About Me
"Photography is a way of life" (Henri Cartier-Bresson)
I am a photographer, photography curator, and author of numerous books and articles on this medium. My passion for photography has been with me since I was 16 years old – and continues to shape my work today.
Impulse
A pivotal moment was Michelangelo Antonioni's film "Blow-Up" (1966). It's fascinating how the film explores the investigative possibilities of photography and raises questions about reality and illusion, original and reproduction. This perspective has had a lasting impact on me.
departure
As a schoolboy and student around 1970, I experienced a time of social upheaval – and considered it as chronicler with the camera fixed. Initially for school and student newspapers, later as a freelance contributor to the magazine "Konkret" and other publications.
Studies and career path
My studies in Hamburg encompassed history, art history, and photography – a foundation for my work as head of the cultural affairs office and director of the Schleswig City Museum. There, I was able to establish the focus on photography in the exhibitions and raise the museum's profile both nationally and internationally.
Professional experience
As part of these projects, I collaborated with leading photographers, photo agencies, media companies and camera brands – including Sebastião Salgado, Robert Lebeck, Steve McCurry, Ragnar Axelsson, David Doubilet, Art Wolfe, Magnum Photos, National Geographic, GEO, Leica and Nikon.
To date, I have conceived over 150 exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. I share my knowledge in blog posts, which can be subscribed to free of charge.
Currently, I advise the North-Baltic Sea Savings Bank in Schleswig-Holstein as Curator of Photography.
Current projects
In addition to my curatorial and publishing work, I dedicate myself to my own photographic projects. Photojournalistic topics are the focus here. My work has been, and continues to be, featured in numerous publications. Solo and group exhibitions as well as accompanying Publications documented.
Fascination Infrared
Alongside "classic" photography, I am drawn to... digital infrared photography in black and white It casts a spell. As an artistic medium, it can open up new ways of seeing and visual worlds – from analytical clarity to magical realism.
Sebastião Salgado He once aptly put it: "Reality is colorful, truth is black and white."
Contact
Holger Rüdel DGPh
Mühlenweg 3 a
24884 Selk
Germany
Phone: + 49 4621 200858
Fax: + 49 4621 200859
Email: photo@holger-ruedel.de
Collections
Works by Holger Rüdel can be found in private and public collections, including:
- city of Schleswig
- Schleswig City Museum
- Sparkasse Foundation Schleswig-Holstein
- House of History Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Ministry of the Environment of the State of Schleswig-Holstein
Additional information on the life and work of Holger Rüdel in the Wikipedia.
