Michael Reichmann R.I.P.

I'm extremely sorry to have to pass along the news of the death of a friend of us all.

Michael Reichmann, known all across the sprawling Internet photography community simply as "MR," has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Michael was the founder of The Luminous-Landscape, an influential enthusiast website that played a big part in reporting on, and influencing, the rise of digital photography during the digital transition.

A fine photographer in his own right both before and after his enthusiastic embrace of digital imaging, Michael's photographic interests were aptly reflected in the name of his site. Although he photographed other things, his primary passion was for beautiful and, indeed, luminous landscapes. He traveled the world looking for them.

I first met Michael in the 1990s when the energetic and enthusiastic Canadian and his soft-spoken English friend Chris Sanderson, an experienced professional videographer and filmmaker, came to Niles, Illinois, in the Chicago exurbs, to pitch an idea to myself and the Publisher of Photo Techniques magazine. Michael and Chris had in mind a video photography magazine delivered on DVD, and they wanted to pair up with PT to get their product on the newsstands. I thought it was manna from heaven for us, but the Publisher and his Director of Marketing Services turned Michael and Chris down. The idea later became The Video Journal, which was sold for a number of years by mail-order subscription. Michael did write a number of articles for me at PT, and he became one of our earliest digital print offer artists—we sold prints Michael had made with the 3-megapixel Canon D30. Those were the days when "uprezzing apps" were hotly discussed! The sale did very well, not because of the techniques involved but because of Michael's lyrical photographs.

When I left Photo Techniques, I wanted to keep writing about photography, and Michael and I switched places—I became the writer and he became my editor for many weekly columns on The Luminous-Landscape. The column was eventually called "The Sunday Morning Photographer." Although I only met him in person that one times in Niles, he and I spoke often by phone during that time, covering business and of course all manner of topics photographic.

MR interviewing Ctein in 2013

Just as my SMP column eventually morphed into The Online Photographer, so did The Video Journal eventually give way to both free and subscription videos on Michael's L-L site. But that was the tip of the iceberg in terms of Michael's protean activities in the field he so loved. He did many interviews (one of my favorites featured jazz great Oscar Peterson), guided travel workshops and photography trips, published many different writers, and of course reviewed hundreds of cameras.

Several years ago, knowing he had cancer, he founded The Luminous Endowment to help photographers of all kinds fund their projects and further their work.

Michael earned for himself a place in the history of photography with his early championing of digital and his longtime influence on the public discussion. His loss is truly a hard one for the photography community. Deep condolences to MR's family and loved ones.

This is often said but seldom so true: he will be missed. Michael had many friends, even among people he never met. He was 71.

Mike
(Thanks to David Smigelskis)

Original contents copyright 2016 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

TOP's links!

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Steve Rosenblum: "I am deeply saddened to hear this. I carried on an intermittent email conversation with Michael through the years, have read L-L since its inception, and had the pleasure of publishing an article on his site as part of the Sunday Morning Photographer column in 2004. I always admired his ability to turn his passion into something that the rest of us could learn from and enjoy—and that will continue after his death. Not such an easy thing to do. I few of his photographs hang in my home. I will miss him."

Michael Cytrynowicz: "Oh no! I am so sad. Always a reader of his, learned so much with him along the years, always enjoying his gentle canuckness, especially across the literally dozens of videos I watched with him and Jeff Schewe, Ctein, Ken Raber and many others. When they decided to open up all LuLa contents for $1 a month, I was exhilarated—what a cool, generous move. That was how Michael was. And I enjoyed as well his musings about re-discovering film. Will be sorely missed—my condolences to his wife and family—he was a real mensch."

Al Jaugelis: "I've appreciated his articles and opinions, but much, much more, his photographs. Many of them stop me and hold my gaze. Masterfully composed, color that takes my breath away. I never knew him apart from the LuLa site, but truly feel we have lost a very special man, and a great photographer. One who still inspires me."

Michel Filion: "I am so grateful that I once wrote Mr. Reichmann to tell him how beautiful his photos were! He was very touched with my email and thanked me for it. I am leaving for Iceland Tuesday and will think about him everytime I see a luminous landscape. Thank you, Sir."

