Michael Allmaier - Not thematic bounded photography

by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 22nd of Jnauari 2024

Michael Allmaier's work is very diversified. He quotes: 'As I don't like to limit myself thematically and what I "paint" next, it can only be an advantage to try to do my best in every area.' He is rather an unconventional artist and often brings a refreshing photographic vision, especially in his portraits. I invite you to wander through Michael's portfolio and learn more about the man behind his images.

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Dear Michael, first of all, thank you very much for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! Please start by briefly introducing yourself and telling us more about yourself, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!

There's not much to say about me. I'm in my late 40s and live in Leipzig (Germany) with my three dogs. They are usually my means of transportation in the city as I enjoy being pulled through the streets by them on my skateboard.

When and how did you start your photographic journey?

My photographic journey began at a very young age. It must have been at the age of 12 when I was given my first Canon AE1. This was because it was understandably too risky for my dad to give me his Leica cameras at that age. A year later, I got the photo lab because the cost of developing outside the home became too high, so I developed my films and pictures myself. When I was 14, a picture I took of a barn owl in the wild was printed in the regional press. My first money earned from photography. So it's fair to say that photography was already very present in my parents' home as a child.

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship with photography?

Vocation. I love art and art is my life. Photography is Art.

What has been the most important experience you have had so far that has influenced your steps in photography?

There has not been one most important experience. The photographer Peter Sapper, who discovered me, saw and encouraged my talent and, as he always says, "started to cut the rough diamond", certainly had a great influence. But also an architect who let me repeat an assignment at the beginning and justified this with the words: "Among other things, I make architecture so that you can create art from it. Use my work and make something new art out of it". I also really appreciate the old Dutch painters. In photography, I enjoy outstanding photographers of every profession. Many can be found here on 1x, which is very helpful as creative input or inspiration.

You have your own style, but your work is very diverse. I see both architectural photography and portrait photography, mainly framed. Can you explain why that is?

It can perhaps be explained by the fact that I would have liked to become a painter, but I lack any talent with a paintbrush and therefore use the medium of the camera to put the images I have in my head on paper. Photography is very versatile and covers many interesting subject areas. I don't like to commit myself, but it is clear that I have a soft spot for working with people and architecture. As I don't like to limit myself thematically and what I "paint" next, it can only be an advantage to try to do my best in every area.

What is more important to you, the mood/story behind your pictures or the technical perfection?

Both. Without technical perfection, if there is one, I can't convey the mood/story. But I give priority to the mood or the message.

What relationship do you generally have with your subjects that goes beyond the role of observer?

I always try to capture the "soul" / personality of my subject - whether human or animal.

Do you carefully prepare the locations where you intend to photograph and can you please tell us a bit more about your workflow from the idea to the final product?

Yes, the pictures are very well thought out conceptually. When I take pictures outside (street) I visit the locations in advance to get an impression and to think things through beforehand. The pictures are already finished in my head beforehand so that I only have to put them on paper. The portraits are also well thought out and very detailed. As with the still lifes, the backgrounds are painted by hand in advance. I also work very project-based, which means that I deal with a theme and try to convey my message in a clever way.

Describe your general photographic vision.

Do I have one?

Where do you look for inspiration and what inspires you the most?

I look for and find inspiration in everyday life when I walk through the world with my eyes open. My pictures often reflect what I see and how I see it. But I also find inspiration from other photographers whose ideas I like to take on board in order to continue working with them. I often see the perfect image in my own eyes here on 1x, which encourages me to keep working on myself and developing further.

If I have a team around me, make-up artists, stylists, models etc., we work on the image together. I roughly set the direction and then it's time for a big brainstorming session.

Many are of the opinion that if the passion for photography is strong, equipment is not very important. But can you please tell us what equipment you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?

I agree with that. It is not the camera that takes the picture, but the photographer. Whether it's a matchbox with a hole or high tech plays a minor role for me. I work with various cameras myself. Of course, I prefer to work with Phase One. I also have a few fixed focal length lenses and a standard ball head tripod, which is available in every supermarket.

What would be your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.

There is no favourite photo in that sense, I like them all. I can't name a specific one.

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your photography?

There are no favourite photographers in this sense. Colleagues from whom I learned a lot and was inspired. Peter Sapper certainly had a great influence, as he knew how to create still lifes that were indistinguishable from the old Dutch painters. A master of light from whom I learned a lot in this regard.

Now that we are almost at the end of this interview, I would like to ask you to share with us any plans or photographic projects you would like to be a part of.

I would really like to do one or two photo series for fashion magazines or magazines again. What would also interest me would be to work on an advertising campaign in politics. And what’s definitely still on the agenda is travelling. The world is too beautiful to stay in one place.

Is there anything else you would like to add and what do you think of 1X as a starting point for your work?

I like 1x. It is a platform where you can see some of the most beautiful pictures in the world. It is a website full with beautiful Art. With that in mind, thank you for existing.