One of the most important Danish photographers…
Keld Helmer-Petersen (KHP) was once described as “the best photographer you have never heard of” by the British magazine Creative Review in 2007. I really think that short sentence says it all. In my humble opinion, KHP should be right up there with Ernst Haas and Saul Leiter, but I guess fame does not always work that way. Keld himself was a humble guy and found it a bit funny when he suddenly got some fame at the age of 87!
The book in review here presents the full range of Keld Helmer-Petersen’s work across 7 decades. Each chapter has a short introduction with Keld’s own words introducing what you are about to see. In addition to this, there are two longer introduction sections at the beginning of the book.
Towards the end of the book there is also a transcript form a short interview with KHP that I found to be an interesting read.
If you are interested in KHP’s work and want a book that gives a comprehensive view into his work across 7 decades, then look no further: this is the book for you. However, if you like me are more fascinated by his earlier work, say the classic “122 Colour Photographs”, may be a better alternative to look into.
Related reading
Review: The Unseen Saul Leiter by Margit Erb & Michael Parillo
Review: Ernst Haas by Photofile
Review: All about Saul Leiter, collected by Margit Erb
Review: Still lifes, California by Rudy VanderLans
