Markus Hofstaetter's blog

Author Archive

Tuesday, August 25th, 2020

Behind the United Art Gallery – Gabriel Baharlia – a portrait artist who worked with Helmut Newton

Stunning portraits, working with Helmut Newton and overcoming challenging portrait sessions are the topics of the current “Behind The United Art Gallery interview with the well known photographer from Israel – Gabriel Baharlia.

Visit our Gallery here: https://unitedart.gallery/ Are you working yourself on an art project (photo or painting) with a distinct connection to the equal rights or the coronavirus topic? Then you can submit your image here:https://unitedart.gallery/pages/be-a-part-of-it/

Gabriel Baharlia

Website: http://www.bgabriel.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baharlia/

become a Patron and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Upcoming wet plate workshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

privat workshops in English contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Tuesday, August 4th, 2020

Behind the United Art Gallery with analog photographer Nella Aguessy

In this video-podcast I’m talking with the Nella Aguessy an analog photographer from Berlin about her photography and also about her powerful “we can’t breathe” project

Thanks a lot for being part of this!

Nella Aguessy
Website: https://www.bigmotha.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmotha/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bigmotha-292966801056880/

Visit our Gallery here: https://unitedart.gallery/ Are you working yourself on an art project (photo or painting) with a distinct connection to the equal rights or the coronavirus topic? Then you can submit your image here:https://unitedart.gallery/pages/be-a-part-of-it/

become a Patron and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Upcoming wet plate workshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

privat workshops in English contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020

What’s Happening?

a short vlog about the past weeks and upcoming wet plate workshops (Kollodium Nassplatten Workshops)

For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Tuesday, July 21st, 2020

My Wet Plate Portrait of Paul at the Menschenbilder 2020 exhibition

click or scroll down for the English version

Ich bin wieder sehr stolz, dass ich es auch dieses Jahr mit einem Porträt auf Kollodium-Nassplatte zu den Menschenbildern geschafft habe. Ein so ehrlich lachendes Porträt auf Kollodium-Nassplatte zu erstellen ist eine Herausforderung, dennoch ist es mir gelungen. Deshalb ist die Freude um so größer, dass es das Porträt von Paul zu den Menschenbildern geschafft hat. An dieser Stelle möchte ich mich sehr herzlich bei der Innung der Niederösterreichischen Berufsfotografen für Organisation der Menschenbilder bedanken.

Termine der Menschenbilderausstellung:
17. Juli 2020 – St. Pölten
16. September 2020 – Neunkirchen
16. April 2021 – Stockerau
4. Juni 2021 – Armschlag

In der Gallery findet ihr mehr Bilder von der tollen Ausstellung

Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
Unterstützt mich: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/

English version

I am very proud that my collodion wet plate portrait of Paul made it again to the Menschenbilder exhibition (pictures of humans exhibition)
As many of you may know, it is very tough to do a collodion wet plate with this hones happy expression. This makes it double sweet to see it in that large size. This is only possible because of our professional photography association – Thanks a lot for organizing such great contests/exhibitions!

upcoming dates and locations for the exhibition:
17. Juli 2020 – St. Pölten
16. September 2020 – Neunkirchen
16. April 2021 – Stockerau
4. Juni 2021 – Armschlag

In der Gallery findet ihr mehr Bilder von der tollen Ausstellung

For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Thursday, July 9th, 2020

Shooting A Wetplate Portrait of a Medieval Knight Sword Fighter

click or scroll down for the English version

Unterhalb des Videos findet ihr Erklärungen zum Shooting

Ein originelles Porträt von einem mittelalterlichen Schwertkämpfer (Staatsmeister) war gefragt. Ein Ritter in Rüstung samt seiner Hieb- und Stichwaffe auf Kollodium-Nassplatte ablichten ist der Plan. Da eine Rüstung “farblos” ist – also nur die Farben wiedergibt die diese reflektiert, war das erste Porträt draussen geplant. In meinen Garten gibt es genug Reflektionen. Leider hat uns das Wetter kurzfristig einen Strich durch die Rechnung gemacht, da auf einmal ein Unwetter aufzog.

Somit habe ich einen Hensel Integra 1000W Kompaktblitz als Aufheller aufgestellt. Außerdem sorgte der Blitz auch für ein schönes Catchlight.

