Henry Ries facts for kids
Henry Ries (born September 22, 1917 – died May 24, 2004) was a famous photographer. He worked for New York Times. His most well-known photo showed "The Berlin Air Lift". This picture was later used on a special U.S. postage stamp.
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Henry Ries: A Photographer's Journey
Henry Ries was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1917. He grew up there, but he felt that Adolf Hitler's political ideas were dangerous. Since Henry was Jewish, he decided to leave Germany. He moved to the United States in 1937.
Facing Challenges to Enter America
When Henry first arrived in New York, there were problems with his immigration papers. Officials sent him back to Germany. But Henry did not give up! He crossed the Atlantic Ocean a second time. In January 1938, he was finally allowed to enter America.
Serving in World War II and Becoming a Photojournalist
When America joined World War II, Henry Ries immediately joined the army. He fought in the Asian Theater. He joked that his "good German" skills helped him serve in Asia. He was stationed in India with a unit that took pictures from airplanes.
Documenting Post-War Germany
After the war ended in August 1945, Henry was still a soldier. He returned to Berlin. Soon after, he left the army to work as a photojournalist for a newspaper called the OMGUS Observer. Two years later, he started working for The New York Times. He became their European photographer.
Henry took many famous pictures of Germany after the war. His photos showed the destruction and the Berlin Blockade. These images have become very important historical records.
Later Career and Recognition
In 1951, Henry Ries moved back to the United States. He began to work in commercial photography. In 1955, he opened his own photography studio in Manhattan, New York City.
Reflecting on Berlin's Changes
When Henry returned to Berlin in 1945, he said the city had changed forever. In his book, Abschied meiner Generation, he wrote about seeing the damage and sadness. He saw hungry people, injured people, and people selling things illegally. He realized how much Germany had changed since he left. He also understood how much he had changed inside himself.
Photographing Famous People
During his time with The New York Times, Henry met and photographed many famous people. He took pictures of artists like Pablo Picasso and Pablo Casals. He also photographed important figures like Spanish General Francisco Franco.
Receiving a Special Award
In 2003, Henry Ries received a high honor from Germany. He was given the Officer Cross of the Order of Merit. This is Germany's highest award for citizens of other countries. It recognized his important work and contributions.
