About Pete Hellmann
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434-982-4715 fax
6980 Green Creek Road |
Artist's Statement |
The photography bug bit me at a young age when my father allowed me to use his Leica 35 mm rangefinder camera in grade school. My first photographs were not always in focus, but this began my interest in capturing images. Later in life I found that hiking and exploring nature was a welcome stress reliever and started spending a great deal of time outdoors. It was during this period of my life that I started photographing nature. I have always thought a photograph should represent what is perceived by the human eye rather than what is simply reproduced by the camera. The technical accuracy captured in the viewfinder and produced by film is the first step to creating a good photograph. Taking this information a step further and creating what an individual remembers, and how they interpret what they see, is what separates fine art photography from photojournalism. While nature has always held my interest I have come to realize that it is the interaction of colors and light that truly make a beautiful photograph. Whether a photograph captures the surreal colors of the American southwest, or the stark realities of the Alaskan wilderness, the blending and bending of light in nature never ceases to be visually stunning. Color and composition allow the imagination to take flight which can lead to new viewpoints and opinions. |
Personal History |
Although I am known as a photographer, I am also well known in the field of computer systems design. I have created computer systems that have helped researchers crack the human genome as well as created medical computing solutions for researchers and pharmaceutical companies. After years of designing computer systems, using the technical side of my brain, I am now using computers to exercise the artistic side of my brain. I continue to be amazed by the accuracy and fine control made possible with the digital darkroom process. |
Member Affiliations |
The Center for Fine Art Photography The Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts The Blacksburg Regional Council for the Arts The James River Arts Council National Association of Photoshop Professionals |
Exhibitions and Shows   |
Exhibitions and Shows - 2009 Bridges the inaugural art exhibition of CommunityArtsWork, Blacksburg, Virginia, September - August 2009. Juried by Denise Woodward-Detrich, director of the Rudolf E. Lee Gallery in the Department of Art at Clemson University. Unnatural Nature The Academy of Fine Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia from February 6-27. The exhibit explores the natural world as seen by digital artists. Exhibitions and Shows - 2008 29th Annual Roanoke City Art Show, Salon Des Refuses sponsored by the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge in Roanoke, Virginia from Sept. 25th to Nov. 2nd, 2008. Juried by Helen Frederick, Professor and Coordinator of Printmaking, and director of Navigation Press in the Department of Art and Visual Information Technology at George Mason University. Annual Juried Photography Show sponsored by the Academy of Fine Art in Lynchburg, Virginia from Sept. 5 to Sept 26, 2008. Juried by Christa Kreeger Bowden, Assistant Professor of Art, Washington & Lee University Viewpoints 2008 at The Gallery in Scottsville, Virginia, May 3 - May 31. Sponsored by the James River Arts Council and juried by Jim Carpenter, M.S., Master Photographer and Certified Professional Photographer. Exhibitions and Shows - 2007 New River Art 2007 at the Perspective Gallery in Blacksburg, Virginia, Oct 30th - Dec 7th. Awarded Best Photography by juror Susan Bloom, Professor of Art and Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at McDaniel College in Maryland. Snap to Grid, a non-juried group show at the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art in Los Angeles, California, Sept. 13th to Oct 4th. Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, August 2007, third place winner of the BRO photography contest co-sponsored by Richmond Camera, Virginia Tourism Corporation and Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Stolen Moments III sponsored by the Scottsville Council for the Arts in Scottsville, Virginia from July 27th - August 25th. Awarded Best in Show and 1st Place Landscape by jurors Jim Carpenter, Ben Greenberg and Jack Cacciatore. "Scotopic Vision" Solo Show at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia from July 13th - August 24th Art of Digital Imagery presented by the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, Colorado from June 15th - July 14th. Juried by George DeWolf, senior editor of Camera Arts magazine. Local Virginia Photographers group exhibition presented by the Scottsville Council for the Arts in Scottsville, Virginia from April 20th - May 13th. Exhibitions and Shows - 2006 The Art of Digital Photography Show Group Slide Show from Oct 6th - Nov. 19th at the Lyceum Theater Gallery in San Diego, California. The juror was Hugh Davis, Directory of the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego. Annual Juried Photography Show sponsored by the Academy of Fine Art in Lynchburg, Virginia from Sept. 1 - Sept 29. Juried by Pam Fox, Adjunct Professor of Photography, Hampton Sydney College. |