Mark Hertzberg to Retire

The Wisconsin News Photographers Association has the announcement – after 34 years in photojournalism, Mark Hertzberg is going to retire.

And you’re telling yourself lots of people retire, why should I care about him? From his post in Racine, Wisconsin, Hertzberg has had a massive influence on our profession, most of it very quietly. He has been an ardent supporter of cameras in courtrooms for three decades and has acted as moderator of the National Press Photographers Association’s listserv, NPPA-L.

As moderator, he has fostered an environment for more than a decade that allows a free, open and non-hostile conversation among photojournalists around the world. And if you’ve ever spent any time in an online forum, you know how hard that can be.

In addition to those tasks, Hertzberg has also published books on architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his work in Racine – books I have bought for myself and my father-in-law, also a Wright devotee. Through those books I came to understand why I enjoyed Wright’s works so much.

So, congrats, Mark – and thank you.