{{Short description|German photographer (1936–2024)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Thomas Hoepker | image = Thomas Hoepker (2009) by Guenter Prust.jpg | caption = Hoepker in 2009 | birth_date = {{birth date|1936|06|10|df=y}} | birth_place = Munich, Germany | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|07|10|1936|06|10|df=y}} | death_place = Santiago, Chile | occupation = Photographer | organizations = {{ubl| ''Stern'' | Magnum Photos }} | known_for = ''View from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Manhattan, 9/11'' }}
'''Thomas Martin Renatus Hoepker''' (German: '''Thomas Höpker'''; 10 June 1936 – 10 July 2024) was a German photographer and member of Magnum Photos. He was known for stylish color photo features, working from the 1960s for ''Stern'' and ''Geo'' on assignments around the globe as a photojournalist with a desire to photograph human conditions. He made an iconic pair of images of boxer Muhammad Ali, and a controversial photograph of people with the 9/11 World Trade Center destruction in the background, ''View from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Manhattan, 9/11''.
== Life and career == Hoepker was born in Munich on 10 June 1936,<ref name="Horton" /> the son of journalist Wolfgang Höpker and Sigrid von Klösterlein.<ref name="EU" /><ref name="guardianobit">{{cite web |last1=Whitmore |first1=Greg |title=Thomas Hoepker obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/jul/18/thomas-hoepker-obituary |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 July 2024 |date=18 July 2024}}</ref> The family moved to Albertaich after their apartment in Mandlstraße was bombed during World War Two.<ref name="guardianobit" />
He first began taking pictures when he received an old 9 × 12 glass plate camera from his grandfather for his 14th birthday.<ref name="Horton" /> He developed his prints in his family's kitchen and bathroom, and began to earn a little money by selling pictures to friends and classmates. Hoepker studied art history and archaeology from 1956 to 1959 at LMU München and the University of Göttingen, where he learned about understanding images and composition. During his studies, he continued to photograph and sell images to help finance his education. He left university without graduating.<ref name="Horton" />
=== Photojournalist === Developing his passion for photography, Hoepker won two prizes in the 'Young Photographer' category at the Photokina trade fair in Cologne.<ref name="guardianobit" /> From 1959 to 1963 he worked as a photographer for ''Münchner Illustrierte'' and ''Kristall'', reporting from around the world.<ref name="guardianobit" /> For ''Kristall'', he embarked on his first road trip crossing the United States in 1963 for three months.<ref name="Bainbridge" /><ref name="Magnum" /> He worked on assignments around the globe with a desire to photograph human conditions.<ref name="EU">{{cite interview |last=Eu |first=Geoffrey |title=Thomas Hoepker |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/weekend-interview/thomas-hoepker |website=Business Times |accessdate=21 December 2018}}</ref> In 1964 he began working as a photojournalist for ''Stern''.<ref name="Magnum" /> He made a series of photographs of boxer Muhammad Ali in 1966, prior to Ali's fight against Brian London at the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, and later photographing him in Chicago, choosing two images to print which became iconic.<ref name="EU" /><ref name="guardianobit" /><ref name="Apipar" /> He explained later: "... It has scratches, it's totally underexposed. It's practically a picture you wouldn't even take. You'd throw it away, but I saw the two together – a very brave and fantastic guy, and the guy with dark scratches, so I printed this also. These two pictures are a pair. You see the glory and the suffering, scratched, beaten black man. Very different."<ref name="Apipar" />
In 1967, Hoepker travelled to Bihar, India, reporting on famine, flooding and a smallpox epidemic there.<ref name="guardianobit" /> In 1973, his two documentaries on the famine in Ethiopia, along with his photography, sparked a huge aid project in Germany.<ref name="guardianobit" />
