EXKLUSIV-INTERVIEW
Paul Ripke's big hour beat in 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.After Oliver Bierhoff heard his pleading reputation, Ripke suddenly stood on the lawn after the German World Cup triumph.As the only photographer illegally in the interior!With his photo book "One Night in Rio" Ripke became famous.In an interview with GoalundspoxPox, the 39-year-old, who lives in California today, over the night of his life.
"Locked in" - The talk with the topic "Athlete as a brand" with the guests Paul Ripke, Andrej Mangold and Raphael Brinkert on Thursday, 7 p.m.
Ripke also tells why he couldn't trick Jürgen Klopp and why a nicely meant offer Dirk Nowitzki left him completely cold...
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Mr. Ripke, in the past you primarily photographed, today you also deal with clothes and cooking professionally, you also make a podcast.In the end they tell stories, they said about their job title.What was her first sports history?How did the passion come about?
Paul Ripke: Tennis shaped me early.I was a ball boy in the women's Bundesliga in Heidelberg for four years.Steffi Graf lived nearby and trained with us in the club.It was cool when she trained with Andrei Medvedev and I played on the next place.It was also fascinating because I got a human perspective on the world star Steffi Graf.She got around the corner at the baker's bakery, these human stories were interested in me.And I generally had my heroes in tennis.I was a very big fan of Andre Agassi, I always found Michael Chang cool.I liked his outsider style.Pete Sampras, on the other hand, was not my case, he was too checked for me.I followed everything, tennis was a big deal for me back then.
But not only tennis, they drove as a teenager in the youngsters ski.Did you have what it takes?
Ripke: Personally, I was sure for a year that I would be at least the Olympic champion in skiing.(laughs) That was my idea of things.Unfortunately, the reality looked a little different.I only came into an international comparison twice.And only because the third Allgäu was injured and I slipped in as a Black Forest.I got big claps every time.At the first race I was last.With distance.I had to see in the hard way that all Italians, Austrians, Swiss or Liechtensteiners were better.That was the one slap.And the other slap in the face gave me Bastian Schweinsteiger.He was three years younger, but much faster.I was overtaken from the left, right, top and bottom, that was too much for me at some point.I had to see: it won't work.But hey, I got a few FIS youth points.
Paul Ripke: "As if you are through L.A.Ferth and absolutely every traffic light is on green "
Is it true that you came to take pictures via hockey?
Ripke: So half.A very crucial moment was when I gave hockey training in Hamburg.I did that really intensely and trained all female youth teams in the Hamburg Polo Club for a year.That really made it up and that was paid quite well.At that time I worked as a photographer, but as it is at the beginning - you earn very little money at first.So hockey training was great for me.One day one of the fathers asked me if I wanted to be a permanent photographer in his company.Said and done.I still know how I went to the parking lot in Norderstedt.There was a sign on the "photographer".That was the first time that I could make a living with photography.Before that, I had a little yield, but above all high costs.
You could say now: the rest is history.Many years later, they have become famous by the fact that after the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, they were the only photographer - illegal - in the interior and were able to take photos that changed their lives.How do you look back on this "One Night in Rio" today?
Ripke: I am most happy that Mario Götze has scored this goal.In the meantime I know and admit my thoughts that I performed quite well and that not everyone would have done it that way.I can be a bit proud of how everything worked out, as I then published the book myself.But the fact is, of course, that everything would never have happened if Mario Götze hadn't scored this goal.I haven't earned this chance myself.I had people on my side who had a massive allowed that I could do all of this at all.That's why I'm already relatively humble and think: "Old Swede, I really had a pig happiness."
There is this picture with the penalty shooters, the Joachim Löw was already to be selected.
Ripke: Exactly.Before Mario scored the goal, Jogi Löw had started writing the names for the penalty shootout on a note.I think he came up to the third name, then the goal fell and he threw the note while cheering on the right next to him.I saw that and took a photo of it.This is one of these pictures that have been particularly impressed.But what would have happened if Mario hadn't scored the goal and we had lost the penalty shootout?It was the moment in my life when everything was switched on go.As if you are through l.A.Fearing and absolutely every traffic light is on green - this is only available once in life.
Paul Ripke: "When Heidi Klum grabs you at the entrance to the wrist..."
In between they also flown out of the interior a few times.
