'Ring spy needed: Hans Lehmann out of the spy photog game
Ladies and gentlemen, Hans Lehmann has left the building. After the retirement of Jim Dunne, a thorn in the side of Detroit's finest for decades, comes word that Hans Lehmann, the man that's enraged his fair share of automakers abroad, is hanging up his Nikon.Lehmann's ability to capture all the happenings on the Nurburgring solidified his place in spy photographer infamy and in several circles, is credited with causing automakers to deliberately run their camo'd mules on the 'Ring, hoping to catch Lehmann's lens.
While it's sad to see this legend of automotive espionage move onto greener pastures, we're comfortable with the knowledge that in this new media landscape, thousands of camera-toting pistonheads and their professional counterparts will continue to provide us with the images we love to obsess over. The players might be changing, but the game remains the same. Let the good times roll.
UPDATE: Brenda Priddy took the time to inform us that Lehmann Photo Syndication is still in existence, but was bought out when Mr. Lehmann retired. So you'll still see the name on photos, but not because Hans was behind the lens.
[Source: Autoweek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Johnson 3:40PM (4/17/2008)
He retired cause he kept shooting the GT-R Spec V. Couldn't handle all the awesomeness.
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Shado 3:42PM (4/17/2008)
more like the hideous GT-R Spec V kept breaking all of his cameras
Brenda Priddy 3:50PM (4/17/2008)
Hey guy ... don't believe everything you read!! Yes, Hans has retired - but the company lives on! The Lehmann Photo-Syndication Agency is alive and well and still producing photos from around the world. Here in the States - photos from the Lehmann Agency will be distributed by Brenda Priddy & Co. (me) and we're thrilled to welcome Hans' fine photographers to our group of shooters.
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imoore 5:23PM (4/17/2008)
Sad to hear that Hans is retiring (and I didn't even know that Jim dunne had retired, either), but its good to know that you will continue to carry the torch and keep us all informed.
Do you think it's possible to see a photo of you, Hans and Jim together? That kind of shot is definitely priceless.
imoore 5:28PM (4/17/2008)
Sad to hear that Hans is retiring (and I didn't even know that Jim dunne had retired, either), but its good to know that you will continue to carry the torch and keep us all informed.
Do you think it's possible to see a photo of you, Hans and Jim together? That kind of shot is definitely priceless.
Seoultrain 4:06PM (4/17/2008)
What a great photo. The man is covered in snow, yet his camera is clean and dry. That's a master at work.
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Throwback 4:14PM (4/17/2008)
Keep the shutters going Brenda. We the united (somewhat) gear heads of the world love you!
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Devon 4:20PM (4/17/2008)
GM's Opel division recently let the cat out of the bag about how most so-called "spy" photos are faked. To quote the article linked below: "You might not know it, but most [spy photos] are about as real as Pamela Anderson’s chest....Most are either shot by the automakers, or generated by mysterious phone calls to the spy shooters with tips that a “certain car” may be passing by at a “certain time,” nudge-nudge, wink-wink…" All part of the makreting manipulations. Must be a nice way to make a bundle for the spy photogs though.
http://www.wheels.ca/article/asset/224526
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Brenda Priddy 4:41PM (4/17/2008)
I wish that was true - It would make my job a whole lot easier (and I'd be diving in the Bahamas at the moment...)
Young Guy 4:47PM (4/17/2008)
While one can definitely respect those that come before us its nice to see opportunity open up for those of us that enjoy the hobby as wellWhile one can definitely respect those who’ve come before us its nice to see the opportunity open up for those of us that enjoy the hobby as well whether were packing the most expensive body and glass or merely just an iphone. Some might argue that this could ruin the industry but I thinks it’s a matter of fact that the way we digest and accumulate info doesn’t come in the same form as it did 20 years ago and its nice to put something as positive as spy photography in the eyes of the youth. For a great example of kids as motivated as Ms. Priddy and others, just visit any enthusiast board or http://www.car-parazzi.com.
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hashiryu 5:22PM (4/17/2008)
Did Toyota's ninjas get him
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hashiryu 5:22PM (4/17/2008)
*?
Andreas Mau 3:09PM (6/09/2008)
Also wanna clear some things up just like Brenda.
If it was that easy that the carmakers would call us and tell us where the prototypes where , i would be joining Brenda at the Bahamas right now ;-)
Never happened in the 23 years i worked together with Hans G. Lehmann. And not all of us "old" Lehmann shooters did join Brenda and Co, im running my own business , known as CarPix .
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