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Photo by: Kai Schaefer | Revox B790 / Kraftwerk / Autobahn, 2011

A classic vinyl record spinning on a handsome vintage turntable conjures all kinds of memories—often of the first time we heard the music itself. German photographer Kai Schäfer plays with these memories and associations in his "World Records" series. He began shooting Led Zeppelin IV a few years back, and has since shot more than a hundred records (from London Calling to Harvest) on more than 25 different vintage turntables (Dual, Braun, B&O).

Wired reports that Schäfer uses a Hasselblad camera with a Phase One digital back and a special flash, then makes enormous prints that can be six feet wide. His rules for the records? First or second pressings from the artist's native country shot on a turntable that would have been similar to one available at the time of the record's release. He often rents the vinyl or turntables for audiophiles in Düsseldorf, but has popped for collectables, such as a $650 copy of Elvis's "Mystery Train" single on Sun.

The Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles will be exhibiting a selection of the "World Records" prints from June 8 to July 13.