1947
Born in Alsfeld
1974
Graduated in photography at the Folkwang College in Essen, Germany (Folkwang Hochschule in Essen, now Folkwang University Essen under Otto Steinert; establishing the photo agency VISUM, along with André Gelpke and Rudi Meisel
since 1978
Residence in Hamburg and work for international magazines and advertising agencies
1984
Moving to New York
since 1990
Contributing photographer for National Geographic, focus on environmental issues and changes in the republics of the former Soviet Union
2006
Lucie Award for International Photographer of the Year
2014
Dr. Erich Salomon Prize by the German Society for Photography [Deutsche Gesellschaft für Photographie (DGPh)]
2015
Missouri Honor Medal by the University of Missouri
lives and works in Los Angeles, USA