Josef Hoflehner Livres

The worldwide recognition he has received attests to the tremendous impact of his work. This Austrian photographer, who has been shooting primarily, though not exclusively, in black and white for over 40 years, captures surreal moments in his photos. Reductions and overexposures help him discover special elements and draw both technical and substantive contrasts between the spectacular and the banal. His subjects--everything from peaceful, expansive Icelandic landscapes that look like paintings to jets coming in for a landing just above people's heads--fascinate the viewer. Even more astoundingly, all of these contrasting facets of nature and technology bear Hoflehner's distinct stamp. No matter what topic Hoflehner is skillfully weaving a photographic narrative around, his work exudes incredible serenity and focus. Maybe that's what we find so compelling. Whether it's a photo of a New York skyline or a Malaysian tea plantation, his images have a soothing, contemplative effect on the viewer, although there is also a painful undertone of transience and social criticism.

Das schönste Buch Österreichs 2003. Siegertitel - Deutscher Fotobuchpreis 2004. Not many know about these places and only a few will ever get the opportunity to visit the abandoned huts of Scott and Shackleton on Ross Island in Antarctica. About one century after their construction, Josef and Katharina Hoflehner present this premiere detailed portrayal of these historic sites. Many of these fine photographs are accompanied by excerpts from diaries gathered from Antarctic historic site authority and author David L. Harrowfield. In his foreword he wrote: “. for the first time a book now captures the true feeling and uniqueness of the huts and their contents.”