Robert
Rieger

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live in Berlin since over ten years now, some people say you’re a Berliner living here 7 years, some say 15 years and some never. But I love Berlin and was also fascinated by this city as a teenager. Since I’m working a lot outside the studio and often outside Germany I love editing my work at my home on my preferred set up.

Where is your studio located & how does it look?

I don’t work in a studio that I own – most of the time the studios I work in are huge, sometimes two to three halls with whole apartments in it. That’s why I work from home in post production and often source retouching out. Since I’m on production so often I have to edit / color grade my work on airports and hotels which is not perfect. My office at home is quite minimal – behind my beautiful Magnus Olesen desk I’m lucky to got my hand on a huge Lehni shelf, where I store my equipment and my holy book collection.

Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether
recently completed or currently in progress?

Latest I unfortunately or luckily don’t have any time for personal projects, since I’m working a lot on editorial and commercial projects. Especially editorial projects feel like personal projects. I quite enjoy commercial productions too even if the outcome is not necessarily artistic or strong, I love the process and the whole team work behind it. Working with strong colleagues who are master in their field, like stylists, art and creative directors, make up artists and producers is quite satisfying and fulfilling.

Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

Most definitely the Botanical garden in Berlin – with it’s beautiful glass houses which feel right out of a Tim Burton movie and it’s huge area of different plant sections it is the perfect hide away on weekends, even in winter.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

Of course, there are always political issues and problems in every region, sometimes stronger, sometimes less visible. In general Berlin is quite safe compared to other cities I have visited around the world.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

As someone who uses quite every transport vehicle, I feel that bike lanes improved a bit in Berlin. But it’s also not perfect yet – some bike lanes who were set up, were demolished after the mayors changed.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

In Berlin we have a lot of local manufactures. Of course I adore the work of my friends Aoiro Air, an olfactory design founded by Austro-Japanese duo Shizuko Yoshikuni and Manuel Kuschnig. Their work is sold worldwide and seen in some wonderful spaces around Berlin.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

What I find most innovative about Berlin is not necessarily a specific product or technology, but the city’s creative mindset. There is a willingness to question established ideas and experiment with new approaches. Compared to many other cities, Berlin feels remarkably open and accessible, which encourages collaboration across different creative fields. That openness has certainly influenced my own work as a photographer.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

If a restaurant is really good, it’s not a secret for long – I certainly love NaNum, a restaurant focusing on fermentation and run by 66 year old Korean born Jinok Kim Eiken with her artist husband Dirk Eicken. You’ll eat out of Jinoks own created ceramic plates.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

Berlin is home to many independent furniture makers, ceramic studios and design workshops whose pieces are produced in very small editions and often only available locally. I enjoy discovering these places during my work and travels through the city, as they reflect Berlin’s strong culture of craftsmanship and contemporary design.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

As a photographed I surely can’t live without Sun Surveyor an app which shows me where the sun will be at what time. I use it on very production to plan my motives. Then I lovey Flighradar – it’s fascinating to see where an aircraft flys above you. My absolute life saver is „Find Me“ app, which show me the location of my luggage, camera, keys etc. This app saved me a lot of time at airports waiting for my luggage and locating missing suitcases.

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

Of course I have a subscription with New York Times, ZEIT and other German newspapers to stay up to date. When in comes to photography and interior design, Instagram is the best platform to inform about latest trends and also seeing what other creatives are doing.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

Oh—a very complex question—I most definitely would improve bike lanes in the city. But unfortunately there will be more pressing social topics which have to be covered.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains —which one would you choose?

Since I have the luck to travel around so much, I don’t have the urge to live somewhere else at the moment. Of course cities like Copenhagen, New York City or Tokyo are fascinating. Especially for creatives these cities have an inspiring energy, I always soak when visiting. Probably the magic will disappear when living there longer.