From Berlin with Chris Buss, a very talented portrait photographer
Chris, could you please give us a brief introduction about yourself?
Hello, I am Chris, 31 years old and live in Berlin. Photography is practiced as a balancing to my working habit. I specialized in portrait pics.
Are you self-taught or have you studied photography?
I am self-taught, being an autodidact I continue learning every day. I think the theory behind the photography is very interesting, but I want to learn photography only by practice.
Whose work has influenced you most? Why?
That’s difficult to say. As I want to develop my own style, I try to prevent the influence of others. Inspiring are works by David Hamilton, Steve McCurry and Peter Lindberg as well as Bernd and Hilla Becher.
What is the most challenging part about being a photographer?
To portray people in their actually and real appearance, inclusive their surroundings at the moment.
You do mostly portrait photography. But also doing street photography and landscape. Which of the three genres you like more and why?
The core area is definitely portraiture photography. Because at the one hand I can socialice with others and on the other hand every single shooting represents another challenge. So street and landscape photography are simply a compensation.
In your portrait photography eyes are the main highlight. Is something you do naturally, without thinking, or have another reason?
A common fraise is – eyes are the mirror of the soul. Eyes show with their mode of expression the past, present and future of the person I am shooting with.
Not all people feel comfortable in front of a camera. What do you normally doing to reverse this situation? Any tips you wanna reveal to our readers?
Your own behavior mainly determines the comfort of the one towards you. The more relaxed I am, the more is the model. Having conversations is always helping but in moderation.
When and why did you feel the need to go to the Fuji X System X?
That was a pragmatically decision at the beginning of my photographical activities. I had to determine demands were necessary being able reaching my goals. So, concerning my financial options those days, the Fuji system suited the best.
What’s inside your bag? Why do you have made that choice?
Nowadays I have a Fuji X-E2, 35mm 1.4 and a old Helios Zenit 44-2 from 1988, including adapter. More-over a notebook, extra rechargeable batteries, a cleaning towel and pen. Sometimes less is more. I don’t like having much equipment with me when I am off for a shot. My camera and both objectives provide all potential and varieties I need and want.
What is your favourite photography accessory, other than your camera?
Nature, which is almost always present at my pics – diffuse leaf, colouring of the background or a reflection in the pupils.
What kind of tools do you use for post processing? Explain, as much as possible, your workflow.
Lightroom and Photoshop. I don’t have a certain workflow, as every pic is unique. Basically, I try to avoid doing too much excessive editing, so my photographies appear in a natural look. But first of all, I do cutting and colour blanking at Lightroom. Secondly, minimal retouching at Photoshop and back to Lightroom doing final adjustments.
You send to print many of the photographs that you do, or not really? Why?
By the time I will have enough pics for a personal collection, I will be printing a book. So all my best ones will be presented in a row and I can have a look from time to time or show them to others.
What is your best photography tip?
Don’t look at too many pics of other photographers. What’s important is to shoot on your own. Only this way you are able to develop your own style and you have the chance to protrude from the mass.
Thank you for your time!
Thank you for the interest in my photography and good luck with your great project.
“I started photographing the serious way about 3 years ago. It had always fascinated me to keep of that perfect moment in nature and people here and now. Fuji cameras were my company right from the beginning. My camera helps me developing my own personal style and way of photography and creates clearance for creativity.”
