Ingmar Björn Nolting, a 30-year-old photographer from Essingen, has gained international recognition for his compelling images captured during the Corona pandemic. The award-winning photographer is now presenting some of his most powerful work at the Schloss-Scheune (Castle Barn) in Essingen, marking the first time his photographs are being exhibited in his hometown. These thought-provoking images are designed to challenge viewers and inspire deep reflection.
The Corona pandemic period marked Nolting's major breakthrough as a photographer. When the virus began spreading rapidly across the globe in early 2020, Nolting embarked on an extraordinary journey through Germany, traveling approximately 25,000 kilometers across the country under strict safety measures. While the world came to a standstill, he created his most impressive photographs, which brought him international acclaim and have since been exhibited in numerous countries around the world.
"We wanted something that would knock people off their feet," says Matthias Krull, a board member of the Schloss-Scheune Cultural Initiative. "And that's exactly what Ingmar Nolting's images are." According to Krull, these photographs represent a merciless analysis of society, presenting an unforgiving reality that extends far beyond the Corona pandemic. The images also address other critical contemporary issues, including the climate crisis, political developments, and social flashpoints in Eastern Germany.
For Nolting, photography is fundamentally about storytelling. "My pictures all tell a story," the 30-year-old explains. He deliberately chooses not to include explanatory texts beneath his photographs, preferring instead to let viewers engage with the images on their own terms. "People should engage with them, think about them, and make their own sense of what they see," he emphasizes. Nolting views the world as a stage where a theatrical performance unfolds, which is why none of his shots are staged – everything captured happened exactly as shown. He also maintains a strict policy against digital post-processing, ensuring the authenticity of his documentary work.
When it comes to equipment, Nolting takes a pragmatic approach that might surprise many aspiring photographers. He cannot precisely count how many photos he has taken throughout his life, estimating "several hundred thousand at least" with a laugh. His passion for photography began in his youth, starting with a Canon 550D camera, though he now primarily works with a Nikon. However, the award-winning photographer firmly believes that "technology isn't super important." He argues that good pictures can be taken with any camera, including smartphones, and often uses his phone during leisure time to capture special moments. His advice to beginners is not to immediately purchase the best or most expensive camera, but rather to experiment and focus on the fundamentals.
"Technology isn't the deciding factor – it's the subject matter," explains the prize-winning photographer, who completed his high school education at the Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium in Aalen before studying photography at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, where he specialized in documentary long-term projects.
Today, Nolting has established himself as an internationally sought-after photographer. The 30-year-old now lives in Leipzig but frequently travels across Europe, America, and Asia for his work. He recently completed an assignment in Uzbekistan for the renowned National Geographic magazine. His impressive client list includes other prestigious international and national media outlets such as The New York Times, Die Zeit, The Washington Post, Le Monde, The Guardian, and Stern magazine.
Nolting's artistic achievements have reached new heights with his work becoming part of the art collection at the Museum of Art and Cultural History in Dortmund. This inclusion serves as compelling evidence that his photographs possess not only documentary value but are also recognized as significant contemporary artworks in their own right.
Despite his international success and busy travel schedule, Nolting maintains connections to his hometown region. "My parents still live here, and I'm usually home for birthdays or Christmas," he explains, though he admits these visits are irregular. Currently, he is in Essingen specifically for his exhibition "View of Germany," attending key events including the opening vernissage and closing finissage.
The exhibition "View of Germany" by Ingmar Björn Nolting will remain open to the public until Sunday, November 9th. The Schloss-Scheune in Essingen welcomes visitors every Saturday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, as well as on Sundays and public holidays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission to the exhibition is free of charge. The closing ceremony (finissage) of the photography exhibition is scheduled for Sunday, November 9th, at 3:00 PM, providing a final opportunity for the community to engage with these powerful images that capture the unvarnished reality of contemporary German society.
