Welcome to this space, which is set aside for other Artists. Expect to see frequent change overs, the scene is set for a variety of artists to be featured here. Be they; old, new, well-known or obscure. This space will not be limited only to photographers, but will include other medias.

BERT HARDY

(1913-1995)

Bert Hardy in 1989

Well known for his documentary photos of the London Blitz and much later, the Korean War. His beginnings were just as humble as any 'wharf rat' and preceeded the fashionable 'working lad made good' photographer of the sixties.

Bert Hardy's first job in the business was as a 'runner', collecting films from the chemists around the centre of London and developing and printing them for the Central Photo Service. As a photographer, he covered London's daily life during the Blitz for the Picture Post magazine, before being drafted in to the armed services.

The army made use of his talents by assigning him to the army photo unit. However this was no easy ride, as Bert Hardy found himself in the thick of the action. He was alongside the advancing forces from the D-Day Normandy beaches, in Paris for its liberation, and towards the end of the war, he was recording the concentration camp victims.

After the war, Hardy returned to Picture Post and set off to cover the Korean War with journalist James Cameron. The subsequent censored story and photos of prisoner executions by the South Koreans which the owner refused to publish, led to the resignation of the editor, Tom Hopkinson.

During 1957-67 Bert Hardy worked in Advertising until retirement. And should anyone have any doubts on the quality during this period, one should note that he was responsible for the memorable and famous night time shot of 'a man smoking by the Thames' for the You're Never Alone with a Strand advert.

Click here for photo example 'Maidens in Blackpool'. Please note that this link is only a starting point in to the life of this great man.

"Everywhere I look and most of the time I look, I see photographs". - Bert Hardy

Online: June 2003

sdtfoto.com is always interested in what other people are doing out in the big wide world. Afterall, there's more happening than what the media can tell us about. So if you think there is some one that should be the guest artist, contact me at info@sdtfoto.com (2003)