RIP Fred Herzog

[Ko.Fe.]

The Globe piece is discussed in this much fuller article in Canadian Art:
https://bit.ly/2lOLS10

As an aside, I work with people for whom English is a second language, and coincidentally a few weeks after the Globe article was talking to a client who used “so-called” to mean “commonly known as.” The sad thing is that the Globe piece caused him to lose the Scotiabank Contact photography prize that year, and he was never nominated again.

Even living in Canada, I did not know of Fred Herzog until about 10 years ago. Canadian photo magazines seemed to be fixated on nature photography, and that such a great street photographer and pioneer in colour street photography was among us, was not widely known.

He wasn’t known to the general public until 2007.
His slides were digitized and printed. Then it went on display in VAG.
I was in Vancouver at this time, doing upgrade at CTV and stayed in hotel nearby. Went without knowing what was on and saw Herzog photography.
One of the most impressive photography exhibitions I ever seen.
One of the turning points for me to street photography.

Same for Zimbel, I only know of him because I was in Montreal, doing upgrade at RDS and checked what was in Museum of fine Art.
And at another project in Montreal they have another street photographer who was taking great street pictures, documenting changes and old neighbourhoods. World class photography, but not known outside of Montreal.

 

[ka7197]

My tribute to Fred Herzog (taken one year ago):

 

[emraphoto]

Herzog was Holocaust denier for sometime.

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.the...d-herzog-the-holocaust-and-me/article4104746/

But at his older age he was able to understand it.

As for LP remarks, Holocaust denierizm is not uncommon in Canada.
Anti Jewish crime is on the rise in Canada /“surprise, surprise”/.
Where are professors in Canada who goes on Holocaust denier conferences.
And here is anti Israel call from so called union leaders.

Lets leave Herzog out of this. He did not possessed swastika and nazies standards like some do in rural Ontario at their mansions.

Im not even sure Herzog could be so easily classified as a 'Holocaust denier'

Like my dad, Herzog was a child during a time of great upheaval and unspeakable violence in Germany. Not only did he endure the war and the never ending cycle of domestic propaganda that went on at the time, he was subject to neglect and abuse from caregivers while still very young.

As you mentioned earlier, he then left the ruins of Europe and came to Canada. He quietly went about fitting in and making a life for himself. As a son of Germans and Jews, I have come to known the profound impacts that war had on many who grew up in the middle of it. To continue moving forward with no treatment or counselling for what must have been deep psychological trauma for Herzog, coupled with what I am certain was a deep sense of shame, is astounding to say the least.

At no point do I wish to absolve the man of anything nor make excuses. I only wish to point out that I don't believe this to be a simple case of villain or not villain. Having witnessed a few conflicts up close myself, including a very bloody civil war, I have become familiar with the psychological impacts that result. It cost me a decade of my life with hospital treatment, counsellors and ongoing psychotherapy to this day. Herzog had none of this and was left to reconcile on his own.

Ultimately the man left it all behind, came here and created a body of work that moves many of us who grew up in Vancouver way back when. As a jew, a son of Germans who somehow survived the war and a man intimately familiar with conflict, I would focus on that and try to consider not all is so simple.

 

[emraphoto]

I've met and conversed with Fred a couple of times, he was friends with Tom. I understand he was removed from the cultural process that Germany went through in the second half of the 20th century, and he should have informed himself better. Nevertheless, he struck me as a kind and thoughtful person who didn't wish any harm upon his fellow human beings.

We are lucky to have shared time on this planet with photographers like him, Robert Frank, and so many others.

here's pictures:

well said Simon

 

[dourbalistar]

He is great example to new Canadian.
Came for better life, abolished his old world wrong assumptions by integrating to society.
Worked hard; including physically. Enjoyed his life after work while not been corporate slave. Been consistent on his hobby. Not been snobby after recognition.
And used low cost cameras!

I'm going to load a roll of color film in my (cheap and cheerful) Canon WP-1 this weekend to honor a fellow Canadian. The camera even shares the colors of the Canadian flag. 🙂

http://shooterfiles.com/2016/12/master-profiles-fred-herzog/

 

[maigo]

The First Anniversary of the death of Fred Herzog was last week.
This locally written article from last September is an excellent retrospective of his work:

https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2019/09/13/Fred-Herzog-Vancouver-Beloved-Photographer-Life-Death/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jpressman]

Thank you for the link. As you say, a good retrospective and some wonderful photos there.

 

[charjohncarter]

I'm going to load a roll of color film in my (cheap and cheerful) Canon WP-1 this weekend to honor a fellow Canadian. The camera even shares the colors of the Canadian flag. 🙂

http://shooterfiles.com/2016/12/master-profiles-fred-herzog/

Thanks, I finally watched that video.

 

[Calzone]

Im not even sure Herzog could be so easily classified as a 'Holocaust denier'

Like my dad, Herzog was a child during a time of great upheaval and unspeakable violence in Germany. Not only did he endure the war and the never ending cycle of domestic propaganda that went on at the time, he was subject to neglect and abuse from caregivers while still very young.

As you mentioned earlier, he then left the ruins of Europe and came to Canada. He quietly went about fitting in and making a life for himself. As a son of Germans and Jews, I have come to known the profound impacts that war had on many who grew up in the middle of it. To continue moving forward with no treatment or counselling for what must have been deep psychological trauma for Herzog, coupled with what I am certain was a deep sense of shame, is astounding to say the least.

At no point do I wish to absolve the man of anything nor make excuses. I only wish to point out that I don't believe this to be a simple case of villain or not villain. Having witnessed a few conflicts up close myself, including a very bloody civil war, I have become familiar with the psychological impacts that result. It cost me a decade of my life with hospital treatment, counsellors and ongoing psychotherapy to this day. Herzog had none of this and was left to reconcile on his own.

Ultimately the man left it all behind, came here and created a body of work that moves many of us who grew up in Vancouver way back when. As a jew, a son of Germans who somehow survived the war and a man intimately familiar with conflict, I would focus on that and try to consider not all is so simple.

EM,

Read the poems of William Hayden's "Swastica Poems" writen in perhaps the late 70's.

His father worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard during WWII, meanwhile he had an uncle who was a pilot in Germany.

He used these poems to process the guilt and trauma he endured as a little boy growing up in WWII.

Like you said, "It is complicated."

All I know after visiting Germany and learning history through a German, I learned how bad was is and why at all costs it should be avoided.

History is very-very sad.

Cal

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Talk with him about his photos:
https://youtu.be/YxnlC2S1erk
Somewhere in this video he tells about Leica as well.