Ernst Hass Self-Portrait, Nevada, 1960

Born on March 2nd, 1921 in Vienna, Austria Ernst was raised in a supportive environment where he was encouraged to pursue an artistic career with the aid of his family Autumn Sunlight through the Trees, Paris, 1955

During his scholastic career, World War II began and thus his high school closed down but was still able to receive his diploma in When his father died in the 1940s he went to go study medicine but was kicked out for his jewish heritage. Vienna,

During the 1940s he worked in a photography studio in Vienna and gets more involved in the media. When he found The Post's Camera by Bryan Holme it really influenced him into the world of photography. On his 25 th birthday in 1946, he acquired his first camera on the black market. Homecoming Prisoners, Vienna, 1947

During this time in his early career, Ernst experimented with an abstract style of photography, partly brought upon by viewing the works of Edward Weston Leaves and Shadows, Vienna, 1946

Ernst began show photography of Vienna at the American Red Cross Headquarters that were then seen by Warren Trabant, an editor of the magazine Huete. Ernst continues showcasing his photos of Vienna at Huete which would later be picked up by LIFE, who offered him a job position but he declined. Homecoming Prisoners, Vienna, 1947

Ernst then took up a job at Magnum, as well as becoming a share holder in Then in 1951, he then became the Vice President of Magnum. The Cross, NY, 1966

In 1951, he marries the Countess Antoinette Wenckheim and moves to New York to complete assignments for Magnum where he would then live for the rest of his life. Time Square, NY, 1962

While in Magnum, Ernst was one of the first photographers to experiment with colored films. His work with color then extends to his freelance opportunities with LIFE, LOOK, Vouge and Holiday. Fishing in the Seine River, Paris, 1955

In 1954, Robert Capa and Werner Bischof of Magnum were both killed while on assignment and Ernst became a member of Magnum. It's at this point where Ernst published many photo essays for LIFE including “Land of Tranquility”, “The Glow of Paris” and “Mirror of Venice”. Gondola Reflection, Venice, 1955

In 1958, Ernst began experimenting with photographing objects in motion. He made a publication called “The Magic of Color in Motion” for LIFE that showcases his experimentation on using a slower shutter speed to capture objects in motion. La Suerte De Capa, Pamplona, Spain, 1956

During the 60s, most of Ernst's career then focuses on photographic stories of famous celebrities and on movie stills such as The Misfits and Taras Bulba. His travels also include doing work for advertising such as Volkswagen. On the Set of The Misfits, Nevada

In 1966, Ernst steps down from president of Magnum but retains his status as a contributing photographer and continues his travels such as ones to India and Kenya. Dancers, Bali, 1956

Continues his work and travels for the rest of his career. During 1979, he participated in Venezia '79 where he taught a workshop, exhibited photography, and gave audio-visual presentations on “Venice” and “Abstracts”. This then led to his publication on “The Creation” which contained dye transfer prints of his works. Metropolitan Life Building, NYC, 1966

He created “Flower Show” and the publication “Flowers” in Ernst continue his works for advertising and traveling and then in 1986 attends his last show called “Abstracts” in Yosemite. It was in this year that Ernst Haas passed of a stroke on September 12 th in New York Wilting Rose, NY Botanical Gardens, 1983

As a pioneer in color photography, Ernst Haas has shown the progression in photographic technology. From still frames into motion, black and white into color and abstract into high detail close ups he has contributed great things to the world of photography. Source for all material: ernst-haas.com Elephant, Kenya