So last entry was a bit short because i wasn’t shooting much lately - it will be different with this post. Miriam and i have been to Berlin for a bit more than a week - just to chill.
Just want to say thank you for all the comments on my posts, i’m appreciating it and it makes this whole work seem useful!
Nuff said! Here are some scans:
that guy could be an evil character in batman. took that shot one handed because i was carrying a shitload of things for a shooting.
that day we had a little fashion shoot. kathi did the styling and hair and concept.
jenny was modeling. pictures aren't online yet but when you're intersted they might be soon at www.petermaritz.at
that shot is a reminder for myslef. it's ok to use a 125asa film to shoot in the subway. on the 5d i'd never stop down to 2.8 to expose an 1/8th at 125asa.. but on a leica M i don't mind.
that one is tricky to translate. there are lottery tickets you can buy and "grind" down the surface. underneath is your price or nothing. so that slogan says "did you grind today?" which you can also interprete as "did you wank today".. well that's what miriam always says about this advert.
a cab driver singing opera. or maybe just asleep.
my teammates at the delicato. working there too for a few hours now. first time i have a schedule since the army.. lol.
at gandhi's place, when i brought her the print.
say hello to natalie.
lost in enology
"perfect houswives have more than just one secret" ad for SPAR supermarked with Marcia Cross as their actress. how ridiculous.
the other evening, a friends gathering.
at the walk to the next club we fullfilled our monthly austrian duty at the wiener hot-dog stand.
some aren't proud of being photographed while executing that austrian tradition.
later getting more drunk at the club wirr. hardly remember taking that shot. but cute barkeepers in the spotlight need to be photographed i think.
at the redecorated m-d around the corner.
for a walk with miriam on a nice sunday.
miriam immediately said "time-lapse" when i focused for that frame. she could read my mind there.
almost-hipshot
it was the perfect day for a walk.
but i wasn't well prepared because i ran out of film (trix) right there, which could be a problem on a sunday in vienna.
so i went to the only shop in the area that a: might open on sundays and b: hopefully sells anything like a 35mm roll. the result was 2 rolls of the most expensive APX100 i've ever bought for 5€ each. those rolls were stored in the shop for years probably. so i apologize for the tones... but these overpriced rolls really lacked some nice mid greys.
next negative, next bench.
privileged dog, walking in that grass.
back to trix. i saw this constitution of heads in their frames and the layers of the subways but realized a little late that this could be a nice shot. when i heard the sound of the train about to leave i turned round very fast to take this photo. i guess people around must have been a bit confused what i saw there.. since nothing out of the ordinary happened, except my own reaction.. lol.
haven't been to that station in a while. on the way to a concert. some new model army fans ahead.
soundcheck.
i've seen quite a few concerts lately. prodigy, the gossip, alice in chains and new model army. i haven't taken my camera to all of them.. but NMA is just epic, so is AiC.
the other day at the other end of vienna. a man pulling a muzzle over his dog.
i was actually waiting for something to happen there because the light was promising. then all of a sudden that boy showed up and smiled at me. i just released without recomposing..
i like the old stations in vienna. they're not plastered with useless adverts.
there was a quarantine in our house because of swineflu and we got some new interenet cables.. just kidding, just some damn cables.
the M is the only accessoire i need.
miriam was getting some beauty stuff.. i don't know exactly. i walked round to see if there is anything to shoot.
funny dog
a woman hit by sunlight at the gate. too much contrast for the scanner but would work on a print.
reading the LFI. one of the rare mags i actually buy.
time to leave this place.
arrived in berlin, there was an amazing sunset going on.. i kinda wished for colour film... but there are enough shots like that out there.
a tribute to my love for biking. a sticker on the traffic light.
at starbucks. i had to ask for someone's receipt because i needed a customer's code to enter the toilet room.. wtf.
back in the sub. i hope the little one will be a famous actor one day - that shot would make me rich...
i first only saw her delicate hands, then leaned forward and exposed.
how to capture that scene at a 4th ? maybe walk backwards ? there are always things to learn.
berlin and it's endles alleys. (that's a 15th panning)
sometimes i don't start to think why a scene is worth a photo. i just take one. later i start to analyse.. this is one of them. at first sight it seems random.. but i think that shot has some qualities to reveil.