Ripke: It was risky, that's right.I got in there so and three times I also flown out for a short time.But what does it mean?The folders grab you and push you aside a bit.It was always important that I made it clear to them that I am not a speedster.You can do that.And then the players helped me.When Bastian Schweinsteiger says that the guy belongs to us, then nobody will say anything about it.No matter whether they have the necessary ID or not.I also experienced something similar with Heidi Klum on the Met Gala.I don't know anyone in my environment who is photographed as Heidi Klum on the Met Gala.When Heidi grabs you at the entrance to your wrist and says you are part of it, then you are part of it.Then you don't need an invitation, then it doesn't matter what you are wearing.There is no longer any discussion.It was the same with Lewis Hamilton.I worked with him for four years and I wasn't officially registered somewhere once.Why too?I arrived in the same car or helicopter with Lewis, that was enough.
Back to the magical night of Rio.How did you continue after the celebrations in the stadium?Was there a chance to reflect at some point?
Ripke: No, zero.The film continued all the time.You shouldn't forget how bird game was all for me.My journey was so short -term that I didn't even have a toothpaste.I didn't even have a real room either.There was only one for me: full throttle.My phone also rang out non stop from the moment when I was seen on TV for the first time and everyone thought what I was doing there.Absolutely everyone who knew me obviously had the impulse to call me.All media also wanted to go to the photos immediately, even the colorful and gala tried to call every two minutes.But I couldn't go.I couldn't take a reflective thought for a second, because I didn't want to miss anything.The party went for a long time, of course, and then I wanted to be the first at breakfast to see the boys with the trophy and take photos.I finished the photos on the return flight of Rio and the name for the book was created there.One Night in Rio.But I could only really take a deep breath when I later sat on the plane to Mallorca to continue family vacation there.
Did you know that they had succeeded in doing something big?
Ripke: I was very careful for a long time.You shouldn't be happy.We know these pictures from cycling on the home stretch when a driver already tears up his hands to cheer and then intercepted.I saw that too often in my life.That's why I waited until the day when the book came out and was to be bought in the shop.Only then did I say to myself: 'Wow, I really did something here and reached'.Until then I hadn't published a single photo and didn't post anything.The highest of feelings and the greatest honor for a photographer is always when the stars use your photos.The most beautiful thing about the photos is the memory for the players that I was allowed to hold on for them.I had nothing to do with it, I was just the one who pushed on the trigger.
Paul Ripke: "My email to Oliver Bierhoff was a bit snotty"
What many do not know: it was no coincidence that they were there at the final.You have sent an e-mail to Oliver Bierhoff specially.They had practically planned it.
Ripke: As with many things in life, it looks like a brilliant master plan behind it afterwards.But there was no plan - especially no brilliant.I just tried to help coincidence and do my homework.So I sent this email.I also have 430 in my life.000 emails sent who have not led to anything.The first time I got a cancellation.My luck was that the belief in the title after the intoxicating semi -finals and in the euphoria at that time grew so and it was said: 'Let the ripke do it'.I just wanted to do everything in my power with the email to fulfill this dream.To be in the stadium alone when Germany becomes world champion - who doesn't dream of it?
Much more is not possible.
Ripke: And then I was allowed to work with the boys...I would have done everything for it, I would probably have renamed my children if it had to be.(laughs) My email to Oliver Bierhoff was also a bit snotty.According to the motto: "Is it my beard? I like to shave and wear a hairstyle of your choice."It wasn't a business email.It was a fleeing "Please, please, please", packed in the statement that I would give everything for it.Somehow Oliver Bierhoff let himself be touched by it.It was unique in every respect.I was probably the first to send such an email and then I was the first to take such photos from such a success.To date, this has no longer existed in the form.
Was it bitter that it weren't long at the DFB afterwards?
Ripke: The DFB always thinks in cycles.And the cycle was closed to Rio.After that I was there when Miro Klose and Philipp Lahm said goodbye, but with time it was clear to everyone that it was better not to work together.You didn't get me out either, you just didn't get in touch anymore.I would have been happy if they had called, but I was never bitter because of that.For my self-esteem it was important that I then had the chance to accompany Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton to their World Cup titles and to document the triumph from their point of view.I made it to Rio a second and third time and proved myself that I can do it with other people too.At the latest then nobody could say that everything else could have done it.That was a satisfaction for me.
How did you perceive the change from the football to the Formula 1 world?
