Meet the Contributor: Peter Schatz of ActionPictures.

Meet the Contributor: Peter Schatz of ActionPictures.

With a life in photography spanning back to a trip around the world after finishing his studies at TU Munich, Peter Schatz of Action Pictures has an established archive today spanning sports, creative and portrait photography.

“Fast, close, action, story, quality” – summarizing his work in these words, Peter Schatz talks to us about his time as a professional photographer and the journey from his first experiences with a camera. From shooting his first football match and developing the images in the darkroom to today’s captivating archive spanning multiple sports and further. Take a read and browse the ActionPictures photographs with us.

Meet this Week’s Contributor.

 

Let’s kick off, how did you get started in photography and why?

After studying Sport at TU Munich, I traveled for 3 months with my former girlfriend around the world. Back home I was angry about the bad images I had shot on the trip and started to take courses and buy professional equipment.

What was your first experience with a camera?

Maybe not the first, but the most memorable experience was: In one of the first football matches I had to cover, I had to develop color negatives in a darkroom in the stadium very fast. I didn’t take the time to care about the red light of a power strip. So every picture was sadly.. red.

IMAGO / ActionPictures
Photo: IMAGO / ActionPictures

What five words describe your photographic style or captured message?

Fast, close, action, story, quality.

 

What is the best element about being a photographer, and most challenging?

I would say the best and worst elements are the open time management, personal responsibility and the stressing peaks that you experience throughout.

 

To you, what is the role photography has in the world?

I view photography to be very important in the world as part of reporters without borders.

"I was angry about the bad images I had shot on the trip and started to take courses and buy professional equipment."

IMAGO / ActionPictures
Photo: IMAGO / ActionPictures

What one important lesson has your work taught you?

Ultimately to enjoy the work, I have learnt skills to work in an exact and precise manner whilst remaining as efficient as possible. 

 

What is currently really getting you frustrated or annoyed?

Outside of photography, I’m currently frustrated by dumping fees and that nobody does anything against it. That, and lobby-contaminated politicians!

 

If you could photograph any historical event, what would it be and why?

The construction of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, because it’s an unbelievable human achievement that was built without any kind of construction cranes, jackhammers or excavators.

IMAGO / ActionPictures
Photo: IMAGO / ActionPictures

What does success look like to you?

To me, success is to be able to make free decisions about what you do and when you do it.

 

What’s your go to album to listen to when you’re working right now?

I would never have the idea to listen to music or use sound while working or jogging, it spoils the enjoyment of the activity. While relaxing or driving however, I listen to Iron Maiden to be calm!

Peter Schatz is a Photographer, based in Germany. Covering topics including sports, travel, creative photos and portraits, see his work with us as ActionPictures at IMAGO or visit his website.

 

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