Christoph "World Renowned Artists" Photographer

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Roots & Beginnings

2007 marks 51 years in photography.

I took my first photograph at the age of 7. It was with a Brownie Box my father had bought me. I remember it clearly, to this day. I was hooked.

Of the hundreds of rolls I shot between 1957 & 1959, none of those photographs exists today - but I remember many of them. Somewhere between the shuffle of revolution in Honduras and moving back to the states, they were lost.

Self taught, I became commercially serious about photography at the age of 14. With a lot of begging, I borrowed my brother’s Canon, one day. I walked the length of Chicago ’s lake front, from Rogers Park to downtown, photographing parks, doorways, flower beds, sculptures, landmarks and people. Some of them I sold to friends and others I hustled to strangers on the streets, for a quarter. It paid for my cigarettes and more film.

I grew up in what is known today as Wrigleyville. For the past 23 years, I have been residing in Palatine , and have a portrait studio in a custom built, 3 story townhome. When I am not producing privately commissioned portraiture or shooting weddings, I travel and am dedicated to creating fine-art – always with an eye for the unique.

“Life requires art, because art expresses us and who we are and need to be.”

Portratit Style

I don't request people to pose for a portrait. Everyone is uncomfortable; postures and faces are strained and look artificial. During a session, I will take approximately 60-80 spontaneous pictures, while I talk to a client – when he/she least expects it. I then recommend only 6-8 finals for their review. This is a technique I use, while doing casual or formal work. When clients leave a portrait session, they always seem to say, “Now, that was fun.”

Impeccable Quality

There is no higher priority than the image. Quality is what drives me. I demand nothing less than perfection from myself. Perhaps I come close, when my client expresses satisfaction with the outcome.

I approach all my work with a critical eye. I personally hand-craft each photograph in the digital darkroom – color adjustments, composition and cropping, sharpening – attending to the smallest details.

My clientele demands the best. It is what I demand from myself. That is what they get.

About My Fine Art Photography

To me, photography - any art form - is an expression of the self. My work is how I see my surroundings and the DNA of what I want to express for a given project or series of photographs.

I believe an artist's work is a view into his soul and emotions at the time. This changes from project to project and absolutely over the artist's lifetime.

True art is not fabricated for what is wanted by the public or the times. Art is an artist's vision and interpretation and expression of the world around him, irregardless of the audience or viewer.

My Fine Art Projects

Musicians Through Chicago, Dancing Through The City, City Streets and Homeless Bound encompass and are the culmination of my photography drives.

The soul of music, the emotion and beauty of dance, the life of city streets around me and the dignity of human beings is what is important - stories which need to be told.

Christoph

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Copyright © 1999-2007. Christoph G. Olesch. All rights reserved. No part of this material or website may be copied, pasted, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission. All images contained in this Website are Copyright © 1999-2006. Christoph G. Olesch. All rights reserved.

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