Playful experiments with Max Slobodda

Can you tell us a bit about how you became a photographer? And tell us something about your pictures.

My journey began with a bachelor's degree in photography from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Dortmund. Throughout my studies, I explored various photography genres. I spent countless days roaming different cities from morning till night, searching for unique motifs that reflected my perspective of life rather than everyday scenes. Street photography taught me to appreciate minimalistic techniques. My small, inconspicuous camera became my constant companion. However, eventually, I felt the need for a more playful and experimental approach to the medium. So, I ventured into nature, finding inspiration in light, objects, and serene surroundings. Over the years, I developed a distinctive style that increased my visibility in the photography world. I added various portraits of people from my environment to my portfolio, creating surrealistic scenes. Gradually, I established a freelance career. Today, I work for various magazines and newspapers in the editorial market, as well as for advertising clients. I describe my pictures as experimental, playful, and colorful. I often create symbolic images on given topics or on my own initiative for freelance projects. My goal is to reinterpret ordinary objects or situations in ways never seen before.

Photo: Max Slobodda // Fine Art Pigment Print behind Acrylic Glass and Solid Wood ArtBox

Please tell us more about your pictures. What are your particular interests, and how do you choose the colors, composition, and themes? Where does this interest come from? Feel free to go into detail about your project Stranger Things.

In my projects, I play a lot with chance, but I don't leave everything up to it. Often, a rough idea, a sketch, a location, or objects spark the beginning of a picture. While the direction is predetermined, the process of photographing remains fluid. I'm often surprised when the first image appears on the display, bringing my idea to life. My fascination lies in creating images that you don't see in everyday life and that exist solely through my photography. It's less about a specific theme or concept and more about the process itself and the playful exploration of photography. My pictures offer plenty of room for viewers' interpretations. They've been used to explore topics like sleepwalking, the environment, finances, and the supernatural.

I use a variety of stylistic tools, such as color filters, overexposure, analog effect filters, and countless objects thrown into the air. It's particularly important to me that the images I create have genuinely taken place without digital manipulation, similar to the candid shots I took during my street photography days. 

Photo: Max Slobodda // Photo Print behind Acrylic Glass and Hamburg Frame

What do you want to trigger in the viewer with this project? 

When I started working on the project Stranger Things, my goal wasn't to trigger any specific reaction in viewers. Personally, it was about rediscovering photography and evolving my skills. The fact that a coherent series emerged, complementing each other visually, was a happy accident. I worked picture by picture without aiming for a complete series. The first reactions to Stranger Things came via Instagram, ranging from enthusiasm to confusion and many unanswered questions. There are various possibilities for interpretation. I often learn something new about my pictures and myself from the viewers' feedback. I have always been fascinated by the fact that certain forms of art raise questions and cause confusion. I prefer to leave these questions unanswered, offering no logical explanation for what they see. 

Photo: Max Slobodda // UltraHD Photo Print on Aluminum Dibond and Basel Floater Frame

What inspires you in general, and what specifically inspired you for this series? 

Early in my photography career, I was inspired by Trent Parke’s series "Minutes to Midnight." Parke’s use of overexposure, a technique that deliberately incorporates mistakes, fascinated me. I was curious to see how far I could push this approach myself, as seen in the picture with the three hands and the ball. This curiosity was the starting point for the series and inspired me to work experimentally and test my limits in photography. 

And what else inspires you? Films, books, magazines, or your surroundings? 

I'm primarily inspired by everyday life—whether it’s a walk in nature, a stroll through the city, conversations with other photographers, friends, or unexpected encounters. Instagram is also a valuable tool; posts from other artists or even endless loops of reels can spark excitement. Often, it's just small fragments from these moments that trigger an idea. Visiting exhibitions, going to the movies, watching series, or exploring other artists' projects are also significant sources of inspiration for me. 

What are your plans for the rest of the day? 

A walk along the Rhine, like every day.