Residents of Shadyside for nineteen years, Peter and Anita Luellen are unique as a couple sharing an interest in photography. Whether subjects found here in the Ohio Valley or images made from their travels, the Luellens' photographs reveal intricate details, glowing colors and the Extra-Ordinary in the ordinary. While they travel and photograph together, their Visions, or interpretations are always different. Peter and Anita approach subjects with individual ideas and experiences, even different cameras and lenses.
Photography has been a hobby for Peter for many years. A bicyclist and outdoor enthusiast, some of his favorite subjects are waterfalls, mountains and rock formations. In 1990 Peter joined the local Wheeling Area Photography Club and attended a seminar by OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY magazine writer-instructor Rod Plank. It was then that Peter learned the importance of making the most of every photographic opportunity as light and circumstances are always changing.
Color slide film is Peter's favorite medium, giving rich, saturated reds and greens to his nature photographs. While he prefers his images to be presented “as-is”, with no digital manipulation or enhancements, his wife Anita makes broad use of such creative tools.
A graduate of West Liberty State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education K-12, a background in painting and drawing led Anita into photography. Inspired by natural subjects, especially animals and brightly colored flowers, Anita says, “The study of the art of photography has been God's gift to my life. I believe that the creative art of photography is not defined by mechanical tools, equipment or repetitive technique, but by combining these with heart-felt Vision. A camera is a useless tool without the mind and eye of the photographer.” Along with fine art images, Anita has made a study of studio portrait photography. She and Peter are members of Triangle Photographers Association and Digital Imagers, both of Pittsburgh.
Our wish for those who view our photographs is simple: “ We hope viewers stop and take a second or third look at flowers that grow in a neighbor's yard or notice a rugged, enduring tree they pass every day on their drive to work. We hope they notice the glow of sunlight through translucent petals of red spring tulips or marvel at dramatic backlight shining through golden autumn leaves. We hope they share a renewed sense of Vision, of seeing and celebrating details we often miss in our natural world.” Some of the Luellens' images can be seen on these web sites: www.digitalimagers.org, www.lightsideimages.com and www.betterphoto.com.
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