Bernd and Hilla Becher

Bernd and Hilla Becher were a German artist couple best known for their systematic photography of industrial structures, often organized in typological series. Their work is associated with the Düsseldorf School of Photography and they are considered pioneers in the field of architectural and urban photography, as well as conceptual art. The Bechers first began working together in 1959 and were married in 1961. They focused on documenting the vanishing industrial architecture of the Ruhr region in Germany, but their work eventually expanded to include structures across Europe and the United States. 

Their photographs are characterized by a straightforward, objective style. The Bechers would typically photograph their subjects head-on, in overcast weather to ensure even lighting and to avoid shadows, and using a high vantage point. This methodical approach allowed them to capture the functional details and design of the structures without artistic embellishment. The Bechers' work often presented these photographs in grids or series, highlighting the variations and similarities among the structures, which included water towers, coal bunkers, blast furnaces, and grain elevators. 

One of their most famous series is Water Towers, which consists of over 200 photographs of water towers from various locations and periods, all presented with a uniform scale and composition. This systematic cataloging of architectural forms has been influential in the field of conceptual art, as it challenges the traditional notions of the art object and the role of the artist. 

Bernd and Hilla Becher taught at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where they influenced a generation of photographers, including Andreas Gursky, Thomas Struth, Candida Höfer, and Thomas Ruff. Their work has been exhibited internationally and is held in the collections of major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Gallery in London. Bernd Becher passed away in 2007, and Hilla Becher in 2015, but their legacy continues to be a significant reference point in contemporary photography.