He lived and collaborated with his second wife, journalist Eva Windmöller, in East Berlin from 1974.<ref name="Magnum" /><ref>https://www.buchkunst-berlin.de/ausstellung-thomas-hoepker-ddr-east-germany-colour-works-27-11-2025-28-2-2026/</ref> In the 1970s he also worked as a cameraman for German TV, making documentary films. In 1976 he and his wife relocated to New York City as correspondents for ''Stern''. From 1978 to 1981 he was director of photography for the American magazine ''Geo''. From 1987 to 1989 Hoepker was based in Hamburg, working as art director for ''Stern''.<ref name="Horton" /><ref name="Magnum" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Biography: Thomas Hoepker |url=http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.Biography_VPage&AID=2K7O3R13ZFL3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127005949/http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.Biography_VPage&AID=2K7O3R13ZFL3 |archive-date=27 November 2007 |publisher=Magnum Photos |access-date=18 July 2024}}</ref>
In 2001, Hoepker took a photograph of people in Brooklyn with the 9/11 World Trade Center destruction in the background, ''View from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Manhattan, 9/11''.<ref name="Apipar">{{cite news |last=Norapoompipat |first=Apipar |title=The Hovering Eye |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/1616186/the-hovering-eye |website=Bangkok Post |date=23 January 2019 |access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref> He did not publish it then but in 2006 agreed to it being published in a book about photography of the event.<ref name="Magnum" /> The image proved still controversial.<ref name="Apipar" /> Frank Rich wrote in ''The New York Times'': "Mr. Hoepker's photo is prescient as well as important—a snapshot of history soon to come".<ref name="Magnum" />
=== Magnum Photos, cameras === thumb|Hoepker with camera, 2014 Magnum Photos began distributing Hoepker's photographs in 1964. He became a full member in 1989 – the first German to do so<ref name="guardianobit" /> – and served as president from 2003 to 2006.<ref name="Horton" /><ref name="Magnum" />
For much of his career Hoepker used Leica cameras. In the 1970s he began to also use single-lens reflex cameras alongside his Leica, using Leicas for wide angle shots and Nikon or Canon cameras with zoom lenses.<ref name="Leica">{{cite web|url=http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/Leica_M8_ThomasHoepker.html|title=Leica M8 Experience|website=www.outbackphoto.com}}</ref> In 2002 he began using digital SLRs.<ref name="EU" /><ref name="Leica" />
=== Personal life === Hoepker was married three times – to Vilma Treue, Eva Windmöller, and Christine Kruchen – and divorced twice. He had a son, Fabian, with his first wife.<ref name="guardianobit" />
He became an American citizen in July 2009, whilst maintaining his German citizenship.<ref name="guardianobit" />
Hoepker lived in New York City with his third wife,<ref name="Bainbridge" /> with whom he produced TV documentaries.<ref name="Horton" /> In 2017, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.<ref name="Horton" /> The couple then went on a road trip recalling his first one decades earlier; the trip was documented in a film, ''Dear Memories'', released in 2022.<ref name="Bainbridge" />
Hoepker died from complications of Alzheimer's in Santiago, Chile, on 10 July 2024, at the age of 88.<ref name="Horton">{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=11 July 2024 |title=Thomas Hoepker, renowned German photographer, dies at 88 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/article/2024/jul/11/thomas-hoepker-dies |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="Bainbridge">{{Cite news |last=Bainbridge |first=Simon |date=17 July 2024 |title=Remembering Thomas Hoepker, a leading documentary photographer and editor of news reportage |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/07/17/remembering-thomas-hoepker-a-leading-documentary-photographer-and-editor-of-news-reportage |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=The Art Newspaper }}</ref><ref name="Magnum">{{Cite web | date= |title=Remembering Thomas Hoepker (1936–2024) |url=https://www.magnumphotos.com/newsroom/remembering-thomas-hoepker-1936-2024/ |access-date=18 July 2024 |publisher=Magnum Photos }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Thomas Hoepker obituary: photographer who captured infamous 9/11 image |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/thomas-hoepker-nc09lt8fs |access-date=18 August 2024 |work=The Times |date=16 August 2024}}</ref>
