Name : Marcel
Last Name : Streiff
Place of birth : Männedorf, Zürich, Switzerland
Date of Birth : 24.11.1963
Genres : Abstract Architecture, digital experiments (beginner), Landscape (beginner)
Gears : Sony A73M Body, Objective Sony FE 24-70, Objective Sony FE 70-300, Cokin Polarization- and Linear gradient gray Filter, Leofoto Ranger LS-325C Tripod and a crampler Bag.
How did you get started as a photographer?
It has been a long process over many years. I bought my first analogue compact Camera 30 years ago just before travelling around the world for a whole year.
At that time, my camera actually was only meant to make a documentary about my trip. But it also was a trigger that makes me more curious. So a few years later, I bought my first analogue SLR and started photographing more intensively.
The fire was ignited. 12 years ago, I finally made the step to digital photography.
It also was the beginning of my awareness of digital processing which a an indispensable tool to me nowadays.
What is the first photo you have ever shot?
As far as I remember that was some training shots with my first analogue compact camera just before I went to my travel around the world trip.
What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out?
Actually there was no advice or hint i became from other people. I bought some books to learn about the most essential things about handling the cameras and technics like aperture, ISO, shutter speeds and so on. All the Rest was and is still learning by doing
Why did you choose Abstract and Architecture photography in particular?
More and more of modern designed Architectures like single Houses, Office Blocks, Industrial Buildings and so on, have been built in recent years. Many of them are designed in a geometric manner with crossing lines, triangles, rectangles, curves and are provided with various and powerful colours. This is like an invitation to me to work with it. When I see some colours shining on a Building far away, I have to go there to inspect it from nearby. It has a kind of magnetic effect on me. I am glad that my wife is very patient, even when I often stop suddenly on the street and turn back to look at something.
My new passion is trying to make composings out of different photos with the goal to create conceptual Storys in a slightly surreal manner. Since I remember I was always fascinating when I saw works e.g. from Manfred Kriegelstein or Thomas Herbrich. But as I said I am still a beginner in this genre and I still need to learn a lot about !
What makes a good picture stand out from the average?
Probably it depends also on the genre : Landscapers try to show how they was feeling while experience a Landscape and often also to apply a big depth effect in the Photo. Documenters try to show different situations in exceptional situations like accidents, wars, poverty and so on. Conceptual digital photographers try to implement a topic or often also some personal traumas.
Finally I guess who is able to transmit the appropriate concern in the applicable genre most representive and with the required technical parameters, has the chance to get an extraordinary photo.
Who are the photographers you are getting inspiration from and why?
Nowadays there are so many inspiring photographers all around the world, so my list probably would be endless. Two of them I mentioned already above. Nevertheless I would like to mention Hans-Wolfgang Hawerkamp and Inge Schuster here on 100ASA. I have a deep respect for their endless creativity and their constant enthusiasm for photography for years.
Can you tell us about the most memorable photo you have ever shot and what made it so special?
My all favourite is “Rails and Stripes”, a creative edited abstract, but doesnt contain parts from other Photos. I cant explain why, neither to others nor to me. It is probably a matter of the heart.
What is the biggest challenge you have had to overcome and how did you do it?
Like everyday in life, every new picture we plan to do is a new challenge. The usual ones for me: Oncoming Light, difficult Terrain, Coldness etc. Shopping centers for me are a good hunting place. Once I photographed a facade near at the Entrance when a man leaving the shopping centre thought I make pictures of him. That tokes me a while to explain. Another day I photographed stairs inside a shopping centre while suddenly some guys from the security appeared and taking me to their office just to tell me that without a permission I am not allowed to take photographs inside the shopping center. Finally they was very accommodating and conferred me a temporary permission so that I could continue.
What is your essential camera equipment ?
There is not much to tell at the moment, I have only 1 Camera and 2 Objektives.
Why you’ve decided to join 100ASA?
From a friend I heard that 100ASA has a fair and transparent Curation System. So I signed in early this year and I am fully satisfied with my decision. I like that the Members are part of the judgement until the Prime Gallery. The communication between the members is always constructive and gently. I believe that 100ASA is on the right way and I hope it will continuing like that. The only thing I miss is that we are only able to see how many likes a photo has, but not from who they are.