Interview: Photographer Joerg Dumkow (Germany) Winner of the month

Tell us something about yourself

I am a freelanced musician, sometimes working as a cab driver (lol – yes, the typical musician-taxidriver-alliance!). I love to be a photographer – but still completely uncommercial. I enjoy to have some of my pictures shown in internatinal exhibitions – I think Tokyo was the place, that was the most farhest. Despite I studied musicology I always prefered to practice music on stage – but all the time freelanced

How and when did you get into photography?

I started with the photography at age ‘round fifteen and also started to process my 35mm films. After the study was finished I had only time for my musical work. In 2010 I rediscovered the beauty of photography. Since then I specialized on people photography.

What does photography mean to you?

The most important subject in Photography for me is the intense contact, the growing confidence while shooting….. with my partner – the model. I want to see behind the curtain, want to get a part of the soul of my counterpart.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I am a real portraitist – although I shoot nude stuff also – it is the person and the story she has to told, what I am looking for….. sensual, aethestic erotically …. I think, that’s what I wanna see and show.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Not that easy to say …. but I guess some of the classic maestros are very important for me …. Helmut Newton, Russell James, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh and Vincent Peters. But also master of light like Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Generelly I have a clear conception, but often it change …. while we are working to develop an idea. It’s a creativ process – not plannable – fortunatly. Actually, I always have the crop and the light in mind. Usally I see the picture completed …. I am old fashioned this way - it’s a leftover from my analog roots as photographer. So I don’t need to use Photoshop, I only develop my RAWs with my own presets in Lightroom.

Studio, on location or both?

I love to work in my own Studio/Home. I love to shoot with AVL and I know the light in every corner of my habitat. Here I have developped my own style. Since recently sometimes I shoot outdoor also and try to transfer my own style here too.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I am non-professional non-commercial photographer and generate no money with my work.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I use Nikon Cams, a Nikon F3 and a F5 for analog stuff with my beloved Ilford HP5 Plus and the Kodak Tri-X 400 35mm films, developed and scanned by myself. For digital work I use two unbreakable Nikon D3 and also a Nikon D800 and a Nikon D750. Both fantastic horses for special jobs. Lense? Yes, actually I love my Sigma 105mm Makro the most – it is a fantastic portrait lense with an unbelievable bokeh.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

My maxim: Always be yourself and take pictures of the people, not of their surface …..!

What do you think of our new magazine?

You Facbook or website

www.joerg-dumkow.de http://www.dumkow.tumblr.com/ https://ello.co/joerg_dumkow_photography https://www.facebook.com/joerg.dumkow.photography/