Episode
Ruedi Hofmann - Photographer & Master Printer
- Podcast
- Photography is Nothing
- Published
- May 20, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4882
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Episode 36 - In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk with Ruedi Hofmann, photographer and master printer for Richard Avedon's In the American West. Ruedi Hofmann has worked as a professional photographer since the 1980s with regular clients like Giorgio Armani. But before that, Hofmann worked for 5 years with Richard Avedon as Studio Manager, First Assistant on the In The American West series, and finally as Master Printer for the artist’s most famous project. In this interview, Hofmann tells us stories about working with Avedon, how he reluctantly agreed to print In The American West, and his own career in fashion & portraiture. For his work as Master Printer, Hofmann received from Avedon one edition of each photo he printed, making him owner of one of only three complete sets of In the American West. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - Introducing Ruedi Hofmann - photographer and master printer 1:39 - How Ruedi got started in photography. 4:21 - What it was like working in Richard Avedon’s studio. 15:19 - How Avedon chose Hofmann to print his photos. 22:17 - Ruedi’s terms for staying on to the end of In The American West. 25:49 - Leveraging the Avedon name for products & services. 27:09 - Working your way up at Avedon’s studio. 28:53 - The importance of the master printer’s role in making a photograph. 31:06 - Ruedi tells us Avedon’s reaction to the first ~100 prints. 34:21 - Ruedi Hofmann’s career as a professional photographer. 43:59 - Richard Avedon and Laura Wilson worked together to find subjects. 47:43 - What it was like for Avedon’s Western subjects. 55:38 - The new Avedon documentary declined Ruedi’s participation. 58:14 - A photography project is bigger than just the photographer. 1:09:27 - Rue…