Born in Germany, Horst Wackerbarth studied photography early in his life in one of the best art schools. He then proceeded to engage in photography on a freelance basis in that he was not attached to any studio for a while. He wanted to not only sharpen his skills but also have the freedom of shooting whatever he felt captivated his mind or captured his attention. It is during this time that he gained unrivaled experience in shooting pictures that have a quality that is not easy to spot in most photographers’ works. In this essay, I will touch on what I admire most in Horst Wackerbath’s work.
To start with, the clarity of Wackerbath’s photography is something that draws not only me but also many other people into his works. He can capture the minute details of the people and places that he photographs in a way that leaves me wondering how he manages to accomplish this intricate job. The quality of photography is determined by how much detail a photograph can reveal. That means Wackerbath meets this requirement.
Secondly, the creativity that is associated with Wackerbath’s work is outstanding. The world-famous Red Couch is an example of this creativity at work. The choices he makes in terms of where he shoots his videos and the items he shoots disclose an exotic taste that resonates well with a huge percentage of art lovers. The scenery in a photo or a video clip is extremely important and Horst Wackerbarth seems to be fully aware of this. This is the reason why is makes creative choices when it comes to what he shoots, how shoots it, and where he shoots whatever he is shooting. This is a large attraction for me as far as his photography is concerned.
Apart from sceneries, photography that is done by Horst Wackerbath has a magic touch that raises it above the common, plain photography that is found everywhere. People everywhere are tired of looking at plain photography. The problem is that most of the photographs and the video clips we have around us are plain and tasteless. But this is not the case with Horst Wackerbath’s work. A closer look at the photos and clips shot by Wackerbath makes us begin thinking of another reality being the photograph or the clip. Whether it is an old man sitting on a red couch in the middle of nowhere or ferocious lions tearing the same red couch in an enclosure, there is a magical air to what Wackerbath presents to his audience. This mystic twist in Wackerbath’s work keeps people looking out for more of his works in a bid to try to understand not only how he manages to pull such a delicate feat, but also what is actually behind the photos and the videos that he shoots. Are they just photographs or video clips or there is more to them? Is Wackerbath trying to convey some message to his audience that they seem to be missing or he is just a clever photographer who shoots clear shots without any major message? These are some of the questions that are in my mind. But all the same, I love his style.
In conclusion, I highly admire Horst Wackerbath’s photography. The clarity, the mystic touch, and the creativity that are present in his work never cease to amaze me.