Matthias Heiderich is a young and self-taught Berlin-based photographer known for stunning work, which is heavily influenced by architecture, graphic design, colour and the urban landscape. Often exploring the complexities of colour in minimalist architecture, in a style that is unique and extremely distinctive – he brings out a new and aesthetically wondrous side to a well-know city, Berlin. We Heart caught up with Matthias recently for a chat about his work, his Berlin and his various music projects…

Name: Matthias Heiderich
Age: 29
Occupation: Photographer
Hometown: Bad Hersfeld
Location: Berlin
Website: www.matthias-heiderich.de

Tell us about being an artist in Berlin – the ups, the downs:

There are no downs, that’s the up. I enjoy being an artist here, you can do whatever you want and you’ll always find people to work with.

You say on your website that you’re a self-taught photographer, when did you start taking photographs?

I bought my first camera in 2008, which was the starting point.

You have a very unique style – who or what are your main influences?

Music, vinyl covers, other photographers, good graphic design. To name some of the people that inspire me:
Joseph Schultz, Christoph Morlinghaus, Mark Weaver, Tim Hecker, Monolake
I am also a huge fan of synthesizer music, vintage design / photography.

Your Berlin portraits explore stripped-down complexities of colour and architecture in stunning detail – is this what you were trying to achieve?

When I go out I search for patterns, lines, colours, the abstracts of the urban landscapes to transform them into something new, take them out of their contexts. I enjoy playing around with forms, structures, and colours.

Your latest work focuses mostly on industrial architecture, signage and colour – is this something you will keep exploring? What’s next for you as a photographer?

Yes, those are definitely some of the keywords and I will keep taking pictures of these things, as the industrial areas are my favourite places to hang around on sunny weekends while listening to music and eating chocolate.
Next are also more exhibitions outside Berlin.

If you could chose any place on earth to photograph, where or what would it be?

I’d definitely choose some industrial areas in former soviet countries. They must be full of awesome and weird architecture.

We hear you’re also an avid musician – tell us about your music:

Well, I must admit I am not really active at the moment, but I produced a lot of music in the last 10 years and also played many DJ gigs and some live gigs. I got a bit tired of it, but I am sure I will do it again, there are many ideas rotating in my head concerning a multimedia project. At the moment I am focusing on running a netlabel where I release the music of friends – www.weirdandwired.net.

OK, thanks so much for speaking with us. We’re huge fans. But before we go, any tips for the Berlin visitor?

Go there in summer, bring your raincoat and dancing shoes, stay calm and stop taking pictures of your drunk friends on the dancefloor. If you’re male and drunk, you shouldn’t try to get into Berghain.