© Max Scheler, Elizabeth Taylor vor dem Graumans Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, USA, 1956
PHOTOKUNST Fasanenstr. 69 10719 Berlin Allemagne
Johanna Breede PHOTOKUNST presents the rediscovery of the German photographer Max Scheler (1928-2003). Scheler, once named Germanys most famous photojournalist of his time, published in Heute, Look, Picture Post, Paris Match, Epoca, Münchner Illustrierten and stern. For his photo essays he travelled around the world for over 25 years.
Max Scheler had the ability to pay attention to the nuances in dealing with people. His portraits of celebrities or historical moments are characterized by this talent. He noticed small, seemingly insignificant gestures from the perspective of detached serenity. Nevertheless, his competence and ability to empathize with his subjects and an intense interest in the psychology of people already characterized his earliest essays for the magazine Heute. In a portrait of his oeuvre in 1958 Scheler mentioned „«Im focused on reportage with dramatic content. I look for situations in which facial reactions of the individual or the masses mirror the atmosphere of the event. The human face with emotions of joy, sorrow, excitement, hysteria, faith, despair is most beautiful. I am more interested in the psychological than formal aspects of photography. Excellent composition, graphic qualities, and distribution of light, are prerequisites of a good image, but I apply these unconsciously.»
Max Scheler was a dyed in the wool Human Interest photographer. For several years he had been a member of Magnum, the most important photographer cooperative focussed on reportage photography. Schelers oeuvre has been almost forgotten and can now be rediscovered in the gallery.
© Max Scheler, Jackie und John F. Kennedy erwarten Hassan II. von Marokko, Washington, 1963.
Vignette : © Max Scheler, Elizabeth Taylor vor dem Graumans Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, USA, 1956.