Born in Ribe in Jutland in 1870, Holger Damgaard was Denmark’s first true press photographer. Viewing and admiring his crisp coverage of various people, events and situations is still a pleasure today. His long period as the primary supplier of unique photos from especially Copenhagen is very remarkable. From the moment his mother had given him a camera, Damgaard knew that he wanted to be a press photographer. As an eager and young amateur photographer, he noted the role the press played in the United States, and he decided to travel there and see it for himself.
In New York he earned his living as a roller skating instructor, which at that time was something new in the United States. However, he also diligently used his camera during his years in America. Around 1900 he returned home and settled in Denmark’s capital city Copenhagen. Here he believed he would have the greatest chance of selling his photos to the weekly press.
It was, however, the daily press and especially the vibrant lives in Copenhagen that mostly occupied and fascinated him.
Journalists from Politiken 1909, Cavling at the rear to the right
On a dark, wintery December day in 1908 Damgaard pounded on the door of Henrik Cavling from the highly regarded Copenhagen newspaper Politiken. Damgaard had just returned from America where he had closely followed the development of photography. He experienced that is was most frequently used in New York’s large newspapers. Cavling had also been to America earlier, where he as a reporter in 1888 covered the presidential election. Inspiration from the American press inspired Henrik Cavling to transform Politiken into an “omnibus newspaper”.
A newspaper that applied to all groups in society, regardless of social background and political orientation.
On a dark, wintery December day in 1908 Damgaard pounded on the door of Henrik Cavling from the highly regarded Copenhagen newspaper Politiken. Damgaard had just returned from America where he had closely followed the development of photography. He experienced that is was most frequently used in New York’s large newspapers. Cavling had also been to America earlier, where he as a reporter in 1888 covered the presidential election. Inspiration from the American press inspired Henrik Cavling to transform Politiken into an “omnibus newspaper”.
A newspaper that applied to all groups in society, regardless of social background and political orientation.
“I have never wanted to show people in a ridiculous way.”
Willy Ronis
“The Lovers of the Bastille,” 1957, by Willy Ronis. Credit Willy Ronis/Ministère de la Culture — Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, dist. RMN-GP
“Rose Zehner, a Union Representative During the Citroën-Javel Strike,” 1938.
Credit Willy Ronis/Ministère de la Culture — Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, dist. RMN-GP
“The Little Parisian,” 1952. Credit Willy Ronis/Ministère de la Culture — Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, dist. RMN-GP
“Chez Max,” 1947, at an outdoor ball in Joinville-le-Pont outside Paris. Credit Willy Ronis/Ministère de la Culture — Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, dist. RMN-GP
Les Adieux du Permissionnaire, 1963. Credit Willy Ronis/Ministère de la Culture — Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, dist. RMN-GP
“The Barge Children,” 1959. Credit Willy Ronis/Ministère de la Culture — Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, dist. RMN-GP
"Carrefour Sevres Babylone", 1948. Credit Willy Ronis/Ministère de la Culture — Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, dist. RMN-GP