what's freedom ? a guy from tokio, walking in berlin.
displays didn't make photographing more comfortable. period.
i guess my english isn't good enough to translate this one accurately.
miriam and i were curious if berlin's universities were occupied as well. they were, a littlebit.
occupied with bottles for sure.
a student's life
a curious kid. "der von hier" = "the native"
at the photo booth.
it's analogue bw! takes 4min to develope and fix. those machines are just legendary.
i hope that kid ain't vengeful
"multivan"
berlinish waiting
sneaker stories.
not an everyday scene for sure. f2.0 1/4th.. jesus christ couldn't you find a brighter place to commit suicide ? (the worries of a photograper)
the next day surprisingly some sun came up.
on the right. 16y old girl "raped 10 times each day" written in the "bild" journal. on the left gina-lisa earns 4000€ for each tv appearance. "press" like that is always a reminder of how fucked up everything is.
in a second hand shop.
later in the CO. Nan Goldin slideshows. that was bulb. ~5 seconds.
the most telling video was this one though. nan goldin talking about her work. i think each exhibition needs something like that. people talking about their work. it just makes more sense than curators talking in other dimensions.
later we went to a place to eat. philip let me use his 50/1.1 nokton for some shots. a great lens for that price. sharp wide open on that distance. maybe the best voigtlander lens i have used so far. my M fucked it up though.. i lost the pull-spring of the winder that night... since then i have had problems with the film transport.
miriam and i went to a small theatre later. that was fun to be honest.
no need to go to paris for such shots..
a detail i had to capture.
finishing the roll.
the guy in the back still chimping
a prime example for a capture i'd only take on bw film. a print from the neg will look great.
oh the hype.. i haven't seen anyone wearing a "king of street" when bresson died in 2004.
so i've been to berlin a couple of times now.. but never found this amazing construction (the holocaust memorial). it really has an interesting effect on people. it has been photographed a million times probably.. but it really is a beautiful thing too.
inside there isn't much space to walk. i wanted a shot of someone walking right through the frame but people pop out in all distances at random. so i didn't quite know where to focus. also when you see someone appearing it's too late to hit the button.. i'm quite content with this frame also because of the timeless look of the man and the fact that he is looking at me.
posing for the facebookalbum
one more frame.
potsdammer place. more modern architecture.
everything is a little bigger there
no comment
at alexanderplatz.
hell's angels - almost.
swopping seats.
some moments are just weird.
i composed and waited for something to happen
all of a sudden she jumped in.. not for my frame but for someone else to pose. then she realized i was taking a photo.
the evil look. last frame on that roll. i followed them, because they looked interesting - then reloaded
and took that shot. my leica having slight problems with the missing pull-spring again.
collecting bottles (or following the white rabbit?).
dedication
cafe oliv
later in a cafe
a beautiful woman in a beautiful surrounding.
exercising in being rebellious?
the sunlight was really low, so i said to myself that i'll capture the first person that comes my way. it was him.
that was not the only film set we saw these days in berlin. even when it was not hollywood-ish
scared of biking or the weird photographer?
winter legs.
subwaystation alexanderplatz
one of the rare sunlight moments that day.
nice camera sir!
again not paris, but berlin. gotta say, i love the dynamic range of film compared to digital.
on a christmas market. miriam likes those places.. i think it's a freakshow.. well maybe i'm the freak.
at least the sun showed up one more time.
sorry not that interested. i'm wondering if i could focus as quick and accurately with the 5d there.
at a public exhibition about the berlin-wall. a man enjoying his food.
sometimes, even shooting 400iso, i expose so that i see more detail than i remember i had seen in real life with my eyes. like on this shot that was 1/8s. still the atmosphere is just spot on as i wanted it to be. nowadays with all the high iso up to 25600 and more, i'm not sure if you capture the atmosphere as good. if it's dark, it's dark, so it should be dark on the photo and not bright as daylight just because you had 1.4 and 102400iso. i know these possibilities are great, technically.. but photos are taken for the human eye not an owl's.
a classic "going-home" tram shot.