Response from Kevin Raber: Everyone, thank you so much. Your comments mean the world to Michael's family and me. Michael was just about the best friend one could have and I am proud and honored to be carrying on the tradition of Luminous-Landscape. Both of us share the same passions and while I may never be crafty with words as Michael was I will speak my piece. It's my hope and dream that we continue Luminous-Landscape to be better than ever and serve as a great resource for photographers around the world.

—Kevin Raber, Publisher, Luminous-Landscape

Comments

[Nikhil Ramkarran]

I discovered so much thanks to Michael Reichmann. I spoke to him a couple times a few years back trying to arrange a visit to his Toronto gallery.

Never worked out, and I always intended to make another try on the next visit. Adding yet another regret to my list :(

[Glenn Brown]

He was my Neighbour and fellow photographer in Creemore Ontario. I would most often bump into him at the Village pub and around the side roads in his Jeep. My kind condolences to his wife and family.

[Rob Bernhard]

What a loss. Rest In Peace, Michael.

[Bob Rosinsky]

Michael, through LL, helped many of us transition from analog to digital photography. LL continues to be a dynamic forum for newbies as well as gurus.

A dignified and articulate fellow, he will be missed.

[Wes]

Very sad for the photography community. I was a subscriber of the Video Journal and have been a daily (sometimes twice daily) reader of the site and forums. I was impressed by his images but even more so by his generosity, in the sharing of his photographic knowledge and, even more so, by the Endowment. I donated to that Endowment and received the beautiful limited edition of his 20 year retrospective. I think I'll go get it off the shelf and spend some time with it. Thanks, MR.

[Mark Kinsman]

A loss for the photographic community. My condolences to his family and friends, many of which we got to know through Lula's excellent website. His absence on the site recently was a concern of mine, fearing what has now come true. Michael, thank you for all that you've done to champion our photographic passion.

[Trecento]

I'm so sorry. He's young enough to be my dad - it's just ...

I have to run a bunch of errands today, but I will be thinking of the time I have left, and what good I have yet to do.

My condolences to you, to Michael's family and friends, and to our community.

Peace.

[David Wagner]

I never met the gentleman, but I greatly admired him and enjoyed LuLa. May he rest in peace.

[Michael Cytrynowicz]

Oh no!
I am so sad. Always a reader of him, learned so much with him along the years, always enjoying his gentle canuckness, especially across the literally dozens of videos I watched with him and Jeff Schewe, Ctein, Ken Raber and many others. When they decided to open up all LuLa contents for $1, I was exhilarated, what a cool, generous move. That was how Michael was. And I enjoyed as well his musings about re-discovering film. Will be sorely missed - my condolences to his wife and family - he was a real mensch.

[Curt Gerston]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I met Michael at a workshop in the Palouse a few years ago. I enjoyed his company and instruction, as I've enjoyed his work and website over the years. Count me among those who will miss him.

[Geoff Wittig]

I had the great fortune to attend a digital printing workshop at Michael Reichmann's studio in Toronto about 7 years back. (The instructors were Charles Cramer and Bill Atkinson; kind of a perfect storm of digital and printing skills.) Michael's understanding of subjects ranging from print media to marketing to fine art were fully equal to his photographic knowledge. And he had a wonderful eye for composition. It may be fair to say that he did not suffer fools gladly, but unlike many pundits, he backed up his strongly held opinions with solid logic and deep understanding. He will indeed be missed.

[Tom Kaszuba]

Nothing less than an utterly devastating loss to the photography world. Man am I going to miss him. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

[James Symington]

This is terrible news. Although we never met we did exchange some emails some years ago and he was very kind and helpful. The Luminous Landscape played a huge part in my digital education and I am forever grateful for that. The photographic world is much poorer for his premature departure

[Joe Nieters]

...the things I take for granted!

[adamct]

The Luminous Landscape was one of the reasons I really "got into" photography in the first place. I greatly enjoyed reading Michael's gear reviews and about his travels. I spent many, many hours going back through the LL archives reading about obscure gear and long-obsolete cameras just for the sheer pleasure of it. What I particularly enjoyed about his writing was his distinctive voice. He had opinions and he wasn't afraid to voice them. And his emphasis on ergonomics and usability was a real delight, offering something that most other review sites glossed over.

Thank you, Michael Reichmann.
Adam

P.S. Among other things, I have MR to thank for introducing me to MJ. I was a devoted reader of The Sunday Morning Photographer.

[Andrzej R.]

