YGGDRASILL

KONRAD HELLFEUER

//It was early exposure to art that brought Konrad to photography, which developed into a profession and a passion that never left him. Born in Poland he has lived in Germany for most of his life, where he now pursues photography as a freelancer. As his other passion is nature, he has shared with us an artistic series about a mythical Norse tree, Yggdrasill.

“As a child, I was always drawn to the art world. My father’s job as a restorer in a museum exposed me to the beauty of photography, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a part of it. I started experimenting with my father’s old camera, playing with angles and lighting techniques. As I grew older, my passion for photography only intensified, and I decided to pursue it as a career. Looking back on my journey, I am grateful for those early experiences in the museum. They sparked something within me that has stayed with me ever since. Pursuing my passion hasn’t always been easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. My goal is to continue learning and growing as a photographer, capturing moments that tell stories and evoke emotions. Photography allows me to express myself creatively and connect with people in a unique way. It’s not just a job; it’s a way of life.”, Konrad says.

“A good photo is one you look at for more than a second.”

Henri Cartier-Bresson

What draws you to the arts?

“More generally, what draws me to art is the way it makes me feel. Engaging with art, whether it be through visiting a museum or gallery, attending a performance, or creating my own artwork, fills me with a sense of wonder and inspiration. Art has the power to transport me to another world and evoke emotions that I may not have otherwise experienced. It allows me to see the world in a different light and appreciate the beauty in everyday things. Art also has the ability to challenge me and make me think critically about society and the human experience. The arts have enriched my life in countless ways and I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with them on a regular basis.”

What do you like best about this project?

“This project has been a truly transformative experience for me as a photographer. What I love most about it is how it has pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to try new things. The sepia tone and Yggdrasill tree series provided a unique opportunity to experiment with different styles and techniques, which has helped me grow tremendously as an artist. In particular, I have enjoyed honing my composition skills throughout this project. Finding the right subject and framing the shot effectively is crucial in creating powerful photographs, and this project has given me ample opportunity to practice these skills. Additionally, I have become more comfortable taking risks and pushing myself creatively – something that I know will serve me well in all of my future photography endeavors. Overall, this project has been an incredible learning experience for me. It has allowed me to explore new techniques, refine my skills, and push myself creatively. I can’t wait to see where my photography journey takes me next!”

Yggdrasil, the holy world tree from Norse mythology, is a complex and fascinating symbol that has been interpreted in many different ways over the centuries. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of life and death.

Konrad´s photo series showcases the beauty and majesty of Yggdrasill. The photos are captured in sepia tone to give them a timeless feel and to emphasize the ancient nature of this mythological symbol. To create these images, Konrad used a combination of traditional photography techniques and digital post processing. He first scouted locations where he could find trees with unique shapes and textures that would be evocative of Yggdrasill. Then he experimented with different lighting conditions and angles. Finally he worked on the images un post-processing software.

The end result is a series of powerful images that showcase not only the beauty of trees but also their deep-rooted symbolism in human culture.

Click on the photos to see a larger image in original dimensions. Some images may be cropped for layout.