The president of Magnum, Cristina de Middel, wrote:
{{quote| A true visionary, Thomas's contributions extended beyond his remarkable, playful, poignant photographs. As President of Magnum Photos from 2003 to 2006, he led with unwavering dedication and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of photographers and securing the future of the agency as a relevant entity. His legacy within the Magnum community is one of inspiration, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence combined with kindness and generosity. Thomas Hoepker's work will continue to inspire and educate, reminding us of the power of photography to shape our understanding of the world.<ref name="Magnum" />}}
== Publications == Books by Hoepker are held by the German National Library, including:<ref>{{cite web | url = https://portal.dnb.de/opac/simpleSearch?reset=true&cqlMode=true&query=auRef%3D118631063&selectedCategory=any | title = Publications by Thomas Hoepker | work = German National Library | language = de | access-date = 17 July 2024 }}</ref>
* ''Jugend in dieser Zeit'', Steingrüben, Germany, 1957 * ''Finnland, Terra Magica'', Germany, 1960 * ''Lebendiges Kiel, Presseamt der Stadt Kiel'', Germany, 1963 * ''Yatun papa. Father of the Indians. Dr. Theodor Binder'', Kosmos, Germany, 1963 * ''Horst Janssen, artist's portraits'', Galerie Brockstedt, Germany, 1967 * ''Die Iren und ihre Lieder, (The Irish and Their Songs)'', Germany, 1974 * ''Berliner Wände'', C. Hanser, Germany, 1976 * ''Heinz Mack, Expedition in künstliche Gärten. Art in Desert and Ice'', Sternbuch, Germany, 1977 * ''Vienna'', Time/Life books, Holland, 1978 * ''Thomas Höpker (I Grandi Fotografi)'', Rizzoli, Italy, 1983 * ''Die New York-Story'', GEO Buch, Germany, 1983 * ''Now!'' Überdosis New York/ HA Schult., Germany, 1984 * ''Der Wahn vom Weltreich: Germany's Former Colonies'', Sternbuch, Germany, 1984 * ''Ansichten.Fotos von 1960 bis 1985'', Braus, Heidelberg, Germany, 1985 * ''Leben in der DDR. Life in East Germany'', Sternbuch, Germany, 1985 * ''Amerika: History of the Discovery from Florida to Canada'', Germany, 1986 * ''HA Schult'', New York ist Berlin, Germany, 1986 * ''New Yorker: 50 Unusual Portraits'', Stemmle, Schaffhausen, Germany, 1987 * ''Rome'', Hofmann & Campe, Germany, 1988 * ''HA Schult'', Fetisch Auto, Germany, 1989 * ''Land of Enchantment, New Mexico'', Philip-Morris books, Germany, 1991 * ''Return of the Maya: Guatemala. A Tale of Survival'', Henry Holt, USA, 1998. {{ISBN|978-1-899235-81-0}} * ''Thomas Hoepker, Photographien 1955–2005'', Schirmer & Mosel, Germany, 2005. {{ISBN|978-3-8296-0219-8}} * ''Champ,'' Berlin: Peperoni, 2012. {{ISBN|978-3941825338}} * ''Thomas Hoepker, New York'', teNeues, Germany, 2013. {{ISBN|978-3-8327-9712-6}} * ''Heartland.'' Berlin: Peperoni, 2013. {{ISBN|9783941825451}} * ''Wanderlust'' teNeues; Multilingual edition, 2014. {{ISBN|978-3832798529}}<ref name="EU" /> * ''Big Champ.'' Berlin: Peperoni, 2015.
== Films == <!--* ''Juden in Amerika'' (''Jews in the United States'', 1971--> * ''Das Dorf Arabati'' (''The Village Arabati'', Ethiopia, 1973)<ref name="Steinmann">{{cite news |last = Steinmann |first = Gilles |url=https://www.nzz.ch/fotografie/thomas-hoepker-ist-tot-ein-rueckblick-auf-seine-bedeutendsten-werke-ld.1839290 | title=Inhaltsangabe | newspaper=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |date=12 July 2024 |language=de |access-date=18 July 2024 }}</ref> * ''Tod im Maisfeld'' (''Death in a Cornfield'', Guatemala, dir. Kruchen, Höpker), produced for Arte, broadcast on 10 August 1998, Medienpreis Entwicklungspolitik 1999<ref name="Journalistenpreise">{{cite news |url=https://journalistenpreise.de/preis-preistraeger/Deutscher-Medienpreis-Entwicklungspolitik | title=Preisträger des Awards: "Deutscher Medienpreis Entwicklungspolitik" | work = Journalistenpreise |date=2024 |language=de |access-date=18 July 2024 }}</ref> * ''Die Insel Robinson Crusoe'' (''Robinson Crusoe Island'', 2000)<ref name="Papaya">{{cite news |url=https://www.papayatours.de/suedamerika-rundfunk-tips/?page=81 | title=Südamerika Media-Tipps | website = papayatours.de |date=2024 |language=de |access-date=18 July 2024 }}</ref> * ''Die Osterinsel'' (''Easter Island'', 2003)<ref name="Phoenix">{{cite news |url=https://www.presseportal.de/pm/6511/1288349 | title=Südamerika Media-Tipps | website = presseportal.de |date=27 October 2008 |language=de |access-date=18 July 2024 }}</ref> * ''Eiskalte Pracht – auf Patagoniens gefährdeten Gletschern'' (''Ice-cold Splendor'', Patagonia, dir. Kruchen, Höpker, 2005)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phoenix.de/content/phoenix/die_sendungen/dokumentationen/eiskalte_pracht/169520 | title=Inhaltsangabe | work=Phoenix (broadcaster) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101035619/http://www.phoenix.de/content/phoenix/die_sendungen/dokumentationen/eiskalte_pracht/169520 |archive-date=1 January 2012 |language=de }}</ref>
