The Race ACE

 

Interview with MARTIN BAUENDAHL

You do have a rather technical background having been active in post production first. You have been pretty much a pioneer in digital. What made you switch behind the camera and what was the tour that finally turned you into a photographer being specialized in beauty?

It all started with my proximity to the top DJs and producers in the 90s, as I organised club nights and raves in Cologne during that time. At that time, Cologne, where I was born, was one of the capitals for techno and house. The music scene was burgeoning into the new millennium and an incredible number of new artists became known overnight. I was right in the middle of it and documented and portrayed a lot photographically. Then lifestyle and music magazines knocked on my door and wanted to publish my photos. Then came the record companies and then the advertising agencies. After a few years in music and lifestyle photography, more and more beauty and hair clients approached me and for the last 20 years this has been my main focus. From then on, I commuted back and forth between my new hometown Hamburg and Paris, Los Angeles, NYC, Barcelona, Warsaw, Moscow, Munich or Istanbul.

Does your history have an impact on the way you work? 

For sure. I think that's the case with all photographers. Through my early years in music photography, for example, when all kinds of experiments with light and developing the films were popular, I don't like to always follow the same style. I still love to work with all kinds of light shapers and have to try out everything that can be used to set light. Having said this, I need to truly thank Briese Lichttechnik for their support by granting us access to their facilities and their latest outstanding light gear like like the Briese focus.2 and Harvey 180 for this shoot.

How would you describe your style? Your beauty shots especially when it comes to hair are sometimes rather iconic. Who influenced your photography in this regard?

I would describe my style as clear and graphic. The people in my photos usually exude confidence and strength. Photographers like Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Herb Ritts have inspired me a lot.

Could tell us a little bit about the car we see?

The car belongs to a collector who granted us access. When I saw the car for the first time I fell in love with it. So did he when he stumbled into the occasion a view years ago. He owned it as a toy car when he was a kid. It is 1954 AC Ace, 6 cyl., 2liter, 86 horsepower real vintage race car, that took part in competitions and is the third of its kind from the very beginning of its serial production. It is also more less the early blueprint for the famous muscle car AC Corbra. I thought it would be an interesting match with the fashion we had.

How about Cosma? She also is quite a contrast to the car.

Not really, if like to put it like that. Cosma is originally from Ukraine and had been a Place Model new face. I think it the shoot was an early debut for her in Germany. I was really impressed with her professionalism and how fast she fit herself into the setting interacting with the car. 
So Cosma is not a contrast, but as a confident driver she fits perfectly to such a car. By the way, you can also see her on this page Cosma

How and why did you choose the fashion presented with the car?

I described to our stylist Hendrik Schaulin how I see fashion in connection with such a beautiful car. Strong, sexy and self-confident but deliberately not in the style of the time when this car was built, but reinterpreted. Since we have known each other for a long time, he knew immediately what I meant. We often understand each other without having to explain much.

And who did the video?

The video production Dark Ocean was recommended to me by a dear colleague. From the very beginning, the team of Majvand Argandival, the managing director of this very flexible and likeable film crew, knew how to stage the car and fashion.

How will you proceed post Corona? You are about to launch a new branch in parallel to your photography?

Besides photography, I have always enjoyed realising or participating in other projects. At the moment I'm advising a start-up that is developing a completely new concept for photo and film productions in the area of social media.