MR's L-L was perhaps my major source of information on digital imaging during the days of revival of my interest in photography which coincided with the soaring popularity of digital photography in early 2000s. My affection for photography has gained much traction since then. It's really sad to learn that the man who was a part of that has passed away.

[Stephen Scharf]

I am deeply saddened at this news. For many photographers, Michael was at the center of the development of digital photography and it's convergence with the Internet. Along with TOP, The Luminous Landscape of the very first photography-centered web sites and blogs I value so very much. I also very much enjoyed his travel and Photoshop, Lightroom and Capture One training videos. My deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Godspeed Michael.

[Michael Eckstein]

A sad loss for photography. I have learned so much from the Luminous Landscape site. The video library there contains much top notch information. I have visited the site since my D30 days. Rest in peace!

[MarkO]

That is tremendously bad news. Early on, I went to the site daily and subscribed for a long time to the DVD. I got to LL from Photo Techniques and got to TOP from there. I learned so much from him and the others on the site. Bon Voyage to him.

[Chris M]

I can now appreciate what some music fans have been feeling after the losses of musicians like David Bowie and Prince this year. While I enjoyed both artists, it really didn't hit me that hard to hear of their passing. This did.

There are a plethora of photography websites out on the net. I enjoy many of them. There are a few that I visit daily. And then there are a handful that I can point to as truly changing me as a photographer. The Luminous Landscape was certainly one of those. And much of my enjoyment of that site was a direct result of both the photography and writing of Michael Reichmann.

There are few around the web that could address both the technical and artistic aspects of photography in a way that was clear and engaging to both photo newbies as well as seasoned veterans. Michael certainly possessed that rare ability. Whether it was an article on the latest digital medium format back that cost more than my car or a review of photographs from his latest trip, I looked forward to every new piece from Michael.

Additionally, I owe Michael and LuLa one other huge debt of gratitude. It was there with the Sunday Morning Photographer articles that I first encountered you, Mike. Michael had a sense for featuring highly talented photo writers and I'm deeply grateful that I came across your articles there and followed you to TOP. Likewise, I'm glad that he seems to have put LuLa into some capable hands with Kevin Raber. What a joy to know that his legacy will live on through his website and his endowment.

I thank you for making me a better photographer, Michael. Godspeed and good light to you.

[Bill Mitchell]

The technical articles will come and go with time, but his photographs are immortal. He was one FINE photographer.

[Ned Bunnell]

Many of us have Michael to thank for providing lucid commentary on how to embrace and coax the most out of our digital photography during its formative years. He'll be sorely missed, but his wonderful writing and images thankfully will live on at LL.

[ctein]

Aw, f*ck.

Michael and I were friends for 15(?) years. We'd get together when I was in Toronto or he in the Bay area. Last time was 2013, when that photo was made (we'd gone out photographing together).

I saw him shortly after his first round of cancer, and he was in very good shape (state-of-the-art targeted gene-based therapy is a marvel-- beats the hell out of chemo). He thought it was well and truly gone. Sometimes.

Not this time apparently. Dammit.

pax / Ctein

[Peter Komar]

He had it all I thought, talent, passion for his craft and spent his time with so much enthusiasm photographing this beautiful world. This news is just shocking, I so much enjoyed visiting his website over the years. He embraced the digital era long before many of us did and produced a wide body of exceptional images that will live on. RIP Mr. Reichmann.

[Steve Jacob]

Of all the high profile obituaries in 2016, this is the only one that seems like a personal loss.

Been using L-L as a useful reference source for as long as I can remember - and he was there right from the start of this whole digital shebang.

[Barry Burris]

I was very frustrated with my photography in 2004 or 2005. I was a frequent visitor of Luminous Landscape. Honestly I though Mr. Reichmann came off as a bit aloof but I emailed him anyway detailing my frustrations and providing some samples. He replied stating everything I was doing technically was fine, he thought my problem was that I "was not in the same place as the great images." "You should consider traveling." A year later life afforded me a trip to Walden Pond, this was a particular mecca for me. I took what I think are still some of the best photo's I have ever taken. Now this was a year later and I did not think he would remember but I sent him some samples and let him know that I took his advice and thought it worked. His reply....."ah, yes, I remember. Glad to hear it worked. I was not sure it would." Now almost a decade later I still have a print hanging on my wall from that trip. One thing I have never done is name my images....but now I think I will call it ..."Ah Yes, I remember". In the meantime all we can do keep clicking that shutter release.

