Ernst Haas began his photographic career in the 1940s in Vienna, rising to fame following the publication of his photo essay on returning prisoners of war from Russia having chanced upon his subjects at Vienna's train station after a fashion shoot was cancelled. In 1951, Haas visited America and decided to make his home in New York, and it was at this point in his career that he began to photograph in colour and establish himself as one of the early pioneers of colour photography. Haas later became renowned for his work with motion photography of bullfights, nature and athletics. He also found success in the corporate advertising market with campaigns for companies such as Marlboro, Chrysler and Volkswagen.