Interview: Photographer Michael Strasser (Germany)
Can you tell us a little about you?
My name is Michael Strasser, born and raised in the south of germany. I studied a medical specialty some years ago and have my own business now. I love being creative concerning music and photography. In the meantime photography led me across the pond, too. otherwise a proud father of three kids, interested in all kinds of arts, people, life, cultures..
How and when did you get into photography? Since I was a kid. my mother always supported me back then, sadly she passed away 5 years ago. experimenting with self developing and some weird stuff. A camera with 4 lenses comes to my mind. Then in the `dark` teenage times i got more into it, but the real kick off was the first digital
camera in my twenties.
What does photography mean to you?
A picture can have an incredible impact on me and to the world in general. I always try to somehow own or create pictures transporting deeper emotions or great light. Best bot, but there´s still a long way to go, not knowing if i will ever reach this aim i have in my head. it can also be very de-stressing and euphoric but also a son of a bitch sometimes and you meet a lot of interesting people, too.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
I do mostly black and white portrait pictures trying to catch some deeper selves of the persons or some boudoir with more interesting shadowplay. At the moment i plan to do more street stuff in the near future.
Where do you get inspiration from? Everywhere, i´m a huge fan of old painters from the netherlands for example. but also everyday life, politics, zeitgeist, the connection between two persons during a shooting, conversations, art, music, photography.. stuff like that.
Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?
That depends. sometimes there´s a certain picture we want to create. most of the time we have some moods and play around with the surroundings, lights, perspectives, shadows, ideas etc..
Studio, on location or both?
I like both, in the studio you have more accurate lighting possibilities and concentrate more on the model, on location you can play with the background and be more spontaneous but you are limited concerning the light. both are attractive somehow. I love flashlight, daylight and mixing them together.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I don´t need to earn money with photography so I can shoot whatever, whenever and - mostly - with whomever I want.., from my point of view, consider that as the freedom i need to recharge.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
The possibility to support some high-professional models with my work is one thing but in the last time - a shooting with a model from ukraine. because I felt how she could forget about all that crazy, painful, frightening feelings for a moment during the shooting. You could almost hear the rocks falling off of her shoulders. Spreading her wings. Breahting fresh air. I was thankful that we could create this situation, knowing it won´t last long..
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
The Canon 5D MK3 is my weapon of choice and the main lense is the 85mm 1.2. Furthermore I use the Sigma Art 50mm or 35mm or an older 70 - 200mm a lot. It depends on the shooting theme, anatomy of the faces, the idea and so on.. every now and then I use a super wide angle for more unconventional looks.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Visit workshops of photographers you adore and also use the fantastic workshops available on the internet. Get a fast and effective photoshop routine. Find your trademark shot and stick to it, but also get out of your comfort zone every now and then. Contact model agencies and do some tfp work for newcomers to get your foot in the door. take your time to grow.
What do you think of our new magazine?
It´s a great concept and i like the idea of the interviews. So you get a closer look behind the scene. There are a lot of great people to discover. I wish you all the best for the future!
