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A Master of Light - The Life and Work of Brian Brake Photographer

Television (Full Length) – 1987

Brian Brake is regarded as New Zealand's most successful international photographer. He worked for the Magnum cooperative, and snapped famous shots of Pablo Picasso at a bullfight and the Monsoon series for Life magazine. In this Inspiration documentary — made shortly before his 1988 death — Brake reviews his lifelong quest for “mastery over light”, from an Arthur’s Pass childhood to a fascination with Asia. He recalls time at the National Film Unit and is seen capturing waka huia, Egyptian tombs, and Castlepoint’s beach races (for a new version of book Gift of the Sea).

You’re a New Zealander. You’re part of Asia — why don’t you look at India, China, Japan?
– Henri Cartier-Bresson to Brake, introducing him to Asian subjects

Key Cast & Crew

See all 12 credits

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