Robert Seethaler, Bestsellerautor, debütiert als Fotograf mit Schwarzweiß-Berlin

Robert Seethaler, renowned for his subtle novels such as "Der Trafikant" (2012) and "Die Straße," is showcasing his photography for the first time. Monopol exclusively features the initial images from the Austrian, who has resided in Berlin for 25 years. His black-and-white photographs, taken during winter, depict churches, shadows, and portraits of elderly and impoverished individuals, frequently the homeless. Seethaler, who has 19 diopters in each eye, shares his affinity for monochrome: "Color often intrudes and distracts from the essence." He likens photography to writing: "You take, carve, and remove much material, similar to sculpting. My father was a woodcarver." Although these images were created after completing "Die Straße," Seethaler believes, "'Die Straße' is the book inspired by the pictures." His visual impairment shapes his creative process: "Due to my poor eyesight, I must develop the images myself—just like with writing."