Manfred Hamm was born in 1944 in Zwickau in Saxony, he spent his childhood in Cologne, and has been living in the West of Berlin since 1967. He is one of the most renowned contemporary architecture and industrial photographers - the complexity of his photographic work is quite unparalleled.
Hamm's central interest is owed to the architecture of the height of the industrial age in 19th century Europe. In the last years over 30 of his books have been published, all related to European topics. Among them books about coffeehouses, coal-mines, the steel and textile industry, churches, and "Railway Stations in Europe".
Upcoming publications: "Markthallen in Europa" and "Börsen in Europa" as well as a book about the Schinkel school of architecture
If Manfred Hamm weren't a photographer, he'd probably be working as a historian. The driving force at the centre of his work is a fascination with the past. And in this way he has killed two birds with one stone, recording traces of history as an industrial and architectural photographer for over 30 years. "I freeze time," is how he describes what he does.
Manfred Hamm's projects are all long-term. He has followed some topics for decades, some for over 30 years, the most recent photographs were taken in 2007. His archive is filled with historical documents - architectural treasures, many of which no longer exist.
As a rule architecture is most often shown empty and from a central perspective. Ideally buildings are shown from the outside in Spring or Autumn, when the trees have no leaves. The sky is hazy, serving as...