Philipp Scholz Rittermann was born in Lima, Peru in 1955 to German parents, who then relocated back to Germany when he was 14. Out of place as a blonde-haired boy in Peru, and equally out of place as a Spanish-speaking teenager in Germany, Rittermann had a unique experience growing up which later translated into his work. His photographs vary from industrial scenes to beautiful landscapes, as traveling and experiencing different cultures has become a sense of creative expression for Ritterman. His catalog, “Navigating by Light”, currently at the Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, encompasses his journey from Germany to the United States in the 1980s and 90s where he explores night photography. There are scenes of industrialized spaces juxtaposed with remote deserts, all in black and white giving these photos an isolating feeling. In a later series, “Emperor’s River”, Ritterman photographs China’s Grand Canal, comparing industry to daily life. These images are all in color and include human subjects, differing from his previous works. Instead of abandoned or untouched landscapes from his earlier work, “Emperor’s River” highlights the dominance of China’s economy as well as the reality of people living there.

McCusker, C. (n.d.). Philipp Scholz Rittermann: China in transition. Black & White. Retrieved
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https://www.bandwmag.com/articles/philipp-scholz-rittermann-china-in-transition
Scott Nichols Gallery/Respective Artists. (2013, September 19). Philipp Scholz Ritterman -
B&W. Scott Nichols Gallery. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.scottnicholsgallery.com/artists/philipp-scholz-ritterman/philipp-scholz-ritterm
an-bw/