14.01.10
Magnum photographer Thomas Hoepker Interviewed
When Magnum photographer Thomas Hoepker met Muhammad Ali in 1966, he strived to spend every moment by the boxer’s side. Over a two week period, Hoepker’s interest in the man never waned and he was able to capture these shots of one of the 20th century’s most iconic sporting heroes.
There is an admirable wisdom behind the gentle voice of Thomas Hoepker. His reassuringly calm tone is the product of a lifetime spent trying to understand people. Whenever the Magnum photographer has bonded with his subject, his images have stood out from the rest. This was definitely the case with boxer Muhammad Ali. Hoepker first met Ali in 1966 while on assignment in London with his wife. They both worked for Stern Magazine, based in Germany. He took the images; she did the writing. Ali had just changed his name from Cassius Clay and become a Muslim.
“We found his personality quite fascinating,” says Hoepker. “Our principle was that if you were interested in the story you’d try to hang on as long as you could.” It was this kind of diligence that won them a second meeting with Ali later that year in Chicago – along with a personal encounter Hoepker will never forget. “We were in a limousine together and he said suddenly: ‘Let me go to the bakery, I need some doughnuts’. I was surprised because he was on a strict diet. He was on steak and salad. “A couple of hours later, we were back in the same neighbourhood. He went out to the same bakery and again came back with doughnuts. On the third occasion this happened, I went in with him and saw there was a very pretty girl behind the counter – and that they were flirting heavily. Only many years later did I find out the girl had become his third wife.” It was this spontaneity from Ali that interested them most. “For the studio shot, Ali went to a black photographer, a friend of his, in south Chicago. He needed some shots for his boxing autograph cards. As he was posing for that photographer, I took my snaps from the background. That was it – quite simple. For the shot on the bridge, he jumped towards me with his hands raised and I got exactly one frame. I clicked and that was it. No repetition or anything like that.” This freedom and lack of preparation or structure was vital. Hoepker and his wife spent more than two weeks with Ali, and it was only when they felt they had a good story that they went home. Today Hoepker uses the HP Z3200 printer, which he keeps in his home. He feels he has gone back to his roots with it. As a young boy, Hoepker spent a lot of time in darkrooms printing his pictures. With this machine he has regained that level of control. “I am married to this machine and can only say good things about it. I am absolutely happy with it. I print all my exhibitions on it.” Hoepker currently has an exhibition in Vienna, Austria, of 180 images – all of which have been printed on the HP Z3200.
- Average Article Rating 0 Stars
-
Your Rating
Login Required!
Sorry - You must be a registered user & logged in to rate this.
Login | Register
Back to Categories