Description

In 1966, when Thomas Hoepker was a young staff photographer at STERN magazine, he was asked to cover a fight in London with the then unknown boxer, Cassius Clay. He had recently changed his name to Muhammed Ali. After documenting him for a few days there, Hoepker persuaded his editor that the story was bigger and followed Ali to Chicago, where this image was taken.

You have to at least get the feeling that you’ve done more than just reporting, the feeling that you did more than just click the shutter.

Thomas Hoepker
© Thomas Hoepker | Magnum Photos

Thomas Hoepker studied art history and archeology, then worked as a photographer for Münchner Illustrierte and Kristall magazines between 1960 and 1963, reporting from all over the world. Specializing in reportage and stylish color features, he received the prestigious Kulturpreis of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Photographie in 1968.

As well as numerous critically acclaimed photo projects, he worked as a cameraman and producer of documentary films, including the award winning Death in a Cornfield. Hoepker currently lives in New York. He shoots and produces TV documentaries together with his wife, Christine Kruchen.

© Thomas Hoepker | Magnum Photos

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