︎

portrait- and documentary photographer ︎︎︎

based in Hanover, Germany
currently in: Arlès, FRANCE

︎    kaspar@felixrosic.de
︎    +49 151 26909831
︎    @felix_rosic
︎    vimeo
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The „cubbyhole“ of a former big game hunter. Over the years, hunting trips have changed a lot. In fact, many animals today are bred only to be shot. This lowers the cost to tour operators, which brings them more profits. As a result, many hunting enthusiasts are once again focusing more on domestic hunting.

es menschelt

(ongoing)


documentary photography // photo book

Animal rights activists criticize the trophy cult as questionable. It remains unclear whether it is about the memory of the killed animal, or whether it is about reliving the feeling of triumph. The question arises whether hunters can remember every animal for which they had a trophy made. The skull of a zebra looks confusingly similar to that of a horse under the skin. This specimen was sawed through the middle to present the complex inner workings to visitors at a trade fair. Some people are concerned that there may be glorification of guns at hunting fairs. Especially when children are present and trying out guns is seen as a kind of recreational activity. Others, however, see it as an opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills with guns and to develop a deeper understanding of hunting and shooting sports. The Jägereiverband Augsburg e.V. is one of the older hunting clubs in Germany. In addition to its commitment to nature conservation, it trains hunters. In theory lessons for the hunting license, its students learn the anatomy of native animals using lifelike specimens. These are lined up in the specially equipped room in the clubhouse.


Capitalism strives for constant growth and justifies itself with the fact that it corresponds to the "nature of man": to never be satisfied and to always want more. This can be seen in hunting. Rare animals are often killed for prestige. Trophy hunting can be seen as an expression of man's egoism. While some practice trophy hunting as a hobby and the meat is so to say "by-catch", the majority rejects such hunting. Most hunters appreciate the peace and the coexistence with the animals in nature. Nevertheless, cruel hunting practices, such as hounding, put the sport of hunting in a bad light.
"It won’t work out without hunting in Germany." Most hunters see it as necessary for a variety of reasons. Primarily to regulate the population of wild animals. They cite the meat obtained as a source of food of the very highest quality. Ethical principles, such as respect for the animal and the avoidance of suffering, are emphasized. Humans intervene meanwhile so strongly into the habitats of the animals that there is anyway "no way back".
Animal protection federations hold vehemently against it. Human influences on the environment can unbalance complicated systems that would actually keep the wild population in balance. The animal rights activists criticize the brutal treatment of animals during hunting and the trophy cult. They doubt that this is about remembrance and appreciation.


This work was created as part of a seminar in the course "visual journalism and documentary photography". This is an edition that is not for sale. In addition, the work on this major topic "hunting" continues. 


On the general topic of ‘Ideals’, “es menschelt” has also been featured by the visual journalism and documentary photography magazin in its first edition (Magazin #01: Ideale).
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