Playing Dead

Nothing serious, he just fell over when he saw me coming and played dead for a while.

Me In Paris,Then

Another snapshot from my past, taken by my uncle and photographic mentor Juergen Schlichting.

Me in Paris, imagining my life to come.
I had not finished school yet. My uncle and my aunt had taken me to Paris with them
 I do remember this moment.

There was a determination in my mind to make the absolutely best of it.
To see life as what it is, as a generous gift. 

I still stick to it!

An Abundance Of Finger Rings

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons that are much too cute and beautiful to be clinging to an old ladies coat!

Anticipation

On A Snail's Trail

The deeper and darker the forest is, the more extravagant in appearance are the animals that live in it.

These naked, red snails are of European descent and in summer thousands of them cross the mossy paths of the German forests - some unlucky ones get crushed by cyclists, unable to stop.

A Dead Warrior Under A Bright Sun

In photography there are two ways of shooting a good picture.

The first is to be aware and present in the moment and not to hesitate to capture the "decisive moment".

The second way is the way of patience and careful preparation.

The angle is one of the most important factors. From which level are you looking at your object?  Same level, from below, above or behind, or from the side. Everything changes as soon as you move. It determines the composition of the whole picture

The light gives it the final finish. Suede, soft, crisp, elusive, evasive, sharp, in contrast......... The light allows you to add feeling to your picture. So wait for the light you want. See it first on the inside, perceive it in you and then wait for the conditions to arrive.

Gadgets, lenses and filters are the least important of all.

A Golden Shower Close To The Mighty River Rhine

Hundreds of legends speak of the great river Rhine. It is a mystical river.

Over the years its flow has been changed and aligned and altered to suit the needs of mankind.

But it if you have ever travelled on or along it you know it will always be a mystical river.

In summer you can cycle for miles along the dam walls that have been constructed to regulate the flow while you watch the ships of all nationalities pass by. In middle of August, when the European summer has reached its peak, the flowers grow in army-strength-like numbers on the meadows bordering the small sandy path.

You will encounter other people on bicycles or on foot but it happens often that you encounter no one for hours. 

Finally you sit down on its border to take a rest and a deep breath.  

Now the river speaks to you of its past. And the legends become alive again.

The Three Legged Bee, The Flower And Me

A Strange Afternoon

Crossing Waters In Zimbabwe in 1978 (then Rhodesia)

This image comes from my archive of vintage Africa pictures.

Entitled: September At Mare Dam, in the foothills of the Inyangombe Mountains

Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia in 1978