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Brian BrakeNew Zealand photographer
Date of Birth: 27.06.1927
Country:  New Zealand |
Content:
- Brian Brake: A Globally Renowned Photographer
- International Success
- Notable Achievements
- Legacy and Recognition
Brian Brake: A Globally Renowned Photographer
Early Life and InfluencesJohn Brian Brake was born in 1927 in Wellington, New Zealand. After his mother's untimely death, he was adopted by John Samuel Brake and Jennie Chiplin. From a young age, Brake developed a keen interest in photography, which led him to pursue a career in the field.
International Success
In 1954, Brake traveled to London, where he had the opportunity to meet renowned photographers Ernst Haas and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Their guidance and support helped him join the prestigious Magnum Photos agency in 1957. During his tenure with Magnum, Brake traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia, capturing iconic images that earned him international acclaim.
Notable Achievements
Among Brake's most famous works are his photographs of Pablo Picasso at a bullfight in 1955 and his "Monsoon" series in India in the 1960s, which marked his transition to color photography. His images were widely published in global magazines such as Life and Paris Match.
Legacy and Recognition
After returning to New Zealand in the mid-1970s, Brake established the New Zealand Centre for Photography. His archives, including his negatives and prints, are now housed at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Regular retrospective exhibitions showcase his influential contributions to the field of photography. In his honor, New Zealand established the Brian Brake Memorial Award, the highest accolade for photojournalists in the country.
