MICHAEL SCHMIDT | Berlin-Kreuzberg Stadtbilder - ex-library

Schmidt’s photobook Berlin-Kreuzberg Stadtbilder is his first series to depart from his previous traditional photo-documentary series and build toward his signature style and most acclaimed work, Waffenruhe.

Critical in understanding the influence of American photographers that Schmidt invited to his school, Werkstatt für Fotografie in Kreuzberg. The
timing of these photos seem to roughly coincide with the visit by Lewis Baltz, John Gossage and William Eggleston.

The first photo series and photobook that departs from the previous traditional photodocumentary style. Beginning of the signature style that would come to make up his most acclaimed book Waffenruhe.

Schmidt began working in 1974 as a freelance photographer, most often commissioned for public documentaries. Berlin-Kreuzberg Stadtbilder

Softcover ex-library copy in good + condition with only a few marks. Pages with photo plates are clean, crisp, and nearly like-new. Blank sticker on inside of back cover only. Ink library stamps to first free endpaper and colophon page only. Wraps have small hole on the front crease on the back, both near the spine. One pen mark at top edge of page block. Otherwise clean tight copy.

This is pure photobook. There is nearly no text or captioning. Text in German. The only text is on the last page : Words of appreciation by Schmidt and rough timeline of photos (1981-1983) in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg (Schmidt lived here)

An early series by Schmidt that has the influence of developments in American photography.

Parr and Badger in The Photobook, a History VII note this influence in Schmidt’s work of the 1980’s :
“In the early 198os, the Werkstatt für Fotografie (founded by Schmidt, where he taught ) in Kreuzberg, a Berlin-based co-operative of photographers, invited a number of Americans, among them Lewis Baltz, John Gossage and William Eggleston, to exhibit, teach and work in Berlin.”

Edited by the Kreuzberg district office of Berlin.
11.25 x 9.5 inches
Approximately 70 large black & white photos on similar number of unnumbered pages.

https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/michael-schmidt-retrospective/