Yesterday, the photography world suffered a great loss. Micheal Reichmann, known best for founding the Luminous Landscape website 17 years ago, passed away after a year-long battle with cancer.
Michael and I met seven years ago while we were both in Germany reviewing the then-new Leica M9 and S2. Over the years, we've run into each other at Photokina shows and other various press events. I have always held him in the highest regard. Thoughtful, extremely intelligent and often very funny, Michael had an unmistakable charm and class. He lived a full life, traveling the world many times over, while pursuing his passion for photography and inspiring others to do the same. Michael contributed greatly to the photographic community as a journalist, educator, gallery owner and photographer. I'm sure many have been influenced or touched by his efforts at some time over the years in their own pursuits for information and inspiration.
His latest endeavor was the Luminous Endowment, a charitable fund created by Michael to provide financial assistance through grants to deserving photographers and their projects. His friend and business partner, Kevin Raber, has indicated that donations in Michael's memory can be made to the Endowment here. You can read Kevin's own words here.
Farewell, Michael. May you always have good light.
I will always have Michael next to my heart. Literally. When Luminous Landscape issued DVDs, I bought all of them, and ripped the tracks to MP4 i-device-compatible videos. There are 11 videos on Iceland alone. The good news is, instead of having a nameless or faceless presenter of scenes, Michael and his associates are participants and presenters in these photographic adventure videos. And having them at hand at all times, they continue to inspire me as well as others I come into contact with.