Christoph Schwarz
Christoph, please introduce yourself:
I am an architect and photographer with a great passion for the beauty of everyday life, trying to capture those moments with my dad’s old analog camera. Strolling, exploring, and searching for those moments is my way of meditating.
#1 Your photographs have a unique visual quality, often minimalist, geometric and carefully composed. How would you describe your photographic style and what influences shape it?
My style could be described as architectural and clean. It’s all about composition, colors and light. Where I think my style and eye for the details come from is my background in skateboarding and snowboarding. I am accustomed to looking at cities and details within through a street riding lens.
#2 Many of your images capture urban environments, architecture, and stillness. How has your background as an architect influenced the way you see and photograph spaces?
To be honest, I feel like my background in photography has influenced my architectural expertise probably more than the other way around. Through taking photos, I have become good at finding beauty in compositions and spaces, and I guess that could have helped me to become more creative as an architect too.
#3 Your use of color and light feels intentional and often evokes a sense of calm. Is there a specific philosophy or emotion behind your color palette?
My philosophy while taking photos is that there are no rules. I’ve never studied photography, I don’t have an education in the field, so it’s been easy not to follow any specific tendencies. To me, taking photos is very meditative and that’s when I feel the most present and calm within myself. Perhaps my calmness transfers to the photos, and the outcome reflects the mindset that I’ve had while taking them.
#4 Your work reflects a strong attention to detail. How much of your photography is planned versus discovered spontaneously during your explorations?
99,5% of the photos are taken completely spontaneously. Sometimes I see stuff when the light conditions are not ideal, and in these cases I try and come back later when the light is better for what I had in mind (for example different time of a day or a season). But usually I just go for walks, stroll around and discover the spots that way.
#5 Are there specific elements—like patterns, materials, or light—that you’re particularly drawn to when shooting?
Not really, not intentionally. I’m not looking for anything specific, but often I end up capturing colors and light. Perhaps it’s because my red-green-blindness, that I’m drawn to shooting colors and contrasts.
#6 Your work often exists at the intersection of photography and architecture. Do you see yourself fitting into a specific niche, or do you consciously avoid being categorized?
If someone wants to label my work with a certain category, by all means, but personally I don’t have a necessary need to be categorized or to fit any specific niche. What matters to me in my work, is that there is always a subject in the photos, that the composition is calm and beautiful, that the light and colors are in balance. And the photos don’t even have to be about architecture necessarily, I’d love to shoot more people too.
#7 Looking ahead, do you have any future plans or ambitions in photography that you'd like to explore further?
At the moment I’m quite occupied with actually working as an architect and teaching. But I’d love to have more time for taking photos. Also taking photos while traveling is something that I look forward to doing, since theres always new surroundings that inspire me in a new way.
#8 How does your environment influence your work?
Environment inspires me a lot. I love to go outside and explore. Unfortunately in Innsbruck I almost feel like I’ve seen and shot it all by now. That’s why shooting in new cities and countries is more fun. Last year for example I travelled to Morocco, and it was so refreshing to explore a completely new and different environment like that.
#9 Three things that inspire you at the moment:
Other photographers and what they do is always inspiring, as is the beautiful weather in Innsbruck – with the sunshine comes the beautiful light and the urge to explore. Working with students at university can be very inspiring as well.
#10 What do you currently read, watch, listen to?
I’m currently reading a lot of Martin Suter, I’d definitely like to rewatch Twin Peaks now after Mr. Lynch unfortunately passed, and I’m listening to a lot of dark wave lately.
