The news of his sudden death affects not only his family, but also his classmates, project partners and former students. You knew Dieter Leistner as someone who not only wanted to capture the world with his camera, but also to create relationships – between people, cultures and architecture. Who, with his careful and critical eye, wanted to understand existence and explore aesthetics. And who has never taken off or retired to the ivory tower, on the contrary.
He would have turned 70 in early November
The photography professor died unexpectedly last weekend, just weeks before his 70th birthday. Dieter Leistner was married and has four children.
Curiosity and the joy of discovery have never left him throughout his life. And he caught it early: he secretly “snapped” the first photo of him at the age of eight on Sylt with his father’s camera. The reason: dune, camping table, folding chairs. This image should prove to be a biographical clue. Because his passion then led him to photography and to many trips around the world. The camera always with you.
Born in Salzgitter in 1952, Leistner first learned carpentry in Lower Saxony before moving to the Saarland as a laborer. At home he could take over his father’s workshop. But the young cosmopolitan decided otherwise: he studied photographic engineering, visual communication / photographic design and communication design at the universities of Cologne, Essen and the University of Wuppertal through the second training course.
Since 1982 he has been working as a freelance photographer. From personal experience, he was able to explain to students how boring it is sometimes to turn one’s passion into a profession and build one’s existence. Since 1983 he has taken on teaching positions, has lectured, published books and illustrated books. His exhibitions have attracted international attention. Dieter Leistner is one of the most important German architecture photographers.
After teaching at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences (1983-95), he accepted a call to Würzburg in 1999 as a professor of photography at the design faculty of what is now the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences ( FHWS). As a university teacher, he shaped the imagery of an entire generation of photographers until 2018. His photographs of contemporary buildings, which have appeared in numerous specialized publications around the world, are characterized by their graphic design and thoughtful use of light and color.
The special perspective when photographing interiors
His interior shots became famous, in which he looked up from below. He has also made a name for himself with his carefully designed interior views of historic indoor swimming pools. But his portraits of architectural stars such as Zaha Hadid or Gottfried Böhm and many others were above all one thing: “typical Leistner”.
University president Robert Grebner honors the deceased as a “passionate photographer, university lecturer and generous person”. As a helpful colleague, he felt very close to the FHWS and has selflessly photographed a wide variety of university buildings over the years. Dean Erich Schöls (Faculty of Design) says: “Dieter Leistner was able to handle the camera like no other.” He passed this ability on to young people. “The faculty is grateful and sad”.
Not only technically expert: “Always nice and funny conversations”
In addition to the university, Leistner sought cooperation with companies and institutions and initiated projects for students. This is also the case with this newspaper: “Its architecture and travel photography have always adorned our products,” says Daniel Biscan, Art Director of Main-Post. Leistner has significantly improved the Würzburg teaching location in the field of photography. And: “she was a sociable person with whom you could always have pleasant and funny conversations”. Which is universally confirmed.
“He was a man hunter par excellence,” recalls Karl-Georg Rötter, who worked there for many years. In the photographic studio of the University of Applied Sciences in the Korngasse in Würzburg, not only formal teaching took place. They also met in a small bar there, where they talked about photography, “and sometimes these conversations didn’t end until late at night,” says Roetter. “Because the photography teacher always had a good glass of wine ready.”
Leistner’s students often won awards for their work
Dieter Leistner was demanding when it came to photography. And this was shown over and over again in the semester exhibitions with unusual student works. And the professor was happy for them when they won an award again, which was often the case.
The vernissages were legendary in the cultural landscape of Würzburg and often turned into long parties. And Leistner perfectly mastered his role as a presenter. Strangers often made friends here.
In 2018, on the occasion of his retirement farewell, Dieter Leistner showed another insight into his multifaceted photographic work on the art ship “Arte Noah”. At that time no one could and wanted to imagine that this would be his last exhibition in Würzburg.
Collaboration: Karl-Georg Rötter
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