Profile of Thomas Hoepker

Thomas Hoepker was born to a German family in 1936, and grew up developing his prints in his family's kitchen and bathroom, and earned a little money selling his pictures to his friends and classmates. He went on to study art history and archaeology in 1956 at Goettingen, in Munich, Germany, where he was taught to understand images and composition. During this time he still sold his photographs to help finance his education. [1]

Over the years he amassed quite a portfolio. International boxing legend Muhammad Ali allowed Hoepker to follow him and take pictures of him. The most notable picture that Hoepker captured was the boxer showing off his right fist, as if "punching" the camera. He took some other images of Ali, one of which the boxer was jumping on a bridge over the Chicago River, and another of Ali flirting with a girl who eventually became his second wife.
He also took some photo's abroad, particularly in Asia and Europe, or in the US of A. One set of photos was taken in an army barracks, of a drill sergeant delivering a reprimand to a private, and of two privates standing close together. The photo's he took in Asia relfect some of the culture that you will find in the country, such as people going about their daily lives, disciples of a religion lighting candles in celebration of the Maya New Year and even a picture of India's darker times in 1967 of a famine and smallpox epidemic in a village.[3]

In the 1960's Hoepker became a member of Magnum Photos, and eventually became one of their star photographers, and served as President during 2003-2006. [1] He caused controversy in 2006 with the emergence of his photo from the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

<- This image, taken on September 11th 2001, from Brooklyn, New York, shows five young people relaxing and talking during a lunch break while the Twin Towers burn in the distance. [4]
The gentleman to the far right, Walter Sipser, came forward and identified himself, and his girlfriend, who appear to be sunbathing, said that they were "in a state of shock and disbelief." He also went on to say that "Hoepker had photographed them without their permission and in a way that misrepresented their feelings and behaviour." [5]

The 2006 photographs is well contrasted to the image that Hoepker took from New Jersey in 1983 [3]. The placement of the objects in the photographs almost overlap, with the towers in the distance, and slightly to the right, and the people in the foreground interacting with each other. It is almost as if Hoepker saw the symmetry and captured it.

Over a range of 41 years, from 1965 to 2006, Hoepker has had six Exhibitions of his work. Five of these were held in various places around Germany, and one (in 1976) held in Washington DC. [2]

One the 14th of September 2006, Thomas Hoepker came forward and interview Slate Magazine, the interview was published online, and announced that it was he who photographed the 9/11 picture. He explains that the picture happened "in passing" when he was making his way to Southern Manhattan in the morning.  [6]

It is only recently, due to the passing of the 10-year-anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, that Hoepker's photo has come under real scrutiny.

Sources:
[1] Wikipedia - Thomas Hoepker
[2] Wikipedia - Thomas Hoepker - Exhibitions
[3] Magnum Photos - Thomas Hoepker's portfolio
[4] Magnum Photos - TH's portfolio - 9/11 photo
[5] The Guardian - The Meaning Behind the Photo
[6] Slate Magazine - I took that 9/11 photo Frank Rich wrote about