[Chris]

I too will miss him. He (and Kevin) were/are wonderfully enthusiastic and never took/take themselves too seriously. Quite a shock. A sane voice in the madness.

[Eolake]

I agree, a bit of a shock, he seemed so vital. I considered MR a freind and like you said once, Mike, LL is even if nothing else the only site which reviewed medium format cameras. And MR's video Journal was great.

I'm happy to say that in the early day I helped promote the site in the UK by getting the magazine Professional Photographer to put up a small feature about it.

[Kent]

This is a shock. I met Michael at a presentation he gave in Gotanda (Tokyo, Japan) a number of years ago. He was warm and affable, and full of knowledge that he generously shared. He will be missed.

[Leland Davis]

This is truly a loss. I never new Michael but he felt like a friend to me from reading his posts. He was an excellent photographer and a teacher and innovator. As was mentioned, the loss feels personal.

[Tim McGowan]

Sad. Very sad. Gone too soon.

[Sanjay Nasta]

I first discovered your writing on Photo.net and then followed you to LuLa and discovered Michael. I truly hoped Michael had beat cancer. It is amazing to me how one can have such a strong "relationship" with a person that one has just read on the Internet. Condolences to his family.

[John Wilson]

A Beacon of the photographic community has bee extinguished.

Sleep Well Michael. We miss you already.

[James Sinks]

The Luminous Landscape was one of the first photography websites I found that I actually came back to. It musta been the early 2000's, perhaps around the time when I was first doing research into DSLRs. I didn't buy one (and wouldn't do so for another decade or so), but the Luminous Landscape was a wonderful discovery. It was a massive, sprawling, homespun collection of articles, reviews, tutorials, and photographs. It was the best possible kind of mess--one you could enter at any point and work through in any order and come back to later for an entirely new experience. The thing that made the mess endurable, even endearing, was Michael's editorial voice and personality. That is how I knew Michael, and that is how I will miss him.

[Kenneth Tanaka]

I'm absolutely stunned and very saddened by this terrible news. I knew Michael had a bout with cancer a few years ago but I was under the impression that he had beaten it.

General landscape photography is not my tea cup. But that aside, I've long admired Michael's pure love of photography and his devotion to building his site and his brand in the most positive ways. His equipment reviews have been among the most useful to me over the years because they were always extremely hands-on practical. As a subscriber to his earliest Video Journal CD's I was very impressed with that effort, too.

Michael Reichmann certainly did earn a place in the history of amateur photographic education and enhancement. I greatly admired the man and offer my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

Thank You, Michael.

[D. Hufford.]

This is quite a shock. I very briefly met him once when he was in Tokyo in, I believe, February 2008 giving presentations for Phase One. Like watching and reading his articles and videos on LL, the time at the presentation was well spent.

I learned most of what I know about digital photography, printing, processing---Lightroom and Capture One----from his videos and articles. And when new cameras came out, I always checked his reviews first, as he focused on what I consider the importance: how the camera feels and works vs the technical details.To top all that off, his photography was beautiful and inspiring.

He was the person who really introduced me and many, many others to digital photography. Very much a big loss.

[Jamietie]

As I'm sure many here are saying, I found The Luminous Landscape when I was first becoming interested in digital photography. I've always been a fan. He will, indeed be missed.

[Caleb Courteau]

This hit me hard. I've been visiting the Luminous Landscape for over ten years. Reichmann's thoughtful musings on cameras and the camera industry gave me hours of pleasurable reading. Indeed, he will be missed.

[Michael Perini]

Like many others here Michael was the reason I dove into digital. You could trust his recommendations, and his opinions were amazingly accurate over a very long period of time.
He was a statesman with an authoritative voice who loved photography and passed that love along to countless others.
A very rare person.
Reading what everyone else has written underscores what a unique person he was.

Thanks Mike for this opportunity - it feels like being with family.

[Gavin Robb]

I'm so saddened to hear of the death of Michael Reichmann. He had an innate ability to teach and I've taken in many of his articles and videos on the LuLa site. We as a photographic community are fortunate to have learned from a master of the art. His final gift back to the community of The Luminous Endowment will ensure his commitment to photography will never end. I'm thankful that we'll all continue to learn from him. My condolences to his family, friends, LuLa team and all of the photographic community.

