4 June – 9 August 2009
He started photographing when he was just 16 years old and took his first press photo for “Die Neue Fussballwoche” in 1971. In 1989, he became chief photo editor of the daily Potsdamer Neue Nachrichten. Tommy is a part of the Potsdam cityscape – always on the road with lots of expensive photo equipment and a small digital camera that he uses in cases of emergency.
His obsession with film and the rise of the Babelsberg studios perfectly complemented each other. During his career, Thomas has photographed Mads Mikkelsen, Brad Pitt, Nadja Uhl, Tom Cruise, Anja Kling, Roman Polanski, and many other celebrities. With his camera, he establishes eye contact with the stars – as a set photographer, at press conferences, major red carpet events like the Berlinale, or the film festivals in Karlovy Vary and Cottbus that he appreciates so much. Filmmuseum Potsdam almost considers him a member of the team. Of course, he was and is always there when prominent guests like Hildegard Knef, Armin Mueller-Stahl, or Daniel Brühl visit the museum. Needless to say, he is also interested in those working behind the camera, talented film school students, and Potsdam’s celebrities or prominent visitors. However, Tommy is not a paparazzo. Displaying a keen interest in and respect for the photographed person, his works are never voyeuristic.
A selection of his works showed what Thomas is: a film buff and photographer by heart.