Herbert Keppler
Encyclopedia
Herbert „Burt“ Keppler was a photographer, author and journalist. His career spanned 57 years, including 37 at Modern Photography and two decades at Popular Photography. He wrote monthly columns and served in the former magazine as Editorial Director and Publisher, and in the latter magazine as Vice President and Publishing Director.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree at Harvard University
and was commissioned as an ensign
in the U.S. Navy
near the end of World War II
.
After the war, Herbert Keppler was a reporter for The New York Sun and worked for the trade magazine Footwear News, but found his calling, when he in 1950 became an Associate Editor at the photographic magazine Modern Photography. In 1956 he became Executive Editor of the magazine, then Editor and Publisher in 1963 and Editorial Director and Publisher in 1966. He changed the way photographic magazines tested equipment from an, at the time prevalent, subjective analysis to a more objective analysis by introducing a testing lab that could perform scientific tests on camera
s, lenses
and other photographic equipment—e.g. resolution
tests for lenses. He also established a code of ethics for advertisers and would decline advertisers access to the magazine if they were found to use unethical methods in their sales and advertising.
In 1987, Herbert Keppler joined Popular Photography and was Vice President and Senior Counselor of this magazine at the time of his death. He died on January 4, 2008 in Croton-on-Hudson and is survived by his wife Louise, son Thomas and daughter Kathryn.
In addition to his work as journalist, Keppler was striving for the further technical improvement of photographic cameras and equipment. He regularly traveled to Japan and worked as a consultant for Japan's photo industry.
Keppler was included in the Photo Marketing Hall of Fame in 1985, and honored for his lifetime achievement by the Photographic Manufacturers and Distributors Association in 1991. In 2002, he received the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette
for his achievements for the Japanese industry.
Life and career
Herbert Keppler was born in New York on April 21, 1925 to the commercial illustrator, Victor Keppler. He started on photography at the age of six and processed his own color pictures at the age of ten.He earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and was commissioned as an ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
in the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
near the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After the war, Herbert Keppler was a reporter for The New York Sun and worked for the trade magazine Footwear News, but found his calling, when he in 1950 became an Associate Editor at the photographic magazine Modern Photography. In 1956 he became Executive Editor of the magazine, then Editor and Publisher in 1963 and Editorial Director and Publisher in 1966. He changed the way photographic magazines tested equipment from an, at the time prevalent, subjective analysis to a more objective analysis by introducing a testing lab that could perform scientific tests on camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
s, lenses
Photographic lens
A camera lens is an optical lens or assembly of lenses used in conjunction with a camera body and mechanism to make images of objects either on photographic film or on other media capable of storing an image chemically or electronically.While in principle a simple convex lens will suffice, in...
and other photographic equipment—e.g. resolution
Optical resolution
Optical resolution describes the ability of an imaging system to resolve detail in the object that is being imaged.An imaging system may have many individual components including a lens and recording and display components...
tests for lenses. He also established a code of ethics for advertisers and would decline advertisers access to the magazine if they were found to use unethical methods in their sales and advertising.
In 1987, Herbert Keppler joined Popular Photography and was Vice President and Senior Counselor of this magazine at the time of his death. He died on January 4, 2008 in Croton-on-Hudson and is survived by his wife Louise, son Thomas and daughter Kathryn.
In addition to his work as journalist, Keppler was striving for the further technical improvement of photographic cameras and equipment. He regularly traveled to Japan and worked as a consultant for Japan's photo industry.
Keppler was included in the Photo Marketing Hall of Fame in 1985, and honored for his lifetime achievement by the Photographic Manufacturers and Distributors Association in 1991. In 2002, he received the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette
Order of the Sacred Treasure
The is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
for his achievements for the Japanese industry.
Selected publications
Keppler authored several books. Among them are the following:- "Keppler on the Eye Level Reflex" (1960)
- "The Honeywell Pentax Way: The Pentax Photographer's Companion" (1966)
- "The Asahi Pentax Way: The Asahi Pentax Photographer's Companion" (1975)
- "The Nikon & Nikkormat Way" (1978)
- "The Nikon Way" (1983)
External links
- Tribute
- Jason Schneider tribute
- Consulate General of Japan honor
- Honors and awards Photo Reporter Honors and Awards
- Obituary at foto-magazin
- "Herbert Keppler - Photo Industry Giant Dies at 82"
- Imaging Insider - Obituary: Herbert Keppler
- PDN Pulse article: "Herbert Keppler: 1925 - 2008"
- "Herbert Keppler, 82, Dies; Covered Photo Gadgetry With Folksy Style"; published by The New York Times
- In memoriam: Herbert Keppler, a respected and influential figure in the camera industry, passes away.