[Benjamin Marks]

Damn. I learned a lot from that guy, We all did. I will miss his endless enthusiasm for photography.

[Sarge]

Sad news.

I discovered Luminous Landscape when I started photography as my hobby. Landscapes are my preferred subject. When I was shopping for my first serious camera MR's review clinched it for me. It's still my main camera and I have added a second body.

It was through LuLa that I discovered TOP via "The Sunday Morning Photographer". I continued to visit Lula to read MR's "rantatorials" until it became a pay site. (Kevin Raber's obituary can be accessed even by non-subscribers.)

Rest in peace, Michael Reichman. MR will abide as an Internet immortal.

[Mike Fewster]

The internet creates extended families of our own choosing. I never knew MR personally but I feel that I did. Through LULA, his writing and passion drew me back into photography. A voice I will miss.

[Marcelo Guarini]

Although I knew about his illness, I feel shocked and profoundly saddened. One tend to think that heroes never die, but reality connects us to ground. I'm a subscriber and daily reader of LuLa website. I will miss Michael very much and I wish Kevin the best to continue and succeed with his big dreams. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends.

[misha]

Could anyone provide a link to his Toronto newspaper obituary/funeral?

[David Ramsey]

It is so upsetting to hear this news. Although I never met Michael I felt somehow personally connected through his posts, reviews and videos on LuLa. His persona was so powerful that it transcended the digital interface through which we knew him. I will always remember him for the lessons, passion and humor he shared. He is dearly missed.

[George Housley]

Very sad

He and his workshop (Bosque Dec 2002) were responsible for my transition from occasional snapshot shooter to photographer.(My and The Canon D30 era) He introduced me to Michael Johnston and Thomas Knoll (a member of the Bosque trip). The first images I ever had on the web are on LL(albeit buried deep on his site) This includes an image in his long gone critique section that was not panned and I can't find now, taken with that ancient Canon D30, all 3 megapixels of it.

Thank you Michael,
George

[David Cope]

R.I.P. MR

So sorry to hear this bad news. Only once did we communicate via email where he came across as warm and sincere. Great loss to the community.

[Tom Fangel]

Very sad. Michael - helpful as ever - gave me permission to publish some af his work for teaching purposes. He will be missed.

[Frank]

Very sad to hear Michael's pass away. Condolences to his wife and family.

I read Sunday Morning Photographer on Michael's L-L many years ago, and got to know Mike there. Then I read The Online Photographer all these years. Both TOP and L-L are my favourite photography sites.

- Frank

[Svein-Frode]

That was unexpected and sad news. For someone living in the Arctic and not having any other source of inspiration and knowledge than the Internet, Michael Reichmann and his Luminous Landscape website were hugely important in my photographic education. I've lost too many good friends to Cancer and feel deeply with the close friends and family of Michael. RIP.

[Paulo Bizarro]

He had a Luminous life.

[Bill Nuttall]

just to add my tribute to Michael - his kind and warm personality - he will be missed and I always found his writings and videos really careing and sincere

Very sad news

[Armand]

So sad to hear this news. My sincere condolences to his family. Can't believe it. RIP MR. You will be missed.

[Michael]

Thanks so much for that, Mike. MR's Luminous Landscape was my re-introduction to photography and my introduction to the digital age. I often use ideas or techniques he described or in articles he published. And he offered my first introduction to your writing. The idea of LL for a dollar a month was extraordinarily generous and thoughtful. What a legacy to celebrate in the face of our loss.

[Adam Lanigan]

A staggering loss to the photography community for sure. I owe a great debt of knowledge and insight to Michael's writing and photography on Luminous Landscape - a daily visit for me for many years.

[Eduardo Cervantes]

Thanks for everything Michael!

[Francisco Cubas]

I've been a long time Luminous Landscape reader for more than ten years I guess. Seven years ago, when I was put in charge of a small fine print businesses here in Villahermosa, México, I bought all Michael's videos that have to do with the craft, learned a lot and became a decent printer. I think that's a good example of his legacy. He gave a lot to people like me, far away from his surroundings. He will be missed indeed.

[Michael Tapes]

To Michael's friends and family,

It is a sad day indeed. I will forever be grateful to Michael for the support he gave to me both personally and professionally. I always cherished his friendship, guidance, and mentorship. He was a giving soul, and will remain in my thoughts. My deep condolences to all who knew and loved him.

