We at Xpozer love photography and photo exhibitions and have gathered over 10 years of experience in exhibition management. We are happy to support our customers in organizing new exhibitions. Recently, photographer Astrid Förster opened her 5th exhibition, using Xpozer. We interviewed German photographer Astrid Förster to learn more about her photography, how to exhibit photos, and the benefits it brings. Enjoy reading!
photo: Astrid Förster
Astrid Förster mostly photographs early in the morning when she almost has the city center to herself. She needs to be quite weatherproof, as one of her favorite photographic subjects is "Batschlachen" (Augsburg dialect for puddles), which she captures even during rain showers. But the magnificent fountains on Maximilianstrasse and everything around Rathausplatz are also among her favorite subjects, which she captures in her unique and creative way. Many of her pictures make you puzzle, take a closer look, and invite you on visual journeys.
Astrid is a native and passionate Augsburger and prefers photographing urban scenes, showcasing a versatile selection of them in her exhibition. Her exhibition “Wasserfest" (engl. waterproof) is her 5th exhibition and second solo exhibition. The other three exhibitions were with photography friends, often in connection with the Lighthouse Photo School, where she learned a lot and now even teaches courses.
How did you come up with the idea for your photo exhibition?
As is often the case, it was a happy coincidence. I wanted to exhibit again, and through a couple of connections, a friend who is a physiotherapist heard about it. She wanted to combine art and therapy in her practice. We quickly realized that the rooms and my photographs of Augsburg complemented each other perfectly. Since she had been a fan of my puddle photos on Instagram for a while, the theme was quickly found.
When did you start with photography, and how long did you wait before your first exhibition?
I had a camera as a child and took a lot of photos, mostly in my hometown of Augsburg, even back then. Digital photography opened up a new world for me. Being able to experiment and see right away if it worked is wonderful. I started "real" conscious photography in 2017, and since then, I have photographed daily. My first exhibition was in 2019.
I mostly photograph in urban environments, focusing on subjects like architecture, street, and moods, using various techniques. Currently, multiple exposures are my favorite technique. I showcase my work on various Instagram accounts; the main account is @afoe_fokus.
How did it feel to see your photos printed in such a large format?
For me as a photographer, there is nothing better than seeing my pictures so large on the wall. Additionally, the rooms in the practice are beautiful, so my pictures come out perfectly. I had one picture printed in 80 x 120 cm portrait format, and it looks fantastic at the end of the long hallway
Impressions from Astrid Förster's exhibition "Wasserfest" (engl. water proof)
What do you think you’ve learned from printing your photos in a large format?
You have to pay even more attention to making sure the edges are clean and that there are no small errors in the pictures. The large print reveals everything, especially with the sharpness of the Xpozer prints.
What was special about exhibiting with Xpozer?
I only recently got to know Xpozer at an event by Michael Werthmüller (fotopodcast.de) and was immediately enthusiastic. The color and sharpness, along with the matte surface, convinced me. I like that I can reuse the frames and that the pictures can be disassembled and take up little space. Until now, I have mostly printed on acrylic because I liked the color's brilliance and luminosity. However, Xpozer is in no way inferior to that and has the additional advantage that the surface does not reflect. My photography friends found the Xpozer print and mounting system very exciting; rarely has a picture been looked at from the back as often as this time.
Many visitors to my vernissage particularly liked a specific puddle picture because they had associations with the shape of the puddle—ranging from Bigfoot's footprint to mercury…
Many visitors also spoke about the stories that unfold in their minds when they look at the pictures. Chairs at Rathausplatz remind them of relaxed summer evenings with cool drinks. Fountains make you almost feel the freshness of the water.
photo: the artist and her work
What have you learned from this exhibition?
I rediscovered how much pride and good feelings the sight of my own pictures on the wall brings me. Planning and executing an exhibition involves a lot of work, but when you stand in front of the pictures, it is more than worth it.
Have you also felt the urge to organize an exhibition? Maybe you already have some ideas for the venue or theme? Don’t hesitate to ask Xpozer for help: We offer custom volume deals starting from 10 prints. Find more information about the Xpozer Exhibition Program here
