I am a landscape and architectural photographer from Halle (Saale), Germany.
Biography
I was born in Magdeburg in 1981. There I grew up and spent my youth mainly on the soccer field, at the radio or in front of the Super Nintendo. At the age of 14 I became interested in computers and got my first PC. After a great interest in hardware and network technology I decided to study Information Management at the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Köthen. During my studies I dealt with topics like usability and backup and graduated in 2009 with a diploma. Currently I am self-employed in online marketing.
My way to photography
Already during my studies I worked part-time and was able to afford my first camera. It quickly became clear that landscape and architectural photography interested me the most. I started to imitate pictures of other artists. I read up a lot on the internet and was able to learn the technical subjects quickly. Looking to connect with other local photographers, I came across several photo clubs and photo gatherings in the area, which I still participate in today. Through books and studies of other photographs, I specialized even further.
In the process, I occasionally participated in photo competitions. In 2013, I won the French „Prix de la Photographie“ in the category of architectural photography with my image Experimental Factory.
I teach photography in photo workshops and courses. It is very close to my heart to pass on my photographic knowledge and thus inspire other people for photography. Therefore, I have been writing articles here on the website for more than 8 years.
Artist Statement
Photography is an integral part of my life. Since I started in 2005, I think about it practically every day. When I’m not out with the camera myself, I’m looking at images, thinking about new photography projects, or writing about them on my blog. No matter how many times I’ve cursed photography, that’s not how I can let go of it. Thinking back, I’ve had many great moments through this hobby over the past 15 years. All the sunrises in the most diverse landscapes of Europe alone were worth it. In a way, the photos I bring back from them are my own memories of those moments.
At the same time, I also like to break new ground in photography. I have two fixed directions with landscape and architecture, but it is always fun to try something different. So my photography is constantly evolving.
From the beginning I was open to image processing. In landscape photography, I was never interested in alienating the images. Even the current camera technology has such a different recording capacity compared to the human eye that you can hardly do without image editing here. In landscape photography, I always try to edit the final image as I really saw it in that place.
The black and white architectural photos strike in the opposite direction. Here it is least about the representation of reality. This already fails because the human eye cannot perceive the effect of a long exposure. So here it is much more about graphically interesting pictures. Photography is only the first basis for the result.
Regardless of the photographic direction: In the first place for me is always the fun. Not only when I have the camera in my hand or on the tripod. Also when I then sit at the PC a few days later and post-process the images. It’s great to look at the finished picture after half a year and think back to the moment. It’s even better when I have a high-quality print of that image in my hands. Because that’s what photographs are made for, in my opinion.
Video about landscape photography by Matthias Haltenhof
Video on architectural photography by Matthias Haltenhof
Photo equipment
Which camera and photo equipment I use, you can read on my recommendations page.
Awards
2019 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2017 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2016 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2014 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2013 – 1st place – Prix de la Photographie, Paris, France
2013 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2012 – Honorable Mention – International Photography Awards (IPA), Non-Professional Architecture : Buildings, Berlin Series, USA.
2012 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2011 – 3rd place – Photo Competition enwi Harz, Germany
2011 – 1st place – Photo competition Kurort Rathen, Germany
2011 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2011 – Honorable Mention – Photo Contest National Park Harz „HarzNATUR 2011“, Germany
2010 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2009 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2009 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
2008 – Honorable Mention – International Photography Awards (IPA), Non-Professional Nature : Landscapes, Startrails 04, USA
2008 – 10th Place – Student Union Photography Competition, Germany
2007 – DeviantArt – Daily Deviation, USA
Exhibitions
2017 – Ameos Klinikum, Bernburg, Germany
2015 – Hoya Castle, Hoya
2013 – Espace Dupon, Paris, France
2012 – Dessau-Rosslau District Adult Education Center, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
2012 – Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Gallery Geb. 03, Köthen
2012 – Practice Dr. Hennen, Köthen
2012 – Event center in the castle, Köthen
2012 – Local history room, Calbe
2012 – Tax office Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Dessau-Roßlau
2011 – District adult education center Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Köthen
2011 – Practice Dr. Hennen, Köthen
2010 – Event center, Köthen
2009 – Charlottencenter, Halle
2009 – Gallery at the square, Köthen
2009 – VT-Club, Köthen
2009 – Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Gallery Geb. 03, Köthen
2008 – Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Gallery Geb. 03, Köthen
2008 – VT-Club, Köthen
2008 – Gallery at the square, Köthen
2007 – Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Gallery Geb. 03, Köthen
2007 – Villa Naumann, Köthen
2007 – Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Gallery Geb. 23, Köthen
Publications
2021 – Article in Pictures Magazine about my architectural photography
2021 – Collaboration on an article that appeared in 35 newspapers, including Zeit Online, Handelsblatt, Welt.de and Süddeutsche Zeitung
2019 – Interview – Draußen nur Kännchen podcast
2019 – Guest article – Radio Brocken website
2019 – Guest article – Daniel Weihmann photography blog
2018 – Guest article – packlisten.org website
2018 – Interview – The Landscape Photography Podcast
2017 – Interview – ND Magazine
2013 – Publication – PX3 Book
2013 – Publication – Stark Magazine
2012 – Publication – Plus One Magazine
2012 – Guest article – Kwerfeldein Photography Magazine
2012 – Publication – Imagezug Bodetal with photos of me traveling in the area Berlin – Harz Mountains
2012 – Guest article – Kwerfeldein Photography Magazine
2011 – Publication – Enwi Calendar 2012
2011 – Guest article – Kwerfeldein Photography Magazine
2011 – Publication – Print Portfolio Bodetal Marketing
2009 – Interview – BlogTimes
2009 – Interview – Black&White Photography – Fotografieblog
2009 – Publication – Fotoblur Magazine: Issue 1 / Spring 2009
Contact
If you want to contact me, the best way is to use my contact form.
Other online profiles of mine: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google MyBusiness, YouTube, Pinterest.