Diese klassische Pose gefiel mir sehr gut, da ich so den spannenden Helm und das Schwert mit ins Porträt bekommen habe, ohne das Gesicht zu verdecken. Einen etwas helleren Hintergrund hätte ich noch gerne gehabt, aber da spielte das Wetter nicht mehr mit – Kaum waren wir fertig, fing es schon an zu regnen. Bei diesen Bild könnt ihr gut erkennen, wie die Linien direkt auf den Ritter hinzeigen. Ich versuche sehr oft solche Elemente in meine Bildkomposition einzubauen:

Im Studio lichteten wir ein zweites Porträt mit aufgesetzten Helm ab.
Hierbei verwendete ich ein klassisches Clamshell Licht mit einer sehr nahen Softbox (Hensel Grand Mini 85) samt Reflektor um genug reflektieren in der Rüstung zu schaffen. Außerdem bekam ich mit diesem Setup genug Licht unter dem Helm um die Augen auszuleuchten.

Bei solchen nahen Porträts ist die Schärfentiefe sehr gering, da das Dallmeyer 2b Petzval Objektiv sehr lichtstark ist (220mm F3)

Mit dem Ergebnis war ich sehr zufrieden. Ich habe die Platte wieder ein kleinwenig unterbelichtet um etwas härtere Kontraste zu erzeugen. Somit entstand ein sehr ausdrucksstarkes Porträt.

Ich habe schon viele Portraits von Soldaten gesehen, die erschöpft von einer Schlacht kommen. Ein Porträt in dieser Art sollte es werden. Ein Ritter der von einer Schlacht kommt. Die Erschöpfung mußte Klaus garnicht spielen, da die Rüstung samt Helm extrem viel Gewicht hat und einiges an Energie von ihm forderte. Hier noch ein Selfie zum Abschluss, damit ihr versteht was ich meine 🙂

In der Gallery sind nochmal mehr Bilder zu sehen:

Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/

English version

You can find more information about the shooting underneath the video.

The task was clear – an original portrait of a Medieval Knight Sword Fighter (national champion)
So I planed to do a collodion wetplate of a knight with his armour and sword. My first thought was, that an original armor has no “color” so to say. You just see the reflections of the environment. That was the reason I wanted to shoot the first portrait in my garden. Unfortunately the weather gods were against us and just after when we started a thunderstorm was on its way.

To fight agains the “low light” situation, I used a Hensel Integra 1000W compact flash as fill and also to create some nice catchlights.

I decided to go for this classical pose to show this aggressive looking helmet and the sword without covering the face. I would have liked to have a tiny bit brighter background, but the weather played here against us. As soon as we finished, it started to rain.
You can see the lines from the sky pointing directly to the knight. This is something I always try to integrate into my portraits

We did the second portrait in my studio. This time he was wearing one of his helmets. I used a classical clamshell light with a pretty close soft box (Hensel Grand Mini 85) in combination with a reflector. With this setup I got enough reflections on the armor and could also bring light under the helmet to illuminate his eyes

When shooting portraits that close with my Dallmeyer 2b lens (220mm F3) you have to deal with a very small depth of field

I was very pleased with the result of this portrait shooting. I underexposed the plate a tiny little bit to ged stronger contrasts. With that I could produce a very strong portrait.

I know these portraits from soldiers that came exhausted and empty from a war zone. Thats how I imagined to do this portrait. Because of the heavy duty armour and helmet, Klaus did not have to act to be exhausted. So you know what I am talking about, I add a selfie from after the shooting at the end of the post 🙂

In this gallery you find some more images:

For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Monday, July 6th, 2020

My photographs showed at the La Gacilly – Baden Photo exhibition

click or scroll down for the English version

Ich freue mich sehr darüber, das diesmal zwei meiner Fotografien in Baden bei der La Gacilly ausgestellt werden.Das Thema für die Ausstellung ist Grenzen. Dabei durften nur Infrarotfotos eingereicht werden. Eine neue Herausforderung, die mir sehr viel spaß gemacht hat und mit einer Veröffentlichung bei der größten Freiluftausstellung in Europa belohnt wurde:

Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/

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English version

I’m very proud that two of my infrared images are shown in the La Gacilly exhibition in Baden. The topic of this competition was “borders”. This exhibition is the the biggest open air exhibition in Europe – more than 8 Kilometers long! I recommend everyone to visit this free exhibition in Baden

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Wednesday, July 1st, 2020

Behind the United Art Gallery Borut Peterlin – Topshit Happens!

In this video-podcast I’m talking with the Borut Peterlin a wet plate artist from Solvenia about his way of dancing with crutches.

Thanks a lot for being part of this!

