10 pictures by legendary fashion photographer F.C. Gundlach
Renowned for his iconic post-war fashion photography, the German F.C. Gundlach also loved to travel around the world with his camera. As he turns 90 on July 16, here are 10 of his personal favorite works.
Risk-taking ballet in Hamburg
This acrobatic photo, "Pantyhose Ballad," was taken in 1959 in Hamburg's port. Gundlach exceptionally decided to keep the image in color rather than in black-and-white. Gundlach's new exhibition in Berlin, "90 years, 90 photos," features different photos from this series with the dancers, but this one is the only one in color.
Op art in sunny Greece
This high-contrast Op art photo is one of the photographer's most famous works, taken in Greece in 1966. Model Brigitte Bauer poses in front of a modern building wearing a swimsuit with abstract patterns, her eyes covered by huge futuristic sun glasses. The photo reflects the bold fashion of that period.
Beauty and horror
F.C. Gundlach took this exceptional picture during the shoot of the German horror movie "Alraune" in 1952. The photo features lead actress Hildgard Knef, who played the mysterious Alraune, a woman who's the product of a scientific experiment. The photo highlights Alraune's arcane beauty.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Gundlach was working as a photo reporter in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. Reflecting the post-war atmosphere, this photo of a soldier, "Light and shade," shows a ray of hope at the end of a dark tunnel.
1960s in Paris
"It was as if the city could photograph itself without looking," said Gundlach of Paris. In 1950, the young reporter traveled to France's capital for the first time. One decade later, he returned and created a whole series featuring Karin Mossberg (r.) and Karl Fehrmann. Here they are wearing Pierre Cardin's fashion.
Trendy polka dots in Berlin
Polka dots were really trendy in the 1960s. This photo shows Mirella dressed in a design by Staebe-Seger in 1964. F.C. Gundlach didn't need to travel very far to capture the spirit of the times for this picture: It was taken in his home town, Berlin.
Fashion by the pyramids in Egypt
This close-up portrait of Karin Mossberg was created in 1966 in Egypt. Another one of Gundlach's famous Op art works was also shot in front of the pyramids of Giza, called "The Cheops Pyramids," featuring models Karin Mossberg and Micky Zenati.
Screaming colors
According to Gundlach, Uschi Obermaier was only a good photo model when she was naked - but he's proud of this exceptional spontaneous shot. "I took me a long time to find this photo for the exhibition," Gundlach says. "Those life-sized dolls were on display at a gas station. I told Uschi to sit among them and took a picture," he remembers.
Mystical and fabulous
This photo series was shot in 1967. It shows Simone D'Aillencourt wearing a golden evening dress made of silk and a chiffon kimono. The fashion series was published in 1957-58 in the German magazine "Film und Frau."
The photographer as a model
Here, F.C. Gundlach poses for Esther Haase, in a picture recalling his own 1960 work, "Famingo-Man." Born in 1926, Franz Christian Gundlach got his first camera at the age of 10 and became professional in 1946. He turns 90 on July 16, 2016.