Thomas Ruff is regarded as one of the most influential contemporary photographic artists; he studied photography at the Düsseldorf Art Academy under Hilla and Bernd Becher. In the late 1980s, he gained international recognition for his large-format portraits. With series such as ‘jpegs’, ‘nudes’, ‘interieurs’, ‘streets’, ‘stars’ and ‘m.a.r.s’, he has consistently sought to expand the boundaries of the medium of photography.

Over a period of four years, the filmmaker and curator Ralph Goertz was allowed to accompany Thomas Ruff throughout his creative process, take photographs, work in his studio and hang his exhibition at the museum in Münster. In several interviews, he offers us a very deep insight into his series and his attitude towards the medium of photography itself. Ruff also showed Goertz his setup for his world-famous ‘Portraits’ and explained how he took them using his 9x12 Linhof Technika.

a film by Ralph Goertz
first published in 2012
Duration: 50min.
Language: German with English subtitles
all works © Thomas Ruff, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2026, used by permission of the artist
© Ralph Goertz / IKS-Medienarchiv
This film is for private use only!
Public performance, broadcast or other use is prohibited.
All rights reserved
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