Philipp Hauptmann
WHERE IN THE WORLD?
CURATOR KARINA EASTWAY | PHOTOGRAPHER PHILLIPP HAUPTMANN | DESTINATION WORLDWIDE
Meet our very first featured storyteller, Mr Wanderlust, aka Philipp Hauptmann…
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I have been traveling a lot during my studies and in the end decided to be based in Bali for now.
YOUR TRAVELS INCLUDE ASIA, EUROPE AND CENTRAL AMERICA. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION TO SHOOT (SO FAR)?
All places have their advantages, obviously. But if I had to choose, I would say Asia is my favourite spot. The landscapes and cityscapes are incredibly diverse there. I especially love islands that are not touristy yet, for example Sumba in Indonesia (see the picture of the two fishermen). I love that people do not see you as a walking white wallet in those places and you can really try to be part of their community for a short time. Additionally, I like to take pictures that have not been taken by a million other photographers before me, so that is another reason I like remote islands.
WHAT CAMERA DO YOU SHOOT WITH?
I have been using a lot of different Sony models (A7 series) but recently switched to the Fuji X-T2. Even though it sounds like an empty phrase, the camera really is not that important. If I am in an awesome place or close to some interesting people, it is good to have a proper camera, but cheap ones might do the job as well. To me, having a tripod is way more important than having an expensive camera. I believe that the step up in quality of landscape pictures just by using a tripod is incredible.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE SUBJECT MATTER? YOU’RE GOOD AT CAPTURING PEOPLE, LANDSCAPE, HIGH-RISE SKYLINES AND ANIMALS WHICH IS ECLECTIC.
I started photography because I was travelling and felt that my memory was pretty bad (which it really is). The reason I took pictures was mainly that I wanted to create something that would bring back my memories of my trips later. That is why I took and still take pictures of everything that looks interesting or beautiful to me. I do not see myself as an artist. For me, photographs are not an end to themselves, they are a tool I use to help myself remember and show others the beauty of this world. Long story short, I do not have a favourite subject matter, I just shoot whatever I come across.
“Someone once said to me that my pictures were ‘revealing this planet’s beauty’.”
I like the thought of me ‘revealing’ something by taking pictures. It is not a famous quote but it motivated me a lot.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE SUBJECT MATTER? YOU’RE GOOD AT CAPTURING PEOPLE, LANDSCAPE, HIGH-RISE SKYLINES AND ANIMALS WHICH IS UNUSUAL!
I started photography because I was travelling and felt that my memory was pretty bad (which it really is). The reason I took pictures was mainly that I wanted to create something that would bring back my memories of my trips later. That is why I took and still take pictures of everything that looks interesting or beautiful to me. I do not see myself as an artist. For me, photographs are not an end to themselves, they are a tool I use to help myself remember and show others the beauty of this world. Long story short, I do not have a favourite subject matter, I just shoot whatever I come across.
TOP PHOTOGRAPHY TIP FOR THE BEGINNERS?
If you want to take photographs of cityscapes or landscapes, my first tip is to use a tripod. It enables you to shoot at sunrise and sunset without losing image quality, even if your camera is not that expensive. After the tripod get lenses rather than crazily expensive camera bodies. Especially extreme wide angle lenses change your perspective in a shockingly beautiful way. And - it cannot be said enough - do not shoot when the light is boring. Shoot during sunrise, sunset and the blue hours.