Myslivost na fotografiích Karla Hájka

The name of notable Czechoslovak photographer Karel Hájek is irrevocably linked to the development of Czechoslovak photojournalism, where he is justifiably considered one of the crucial founding figures of this photographic field. However, his works devoted to game management and game animals, which demonstrate Hájek's promptness to take photographs and also his interest in game management and in nature and its conservation, are also important from all aspects (even though these works are still not fully appreciated). Hájek's work in this field is often presented as his escape from the oppressive reality of the post-February regime at the time, but in actual fact this was a fully-fledged part of his photographic efforts, as is proven by his excellent book of photographs titled "The Beauties of Game Management" (1st edition published in 1953) and also the numerous awards Hájek's hunting photographs received in various international photographic competitions. Another forgotten chapter is Hájek's texts devoted to the issue of Czechoslovak game management at that time, in which he promoted not only consistent conservation of nature and game animals, but also criticised the frequent shortcomings of game management (preferential shooting of deer, etc.). Many aspects of this part of Hájek's abundant work are still awaiting fuller appreciation and adequate inclusion in the current concept of the interpretation of the history of Czechoslovak and Czech photography, despite their attractiveness as exhibition material and the great number of preserved "natural" and "hunting" images.