beyondbordersphotography
Photographer's Statement
"I am a photographer of, and a visitor to ordinary moments in other cultures, now principally the Kurdish cultures. My photographs are generally portraits regardless of the subject, from the full-frame face captured on film after spending days with a family, to the silhouette of the man walking through a darkened bazaar clicked in an instant of opportunity. Individually the photos convey self-contained stories; collectively novels. As I learn from others' photographs I hope that others learn from mine.
"But as my travels continue to evolve, so does my photography, partially due to my head-and-heart connection with the people, and partially due to exclusively shooting digital the past 2 years of travel."
R. Leutheuser, December 2009
A Very Short Biography
I have been taking photographs for about 45 years now. I embarked on my first extended free-form overseas travel in South America and the Caribbean with camera in hand shortly after graduating from the University of Michigan. While serving in the Peace Corps I lived in the Central African Empire/Republic for 3 years in the late-seventies, and upon returning to the States I embarked on a successful 20-year professional career working in Western US water management. Overseas travels and photo adventures, though less extensive during this period, continued to feed the beast. I concluded my civil service career at the turn of the millennium (remember that auspicious event?) and since have concentrated my energies on life, photography, and travel. So far so good.