Michael Tapes

[Michel]

I am saddened by this news. The Luminius Landscape was probably the first photography website I read after graduating from the review and forum sites. I have two of Michael's prints; one purchased when he was doing a fundraiser for a friend who was battling cancer, the other as an entry into a sweepstake that would see the winner spend the weekend with Michael photographing at his lake cottage. I spent a lot of time daydreaming what that would be like.

He seems to have lived life to the fullest and he is leaving a lasting and positive mark. I hope this will offer a small degree of comfort to those close to him.

[Peter Kiar]

There are people who have something to share and the capacity to share it. Michael Reichmann was one such person.

[Darren Gust]

So very sad to hear about this. My condolences to his family and friends, what a huge loss to, not only the Canadian photo community (which is non-existent in many ways) but to the greater globalized photography community. LULA has been a fantastic mentor to me in the past decade or so and I always admired Michael's drive and determination to make it such a fabulous place for photographers. I was aware of his illness and wondered how his health has been as of late.

RIP Michael.

[Joe Boris]

I was/am a great admirer of Michael and his work, as well as his curiosity about all things photographic which made L-L a constant source of enjoyment for me these many years. Though we never met, twice I felt the need to email him a question and his personal replies were timely and on-point. So sad to learn of his passing. We've lost a wonderful source of humor and light.

[Tom Bell]

A sad day. I have learned much from Lu- La over the years.

I always feel it is odd that we feel so strongly for those that we dont personally know, but feel we know through a shared interest or enthusiasm. As a physician I shy away from the image of a battle against cancer. I hope the treatment and his own love of passion helped carry him through the last few years with times of personal joy and pleasure. So often at the end of this long road death no longer feels like the enemy, or something to fear. Often it may be a blessing in the end for the person with cancer and for his family and true friends. I hope and suspect it was so for Michael and all those who he held dear and who he loved.
I have so enjoyed his writings over the years. I did not know him, but he will I am sure return to my thoughts over the years. My best wishes to his family and friends

[beuler]

I greatly enjoyed Michael's gear reviews and bought my second and most loved camera on his advice. It was a Konica Minolta A2. His tutorials on photography were also very helpful to me. RIP.

[Stephen McCullough]

Michael, his work, and his site were a critical part of my journey into digital. But my favourite and most meaningful interaction with him was more personal.

Some years ago ( about 8 ) my daughter and I visited his studio here in Toronto. She was about 10. One particular photograph grabbed her attention; an aerial of an lephant herd. The photograph was from a Botswana trip.

Michael and Olivia spent nearly half an hour discussing the photograph. The techniques, the light and especially the shadows. Olivia is today a successful visual artist, and back then it as clear where she was headed. It was touching and intense to witness how attentive he was with her, speaking artist to artist. A gentleman. An artist.

[Alex W Milne]

Anyone who builds a website that has a reported million hits per month is a visionary. Michael Reichmann was peerless in this respect. There are many imitators, but arguably he was the first and the best. If you wanted to understand trends within camera development, then go read Michael. His raw intelligence, his ability to communicate and above all his ability to connect, was a rare talent that will be greatly missed. He popped up anywhere you wanted to go and other places besides, that you had never dreamed of whether Bangladesh, the Arctic or the middle of the Pacific, Michael was there. And he had no bias. He told it as it was. He should know. He was out there doing it.

Life is tough. Michael we will miss you, but are the richer for having known you.

[chas]

I Toronto's leading newspaper:

http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/Deaths.20160521.93374955/BDAStory/BDA/deaths

[psmith]

I got into photography in 2003 when my wife brought home an Sony F-717. It was a great camera and I was soon hooked. I started reading on the internet about digital photography but as I read wider became fascinated by photography itself as an art form and way of life. It was reading the Luminous Landscape that really sparked all this. It has always been a great mix of gear reviews and philosophical ruminations. I remember an article called 'Digital to Analog' that was about the purity of film photography and the necessity of having good technique in the field, which could be best learned using a simple camera like a Practika. I was so inspired I switched from digital to film.

I regret to say I never signed up for the subscription on LL. My photographic obsession has waned in the intervening years and I am not as interested in keeping up with the latest as I used to be. But one thing I would have loved to have read about was how Michael Reichmann did with his Rolleiflex and his conversion back to film photography.

