It felt impossible and unfair that a legend in photography from South Africa had passed away. Jürgen Schadeberg was a phenomenal person and photographer that I had the pleasure to meet and assist when I was still young and full of different kind of dreams.
I was working at The Photographers Gallery ZA under the guidance of curator, Heidi Erdmann. Jürgen was one of the photographers she represented. At one time, when he came to Cape Town to shoot, he needed an assistant, and Heidi recommended me. I was beyond excited and made a complete fool of myself. This was me fresh out of Photography School, the time of film when you tested your light with a light meter or a polaroid. At that stage, I had only assisted a couple of fashion photographers so when Jurgen had his lights set up and ready to shoot, I asked him if he was not going to take a polaroid to see if he was happy with the light. The biggest insult to a photographer and a photojournalist in that matter. I decided to keep quiet from that moment on.
ABOUT HIS LIFE
He was a German-born South African photographer and artist. He photographed key moments in South African history, including iconic photographs such as Nelson Mandela at Robben Island prison. He also lived, worked and taught in London and Spain, and photographed in many African countries. You can find his work at the UK Arts Council, National Portrait Gallery, Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Schadeberg died from a stroke at his home in La Drova, Valencia, Spain, on 29 August 2020, aged the ripe age of 89.
Nelson Mandela in his office (Mandela Tambo Attorneys, 1951
The Three Jazzolomos, Johannesburg 1953
Miriam Makeba 1955
LESSONS LEARNT
The one thing that he taught me which I will remember to this day had nothing to do with photography, but about life. He said, "Always be early." If you arrive before your guest, you have time to get comfortable in a space which will give you the advantage. This is so true when it comes to photography as well. If you don't know a space, be early so you can get a feel for the light and background and then when your subject arrives you have got the whole shoot planned before you even get up to shake their hand.
Jürgen made a massive impact on what I understood about photography, printing, art and journalism, and he is missed by the photography community and all South Africans.