Der kleine Prinz der Gentrifizierung
Apr 2016, Budapest, Hungary
To the Memory of Attila Ónodi (2003-2020)
Attila was a gifted young singer, he lived in the 8. district of Budapest, a rapidly changing, once ghetto-like part of the city. He made it to talent shows of a major network and had regular appearances at events across town.
We knew each other from a nearby cult pub and community center called Golya, seen in the background in some of these images. I used to take pro bono photos for him as he came from a financially stricken family and was badly in need of portraits ahead of a major TV show.
Attila welcomed the changes in his neighborhood thinking that his left-behind community would be able to stay there. He admired the new glass buildings, he envisioned cafes where he would have his pictures exhibited as a well-known singer.
He climbed up to this little island with a single tree, that once stood in the backyard of buildings 100 meters to his home. He posed there and suddenly started throwing stones towards his very own block of flats.
He hoped to ride the wave of fame of the TV publicity, though dropping out of the show at an early stage. The rumors were that his social media following was not presentable enough.
The next time he entered national attention was his tragic car accident: he drove without a license double the speed limit through red lights onto a lamp post.
My First Tutor and My First Print
Federico Savini, Pratt Institute, New York, 2000

This is probably the first portrait photograph i made in all its phases of analog production. Federico Savini, our tutor at Pratt Institute in New York kicked off the Portrait Class by setting a continuous light and called us to take some pictures of him. I loved his classes: this hands-on approach. Once we developed the rolls and enlarged our own prints, I was pumped that he singled me out for this shot. He liked the stance of stepping back just a bit to include a wider story.
Self Portrait at a Yoga Aktuell Shoot

This is a quick snapshot kind of self-portrait at a Yoga Aktuell photoshoot back in September 2019.
Chiemsee, Germany
Cover for a Series

Under pinkish clouds, a large BMW approaches on some rail tracks vanishing under a patch of asphalt. A bike freak in trousers matching the clouds jumps off his bike and takes his hat off to the viewer.
This was an Intro picture to a previous version to my website containing 2 cyclists´ portrait series.
I particularly like this photo so I decided it was worth bringing it over here and letting it feature as a blog post.
August 2015, Budapest, Hungary
RadlKult Making-of
Juni 2017, München, Germany


photo credit: Kai Neunert
Critical Mass: 20 Thousand

It was 20,000 cyclists demonstrating in Budapest, occupying the streets on the car-free day. Double the number compared to the previous spring event.
The gathering started late, so I had to work a bit more in advance. I, therefore, asked the main organiser, Kükü (pictured) to pose for me just before they went on to peacefully regain Budapest. He shouted: Critical Mass!
Upon arrival at the publisher´s office, I loved the layout the editors chose.
In general, Magyar Hírlap was home to many creative minds, and I could always be sure that they would come up with the best choice of the material I could offer. This time was no different.
I was enthusiastic and stayed until the first copies arrived, took a few and brought the paper of tomorrow to the Critical Mass afterparty.
It was 2005, still before smartphones´ instant-news times. Many shouted joyfully to find out that we indeed cracked the 20,000 that year!
Critical Mass Budapest has been said to be the biggest in the world, with the spring 2008 figure reported at 80,000.
Self Portrait

Sept. 2005, Budapest, Hungary
Yes, that was real grass covering the top floor of Tüzraktar, a 10´000 square meter atelier complex where I had my own studio.
My Set in Vienna

This is a snapshot of a shoot in Vienna.
For the photos made during this session, see the Portfolio section of this site.
Just to mention my Seaport Digital laptop case on this picture:
it has become a superb companion for such occasions. Sturdy aluminium tray with a socket for a tripod makes it an invaluable tool to have a work station safe and comfortable.
October 2019, Vienna, Austria
Teamlove

Foto: Daniella Hehmann
This is how one looks if they are cold on the set and the only one having some extra clothes is the stylist from Berlin!
Starnberger See,
Bayern, Germany
August 2018
Licht für Naturkosmetik

Werbekampagne Violet Touch für die Naturkosmetik Firma Annemarie Börlind.
Fotografin: Verena Vötter
MUA: Arno Humer
Licht inkl. all Technik von mir.
Calw, Schwarzwald, Germany
Mai 2018
Radln ist Sexy
This photograph is one of my favourite among the whole of the cyclists´ portrait series.
And this was the only one that just happened spontaneously!
Of course, we always booked a day for the shoot and I´d start with the model releases and so forth.
But Patrik just crashed in and stole the show!
2016, Erdőkürt, Hungary

Editorial about Autism

This is a making-of photo about an editorial shoot. The topic was autism, portraying families where one of the siblings would live with a various degree of the condition.
2015, Csákberény, Hungary
Culture Section Editorials
It was 10 years after the publication of these pictures as I went to the Central Library in Budapest to ask for a year worth of Magyar Hírlap archives.
It took me the whole afternoon to go through just the year 2005.
Given that these bundled up copies cannot be flatbed-scanned, I had to do good with these reproductions as photos.
Back then I particularly enjoyed the culture section assignments, I liked watching the last rehearsals in theatres and I had access to many concerts.
These were also good occasions to be allowed to switch off my phone.