a funny scene i just stumbled across. i think if escher was a streetshooter, he would have taken this one too ;)
back in the highrise, where our appartement was.
going to shop on a sunday. at the busstation.
going back we decided to wait inside for the bus. a family eating at mcdonnalds. the kids sharing the softdrink.
later that evening, in an old DDR cinema. great architecture imo, so DDR...
another tramstation
look at the size of the cars, then you know the size of this advert.
a great place to eat. definitely not the last time we went there. it's the "MAOA"
business area.
back in the elevator.
i'm starting to like their architecture. i like it pure.
in another cafe.
that dog couldn't decide if it should take a crap or move on.. so it walked a little weird. i wasn't the only one turning 'round.
once again in a cafe. well it's winter and berlin is full of nice places to sit inside.
frames, windows and a face. important is to expose for the outside light.
getting darker.
meeting up with christian for the "masterplan". sometimes people are confused why i'm taking a photo.. but i liked that situation and light.
he'd make a good bank robber ;)
on the way to the "the gossip" gig.
guessed focus, framing.. well guessed everything
broken-leica art once again.
had to document that. a "milkbar" right in the middle of the city. fresh milk, straight from cows. you gotta love berlin for things like that.
eating sugar clouds
i don't know. some dogs look as if they could talk. just like the funny dog at the top of my entry. this one would talk french with a nordic accent i think.
you guessed right. another christmas market.
little boy getting some bread. berlin is so cheap too.
gotcha !
in one of my many favourite stores in berlin. you can buy booze 24/7 almost everywhere.
at the karaoke event.
dancingstar
leaving that place. last night in berlin.
berlin airport.
i wonder how that milk got there, didn't know blur is doing another video !
in the "gate" bus. the boys again.
welcome back. asshole on the phone.
a bit of austrian irony.
baking powder: check! flower: check! vinegar: check! that stuff to fragment: check!
on my way!
last frame on that roll.
http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_03/IMG21408s.jpg
Das foto ist einfach genial!
Comment by Christoph Welkovits — December 9, 2009 @ 1:30 pmmöglich davon nen abzug zu bekommen?
Great entry.
The father of the Decisive Moment would be proud.
Completely agree about the 102400 iso bit. I think what photographers fail to bring forward today is an honest, and moody photograph. Photography has become so mainstream that marketing is the only way manufacturers can push their products to sell over the competition, and people forget what it really is all about. A box, a hole where light comes in from, and a medium to record it on.
Cheers from Manila.
Comment by Sonny Thakur — December 9, 2009 @ 1:39 pmwow! always great shots!!
Comment by Luca — December 9, 2009 @ 1:40 pmI gotta say i thoroughly enjoy this entry. Thanks for all that. I wish i had time to reply to some photos with others that would show similar situations or things but in the Polish dimension. Not all though, because for some i’d get a punch in the face ;)
Comment by Adam — December 9, 2009 @ 1:53 pmThe photo of the sugarclouds made me smile, really lovely.
Comment by Suzan — December 9, 2009 @ 2:04 pmAnd I absolutely adore the photo of the man committing suicide on the bridge! If you ever come around printing it, would you consider making an extra print for me, please?
And I have to get back to you to ask for the exact location of that photobooth, since I’m going to Berlin sometime in the next months :)
The dynamic contrast you speak of always amazes me when I read either your blog or Chris’. Love it.
Comment by Phil — December 9, 2009 @ 2:07 pmAmen re the cute bartenders.
The man in the holocaust memorial is amazing.
du ziehst meinen mamen durch den dreck - ich möchte nicht mit einer vorliebe für “beauty” shopping und weihnachtsmärkten in verbindung gebracht werden, stinker! ich brauchte klopapier und wollte eben gebrannte mandeln. und du.. du hast dich auch nicht über deine klöße mit vanilletunke beschwert!
Comment by die wo auch tut auf der liste stehen die was der tod geschrieben hat — December 9, 2009 @ 2:09 pmHey i love this set, excellent moments. my favourite one is this: http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_04/IMG21495s.jpg
Just wondering what scanner do you use?
Comment by Juantao — December 9, 2009 @ 2:38 pmGreat photos, some amazing ones in between! :) Love the one of the man in the holocaust, very good stuff!
