Artist’s Statement

Welcome to LivingGallery

To begin with, if you belong to the group of people who are always on the search for a fast visual kick, I’d like to ask you to leave this site now. I’m sorry but you don’t fit into the group of people which I’d like to serve with this site. However, if you belong to the group of people who takes their time and takes a closer look into photos in general, I’d like to invite you to a visual journey. Sit back and take some time for a closer look into one or two images – feel the mood, the colors, the details… Have fun while watching them.

This site is dedicated to the beauty which you can find nearly everywhere – the beauty that surrounds us.
Many of the photos presented here are taken not far away from public roads and footpaths. Almost every person who knows how to walk, should be able to visit these locations without any problem. Although there are breathtaking landscapes of incredible beauty on this planet, it’s more the time of the day, which means the quality of light, that makes the image, therefore most photos presented here are taken at sunrise or sunset, when the light is at its softest and warmest.
At its maximum, a camera is capable of capturing what our eyes can see. However, it’s not only our eyes which capture the beauty of the moment, it’s more all of our senses, that we use, the smells which are blowing into our nose, noises we’re hearing or the locations temperature, which we’re feeling.
Not least, it’s also the emotions and feelings of the photographer and how he sees with his heart & soul, which is reflected in the photos presented here – shortened, it is pure love for the subject and nature which you will find in these images.
The photos shown at LivingGallery do not match the pure sight or are even documentary records, they are kind of art, in which the photographers personal relationship to the subject and his emotions flow into the finished image.


Some words about the technical aspects, as I am often asked about them:
All photographs presented here have been taken using the light which was available at the location. In most cases these photos have been processed by the use of only one exposure. To ensure that the whole dynamic range of the scene is captured, I use neutral density gradient filters in front of my lenses. In the few cases, when the dynamic range is too high or the use of filters is not possible, I also use multi exposure techniques like HDR (High Dynamic Range) or DRI (Dynamic Range Increase). I never add or remove relevant details of the image, like a subject or a sky that wasn’t there. However, as described above, I will bring in my personal emotions, like strong colors, which are as vivid as nature itself, when post processing an image.

Currently I use the following photography equipment:
-    Canon EOS 5D
-    Canon EF 17-40L
-    Tamron 28-75 XR Di
-    Canon EF 75-300 IS USM
-    Velbon Sherpa Pro 631 tripod with FLM ballhead
-    Heliopan polarizer
-    Lee Filter System (Neutral Density Gradient Filters)


If you would like to delight someone, you can send each photo as an e-Card (electronic postcard). To do this simply click the little postcard icon in the right upper corner when viewing a photo at full size.

I do photography just for myself and not for any commercial or other reasons. If you would like to support me on my way as an artist, you can do it by ordering a print. More information about this can be found here.

If you like my site and/or the photos I present here, feel free to write your thoughts into the guestbook. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me directly via the contact menu.


Thank you very much for visiting my site and look with your heart,

Frank Lüdtke