Sebastian Trägner about his art and his inspiration

Interview with Sebastian Trägner

What originally got you into photography?

I picked up a camera for the first time almost seven years ago. At that time, I was already deeply rooted in subcultures and creative fields, but photography didn't play a major role for me back then. As luck would have it, I was given a camera as a gift - and from that moment on, I was fascinated. Photography opened up a completely new and exciting way for me to express myself and capture my view of the world.

How has your artistic style developed over the years and what influences have shaped your work?

My artistic style has developed strongly over the years and has been shaped by various influences. From the very beginning, I was fascinated by the self-taught approach of learning things by try-and-error and at the same time acquiring the necessary knowledge. I immersed myself directly in the world of photography and intensively studied the history and work of photographers such as Nachtwey, Bruce Davidson, Salgado and Leibovitz. Their motifs and compositions, especially in the field of black and white photography with strong contrasts, had a significant influence on me at the beginning.

I took my first photographic steps on the street. I didn't take many pictures at first, but through daily walks I developed a special relationship with the people around me. My early pictures, often in black and white, showed homeless people - not in a miserable way, but in a poignant and aesthetic way. These encounters and their way of life influenced not only my motifs, but also my style, which was characterized by an “up-close approach” and new perspectives.

Another important influence was the contact with the Leica company, as well as the support of friends and family. This positive reinforcement and my insatiable hunger for new subject matter meant that I was constantly experimenting and trying out new approaches.

Over time, my style expanded and I began to explore color more intensively. My work developed in the direction of journalistic-artistic photography, with color, composition and perspective becoming increasingly important. The exploration of themes such as the human body, its connection to nature and subcultures was reflected in my later work.

In fashion photography in particular, I found new forms of expression by respectfully and aesthetically staging subcultures and scenes that are often overlooked or labeled. The creative use of color also played a larger role here. Despite the development away from the initial naivety, I am always trying to recapture this freedom!

Photo: Sebastian Trägner

How do you approach a new photo project? Do you have certain rituals or processes that help you find your creative direction?

When I approach a new photo project, I generally don't follow a fixed ritual or a strictly defined process. My approach is based more on the principle of try and error - I let myself drift and go with the flow. I try not to compare myself with others or use social media as a benchmark for the value of my work. It's important to me to distance myself from likes and trends in order to stay true to my own creative direction.

My ideas and creativity come from myself, and I am lucky to be surrounded by a great social environment that supports me. My partner, family, friends, the collective around Leica, galleries, curators and of course the people I work with play a big part in this. They give me the support I need to clearly formulate and realize my visions.

Although I often let myself drift during the creative process, I am still goal-oriented. As soon as I have an idea, I implement it straight away without hesitating for long. If the interim result meets my expectations or satisfies me in some other way, the end result is usually available quickly. If it doesn't meet my expectations and I can't work on it any further, I put it in the archive without holding on to it unnecessarily.

To what extent are personal experiences or emotions reflected in your art, and how do they influence your creative decisions?

For me, I make a distinction between photography in art and photography as a craft. Within art and my exhibitions, my personal experiences are number one. All my exhibitions are related and relate to themes that I am either going through myself or things that stir or inspire me emotionally. There, photography is my anchor and my personal way of understanding and visualizing things. In my profession, it is my personal experience in terms of understanding technology, and here I am guided by the client's wishes, always in a creative exchange in order to achieve a perfect result.

Photo: Sebastian Trägner

What role does the materiality of a photo play for you? Is the physical expression of a picture - for example in the form of a high-quality print - important to you?

100% important! We've probably heard it a lot, but I can only confirm it - when you hold your own work in your hands for the first time and don't just see it on a screen, it does something wonderful to you. It makes you appreciate your own work. You see new things in the motif. The possibility of using different variations of paper etc. can also completely change the message of a motif. Totally exciting!

Photo: Sebastian Trägner

What makes the floater frames special for you? How do the frames complement your work?

I like the simple, the reduced. Without much distraction. It's subtle, but stylish. In my eyes, the focus remains on the picture and is discreetly supported in a perfect way. The frame as part of the composition, which is not too dominant, but allows the artwork to continue to speak for itself!