THIS WEEK’S MUSE
“It’s good to shock. It’s not good to always be careful. It’s good to disturb a little.”
ELLEN VON UNWERTH, PHOTOGRAPHER
Ellen von Unwerth is a German photographer best known for her playful and energetic images – often of musicians and celebrities.
Born in Frankfurt in 1954, she joined a circus after graduating high school – as an assistant to do stunts and magic shows. When she was 20, on her first day at university in Munich, she was approached by a photographer who invited her to model. She took up the invitation, shifted to Paris and drove a career that lasted a decade.
Then, at the height of her success, Unwerth moved behind the camera. Perhaps now driven by the desire to be in charge—or at least in control—of the creative process, her experience in front of the camera gave her a unique perspective on what made a successful photograph.
Modelling felt like an endless demand to be still and silent. “My problem was that I am very lively and wanted to do more in front of the camera,” she explains. So when the opportunity came to take the photographs, she had a ready-made understanding of how to proceed. And the results, not surprisingly, were effectively the opposite of those “Don’t move; don’t laugh” instructions she had endlessly received.
Look at any of her images and they overflow with vitality and movement. She instinctively knows how to connect with her subject and how to “ignite the scene.” She also knows who to photograph – often musicians or celebrities, already successful in their own right. They already know how to elevate a situation and to naturally inject necessary spark. “I find it very interesting if the subjects themselves are artists – they can easily give you something unique.”
To create what she feels to be a great photograph, Unwerth puts spontaneity over technique and passion over technology. “A picture is really great if it has emotion and spontaneity,” she said, “And some slice of life. Not so much based on technique but much more on capturing movement.”
Consequently, her photographs constantly break the rules. Formal framing, correct focus, or choreographed poses can all be sacrificed for an image that captures the energy of her subject. “I love getting the special moments when something unexpected happens,” she explains. “I am very quick – I do not like to be tied down by anything.”
Ultimately, Unwerth is searching for a “love of life” in her work, which she describes as “reportage edge,” that always aims to bypass constraint. To that end, spontaneity becomes a tool or a system by which to operate. But conversely, it’s not random or uncontrolled – rather the result of experience, great skill, and a supreme confidence in her art.
“I like to photograph anyone before they know what their best angles are.”
HAPPENING
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ONLINE EXHIBITION – CALL FOR ART
Deadline January 13, 2024
It’s that time of year! The theme for “Winter Gardens” is simple. Photography, oils, sketching, sculpture, ceramics, watercolor, and any other media are all welcome. Dig deep and explore your own interpretation of what “Winter Gardens” means to you.
Surprise us; surprise yourself! Find something new and something close by – from your very own winter garden.