1st place
gold star award
Matthias Conrad
germany
title
Botanical Studies
Inspired by countless sketches by Ernst Haeckel from "Art Forms of Nature" (1899-1904) and by Karl Blossfeldt's photographs from the 1920s and 1930s. The idea for my project "Botanical Studies" was born, in which the respective motifs were deliberately implemented in a minimalist way.
What started as a small hobby developed over the years into my job and my passion. During the time I was studying business administration, I also developed my love for travel. My fascination with landscape photography began through various stays abroad in Canada, Mexico, and the USA and their diverse landscapes. In the meantime, this type of photography also plays a decisive role in my professional life.
In addition to workshops and photo trips, I am often out in the mountains of Switzerland, Austria as well as the Bavarian mountains to do work for commercial projects. A long-term project on minimalist plant studies was significantly inspired by the drawings and illustrations by Ernst Haeckel and, among other things, by numerous visits to the Phyletic Museum in Jena.
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entry description
The idea grew over 10 years ago inspired by the nature drawings of Ernst Haeckel. For more than 6 years I'm actually photographing botanical objects in this very minimalistic black and white style. From the over 200 objects I captured so far, I selected 27 photos to start with a collection of limited edition fine art prints.Inspired by countless sketches by Ernst Haeckel from "Art Forms of Nature" (1899-1904) and by Karl Blossfeldt's photographs from the 1920s and 1930s. The idea for my project "Botanical Studies" was born, in which the respective motifs were deliberately implemented in a minimalist way.
about the photographer
Nature and landscapes have always played a big role in my life. I was born in the mid-1970s in a small town in Thuringia on the edge of Hainich National Park - right in the middle of Germany - and I grew up there very close to nature. Trips and vacations with my parents and grandparents often led to nature. Already during my school days, I was exploring my patents and grandparents' analog EXA and Praktika cameras made in GDR (German Democratic Republic) and so I discovered photography for me.What started as a small hobby developed over the years into my job and my passion. During the time I was studying business administration, I also developed my love for travel. My fascination with landscape photography began through various stays abroad in Canada, Mexico, and the USA and their diverse landscapes. In the meantime, this type of photography also plays a decisive role in my professional life.
In addition to workshops and photo trips, I am often out in the mountains of Switzerland, Austria as well as the Bavarian mountains to do work for commercial projects. A long-term project on minimalist plant studies was significantly inspired by the drawings and illustrations by Ernst Haeckel and, among other things, by numerous visits to the Phyletic Museum in Jena.
back to gallery