Heinz Klingel, an 85-year-old photography enthusiast, has become a familiar sight throughout the German city of Fulda as he navigates every street with his red electric mobility scooter and Lumix camera in hand. For years, thousands of people have admired his photographs on Facebook, where he documents not just the baroque architecture of his hometown, but the authentic daily life of its residents. Though his beloved red scooter recently broke down, Klingel's passion for capturing the essence of his city remains undiminished.
Klingel's photographic mission extends far beyond typical tourist snapshots. "I don't want to just show the baroque city of Fulda, but how people live here," he emphasizes. His diverse portfolio includes construction sites and fountains, landscapes and various shops, showcasing everything from the newly built castle tower dome to the Aueweiher pond and the train station area. One of his favorite locations is the Aueweiher, where he documented the entire transformation process for the State Garden Show (LGS) from its very beginning.
The photographer's journey with electric mobility began just before the garden show when he tried out his son-in-law's scooter. "I was thrilled and told my wife about it," Klingel recalls. "She said that I would have such a vehicle by the time of the State Garden Show, and that's exactly what happened." Since he has limited walking ability, the electric scooter became his gateway to documenting the LGS construction sites with his trusty Lumix camera.
For Klingel, riding his mobility scooter brings an unexpected sense of freedom and joy. "When I drive around with my vehicle, it feels like gliding. I move quickly, and the wind blows through my hair," he reports with enthusiasm. During the State Garden Show, he took countless photographs and engaged with numerous visitors. The friendly photographer shares with a smile, "Small children often wave at me, and dogs curiously sniff around my scooter."
Although his vehicle recently broke down, Klingel refuses to let this setback stop his photographic pursuits. "Lately, I've been traveling in our small blue car," the 85-year-old explains. However, as temperatures drop, he finds it too cold for extensive photography sessions. "I'm waiting until spring, and then I'll buy a new electric scooter," he plans optimistically.
Klingel's love affair with photography began early in his childhood at age eight. What was once an expensive hobby has become much more accessible with modern technology. During his career as an automotive craftsman and later in the construction industry, photography took a backseat. "Then I met my wife. She also took photos and completed courses in macro and microphotography at her university," Klingel notes. This rekindled his passion for capturing images.
The idea to share his work on social media came from his daughter, who suggested uploading his pictures to Facebook eight years ago. This suggestion proved remarkably successful: approximately 850 people follow his personal page, and more than 33,000 people in the Facebook group "Fulda - My City" admire his photographs. "I also take photos for people who, for example, are old or sick and therefore can no longer come into the city," he explains, highlighting the community service aspect of his work.
Despite his mobility limitations, Klingel maintains an impressive photography schedule, heading out almost every day starting at ten o'clock in the morning. "Sometimes I spend six hours taking photos and don't even notice because it's so wonderful. I just snap away," he says. In the afternoons, he reviews his images on his computer, carefully editing even those that don't look promising at first glance. "Pictures only get deleted if they're blurry. Then I usually go back quickly with my scooter to the subject and take a new photo."
The recognition Klingel receives from the community brings him genuine happiness. Sometimes he's even recognized while driving through the streets, which both surprises and delights him. His family continues to support his hobby enthusiastically, understanding that his photography serves not only as personal fulfillment but as a valuable documentation of their city's evolving landscape and the daily lives of its residents.
