Harold Matzner Portrait: America’s Most Famous Photographer

Harold Matzner was an American photographer who became known for his portraits of people, places and things. He worked for Life magazine for a total of 42 years, photographing everything from political figures to movie stars and ordinary people who just wanted to be taken seriously. Although he retired in 2005, Matzner has never stopped shooting — and he continues to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in professional photography today. His work can be found in every major museum around the world, as well as private collections across the United States, Europe and Japan. As a result, Harold Matzner has become one of America’s most famous photographers.

Where Did Harold Matzner Get His Start?

 

Harold Matzner was born on May 18, 1921, in New York City. He was the fourth of five children born to Russian Jewish immigrants, Salomon and Catharina (née Schaib) Matzner. Salomon Matzner was a tailor and Catharina Matzner was a dressmaker. After World War II, the Matzner family settled in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Growing up in wartime Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Matzner said he was “never the center of anybody’s attention.” Instead, he said, he was the “observer.” That’s how he got his start in photography.

His Career in Pictures

Matzner’s professional career as a photographer began in 1948 when he was hired by Life magazine to become a staff photographer. He spent the next four years traveling the world as a photographer for Life, creating images that earned him a reputation for his “life-like” portraits of people and places. In 1961, Matzner became the first American photographer to win the prestigious “Sainte-Beuve Prize” for his work. That same year, he was also honored with a commission from the American Cancer Society. In 1964, Matzner was hired by the University of Pennsylvania to design and build the Penn Pavillion, which became an important center for arts and culture in Philadelphia.

How to Become a Professional Photographer

There are many ways to become a professional photographer like Harold Matzner, and it’s important to find the right way for you. The first and most important thing you need to do is understand your goals and vision for your photography. Once you’ve established these, you can decide what techniques would work best for you like harold matzner portrait. To get started, you’ll want to read books and articles on photography. In particular, you’ll want to read books on the history of photography, as well as books on modern photography, including how to take good photos, how to shoot and process images, and how to publish and promote your work. Next, you’ll want to find a mentor. Mentors are people who are in a similar profession to you and can help you learn from the best. You can find mentors online through social media channels, among other places.

Once you’ve found a mentor and learned from the best, taking good photos becomes easier. By following a few simple steps, you can improve your photography and become a better photographer.