Jan Röhrmann

Based in Köln, Germany, Jan is today a top photographer in the violin field. In this short interview he talks about his work, his projects, his dreams...

When and why did you decide to be a photographer?

It's a passion that grew up with me since a long time ago. As a hobby I really liked sneaking around with my camera, telling stories, being creative. After these 'trips' I loved printing out my work, just to see and also feel what I had done in the hours before. It always has been exciting staying in my own laboratory for several hours, in a totally dark black hole losing the sense of time. As a result, I started the apprenticeship in a photo-studio in 1991 after completing high school. I continued working as assistent photographer with many different and great photographers worldwide. I started my own solo carreer in 2001 managing to work just on my own - it was a great moment!

What is your way of approaching your profession?

May I tell you a nice short story before? It was during a walk with our dog that my mother met another stroller, also with a dog. Believe it or not, this man was a violin dealer!

So, my mother gave me his telephone number: it was in the wintertime of 1995 when I got to be in touch with string instruments for my very first time. I was fascinated with everything: material, sound and history, the classical music culture. I started learning more about wood, varnish and models and as a result I've learned how to make individual light, recognizing that every instrument has its own character.

My results got better and better and in 1998 "Jean Baptiste Vuillaume", a publication with my photos, was published. Success came by, second publication "Italian and French Violin Makers" followed - and now Vol III is already published and I have possibilities of working for several international publications and books.
Recently, together with three other collegues I opened a violin studio in the historical center of Cologne, Germany.

There you will find a huge exhibition of contemporary stringed instruments, a presentation of several old instruments and bows, books, photography of instruments and also portraits of artists and violin makers - it is an amazing place full of creativity and possibilities.

How do you feel the violinmaking field?

I can say, as a man and as photographer: just exciting! It gives me the chance of travelling, to go out and find stories for reports, ideas for books; it fulfils me with a big sense of pleasure and energy.

What are your projects for the future?

I´m working on several international book projects: the second volume of "Contemporary Violin Makers", the fourth volume of the encyclopadia "Italian and French Violinmakers", and more I'm working on a book regarding 30 years of experiences of contemporary violin making. What I´m really lucky about is my new work on a portrait portfolio of soloists, conductors, quartets and orchestras. I would like to continue this as I´m fascinated by creating special relationships between the musicians and photographer, I like to find these sensitive moments of all different characters, and to capture them.

These first studies will be soon presented on my new designed homepages "violinphotos" and "janrohrmann" photography.
At last: one day I hope to make a photo documentation about the legendary "Cannon" violin...

Violinphotos
Jan Röhrmann
Lintgasse 18-20
50667 Köln
Germany
tel +49 / (0)221 / 4736280
mobil +49/ (0)172/ 7 31 81 61
info@violinphotos.com
www.violinphotos.com