Comment by Eduard — December 9, 2009 @ 3:09 pmGreat entry once again, I enjoyed every photo.
Comment by Jelle — December 9, 2009 @ 3:42 pmhttp://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_04/IMG21507s.jpg The whole scene made me laugh. Great photo.
http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_02/IMG21363s.jpg - Did he jump at all? I’m wondering what happened to him.
Some really nice stuff in here…I always enjoy your posts!
Comment by Patrick — December 9, 2009 @ 3:43 pmI love the way you capture different light. Good shots, as always :)
Comment by Hannah — December 9, 2009 @ 5:40 pmLove them alll and a good read as well.
I love the tones in this one: http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_02/IMG21296s.jpg
This one is just plan awesome, very timeless indeed: http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_03/IMG21408s.jpg
I just love the tones light an textures in this scan: http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_03/IMG21608s.jpg
Comment by jono — December 9, 2009 @ 5:58 pmBeen keeping an eye on your blog for quite a while now.
Comment by Ajovah — December 9, 2009 @ 6:23 pmOne of the best entries this one.
A bunch of amazing shots, saved a shitload.
Keep doing what you do and post more often.
All the best!
Always enjoy seeing your blog posts. When I look at how many frames you shoot, I just think WOW, you’re burning it up! You develop all your own film correct? Do you have a recipe (developer etc.)? What are you using to scan all those frames? A consumer scanner would take forever no?
Comment by Aaron — December 9, 2009 @ 8:02 pmFinally, how are you metering for the shots that are have just a thread of light in otherwise dark, dark surroundings?
Keep’em coming.
This stuff looks so good. Your ability to focus and expose on the fly with the leica is extremely impressive.
Comment by Nick — December 9, 2009 @ 8:15 pmwas really looking forward to your next entry. As usual, I was beyond pleased.
I love your conviction and outspokenness about this medium that you love.
Cheers from Canada!
Comment by dekster — December 9, 2009 @ 8:17 pmThis shot is breath-taking: http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_03/IMG21608s.jpg
Tons of really awesome captures here, loved this entry.
Comment by Rick Yribe — December 9, 2009 @ 8:18 pmBravo Severin, this is gold,
i find the photo of the man in the holocaust memorial haunting. you really nailed it. there are are so many shots in here that speak so much by themselves, but the man on the fence of the bridge, the finance image, they speak out loud and will reach out too i´m sure.
the subway sessions too are coming to something.
one of the best european blogs i know of.
keep passionate!
Joachim
Comment by Joachim — December 9, 2009 @ 10:03 pmthe last 2 photos with the old woman checking and then ‘on her way’ made me laugh out loud! wonderful shots..timeless shots :) too many to mention, i adore the baby behind the ‘der von hier’ sign too..
Comment by claire atkinson — December 9, 2009 @ 10:20 pmYey, great post as usual. You’re right about this one: http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_02/IMG21311s.jpg
Comment by max herrgard — December 9, 2009 @ 10:46 pmIt has some things hidden in it.
These vertical scrolling blogs only emphasizes vertical oriented pictures. You should press wordpress to have the horizontal option!!
I enjoyed them all, aber das mann in die holocaust memorial ist, as they say above, einfach genial!
Cheers!
Pd: one day i’m gonna ask you about how to carry a girlfriend while streetshooting. For me its quite difficult, but maybe less than what it is for her. I love streetshooting and i love girls, but I have to choose only one when I go out!! haha
Comment by Drivingyou — December 10, 2009 @ 12:32 amThat was an enjoyable two coffees. Thanks mate!
Comment by Pete (f-hole) — December 10, 2009 @ 1:35 amSupa Eintrag, recht viel schöne Sachen dabei. Hab i ma gern angschaut!
Und LFI liest wahrscheinlich a genau seit dem du drin bist! Gibs doch zua, hehe ;)
Comment by Sebastian — December 10, 2009 @ 2:14 amAs always, it’s a pleasure to watch your photos mate! this one is already on my wishlist for a print!
Comment by Aldo — December 10, 2009 @ 6:47 amhttp://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_03/IMG21408s.jpg
cheers!
some good street stuff.
not like that hcsp crap.
