portrait Photography expresses stories which cannot be put in words, but it is impossible to remain silent about.
Loosely basing on Victor Hugo

Of course I am participating in social networkds as well. You can find me here:
xflow.eu on Facebook xflow.eu on Google+ xflow.eu on 500px xflow.eu at fotocommunity
The power of images is mighty and leaves nobody unaffected. I am pretty aware of that. Hence I am seeing my photographs first and foremost as a document of our planet, of a culture, of a moment that I captured by the help of digital celluloid. Tone Mapping or excessive retouching, techniques that are putting a photo’s touch with reality at risk, I am refusing categorically as they are nothing but a tool for artificial sensationalism. Suchlike works are nothing but computer created pictures that barely bear traces of the photography trade.

All things called electronic music took its course shortly after the Berlin Wall fell down. Then army radio BFBS was still on air, airing Steve Mason’s Experience show, a cutting-edge mile stone which I was listening to at night hiding under my blanket. Back in the days techno was something refreshing new, but quite negatively connotated by the society we are living in. Even today you’ll quickly end up becoming pigeonholed when saying that you’re loving electronic music. Having gotten a first sip how electronic music tastes like, the musical ride took me through many genres; first as an admiring listener, then also as a DJ. DJ-wise everything resulted in a versatile wide angle view, connecting pioneering new productions with time-honoured classics. Another impressing landmark was the kick-off of the Global Underground series, then with Nick Warren playing in Prague. In the beginning on my own, but later together with my best friend and DJ partner Peer Benary, I was setting places in Eastern Europe, South Africa and South America on fire, as well as playing clubs and off-locations at my own doorstep: here in Berlin.

Since ever photography is fascinating me and due to the ongoing technical development it took more and more influence on my creative output. A camera became my constant companion and artists, crowd, promoters and club owners liked the way I am capturing the club and event atmosphere. Thenceforward it didn’t take much time and all photographical terms got more and more professional. Nowadays I am specialised in travel documentation, event photography, available light and classic portraits such as politics and newspapers demand it. In particular club photography is a perfect combination of musical and visual world. True to the motto »In the fray, instead of being kept at bay« I rock until the morning hours; a the major ingredient how to shoot lively and authentic photos which are authentic, speaking for themselves and are far away from usual party pictures.

My love for photography and wide-ranging taste of music, combined with a pinch of analytics, brought me closer to the field of music journalism. The first steps I was doing together with Berlin-based website Clubfeeling and local party magazine [030] Berlin. Since then I am always working freelance, though also having close collaborations, like for instance since 2004 with the international 365Mag from Amsterdam, or since 2005 with New York-based Filter27 and Sound Revolt from Warsaw. Back in 2004/05 I supported the Resident Advisor (RA) crew to help them putting their tents up in Berlin.

The experiences made in those collaborations are nowadays the basis of running my own website, where I can enforce and push my very own high quality standards. The readers of my website shall be given an interesting and above all exclusive mélange of night life, electronic music, travel reports and of course photography, being researched to the best of my knowledge.

Google rankings, as well as search requests and click rates paint a clear picture: my project xflo:w has an effect. At least German music magazine Raveline prints a counterstatement when I am taking a closer and more objective look at a Berlin-based and Grammy awarded DJ/producer. Against the background of event reviewing and photography my website isn’t outperformed by the leading online magazines, as their access rates basing are mainly and more than 80% on news and forum activities. In that flood of information other content like sophisticated event reviews are often forced to take a backseat.

As a photographer you’re unavoidably having an impact on a party’s privacy. In clubs with a general ban on photograhy that is difficult in an additional way. The photos I am taking are always exclusive and are product of a close cooperation between owner, artists and photographer. They shall cover the span between a complete medial abstinence and small photographical presence. Despite sometimes really dark clubs and permanently changing lights I am abstaining from using disturbing flashlights as far as possible. Even when using up-to-date tech gear, that is resulting in a noticeable higher image noise and slightly blurry images of course. The photos are deliberately focusing on the artists, the dance floor and the illumination. In my case nobody has to worry to come across an unpleasant photo the day after, cause what happens in the club, stays in the club!

Following this philospohy, the best of my photographs are regularly ending up in online or print magazines as well as the portfolios of club owners, artists and promoters. I would like to highlight Berlin based club Watergate (Steffen Hack), Neuss based club Tribehouse (Erik Ludwig) and festivals like the Audioriver or Fortdance as well as artists like Oliver Moldan, Nick Warren or Monolake (Robert Henke).

Further references:

  • ARD capital office (governmental affairs)/Phoenix (TV)
  • Federal Press Office of Germany
  • Single publications in GEO as well as National Geographic
  • Deutsches Museum Munich (exhibition)
  • Deutsche Bahn AG
  • Boehringer Ingelheim AG & Co. KG
  • Audioriver Festival, Plock (PL), Fortdance Festival, St. Petersburg (RU) u.v.a.
  • Watergate Club, Berlin (DE), SQ Club, Poznan (PL) u.v.a.
  • Energy Union, CynetArt Dresden exhibition as well as Midem & Music Trades (exhibition magazines, Print)
  • Daily newspapers like Tagesspiegel, Daily Mail

Delivering the photo material for the annual calendar of Berlin-based business consulting company economind was an affair of heart. Since 2011 that calendar lives on as xflo:w photo calendar.

Photos being published on xflo.net or xflow.eu don’t have EXIF information, but were created with the following photographical equipment:

  • Until May 2007 – Canon EOS 20D
  • Until February 2009 – Canon EOS 1D Mark III
  • Until June 2012 – Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
  • Currently – Canon EOS 1DX
  • Currently – Canon PowerShot G1X
  • Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fish Eye Zoom
  • Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
  • Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM
  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
  • Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM