WHAT WAS THE FIRST MILESTONE FOR YOU IN YOUR CAREER AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?

My first collaborations were an important step for me to feel legitimate as someone who just started doing this professionally. I started to perceive myself as a photographer, to admit that to myself. Sometimes I almost had to remind myself: you’re a photographer, you get paid for your work, might as well call yourself a photographer. But it was also the general appreciation for my work, my creative output, that meant a lot to me.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY THAT YOU LOVE?

Well, it was definitely the biggest topic on Instagram back then and my first point of contact with photography, which then quickly developed into a passion. When I’m out and about with my camera, I observe a lot, feeling almost invisible. This allows me to capture real moments and genuine moods, which has an incomparable appeal for me.

Catching the right moment turns an everyday moment into something significant. Timing is essential because otherwise you quickly slip into the banal; one second can make all the difference. Once you’ve achieved that a few times, you’re quickly out there every day trying to replicate it.

HOW HAS YOUR INSTAGRAM SUCCESS AFFECTED YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?

Of course, classic street photography became more and more difficult the more reach I had. That’s when people would recognize themselves or their friends and link to them in the pictures. That’s great, of course, but also not the point.

I have my golden rule that I only publish images that are flattering to the subject. Still, of course, not everyone agrees to their picture being shared publicly, especially with the reach of my channel. That’s why I’ve evolved my visual language in recent years, away from people and more towards urban landscapes.

HOW DID YOU USE THIS UPHEAVAL TO DEVELOP YOUR STYLE?

From the beginning, my images were very emotionally charged. Now that people are not the focus anymore, I try to provoke emotions differently. To do this, I work a lot with light and mood, color combinations, complimentary contrasts, but also exciting geometric elements like lines of houses. What emotions are triggered in the end in the viewer you can never know, but as long as something is touched on the inside, I have achieved my goal.

YOUR IMAGES HAVE A DISTINCTIVE STYLE. HOW DO YOU DEVELOP IT?

On an Instagram profile, the last dozen published posts are displayed at the same time, and that’s also my business card for potential customers. For the aesthetics, it is therefore important that the images have a certain consistency, that there is a common thread.

I achieve this mainly with the help of my personal presets, in which I invest a lot of time when creating them. Then I have them ready at hand on my Loupedeck CT, and often I know exactly which preset fits the image at first glance, and then all that’s left is to fine-tune it.

I’ve developed a certain rhythm because after a few months I get bored with the presets and start to create a new set. Generally, it stays in the dark spectrum, but I experiment with hues and temperature, evolving to keep it exciting. My followers always notice right away when I try new things.

WHAT IS THE BEST STEP IN EDITING FOR YOU?

My images feature a lot of black and gray and get tension and balance from light or strong complementary contrasts, so working with curves is the most important step for me. That’s where I get the most impact, giving images my individual style. I try out a lot until I like the result. In general, I definitely have a soft spot for dark tones and gloomy moods, that’s my personal aesthetic.

The Loupedeck CT helps me tremendously to get the most out of my images. I can make super-precise adjustments in the curves without having to take my eyes off the image. It makes me feel much closer to the image, and I can intuitively realize my vision.

HOW HAS THE LOUPEDECK CT CHANGED YOUR WORKFLOW?

If you’ve been editing images for many years as I have, you’re pretty stuck in your ways. So it was exciting to completely break down my process, tweak it, and reassemble it with the Loupedeck. It took a little getting used to, of course, but I can do every step that I used to need the mouse for better with the Loupedeck CT. I’m always surprised at how much more direct editing feels now.

TO WHOM WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE LOUPEDECK CT?

I recommend the Loupedeck CT to all my colleagues who edit images professionally. Not only has it turned my workflow around and improved it, but it also brings me much closer to the image while I’m working.

Find and follow Thomas on Instagram: @thomas_k