Ripke: It was blatant.Formula 1 is the mostly marketed sport in the world.It is decided much faster and you will be familiar with a lot more.I experienced Toto Wolff as team boss at Mercedes for years, that was absolutely impressive.Toto openly said that he has no idea of aerodynamics or tires.Or not from social media.But for that he has people whom he trusts.And in the area of social media he listened to what I have to say and then trusted his gut feeling to make the right decision.It was cool to be able to work in this climate.If I proposed something on Thursday, it was decided on Thursday that we are doing it now.Can you imagine that in football?
Rather not.
Ripke: I haven't experienced that in football once.I think it's good that sport is so in the foreground in Germany, especially in Germany.And as a fan I find the Red Bull project just as shit as many others.But that doesn't mean that you cannot tell authentic stories or that marketing and social media are generally bad.But in football there is so much politics in the game.When I need the approval of four managing directors, three agencies and seven other people, in the end always comes out gray.And gray is always scrap.It was very different in Formula 1.In Formula 1 I celebrated huge success with my projects and I also crap, but it was always pointed.It was always black or white.Formula 1 is about reach, it is about interest in individuals and it is about speed in the decision -making processes.It was much easier for me.I would never want to do anything in football again.No matter who calls.Although nobody called in recent years either.(laughs)
Paul Ripke: Boateng?"I Connecte with the Bling-Bling generation"
They worked with so many football stars.Who was it particularly fun with?
Ripke: Mario Götze is an incredibly cool type.One of the most reliable people I have ever worked with.And such a big family man.Really deeply impressive.The same applies to Sami Khedira.What he has for a value system, which priorities he sets - that was very impressed by me.But someone like Loris Karius also comes up with me.
With which you have shot the famous Hollywood video, which gave him less good headlines.
Ripke: That was a maximum of bad timing.(laughs) Aber es war authentisch.This is what the life of a footballer looks like when he is here.That's just like that.But people don't see how Lorius deals with his friends, what a good guy he is.He has a close circle of friends of eight to ten people.It was fascinating to see how they dealt with each other.
They also did a lot with Jerome Boateng.
Ripke: Jerome Boateng is a good friend of mine.But that's just because I come from the hip-hop.I Connecte with the Bling-Bling generation.We listen to the same music, we like the same clothes.That helps when you work together.On the other hand, there are people like Bastian Schweinsteiger with whom I have had nothing to do for years.All of this is not interested, which is completely okay.
Paul Ripke: "Jürgen Klopp is the George Clooney of Football"
How was it when you were in Liverpool with your good friend Campino and met Jürgen Klopp?
Ripke: Jürgen Klopp is ultra-crass.Jürgen Klopp somehow plays in a league over the Champions League, in the World Champions League or something.Klopp is the George Clooney of Football, he is at the level where Clooney is in acting.I particularly noticed the social component.I thought it was crazy when Jürgen Klopp gave me a saying two days after we had five minutes together.That he had noticed which capy I wore, things like that.Or his friendship with John B.Kerner.This is not a friendship for the colorful one, it is real.The two celebrate and suffer together, I saw that.Sometimes I stood there with an open mouth.And then there was my very personal story with him.
Do tell.
Ripke: When I was in Liverpool, of course I didn't just want to take boring training pictures photos.I wanted a Kloppo Beatles photo of him on the street, that's the much better motive.
He definitely rejected that.
Ripke: Very precisely.He did not want.So I thought I was tricking a bit, as I have already done with many others.That is just part of it.I agreed with a folder that he opened the door to the street during a back output on the training area.That was a street right next to the training area, it looked like in a British city, that would have been completely enough.So I poured Jürgen there, but on the way he suddenly looks at me and says: "Paul, I know exactly what you are going to do, forget it."And I just thought:" That doesn't exist."He felt that intuitively and I am sure that he can feel immediately with his players if someone tells him a nonsense.Because he has this emotional intelligence.And next to it has a little idea about football.
If we switch to US sports, you have already been able to gain some experience there.How does the story work with NFL superstar Odell Beckham JR.?
Ripke: First of all, you have to say that the mechanisms in US sports are completely different.Especially in the NFL.The NFL has a short, crispy season and outside of this time window the stars often don't stay in the city where they play.That alone is crazy.Second, the NFL, although football is a team sport, is very much driven by the stars' personalities.The club is not necessarily in the foreground, it's about the stars.And thirdly it is just Americans.These are all showers who want to have marketing.They want to show their car.I had to do with Odell on his European tour and we did something here and there afterwards.And then we didn't do anything quickly.He just didn't get in touch anymore.
