Straight Photography

“Straight” in the sense of documentative photography was not what Roger Lips did. When he traveled or visited exhibitions, he used his little Minox and took his own pictures, which he called “his” photos. They were often unclear or washed out.



91_171 91_172 91_173 91_174
SB 171 SB 172 SB 173 SB 174
Frank and Karl Osswald, all 1991

After his mother’s death in 1990 – almost no artwork was done this year – Lips began in 1991 a kind of classical atelier photography in his own large rooms. Here he did without any kind of subsequent manipulation. Perhaps he will become quite a good B/W photographer, he wrote in his diary. And – he got to know more people.

His subjects are quickly described: posed nudes, nude portraits and dance. Lips imitates and examines classical poses for their usefulness.

Only in 1993 – one year before his death – did he turn again to a more intensive re-working of his photos. The B/W photos taken of his friends became the starting point.








91_212 91_213
SB 212 SB 213
Both without title, ca. 1992





92_238 92_239 92_240
SB 238 SB 239 SB 240
All without title (Tumi und Janis), 1992/93





Istanbul 93_105 Istanbul 93_106 Istanbul 93_107 Istanbul 93_108 Istanbul 93_109
SB 105 SB 106 SB 107 SB 108 SB 109

Harem ­ Top Kapi ­ Istanbul, 1993












92_142 92_237
SB 142 SB 237
Without title (Yana), 1992/93

Without title (Kai Tom Lignau), 1992




92_166 92_167 92_163
SB 166 SB 167 SB 163
Without title (Tumi), 1992 Without title, 1992 Without title (Colin), 1992/93





93_103 93_104
SB 103 SB 104
Without title (J. T.), 1993, Without title (Chr. R.), 1993