His middle-class demeanour makes him inconspicuous and brings him close to world events. He was the first German to photograph Auschwitz. He became the chronicler of the young FRG and GDR. His iconic pictures of the ‘68 movement shape our perception to this day. He came closer to Beuys than anyone else. He continues to work on series of photographs that he began years ago: the legendary photographer Michael Ruetz.