What does something look like in a specific time, place and circumstances? This question I ask myself when I'm photographing. The reason to make photographs is to show that 'something' other people.

 

Photography is a good way to record: it is a relatively quick and simple way to give a detailed picture, it gives the whole picture the equal amount of attention (the light-sensitive layer gets practical the same amount of light almost at the same time) and shows that an object exists or existed. But what value can you give that picture? Photography acts as a filter and the operation of the filter is determined by the creator of the picture.

 

I create photo stories in word and image. Text and image fit well together because they complement each other. Exact facts can be clearly described with text. Colours, emotions and atmosphere can be depicted well with pictures. The starting point and connecting factor of my photo stories is how something (the subject) looks like in a certain time and situation. I usually choose my subjects in the categories: landscapes, city views and people. My photo stories can be seen on this website and/or on postcards and/or in books that I publish.

 

I was born (1970) and raised in Leeuwarden (Netherlands). In Groningen (Netherlands) I studied fine arts at the school of arts Academie Minerva (1992-1998). Already during my study I used photography in art projects. After school I participated in various exhibitions in wich I show paintings, installations and photographs.

 

In 1999 I went to Berlin for a photo project. The extensive infrastructure, many amenities and cultural diversity pleased me very well. That’s why I chose Berlin as my new hometown. After visiting the city regulary I moved to Berlin in 2001. And started working as a freelance photographer and graphic designer.

 

In 2007 I started a publishing company in postcards. Which is very small but runs well. I publish my own photos and the work of about forty other artists on postcards. In order to reach a wider audience, the postcard publishing house started its own online shop in 2020 under the name ohoh.store

 

Michel Meijer

Michel Meijer is working on his photo project about cultural landscapes. In the foreground is his camera, a Mamiya C330S.

photo: Radek Dabrowski