Borut Peterlin:
Website:
https://www.borutpeterlin.com/ http://www.topshitphotography.com/
Top Shit Blog: https://borutpeterlin.wordpress.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjZ-Qc43dF7xHBC92MAuA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borutpeterlin
Podcast:
Studio Kreativkommune (German) https://studio.kreativkommune.org/podcast/
Behind the shot: https://behindtheshot.tv/
Ana Mendieta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Mendieta
Eckhart Tolle: https://eckharttolle.com/
Allan Watts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts

Visit our Gallery here: https://unitedart.gallery/ Are you working yourself on an art project (photo or painting) with a distinct connection to the equal rights or the coronavirus topic? Then you can submit your image here:https://unitedart.gallery/pages/be-a-part-of-it/

become a Patron and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Upcoming wet plate workshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

privat workshops in English contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020

Behind the United Art Gallery – Joey Pressley

In this video-podcast I’m talking with the New York based photographer Joey Pressley about his work, the coronavirus, black lives matter and equal rights in general. .

Thanks a lot for being part of this!

Visit our Gallery here: https://unitedart.gallery/ Are you working yourself on an art project (photo or painting) with a distinct connection to the equal rights or the coronavirus topic? Then you can submit your image here:https://unitedart.gallery/pages/be-a-part-of-it/

become a Patron and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Upcoming wet plate workshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

privat workshops in English contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Tuesday, June 9th, 2020

division – a portrait made with non – visible light

I have the feeling people are more and more divided these days, thats the reason I created these portraits.

With these portraits I show the division in visual form. On the left side the blindfold is blocking the sight – people can not see clearly, the faded tattoos are standing for a faded reality and the fist shows anger and caginess.
Where on the right side you see eyes that see through the blindfold, high contrast tattoos and an open hand that is ready to help and hug.
This images is also part of our new Album in the United Art Gallery:
https://unitedart.gallery/albums/justice-for-all-inspired-by-black-lives-matter/ You can join us with your own art about this topic. Just click the “be a part of it” and choose the topic you want to submit to.

I shot the first portrait with the wet collodion process (Sensible to UV light only) and with a digital infrared camera. The second portrait was shot with a Rollei Ortho 25 Film (Sensible to UV light only) and a Rollei Infrared 400 film. In UV light everything that is blue will get bright and red dark. Because tattoos often contain blue color they get brighter and the red blindfold gets black. In IR light it is the opposite, thats why you can see through the blindfold and get contrasty tattoos.

Thanks again to Alex and Bernhard for helping me, as you can see in the video, there were a lot of tasks to do in a short amount of time to bring this portrait to live

compare the images by yourself

Join one of my wet plate (nassplatten) workshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kollodium-nassplatten-workshops/ or contact me for a private one here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
 

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

Top of Austria 9-Ball Challenge

click or scroll down for the English version

Lang lang ist es her, aber manchmal fotografiere ich Pool Billard doch noch. Diesmal habe ich im ORF Zentrum die Top of Austria 9-Ball Challenge digital festgehalten. Um auch wirklich leise zu sein, hat mir Sony die Alpha A9 II samt 70-200 und 100-400mm Objektiv zu Verfügung gestellt. Wirklich ein schönes Arbeitsgerät mit einem tollen Autofocus.
Maximilian Lechner, Jasmin und Albin Ouschan sind gegeneinander angetreten. Mario He sollte auch dabei sein, mußte aber wegen einer Verletzung zuhause bleiben. Es war wieder schön dabei zu sein, Danke an die österreichische Billardunion für den netten Auftrag und gratulation an Albin Ouschan für den Sieg. In der ORF TV Thek könnt ihr euch noch eine Zeit lang das Turnier ansehen: https://tvthek.orf.at/profile/Billard-Top-of-Austria-9-Ball-Challenge/13888064/Billard-Top-of-Austria-9-Ball-Challenge/14053542

Es war auch spannend in Zeiten von Corona solche Aufnahmen zu machen. Hier ein paar Fotos für euch vom Turnier:

Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/

Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/

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English version

Long long time ago, I shot I pool billiards tournament. But sometimes I still do this kind of photography. This time I photographed in the “ORF Zentrum” (Austrian Television) the Top of Austria 9-Ball Challenge. To be as silent as possible, I got a Sony Alpha A9 II with a 70-200 and a 100-400mm lens. A great work horse with an amazing autofocus. Maximilian Lechner, Jasmin and Albin Ouschan were playing against each other in this tournament. Mario had to stay at home because of an health issue. I enjoyed it a lot to be part of this again. Thanks to the Austrian Billardunion for hiring me and congratulations to Albin Ouschan for winning the tournament. You still can watch the tournament online for a while here: https://tvthek.orf.at/profile/Billard-Top-of-Austria-9-Ball-Challenge/13888064/Billard-Top-of-Austria-9-Ball-Challenge/14053542

It was interesting to shoot a pool tournament during the covid19 pandemic. To get a better Idea about what I am talking about, check the gallery.

Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/

become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria

If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/