Helmar Lerski (1871-1956) was a Jewish cinematographer who was active in Germany and later, in Palestine/Israel. Prior to his move to the Middle East, Lerski lived in the US where he began experimenting with photography using mirrors at his first wife’s family photo studio. In 1915, he moved to Berlin. There, he began working at UFA studios’ cinematography and lighting department where he was involved in the production of Fritz Lang’s canonical work, Metropolis (1926), and The Holy Mountain (1927) starring Leni Riefenstahl.
In 1932, Lerski immigrated to Palestine. And when the Nazis took power in Germany, he decided to settle down in the Middle East. In his years there, Lerski shot a string of documentaries for the JNF (Jewish National Fund) as well as directing a handful of films. Highlights of his credits include: Avoda (‘labour’) (1935), Hebrew Melody (1935), Children of the Sun (1939), Tomorrow is a Wonderful Day (1947), and Out of Evil (1952). Alongside his cinematography career, Lerski carried on pursuing still photography. He opened a studio at his Tel Aviv home where many young photographers trained. In 1940, he was made President of the Professional Photographers Association in Palestine.