== Documentaries == <!-- * ''Chronist mit der Kamera. Thomas Hoepker oder die Sensation des Alltäglichen''. Produktion: SWR 1989. * ''Große Reporter''. (Folge 2). Produktion: SWR 1990.--> * ''Augenzeugen: Thomas Höpker, Robert Lebeck, Stefan Moses'', script and dir.: {{ill|Thomas Schadt|de}}, for BR and Arte, 1998 Grimme-Preis<ref>{{Cite web |title=Augenzeugen – Vier deutsche Fotografen |url=https://www.reinerholzemer.com/eyewitnesses-german-photographers?lang=de |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=Reiner Holzemer Film |language=de}}</ref> * ''Dear Memories – Eine Reise mit dem Magnum-Fotografen Thomas Hoepker'' by {{ill|Nahuel Lopez|de}}, 2022 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPU9UzUEZJI trailer])<ref name="Horton" />
== Awards == * 1967: 3rd Place Award for Photo Stories, World Press Photo, Amsterdam<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo-contest/1967/thomas-hoepker-gns/1 |title = 1967 Photo Contest, General News, 3rd prize | website = worldpressphoto.org | date = 1967 |access-date = 18 July 2024}}</ref> * 1968: Kulturpreis of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Photographie<ref name="Magnum" /> * 1999: Deutscher Medienpreis Entwicklungspolitik<ref name="Journalistenpreise" /> * 1977: 1st Place Award for Art and Sciences, World Press Photo, Amsterdam<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo-contest/1977/thomas-hoepker-aas/1 |title = 1977 Photo Contest, Arts and Sciences, 1st prize | website = worldpressphoto.org | date = 1977 |access-date = 18 July 2024}}</ref> * 2014: Leica Hall of Fame Induction, Leica Awards
== Exhibitions == * Kunst und Gewerbe Museum, Hamburg, Germany, 1965 * Rizzoli Gallery, New York and Rizzoli Gallery, Washington, D.C., 1976 * ''Retrospective'', 25 cities in Germany, 1985–1987 * ''The Maya'' Kunsthalle Cologne, Cologne, Germany, 1994 * ''Retrospective'', Claus Tebbe Gallery, Cologne, Germany, 1995 * ''Photographien 1955–2005'', Photomuseum, Munich, Germany, 2006 * ''Heartland'', Leica Gallery Prague, Prague, Germany, 2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=HEARTLAND |url=https://www.lgp.cz/en/event/heartland-2/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Leica Gallery Prague |language=en-GB}}</ref> * ''Ali and Beyond'', Bildhalle Museum, Zürich, Switzerland, 2015-2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALI AND BEYOND - THOMAS HOEPKER {{!}} 5 November 2015 - 16 January 2016 - Overview |url=https://www.bildhalle.ch/exhibitions/68-ali-and-beyond-thomas-hoepker-zurich/overview/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Bildhalle |language=en}}</ref> * ''Thomas Hoepker - DEAR MEMORIES'', Bildhalle Museum, Zürich, Switzerland, 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=VADIAN. NET AG |first=St Gallen |title="Thomas Hoepker - DEAR MEMORIES" |url=https://www.fotografie.ch/de/Thomas+Hoepker+DEAR+MEMORIES/700990/detail.htm |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=www.fotografie.ch |language=de}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|id=nm2356239}} * {{discogs artist|Thomas Höpker}} * [http://www.slate.com/id/2149675/ Essay by Hoepker in ''Slate'' about one of his 9/11 photographs] * [https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/thomas-hoepker/ Hoepker's profile at Magnum Photos] * {{YouTube|qlJIBSCA2Vs|The Way It Was' with photographer Thomas Hoepker}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoepker, Thomas}} Category:1936 births Category:2024 deaths Category:20th-century German photographers Category:21st-century German photographers Category:Deaths from dementia in Chile Category:German expatriates in the United States Category:LMU Munich alumni Category:Magnum photographers Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States Category:Photographers from Munich Category:University of Göttingen alumni