Gerd returned to his native Germany after two weeks shooting in the Exclusion Zone. On his way back, he visited the Chernobyl Museum in Kiev with his assistant, Maxim Kuznetsov, and donated a copy of “The Long Shadow of Chernobyl” for the museum library (above). Later in Kiev, he met with Vitali Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxing world champion, and current mayor of Kiev (below). His father had been a liquidator following the Chernobyl disaster and later died of cancer. If a second run of the book is printed, Klitschko was kind enough to agree to write an epilogue.

Photo credits: Gerd Ludwig / Maxim Kuznetsov

Lumix Festival Presentation

During my presentation at the Lumix Festival for Young Photojournalism, I was honored that Daniela Schadt, the German President Joachim Gauck’s domestic partner, attended. It was a pleasure to meet her and give her a copy of my Chernobyl book.

Photo credit: Felix Zahn/ Hochschule Hannover

Post image for Exhibition Opening – the Book is out

A sneak peak at Gerd Ludwig’s exhibition “The Long Shadow of Chernobyl” at the Natural History Museum in Vienna: About 70 images from the book and will be on display there from May 14th until September 1st. Posted at the exhibit is a list of every backer from my two Kickstarter projects who have helped me return to the Zone and print the book.

First look at the book

Publisher Lois Lammerhuber (Edition Lammerhuber) shows Gerd the first bound copy of “The Long Shadow of Chernobyl” on Skype. With the fantastic support of all the Kickstarter backers, the photo book has become a reality! After a long time in the works, it was printed and presented to the public in the Natural History Museum Vienna on May 13th.

Copyright for the first image (photo exhibition): (c) NHM Wien / Kurt Kracher

Kickstarter Success!

April 21, 2014

Kickstarter Success

Thanks to 406 backers, The Long Shadow of Chernobyl photo book is a reality! Over 60 days we raised $45,571 – that’s 227% of my original goal!

I am now working on the exhibition and book launch at the Natural History Museum in Vienna, Austria and planning further events in Los Angeles and Germany.

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped to get the word out.

Best,
Gerd Ludwig

Photo Book Release and Exhibition in Vienna, Austria

Gerd Ludwig’s 20-year retrospective photo book, The Long Shadow of Chernobyl, published by Edition Lammerhuber will be officially launched on May 13th at a press conference and book release event during the opening night for The Long Shadow of Chernobyl exhibition at the Natural History Museum Vienna. On May 14th, a panel discussion will also take place at the Natural History Museum Vienna. A preview of the book at Frick, a renowned and historical book shop in Vienna will occur on May 12th at Frick.

American Photo Magazine Publishes

In the May/June 2014 issue of American Photo Magazine, Gerd Ludwig discusses the challenges of covering the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster over the last 20 years. The article, by Meg Ryan Heery, is part of American Photo’s “On The Job” segment, and breaks down the unique situation of shooting in the radioactive Exclusion Zone.

Check out the article on the stands now and read the full article online at American Photo Magazine.