In his richly illustrated book "Rasende Reporter. A Cultural History of Photojournalism", the photo historian Anton Holzer traces the genesis of modern press photography. He impressively describes the everyday life of the early photojournalists and shows - focusing on the example of Austria - how the photographic public came into being in the first half of the 20th century that we take for granted today. The author follows the photographers on their adventurous expeditions, takes a look at the newspaper editorial offices where picture reports and reportages were created and shows how leisurely working newspaper photographers became frenzied reporters, always on the hunt for news and sensations. The lecture was followed by a lively discussion with Dr Michael Freund (Webster University).

The book is available in the WestLicht Bookshop.

Photos: Peter Jakadofsky (WestLicht)