Documentary photography Sports photography
Rainer W. Schlegelmilch is a German motorsport photographer and photojournalist.
He studied at the Bavarian State College of Photography in Munich and already presented his work from motor racing at his graduation in 1962. Since then, this sport has been the main subject of Schlegelmilch's work. In 1964 he opened his own studio in Frankfurt for photo design and advertising photography.
The series of photographs of Formula One and FIA championships, which Schlegelmilch began in 1962, represent one of the most extensive collections of photographic material in the history of motor racing. His archive contains more than 600,000 images, which were black and white until 1970 and then color.
Schlegelmilch has published some 40 illustrated books on motorsport and calendars from various racing series, and has participated in exhibitions around the world. For his unique skill he is called "the eye of Formula 1", and Bernie Ecclestone many years ago gave him a press pass valid until the end of his life. Brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and Aston Martin have used his work for luxury publications.