Hannes Caspar is a photographer whose work can be found littering the pages of Germany’s most popular newspapers and magazines (think Berliner Morgenpost, Stern, Neon & Die Welt). His portfolio is vast, brimming over with exhilarating images; a handful of art nudes; a dabble in fashion; a scattering of actors. Perusing its endless perimeters, it soon becomes clear that it is Caspar’s portraiture that has earned his reputation in one of Europe’s most creative cities.

His camera seems to have no concept of personal space and we find ourselves on surprisingly intimate terms with his subjects. Through the lens their personality radiates and it’s easy to feel as if they have been disarmed; denied the protection of the lens and stripped of all pretense. Through the photographs their personality radiates; each individual aura taking the form of a romantic hue of tone or color, playfully hanging in the air.

What is really interesting is that Caspar’s talents in portraiture are resilient enough to jump the gap into the realms of another medium. As we watch his short films, we see that they are just like moving portraits; a sensual version of the photographs found in Harry Potter, capturing more than moment, instead eternalizing the essence of a person.

BAPS: How old were you when you first decided that you wanted to be a photographer?
HC: I think I was 26, making music was my first love.

BAPS: How would you describe the short films that you make?
HC: To be honest these little films are a kind of exercise for me. I definitely want to make more films in the near future… and perhaps a full-length movie someday. It’s interesting for me to combine movements, expressions and music. This creates a great atmosphere.

BAPS: What do you think is so interesting about a person’s face?
HC: a face can tell more than thousands of words, every little detail is so fascinating. Even as a young child I was observing human faces.

BAPS: Your work includes a lot of nudes, do you think that attitudes towards nudity are more liberal in Berlin than in the rest of Europe?
HC: Oh I don’t know, but what I do know is that Berlin is a very liberal place in general. So yes…perhaps. I’ve never thought about that.

BAPS: Where is the best place in the city for people watching?
HC: Definitely the U-Bahn. There you have the quietness and concentration to study faces. Sometimes it could be very exhausting (smiles)

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Painting by Catrin Walz Stein

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