What do you think?
Rate this book
Café Lehmitz
This classic work of analog photojournalism—focusing on the idiosyncratic denizens of an iconic bar in the red-light district of Hamburg, Germany—is now available in a gorgeous new edition that features a tribute by musician and actor Tom Waits.
Photographer Anders Petersen was hanging out at a dive bar on the Reeperbahn in Hamburg in 1968 when someone grabbed his camera from the table where he was sitting and started taking pictures. Petersen used the opportunity to photograph the culprit—and the rest of the bar’s motley crew of patrons.
The resulting project is one of the most revered photobooks of all time, a celebration of a gritty city at the tail end of the sixties, and the cornerstone of Petersen’s storied career. The images have become classics of their genre; Tom Waits used one for the cover of his legendary album Rain Dogs . Their candidness and authenticity remain as eloquent today as when they were first published in 1978.
This sumptuously produced reissue features a new foreword by Waits, and is certain to find a new audience, who will appreciate the stunning analog photography and its elegiac collective portrait of the fringes of society.
Photographer Anders Petersen was hanging out at a dive bar on the Reeperbahn in Hamburg in 1968 when someone grabbed his camera from the table where he was sitting and started taking pictures. Petersen used the opportunity to photograph the culprit—and the rest of the bar’s motley crew of patrons.
The resulting project is one of the most revered photobooks of all time, a celebration of a gritty city at the tail end of the sixties, and the cornerstone of Petersen’s storied career. The images have become classics of their genre; Tom Waits used one for the cover of his legendary album Rain Dogs . Their candidness and authenticity remain as eloquent today as when they were first published in 1978.
This sumptuously produced reissue features a new foreword by Waits, and is certain to find a new audience, who will appreciate the stunning analog photography and its elegiac collective portrait of the fringes of society.
- GenresPhotography
120 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 9, 2022
Cafe Lehmitz provides a window into a specific time and place.
In the introduction, Petersen explains that what he wanted to do was point out what happens to people who live in a society solely concerned with money.
The photos feel raw. They aren't always beautiful or sharp but that isn't the point.
These people, with what little they appear to have, have each other.
This is a bar where people have fun, vent, play tease and drink.
This is a place where everyone is welcome and everyone is part of a family.
The book succeeds or fails on account of how inviting this appears to you.
There are some moments that really capture humanity.
These are strangers and yet friends and these images are most certainly from a pre-social media age.
An important photobook in its short history of publication.
Anders is also a very kind man and if you get the chance to meet him you'll quickly understand the type of aura he uniquely exhibits.
In the introduction, Petersen explains that what he wanted to do was point out what happens to people who live in a society solely concerned with money.
The photos feel raw. They aren't always beautiful or sharp but that isn't the point.
These people, with what little they appear to have, have each other.
This is a bar where people have fun, vent, play tease and drink.
This is a place where everyone is welcome and everyone is part of a family.
The book succeeds or fails on account of how inviting this appears to you.
There are some moments that really capture humanity.
These are strangers and yet friends and these images are most certainly from a pre-social media age.
An important photobook in its short history of publication.
Anders is also a very kind man and if you get the chance to meet him you'll quickly understand the type of aura he uniquely exhibits.
Displaying 1 of 1 review