THE LAND OF SMILES Photobook by Martin Langer

The 80s weren't that long ago,
But visually, a lot has changed.

The black and white photographs depict everyday life in a West German province. These images were taken in the early 1980s in East Westphalia-Lippe, specifically in the cities of Bielefeld, Detmold, Herford, Gütersloh, and Paderborn. Photographs were also taken in the woods and fields somewhere in between; nevertheless, this photographic approach falls into the genre of street photography. We see the stage of everyday life; in addition, there are motifs that emerged on the fringes of local events.

The photographer: Martin Langer studied photography design in Bielefeld in the 1980s. Since then, he has worked as a photographer from Hamburg, focusing on political and social issues. His widely acclaimed photographs, such as the man in a Germany jersey, giving a Hitler salute and with urine-stained trousers (Rostock '92), are iconic examples of post-war photography and can be found in important collections and museums. He has received numerous prizes and awards for his satirical and humorous images of everyday life; his work has also been part of the German Photo Library's collection since 2020.

ISBN: 978-3-946688-98-3
Release date: July 15, 2021
Editors: Oliver Seltmann, Martin Langer
Photography: Martin Langer
Design: Stefan Küstner
Language: German
Dimensions: 21 cm x 24 cm
Pages: 108
Hardcover with dust jacket

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The 80s weren't that long ago,
But visually, a lot has changed.

The black and white photographs depict everyday life in a West German province. These images were taken in the early 1980s in East Westphalia-Lippe, specifically in the cities of Bielefeld, Detmold, Herford, Gütersloh, and Paderborn. Photographs were also taken in the woods and fields somewhere in between; nevertheless, this photographic approach falls into the genre of street photography. We see the stage of everyday life; in addition, there are motifs that emerged on the fringes of local events.

The photographer: Martin Langer studied photography design in Bielefeld in the 1980s. Since then, he has worked as a photographer from Hamburg, focusing on political and social issues. His widely acclaimed photographs, such as the man in a Germany jersey, giving a Hitler salute and with urine-stained trousers (Rostock '92), are iconic examples of post-war photography and can be found in important collections and museums. He has received numerous prizes and awards for his satirical and humorous images of everyday life; his work has also been part of the German Photo Library's collection since 2020.

ISBN: 978-3-946688-98-3
Release date: July 15, 2021
Editors: Oliver Seltmann, Martin Langer
Photography: Martin Langer
Design: Stefan Küstner
Language: German
Dimensions: 21 cm x 24 cm
Pages: 108
Hardcover with dust jacket