Karin Schrager, the one who can paint with light

It is common knowledge that photographers always stand behind the camera – Karin Schrager used to do the same, but now she has changed places: standing in front of the camera, it is she who decides how much and which light gets onto the chip. What sounds confusing is now routine for the photographer. Karin Schrager plans the scenes, the locations and her approach, which is basically always the same. However, complete darkness must always prevail so that only the light that she wants and that she controls falls on the camera. Mounted on a tripod and set to very long exposure times, sometimes many minutes, it allows various light sources to take effect. People crossing the scene are not disturbing, because the darkness is not sufficient for a classic shot. “Only motion detectors with spotlights have ruined many a scene for me,” she says of her work in the dark.

The photo artist from Iserlohn in North Rhine-Westphalia has been familiar with cameras since her earliest childhood. She embarked on a career in administration, and after reunification she moved to the East, to Trebbinchen near Luckau. However, there was little to “manage” there, as the reason for the change, in addition to the professional challenge, was a farm that the horse lover was able to acquire at a reasonable price. “Fulfilling my dream would not have been possible in the West,” says Karin Schrager. She began her administrative work at the Lübben District Office, where she is now Head of the Audit Office.

In her free time, she devotes herself to her photographic hobby and has now reached a level with her “light painting”, as this form of photography is called, that virtually demands publicity. “I didn’t dare to exhibit alone at first, but then I did together with others. I noticed how much attention my works received and have already put on several exhibitions,” says Karin Schrager. She was inspired by her work in the Lübbenau photography group Elektron. Karin Schrager is now also a member of the newly founded Lübben association “Raum für Kunst”.

Heiko Hohmann from the Vetschau Photo Circle organized the exhibition in the Vetschau City Palace. Host and mayor Chris Mielchen was delighted “that an exhibition can finally be opened again after many years, my first in my term of office”.

Hans-Joachim Schiemenz, former member of the Lübbenau photo group: “Karin brought a breath of fresh air and, in the truest sense of the word, new light into our group. Her work has inspired us to try something new, to examine other perspectives. Her works are impressive.”

Heiko Hohmann used the opening of the exhibition to recruit new talent. “If our groups want to continue to be successful artistically, we need people like Karin Schrager and especially young people from the youth. Cell phones also take good photos – why shouldn’t such photos be exhibited?”

The exhibition can be seen during the usual opening hours of the administration until the end of August in Vetschau Town Palace.

Peter Becker, 06.06.26