Stefan Lorant: Godfather of Photojournalism

Stefan Lorant's work as a visual and literary editor allowed him to pioneer and develop the genre of picture-based journalism at a period that saw the emergence of modern mass communications. Lorant became a guiding force on an international scale, disseminating his ideas and political knowledge throughout Europe in the late-twenties and thirties by working in Hungary, Germany, and England. His innovative layouts, his "exclusive" interviews and his thirst for knowledge became a familiar part of millions of everyday lives, largely through the pages of his own creations and in particular the legendary Picture Post. His vision of photography as a documentary medium inspired Life and Look magazines and paved the way for the eventual emergence of the television documentary. For this he has become recognized as "the godfather" of photojournalism. Michael Hallett first interviewed Stefan Lorant in late 1990 and spent the following years researching and interviewing his subject. Hallett examines Lorant's public image, his huge ego, his manipulative nature, and his devious love of subterfuge and confusion. This biography also reveals Lorant's warmth, generosity, callousness, passions, and humanity, while focusing on the emergence of modern mass communications throughout Europe and the United States in the 20th century. Additionally, Lorant's place in the development and progress of picture magazines and the editorial process is highlighted.

Michael Hallett is a photographic historian, journalist and biographer. He is the author of Bullring: The Heart of Birmingham (2003, with Peter James) and The Real Story of Picture Post (1994, with layout by Stefan Lorant).