RACINE — For more than 30 years, Mark Hertzberg captured images that would bring the news to life for readers of The Journal Times.
As a staff photographer for the Racine newspaper from 1978 to 2012, Hertzberg was the eyes of the community on news events involving crime, government, sports and business.
Now retired, Hertzberg is being honored with induction into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame, making him just the third Journal Times staff member to receive such an honor.
In a career that has included many other awards and recognitions, the Hall of Fame installation is a highlight, Hertzberg said, because it comes from his newspaper industry peers.
“It’s a great honor,” he said. “I’m overwhelmed by it.”
The 72-year-old photojournalist will be inducted Nov. 9 during a ceremony in Madison.
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Mark Hertzberg, shown in action in the Racine County Courthouse during his days with The Journal Times, photographed local news in the Racine area for more than 30 years on the newspaper’s staff.
He joins former Journal Times editor Peter D. Fox and former sports editor Susan Shemanske as the only Journal Times representatives in the statewide newspaper association’s Hall of Fame.
In announcing Hertzberg’s selection, the association cited his leadership in pushing for cameras in the courtrooms, in addition to his years of field work as a Journal Times photographer and as the newspaper’s photo director.
“Mark Hertzberg dedicated himself to capturing unforgettable images that told powerful stories,” the announcement stated.
Shemanske, who was inducted in 2019, nominated Hertzberg for this year’s group of honorees, saying the photographer never shied away from an assignment and that he became “the face” of The Journal Times for many in the community.
“He was always there to answer the call,” she wrote.
A native of New York City, Hertzberg moved to the Midwest to attend college, and he ended up taking his first job at the Beloit Daily News. After moving to The Journal Times in 1978, he shot photos for some of the biggest local news stories for the next three decades.
Former managing editor Tom Farley said Hertzberg was particularly gifted at photographing courtroom dramas. After then-Racine Mayor Gary Becker was arrested in a 2009 internet sex sting, Hertzberg captured a closeup image of the mayor wincing in court as prosecutors introduced the evidence against him.
Former Racine Mayor Gary Becker flinches in court, clenching his eyes shut, as prosecutors lay out the evidence against him following his 2009 arrest in an internet sex sting while he was still mayor.
Hertzberg had a knack for positioning himself to capture the best photo, and he was “fearless” in pursuing news stories, Farley said.
“Mark held himself to the highest professional standards, and expected the same of every photographer who worked for him,” Farley said.
Hertzberg was promoted to photo director at The Journal Times in the 1980s — overseeing a staff of five photographers — and held that position until his retirement in 2012.
Since retiring from The Journal Times, he continues working as a freelance photographer. He also has published four books about Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings in the Racine area.
Reflecting on his years in the newspaper business, Hertzberg said the greatest personal reward was finding people who appreciated his work enough to clip photos out of the paper and hang them on a refrigerator door.
“That kind of recognition is important,” he said. “You’re the eyes of the community. You get to see a lot of things that people don’t get to see.”
Photo gallery: The hall of fame career of Racine photojournalist Mark Hertzberg
EVENING UPDATE — Message from vigils: ‘Stop the madness’
Keonia Watson, 6, weeps at a prayer vigil for her father, Keontay Watson, at the murder scene in front of 906 Hamilton St., as the Racine Interfaith Coalition led prayer vigils at the site of the two recent homicides in Racine, Wednesday June 18, 2008. Watson was shot and killed early Monday morning.
Shannon homicide case
A dozen people gathered Friday morning, May 12, 2006, in the rain for a prayer vigil in the 600 block of College Avenue, where Bennie Smith was killed in a drive-by shooting.
Pogo Stick
Lucius Payne, 7, watches Isis Payne, 6, try her skill on a pogo stick in the 2300 block of Kinzie Ave., Thursday, August 13, 2009.
Raymond bicycle fair
Owen Beck, left, and Maryia Elliot are fitted for bicycle helmets by Tessa Kegel of Wheel and Sprocket and Jessica Binder of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, as students learn about bicycle safety, bicycle maintenance, different kinds of cycling and related topics at Raymond Elementary School, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009.
Unified briefing
Audience members are framed by decorative woodwork as they listen to presentations about “Public Schooling in Racine” from the Public Policy Forum at the Johnson Foundation, Wednesday, October 21, 2009.
Homeless count
A team member searches an open, foreclosed home as volunteers go around the county, looking for homeless people overnight Wednesday and Thursday, January 27 and 28, 2010. No one was found sleeping in the house, although there were indications that people had been there. The homeless people who were found were offered shelter.
Shannon homicide case 20
Antonio Shannon weeps as he pleads guilty Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, to a count of being party to the crime of second-degree reckless homicide for the drive-by shooting death of Bennie Smith. Other charges against him and brother Terry were dropped in exchange for the single guilty pleas. The brothers later rescinded their pleas and went to trial.
Exchange Student
Wiebke Swierczynski ignores the noise around her, and works on algebra problems before eating lunch in the cafeteria at Horlick High School, Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
Racine Heritage Museum Sports Hall of Fame
Chris Paulson, left, executive director of the Racine Heritage Museum; Karen Braun, the museum curator; and exhibit designer Robert Hartmann discuss color schemes for the museum new permanent exhibit, the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame, Friday September 16, 2011.
Tennis Time
Brianna Garrison runs the first leg of a relay race balancing a tennis ball on a racket. A variety of games helped children get acquainted with tennis at a “Tennis Block Party” at the Lockwood Park tennis courts, Saturday May 22, 2010.
Holiday parade
The United States Great Lakes Navy Band plays during the annual Downtown Holiday Parade, Saturday, November 13, 2010.
Church pews
Robin Musser, left, and Brock Musser install new, custom-made oak pews at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1501 Erie St., Wednesday, September 14, 2011, as one of the last steps in an overall renovation of the historic church’s sanctuary. The 34 rows of pews can seat up to 350 people.
Grand Laundromat fire
Firefighters work on the roof of the Grand Laundromat, 5201 Washington Ave., in the Racine Centre shopping center, Friday, October 14, 2011.
Mayfield vigil
Relatives, including Daniel Mayfield’s aunt, Esther Clingan, left, his parents, Clarence and Joanne Mayfield, and his nephew, Caleb Mayfield, 8, laugh as friends and relatives tell stories about Daniel at a vigil to remember him, Sunday December 12, 2010. The vigil, sponsored by the Racine Interfaith Coalition, was held near 3501 Douglas Ave., where Daniel lived and was murdered Tuesday, December 7.
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