“Photography is the most realistic reproduction of something and most importantly it can bring unknown worlds to light.” Daniel T. Braun
Daniel T. Braun (born 1975) is a conceptual visual artist from Germany currently based in Karlsruhe. He studied photography at “HfG Karlsruhe”. For Daniel T. Braun photography possesses the power to reveal unknown phenomena and worlds.
Artist statement: “Light of light!”
Daniel T. Braun, why did you become a photographer? And what does photography mean to you?
I wanted to become an artist. Photography for me is the ideal medium which has a reflection of itself to work with – it is the most realistic reproduction of something and most importantly it can bring unknown worlds to light.
How would you describe your photographic language and creative process? How do you plan and execute a project? Both technically and conceptually?
I work in very different ways. Sometimes the image is the result of a performative action, sometimes I build a model to photograph, sometimes I work with the technic of the photogram. I mainly work in analog and film photography ways. Because of many reasons: one is the quality. I think a mid or large format negative in combination with an analogue print is still impossible to top.
A second reason is to restrict and concentrate the work to the essence of what photography is similar to – our own seeing, our own visual system is also working in analogue ways. So for me, the challenge, to bring light and perception to art is big enough.
More images from Daniel T. Braun Photography
Which photographer has inspired you most?
I am not inspired by photographers. I am inspired by attitudes of some artists.
What’s your favorite inspirational quote about photography?
I like this interesting quote by Salvador Dali:
“The eye is really something wonderful. You have to use it, like I did it with mine, which has become a mellow psychedelic camera. I can determine it to picture visions of my mind.”
What kind of camera and equipment do you use?
Sinar p2/5×7 inch, Pentax 67, Mamiya 7II, iPhone, Lomo DianaF+, Raster Electron Microscop, camera with horseeye or ice as objective, photographic film & paper.
What’s your favorite website about photography?
There are so many interesting blogs about photography.
Some I have linked on my website.
What book about photography would you recommend?
“Theories About Photography” by Peter Geimer is a good compendium about the theme.
Which advice would you give someone who wants to get started with photography?
There are lots of facets to deal with in photography. You have to be clear about the way you want to go. To work with photography in art is very hard and not advised, like doing art in general. You’d better become an advertising, fashion or celebrity photographer.