[mark]

Someone above wrote they emailed with Michael. I did also, but in a slightly different manner. I was a voracious reader of LULA for many years and subscribed to those excellent DVDs. I couldn't wait to get them in the mail. My email correspondence with Michael over the years, each and every one of which he replied to, often dealt with my innate ability as a proofreader, something I do as part of my employment. Whenever I'd see a typo or error on his site, I'd let him know. He always appreciated it, wrote back thank you, and then corrected it.

I truly gasped when I scrolled down from today's topic of the Miata and saw a large photo of Michael with RIP above. A great, impartial and strong voice for photography, a tireless leader of expeditions before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon, a man/mensch who always told it like it was, often lambasting Canon for certain control placement on their cameras, etc. Michael pulled no punches and we are all the better for it. Not to mention his talent, his eye for beauty, his beautiful homes in Canada and Mexico.

I will always remember his photo essay on Chittagong and the young men and boys who work there at great danger to themselves. It was very powerful journalism. It was a story redone years later by NatGeo.

RIP, Michael, as Mike here said, you will indeed be missed. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

[Peter Hovmand]

I really enjoyed the fine work of MR. May he rest in peace.
Regards and condolences from Copenhagen, Denmark.

[David Lonsdale]

So sad to read of MR's passing. Sympathies to his family and colleagues.
Lula has taught me much over the years, and I'm pleased that Michael's legacy is set for the future.

[wchen]

Sad to hear about the passing of the gentleman. About nine years ago when I picked up my first DSLR, I wandered into Lu-La and had learnt a lot from reading it (including your articles). I still read it time to time until it went subscription, and certainly liked to look at most of his photos on the site. I knew he would not be with the community long when he announced he got cancer (I am a cancer biologist). I would like to pay my respect and condolences.

[Dave New]

I found both Mike through his Sunday Morning Photographer columns and Alain Briot through his essays on Being an Artist in Business on Michael's Luminous Landscape site. I also had a subscription to his Video Journals and anticipated them in the mail.

These days, I take workshops and seminars from Alain, striving to become a fine art landscape photographer, and eventually going into business as a means to enhance my coming retirement years, exploring the countryside with my camera and sharing my vision with others.

I'll miss Michael. He was the catalyst for my photographic revival.

[Dennis Ng]

Sad news.

Remember him quite a lot as one of the 3 sites I normally go to. In fact, I also knew you because of his site. After all, web presence in 1999 is really different compare with paper touch. Well, still remember struggle of the cost to subscribe to the video and only years later I can get hold of them all as too expensive. Still have those around. In fact the whole site is about very expensive tour and camera which even 2nd hand decades later still out of reach (waiting for my 16M Hasselblad digital back still).

His D30 is a watershed, even though I am more into Nikon guy even then (http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html): https://luminous-landscape.com/d30/

I like his P67 photograph more, especially the one look like a man. Can't find it.

As said it is what you left remember after all is forgotten that is key. I remember mainly his comment on lack of dedicated button of canon dSLR. https://luminous-landscape.com/canon-40d-hands-on-report/ Every time he reviewed canon in those day this is the issue he always bought up.

The last topic I feel very interest is his astro one: https://luminous-landscape.com/astrophotography-next-steps/

Surely miss.

RIP

[Chris Sanderson]

MR Funeral details:
http://mountpleasantgroup.permavita.com/site/MichaelReichmann.html

[Ilkka]

Very sad to hear this. Michael was a great inspiration. I spent a lot of money on his equipment reviews, with no regrets. I have his video journals from first issue onwards and will treasure them. I met him once in Singapore when he gave a speech and we had a good talk on Leica and TiltShift lenses. Great educator, clear, concise, straight talking and honest. He did accomplish a lot in his too short life and gave back a lot to the photographic community so for sure he did live a full life and should have no regrets. That at least is a comfort in this time of sadness.

[Glenn LeBlanc]

As a serious amateur photographer, I learned most of what I know about digital photography from Luminous-Landscape through Michael's posts and his videos with Jeff Schewe. I'm an educator who works with faculty who teach online, so I know what it takes to be an effective teacher even though your students are not there with you. Though I never met him, Michael's enthusiasm as a teacher has inspired me for many years as I developed my own skills. I have been inspired as much by his depth of knowledge, clear explanations, and wonderful sense of humor as much as I have by his amazing images. Thank you Michael!