das ist schon deshalb schwer zu beantworten, weil das Fotoblog ein kollektives Ding ist, an dem mehrere Kolleginnen/Kollegen bei ZEIT ONLINE mitarbeiten. Genau da liegt auch der Reiz – ehrlich gesagt hoffe ich sogar, dass wir uns anhand einzelner Bilder über diese Kriterien auseinandersetzen werden. Wenn es so etwas wie einen gemeinsamen Nenner gibt, dann sicher den naheliegendsten – nur Bilder, die uns überzeugen.

Wie viel Platz hat das Wort in dem Fotoblog?

Wer etwas zu “seinen” Bildern schreiben will – fein. Oft reichen auch knappe Bildunterschriften. Es gibt da kein Dogma.

Wie offen ist der Fotoblog von ZEIT ONLINE in die deutsche Blogosphäre?

Im Netz gibt es ein faszinierendes Ökosystem rund um das Thema Fotografie. Im Prinzip sehen wir uns als einen kleinen, bunten Stein in einem sehr großen Mosaik. Was in den ersten Tagen vielleicht noch nicht so deutlich wurde – es geht uns nicht allein darum, (oft
großformatige) Bilder in unserem Fotoblog zu zeigen. Wir wollen auch immer wieder auf sehenswerte Fotografie im Netz hinweisen. Ob das dann im Kontext eines Blogs stattfindet, auf das wir linken oder bei anderen Medien, bei Bildagenturen oder z.B. auf einzelnen Flickr-Accounts, ist für uns nicht so entscheidend.

ZEIT ONLINE kann sich ja mit einer aktiven Community schmücken. Wie sähe eine Förderung von Bürgerjournalismus unter dem Aspekt der Fotografie aus?

Dass “Bürgerjournalisten” oder “Bürgerfotografen” (diese Worte hören sich seltsam an) überhaupt Förderung von klassischen Medien benötigen, leuchtet mir nicht ganz ein. Wer selber etwas auf die Beine stellen will – Webspace kostet 5 Euro im Monat, ein Flickr Pro Account 24 USD im Jahr. Ich kenne einfach kein Beispiel, wo “betreutes Publizieren”
zu wirklich guten Ergebnissen geführt hat. Wenn du gut bist, mach es allein. Die gesamte Infrastruktur liegt in deiner Hand.

Welchen Wert wird das Foto im Journalismus des 21. Jahrhunderts haben?

Denselben hohen, den es schon immer hatte.

Auf welche Entwicklungen hat sich die Pressefotografie in den nächsten Jahren einzustellen?

Mehr Konkurrenz, mehr Vielfalt. Weniger Fotografen, die alleine von Fotografie leben können. Mit welcher Kamera man fotografiert und was sie kostet, wird immer unwichtiger.

Welches ist für Dich das bedeutendste Foto, das ihr in dem Fotoblog veröffentlicht habt und warum ist es für Dich so bedeutend?

Bedeutend ist vielleicht etwas hochgegriffen für ein kleines Fotoblog, das seit einigen Tagen live ist. Aber ein Bild von Omer Messinger, das Nele Heitmeyer gebloggt hat, beeindruckt mich sehr – zwei israelische Senioren, die in Seelenruhe ihr Frühstück nehmen, während auf dem Boden noch die Scherben des letzten Raketenangriffs liegen.

Welche Ziele habt ihr für 2009?

Noch ein paar gute Fotos zeigen. Und Urlaub wäre wirklich klasse.

Vielen Dank, für die Beantwortung dieser Fragen und viel Erfolg für die kommende Zeit.


Links zu diesem Artikel: http://blog.zeit.de/fotoblog/ – http://www.fabianmohr.de/iso800/