Comment by cactus — December 10, 2009 @ 8:23 amwhy am i not asked if it’s exhausting for me to drag a photographer around through malls, museums and into restaurants? he’s always 3 steps ahead or behind and if he comes over again it goes like “did u see the women with those three…” and up and away he is again, hunting the next motif.
Comment by multitasking girlfriend — December 10, 2009 @ 8:43 ambut as long as he spends time with -any- M, i am content ;-)
a little sweet
with some sad
dark
warm and
bright
very, very nice Sev.
cheers from Lost Angeles
Comment by Frank Jackson — December 10, 2009 @ 10:37 amFrank
Great stuff, as always! I really enjoyed the read as well as the photos.
I’ve been reading/looking at your posts for a while and I really love them. Street photography as I understand it, capturing life at it’s purest. It’s also cool and “studenty” you and your friends are, evokes good feelings. I also used to live in Vienna for a year and that also makes your photos interesting. Like a tourist guide you never see :-)
I loved the man in the holocaust memorial and some other too, but my favorite is definitely:
http://severinkoller.at/blog/wp-content/gallery/november_berlin_04/IMG21508s.jpg
Can I ask what lens is that and what film? It looks as is she’s going to move any second…
Greetings from Zagreb!
Comment by Domagoj — December 10, 2009 @ 11:21 pmThanks for sharing all those great moments!
Comment by hkt — December 11, 2009 @ 6:30 pmMiriam, I love your comment although I’m on the Severin’s side (being the one who shoots) but I feel like my wife must feel completely the same. On the other side, letting him shoot in malls means he has a reason to go there with you, otherwise I assume you know how we (men) love going to malls (if Sev is not the exception though) :-)
Comment by soldjem — December 12, 2009 @ 3:48 amvery nice post as always. berlin seems to be a nice place to shoot!
Comment by Arthur Mola — December 14, 2009 @ 4:13 amjo was soll man da noch großartig sagen ausser dass es wiedermal (und wie immer) großartige bilder geworden sind. berlin scheint ja einiges zu bieten :)
Comment by haemma — December 14, 2009 @ 10:21 amSeverin, thanks again. The situations repeat. “you should go to sleep, man….wait, severin put up a new post!…no, leave it for later….20 mins later…shit, that guy is great.” thank you. once there is an exhibit of yours, i am coming over. the photo of the man in the holocaust monument will make you rich.
Comment by Filip — December 16, 2009 @ 12:49 amEnjoyed very much your reportage from Berlin.
Comment by orso — December 16, 2009 @ 8:22 pmMilchbar: during the communist era a widespread and almost legendary institution even here in Czechoslovakia. I believed no one of them had survived the Velvet revolution. Nice to see one is up and running up there in Berlin!
Beside milk, they were selling fish in conserve and mayonnaise salads.
fucking incredible. never stop.
Comment by Travis — December 18, 2009 @ 1:37 pmI love your street shots. Would you care to see some of my street photography at http://www.youtube.com/avsamu
Comment by Andre Explorer — December 19, 2009 @ 11:04 pmuhhh did that guy serious commit suicide? Cause that’s kinda sort of really traumatic stuff.
Comment by dede — December 21, 2009 @ 7:14 amAmazing stuff, some of the best shots of yours i’ve seen yet! :)
Comment by jason liu — December 21, 2009 @ 9:22 pmGreat post Severin, here in Portugal is raining and rainning and raining and cold, i wonder how is there, does in rains a lot?
Comment by Filipe Carneiro — December 21, 2009 @ 11:35 pmalways love your photos… your currently one of my favorite photogs, no bull shit ;)
and miriam is a perfect model, natural beauty.
keep up the great work!
Comment by Josh Ripple — December 24, 2009 @ 7:19 pmIch hab mir diesen Eintrag für die Feiertage aufgehoben um ihn in aller Ruhe anschauen zu könnnen. Deine konstante hervoragende Qualltät haben mich für meine Geduld belohnt. Danke für diese Kurzweil! Ich kann etlichen hier nur zustimmen: Das Photo vom Holocaustdenkmal ist zeitlos und genial.
Comment by Seb — December 30, 2009 @ 1:31 pmGruss aus Franken,
Seb