Last week I wrote a bit about Andreas Bitesnich and how he got started and then famous in his field of photography.

Now, Jim Rakete has made his way too. Born in Berlin in 1951, he began working as a photojournalist with a focus on the music scene, while still in school. Amongst the people he had portrayed at this point were already Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix and Ray Charles. He then worked as music producer in the 70ies and and 80ies (Nina Hagen, Nena, Die Ärzte etc.). Throughout the years, he has never lost his love (and eye) for photography and when he had the chance to work for Cicero magazine, he increasingly portrayed politicians like Gerhardt Schröder, Otto Schily or Franz Müntefering.

His current exhibition, 1/8 sec. Vertraute Fremde., forces you to take a break. 1/8 of a second is a long time in todays world. Vertraute Fremde (Well-know strangers) shows people we all think we know, politicians, athletes, actors etc. Rakate portrays them the way they simply are, without letting their public image influence the photograph. No unnecessary make up, no manipulations, no artificial lights. Follow this link for an interview in Art Magazin and read his thoughts, I find it fairly interesting.

1/8 Sec. – Vertraute Fremde
18. Januar bis 10. Mai 2009
LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen
Konrad-Adenauer-Allee 46
46049 Oberhausen

Related posts:

1. Autodidactism
2. Concert Photography Masterclass