Holzschuherstrasse

Subject Identity for World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass.

The trick was simply to be really present in my environment, in my every day life. It was more about dealing with my moods and catching situations spontaneously rather than hunting motives. They came to me, I simply had to wait for the right moment and shoot.

Different individual situations, which show almost intimate moments and experiences. They developed unplanned, driven and steered by my mood, what I was currently doing, who was visiting and which record was playing. Photos were taken and inspired through influences in my close surrounding and realized thanks to spontaneous eruptions of creative energy. A quick zapping though different techniques made it possible to compose different styles.

Over the summer months the number of visitors was growing continuously and the shop door was permanently open. Everything seemed to look more like a music club rather than a flat or an office.

About Jan Michalko

Born in 1975, became a photographer as autodidact. Main focus in reportage, documentary and lifestyle. He has traveled widely in Europe, Russia and Asia for a variety of freelance projects and did various works in the social and private area.

National recognition as artist, selected participant World Press Photo Masterclass, member of the international independent photographers group Tangophoto. Published in different newspapers and magazines. Currently based in Berlin.