But why not?
Ripke: You have to see it like this: The boy has a list of 400 types who can do it all as well for him as I do.You have to be honest and must not take yourself too important.I once photographed Lewis Hamilton and Justin Bieber together.The photo had 400 billion likes.And why?Because both shared it.And certainly not because I shot it.It's always about the people depicted.
Paul Ripke: "Dirk Nowitzki is interested in a shit"
When we switch from the NFL to NBA.How was it with Kevin Durant in Berlin?
Ripke: Durant is an incredibly shy guy.The funny thing about the story was that I made a big mistake.Actually, no one recognizes Kevin Durant when I walk through Berlin with him.Maybe two out of 100 people.This is the case and the boys know that too.Unfortunately I had chosen something for the shoot as a place, which was only a few minutes away from the Mercedes-Benz Arena.And unfortunately the European Championship took place at the time and Germany played that day.At that time there was certainly no place in all of Germany where there were more people together who all knew exactly who Kevin Durant was.The campaign went completely wrong, I could only take a few photos, then we had to break it off.Durant was very nice.But he never reported again.(laughs) Ich habe ihn aber noch mal getroffen und die US-Stars sind ja sehr gut darin, dann so zu tun, als ob sie sich noch genau an dich erinnern."I am the guy who took the photos in Berlin at the time."And Durant So:" Great Pictures.Loved IT."So I don't buy it quite that, but maybe I am wrong with you too.
Dirk Nowitzki is of course even bigger than Durant in German basketball.What did you take from the encounters with him?There is no one in the world who is not enthusiastic when he has met him.
Ripke: Dirk is real.I remember the last time I met him.That was in January in an interview with Johannes B.Kerner.Dirk comes into the office, says all hello and first make stupid jokes.This is typical Dirk.And I like it when people know exactly what they want.Dirk is someone like that.He is very determined, he comes on time, he is highly professional and he does not listen to nonsense.I felt like Dirk Nowitzki, especially in his farewell game.You felt in every second that it is more about more than basketball today.That was very special.
Steve Nash is one of his best buddies who happens to live near her.
Ripke: Yes, Steve Nash lives away from me only 300 meters in Newport Beach.Of course I told Dirk that too.I have not expected that he would come to me to grill, but I offered him that I would like to take a few photos or videos when he visited Steve when you feel like it.And for that they should invite me to a burger, that fits.
What did Dirk say about her offer?
Ripke: Dirk Nowitzki is interested in a shit.He just thought: Why should I take someone with me who takes photos when I visit Steve?Huh?You noticed in his entire body language that he doesn't understand that at all.It was like Miro Klose after the World Cup title.Back then I had bothered to create a personal link with your photos for every player and generally for everyone from the staff.That was a lot of work.Everyone has downloaded their photos, only Miro didn't.When I asked him when I said goodbye whether he had not received the link, he only said: Paul, I got it, but I don't care.It interests you to take a look at the photos again.
Paul Ripke about a target sprint in Paris against Joko Winterscheidt
Now they have experienced so much in sport.Is there anything else that she would irritate?
Ripke: To be honest, no.I am very happy with everything I was allowed to do.Everything that comes in my life is only the cherry on the cake.I live a great life.I am in a beautiful place and I have a sensational family - and I have experienced contemporary history in football and in Formula 1.I could never have imagined that as a 20-year-old.I am deeply grateful for that.I'm honest too: I no longer have the drive like at the beginning of my career.I am a bit full and don't have to photograph any handball title in my life now.I don't plan so long -term.At the moment I'm doing the things that I enjoy.A little cooking here, a little clothes - as long as I can live well, everything is wonderful.
And together with Joko Winterscheidt, they make an award -winning podcast called "All paths lead to fame".Finally, the podcast has been mutated into a cycling podcast in phases.Who would win a Ripke Winterscheidt-Tour-de-France?
Ripke: I am guaranteed to be considerably stronger on the flat stages.I am already 3 this year.Driven 000 kilometers.Joko maybe 16 kilometers or something.That has to be a clear thing for me.But on the other hand I'm also a lot of fat.Joko would certainly have advantages on the mountain, so we would compensate for a tour of France and a target sprint on the Champs-Elysées would occur.I just enjoy cycling at the moment, especially the social facet, especially the social facet.I live here in American cycling mecca.Driving through the beautiful landscapes here and enjoying the sunset with a beer - that's really mega -horny.
