I'll start to publish short interviews, which consist of only five questions, with photojournalists. The first is Christoph Bangert, a young german photographer. He studied photography at the Fachhochschule Dortmundt and at the International Center of Photography in New York. He has worked in Palestine, Japan, Chad/Darfur, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, the US, Lebanon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Iraq. To know more about his work visit his website: http://www.christophbangert.com1. Which effect do you intend your pictures to have?
I want to move people. I want to make them think. But I don't want to tell people with my images exactly what they should be thinking about. I believe that there must be enough space in an image for people to have their own very individual ideas and thoughts about the image itself and the issues connected to it.
2. Is there a story you are bent on realizing?
It's a long list.
3. Imagine you could take the picture of the century but you would treat a person dishonorable through it – would you do it anyhow?
This question does not make much sense. First of all you never know in advance if a picture will be of great significance or not before you take it. To know that you are about to shoot the picture of the century is impossible. Secondly it's not possible to define the term "dishonorable" in photography. This is really up to every individual photographer what he or she considers dishonorable and what he doesn't.
It is also very important to note that every single situation is different, just as every single picture is. It is not right and far too easy to generalize here. It's complicated.
I always try to treat every single individual I meet, especially when I am working with my camera and I am recognizable as a journalist, with respect and an expression of an honest interest in their lives.
At the same time I am not running around with my camera in order to make friends. Being a photographer is often not about being the most popular guy around. If you go somewhere and you come back without any pictures then you did not only fail to do your work, but you also failed the people that you serve as a journalist, which is everyone in society.
4. How do you deal with criticism?
Criticism is extremely valuable. It's a great source of motivation, it shows you your weaknesses and you learn a lot about your audience.
I think it's important to see who criticizes you and what the core point of the criticism is.
It's important and helpful to listen to what people think about your work at the same time it is equally important to do what you have to do. Photography is very personal in a way. It can only succeed if it is honest and truly yours. If you start to work to please others it will go horribly wrong.
5. How do you feel in front of a camera?
Like most people: Awkward.
It's not so easy to be photographed. It tests your confidence and vanity.
Photos from lightstalkers.org and fotofestival-hannover.de
2. Is there a story you are bent on realizing?
It's a long list.
3. Imagine you could take the picture of the century but you would treat a person dishonorable through it – would you do it anyhow?
This question does not make much sense. First of all you never know in advance if a picture will be of great significance or not before you take it. To know that you are about to shoot the picture of the century is impossible. Secondly it's not possible to define the term "dishonorable" in photography. This is really up to every individual photographer what he or she considers dishonorable and what he doesn't.
It is also very important to note that every single situation is different, just as every single picture is. It is not right and far too easy to generalize here. It's complicated.
I always try to treat every single individual I meet, especially when I am working with my camera and I am recognizable as a journalist, with respect and an expression of an honest interest in their lives.
At the same time I am not running around with my camera in order to make friends. Being a photographer is often not about being the most popular guy around. If you go somewhere and you come back without any pictures then you did not only fail to do your work, but you also failed the people that you serve as a journalist, which is everyone in society.
4. How do you deal with criticism?
Criticism is extremely valuable. It's a great source of motivation, it shows you your weaknesses and you learn a lot about your audience.
I think it's important to see who criticizes you and what the core point of the criticism is.
It's important and helpful to listen to what people think about your work at the same time it is equally important to do what you have to do. Photography is very personal in a way. It can only succeed if it is honest and truly yours. If you start to work to please others it will go horribly wrong.
5. How do you feel in front of a camera?
Like most people: Awkward.
It's not so easy to be photographed. It tests your confidence and vanity.
Photos from lightstalkers.org and fotofestival-hannover.de
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