BIOGRAPHY
Dirk Behlau, aka „The Pixeleye“ is an internationally acclaimed photographer, designer & filmmaker from Bonn/Germany.
Dirk is known around the globe for his „Kool Lifestyle“ photography: american cars from the 30´s till 70´s, classic glamorous Pin-Ups, Urban Lifestyle, Rockstars, Kustom Kulture and uncommon people with attitude.
Dirk works worldwide for international clients, publications and brands.
CLIENTS
Harley Davidson, Sony Music, Discovery Channel, Dickies, Würth, Burger King, Century Media Records, Ruff Cycles, Canon, Nuclear Blast Records, General Tire, Sony Playstation, Thunderbike just to name a few...
not to forget countless magazines and international bands like Body Count, Sanctuary, Blind Guardian or Leningrad Cowboys!
MR BEHLAU, I PRESUME?
Written by Sion Smith
The first time I met Dirk face to face was in Belgium a couple of years back just after the release of his first book, Inkarnation. For one of those reasons that are a complete mystery, we both felt as though we had met a thousand times before and we were simply picking up the threads of a lifelong friendship - in the most manly sense of the phrase, of course. When that chemistry kicks in, it's a walk in the park to work with somebody in absolute trust. Believe me, the work we do might be fun but it has to be right and hit the target first time, every time, otherwise it becomes a lot less fun very, very quickly. There's no second chances when it comes to producing material that you plan on showing to the public.
Anyway, down to the important stuff.
My task here was to figure out what makes Dirk's photography so damn good, so accessible and attractive. The answer is easy.
It's that damn good because he cares.
He shoots nothing he doesn't care about - that's one of the things we had in common from the very start. If you don't care, don't do it. Why waste your time giving somebody only half of your attention? All or nothing is the only way because passion is infectious when it comes to words and pictures - and you know a photograph has struck the killing blow when a single picture says more than you ever could wielding the alphabet.
The Pixeleye is a fantastic name for Dirk to bend his company. Hell, it IS Dirk. He's got this magical ability to frame the shot in his head before he even starts work. The picture is taken long before he ever holds the camera up. The camera is nothing but a tool to capture what he sees in his head, you only need to be in his company for five minutes to figure out that this is what he's doing. While that might be true of many professional photographers twenty years ago, it's not normal anymore. In an era when you can rattle off thousands of shots and hope for the best, working Dirk's way is an art form in itself.
WHAT THE PEOPLE say…
SONY MUSIC
We love to work with Dirk! Top quality at insane workspeed. In the words of KISS: You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!
Rumble59
Wir arbeiten sehr gerne mit Dirk zusammen, weil hier einfach alles passt: Die Vorbereitung der Jobs, die Shootings an sich und das Ergebnis - alles so, wie wir es uns wünschen. Über die professionelle Arbeit hinaus ist die Stimmung im Team immer super, was auch einen Job unter harten Bedingungen zu einer großartigen Erfahrung macht. Danke für unzählige saucoole Fotos, Videos und Ideen für Rumble59 und Rockabilly Rules - wir freuen uns schon auf die nächsten!
Easyriders Magazine Europe
Love this guy! Cool dude and a pro in all aspects of his job. He is reliable, always funny and delivers in time. You will never get disappointed! Always a pleasure to work with Mr. Pixeleye.
Ol Skool Rodz Magazine (USA)
Dirk Behlau is one of those rare photographers who is able to take photos of people you've never met and make them seem familiar, friends almost. [...] It’s safe to say that Dirk is one of the top two or three kustom kulture photographers in Europe.
West Coast Choppers (USA)
Dirk Behlau aka The Pixeleye has established himself as an iconic character within the Kustom Kulture World.
Deadbeat Magazine (Australia)
Dirk "The Pixeleye" Behlau´s work will be looked back upon in the future as some of the most iconic imagery that chronicled international kustom kulture scenes today.