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Interviews  / Stories

Interview: Photographer Christian Müller (Germany)

Tell us something about yourself
First a big hello everybody who's reading this article. I am very happy to tell something about me and my work.
I was born in 1969 and spent much of my childhood in the Ruhrgebiet, a a coalmine and steel production area in Germany. At the age of 24, I started with photography which  became my passion, and have worked as a freelance photographer since 2009 in Munich.
Beside my professional work I always create and do some free projects to free my mind and trying something new in my photography.

How and when did you get into photography?
Well, how can I describe this:
In the evening, when you walk through a nice landscape and in front of you is a thunderstorm, behind you the sun is shining. Everything is bright in a warm light but the sky in front is colored in grey. This special grey/blue from the thunderstorm. You may can feel this? It was this special feeling I wanted to get into a photo. And these kind of pictures were my first stimulation buying my first camera.

What does photography mean to you?
Photography for me is the try, getting a feeling, a situation, an opinion, into one picture. It is my way to say something and let other know what I like or what I don't like.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
I don't like simple pictures, which are fine in a private environment but not available for everybody.
I like complexity. Pictures with an opinion to what ever. The statement can be simple, but a photo need a statement. And this statement should be implemented as perfect as possible.
In my photography I work with models. In most time it is a simple portrait with a simple light and just one or two accessories or a nice posing. But everything should be one important part in this special photo.


Think you in advance what you want in the picture?
Yes. Yes yes yes! I always create a concept before I take pictures for my projects. There is no guarantee to follow my concept, but I need an idea and a concept in advance.

Studio, on location or both?
Both, but it is key having control about the light.


What has been your most memorable session and why?
There is no special session. I always know any detail from every session and all projects were important.


Where do you get inspiration from?
Hmm, there are a lot of artists. Of course some painters from earlier centuries like Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, but as well many photographers. Helmut Newton did an outstanding work in nude photography. Most times misunderstood he was great in this incredible playing with feeling and situations with boys women and men. Obviously the boys have "taken" a girl, but with a second look into that photo you could see, the girl had the power and the boys were the slaves.
And I don't know any other photographer than Helmut, who has taken fashion photos at lunchtime and the sun shining into the models face. Incredible and perfect.
Other photographers are Andreas Bitesnich, Erwin Olaf, Marc Lagrange and many many more.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
Well, my private projects are my hobby, but I am a professional photographer. My plans are creating more free projects and selling them to art lovers and galleries. I am curious if will be successful :)

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?
The biggest source are the daily life, children (because they try everything) and artists in circus and vaudeville shows.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
I am working with Canon and Sony, but I don't care. Anything that is perfect for my project and all manufacturers create perfect stuff.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
Open your mind. Be curious. Take a look into your heart and soul to find something that makes you tick.


What do you think of our new magazine?
Your magazine is a great source of inspiration. So many photographers, models and projects. And all of them on a extremely high level!

christianmueller.org


 

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