Australian Penthouse

Austrian glamour photographer and Penthouse contributor, Manfred Baumann, discusses friendly celebrities, aggressive bears and his book, Erotic Visions

Why did you decide to become a photographer?
My grandfather was a photographer during WWII, and he gave me my first camera. He was a big inspiration as his photos were just so amazing, and he loved what he did a great deal.

You began shooting nudes early in your career. What inspired this decision?
When I was really young, my mother used to send me to the well-known American nude photographer, Davide Armando, to help me learn English. After a year, I became his assistant.

I decided to continue with nude photography instead of traditional fashion photography because I’m fascinated by how the light and shadows dance off the naked body. You can see this so well in photographs.

How did you select which photos to publish in your new book, Erotic Visions?
I tried to find the right mix between my new and old work, to demonstrate my progression in the type of photographs I’ve taken over 10 years.

Which photographers do you look up to?
One of my biggest idols is Ansel Adams, not only because he influenced the entire world of photographers with his work, but because he’s very dedicated to helping raise funds for different charities. Also, Helmut Newton is another of my idols.

What has been your most memorable experience while travelling?
One would have to be when I was shooting with my wife, Nelly, in Canada. We were in Canada primarily to take some landscape pictures. While we were driving through a park, we spotted an amazing lake with a few bears wading in it. We stopped to take some photographs, but one of the bears noticed us, came over and began knocking and shaking the whole car around with us locked inside! Luckily, after a few minutes he lost interest and went away.

In 2003, you expanded your photography work to include celebrities such as John Malkovich, Bruce Willis, and Lionel Ritchie.Who was the first celebrity you worked with, and who was the most interesting?
The first celebrity I photographed was Sir Roger Moore. That was definitely the highlight of my career. The most interesting celebrity that I have worked with is Lionel Ritchie. Although he’s extremely famous, he’s just such a normal, nice person. It was really enjoyable to work with him.

As well as nude photography, you also choreograph international fashion shows. How did these opportunities come about?
My wife is the owner of a modelling agency, so I help out with that side of the business. Nelly and I also work in connection with the Miss Austria Corporation, which means that we are involved with a lot of shows.

You have held photographic exhibitions in your hometown of Vienna, as well as in London, Paris, New York and Berlin. Where do you get the best reception?
Probably Vienna, because I’m in Vienna most of the time and have a lot of projects going on there, so I’m known in Austria. Most of my books have been very popular in German-speaking countries, particularly Celebrities and Travel Photography. However, Erotic Visions is my first illustrated book to be published worldwide, so hopefully I will start
to become more well known internationally.

Is there any chance that you might visit Australia? We have many beautiful women here who would love to sit for your lens…
I’ll be staying in Vienna for a while, then I’ll start making a few journeys again, probably to LA, London and Germany for new exhibitions. I’m still working on a few projects, including my 2010 calendar, which comes out at the end of September. I also have ideas for more exhibitions, and yes, Australia is on the cards…

Erotic Visions by Manfred Baumann is published by Skylight, and is available through www.manfredbaumann.com and all major bookstores nationally.

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