German fashion photographer F. C. Gundlach defined the look of early postwar fashion photography. For more than four decades, Gundlach created a style that fused model, clothing, and background into a single striking image.
Gundlach's photo career began at age 12 after receiving his first camera, an Agfa-Box, in 1938. His first freelance jobs were shooting for theatre and film reviews in various German magazines. This led to an interest in fashion photography and in 1953 he began to specialize cutting edge editorials for the Hamburg-based publications Film und Frau, Elegante Welt and Annabelle. Gundlach signed an exclusive contract with the magazine Brigitte in 1963 and produced more than 5,500 fashion pages as well as 180 covers for them. During that time, he would also capture numerous portraits of well known artists and celebrities including French director Jean Luc Godard. It would establish him as one of the most important and cutting edge photographers of his time.
Gundlach's images demonstrate a keen eye for beauty and detail. He was very aware of his environment including every posture and gesture his models would make. His pictures are expressed in a extremely clever, intriguing and concise way. This refined photographic technique shaped the way the world perceived fashion and art.
“A fashion photo has to reflect the spirit of the times and have a message, otherwise its purpose has been defeated."
~ FC Gundlach