In Monochrome Master No.1 The spotlight was on the Great Edward S. Curtis
Now it's time to focus our attention on one of the great adventurer/photographers in all of history.
During the first part of the voyage Hurley photographed puppies that were born to the Huskies that the men had taken along!
Frank Hurley And The Voyage of The Endurance
Frank Hurley was the photographer during Ernest Shackleton's 1914 attempt to cross the Antarctic Continent. This voyage was considered so dangerous that it has long been rumored that Shakleton placed the following ad in major newspapers:
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success."
Whether or not this ad was actually placed is, to me, unimportant because it is far from an exaggeration!
The story then goes on to say that from 5,000 applicants eagerly seeking adventure Shakleton organized the applicants into three piles with the headings "mad", "hopeless" and "possible". He then selected a 27 member crew. Frank Hurley was hand picked as the photographer based on the merit of his work on a previous expedition in the Antarctic.
A Brief Biography of Frank Hurley
Frank Hurley was born in Australia in 1885 and died there in 1962 at the age of 76. He ran away from home when he was 13 and bought himself a camera and taught himself photography at the age of 17. Throughout his career he was well known for being willing to put himself in physical danger in order to capture stunning images. This would serve him well during his time with Shakleton!
During his work of chronicaling Ernest Shakleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition which started in 1914 the entire crew was marooned under extremely perilous conditions until August 1916. This adventure, which is one of the most amazing stories of survival ever known is the subject of numerous books, films and documentaries. The incredible will and fortitude of Shakleton and his men is also used in teaching the subject of leadership and perseverance down to this day.
Amazing Images That Hurley Captured During That Voyage
Before their ship was crushed in the ice and had to be abandoned Hurley captured the men in seeming comfort!
To keep the morale of the men up Shakleton insisted on a strict regimen of work!
Once the men were forced to abandon the crushed ship they took to camping on ice flows and made a futile attempt to sledge their way to the mainland! They eventually had to kill the dogs as it become too difficult to feed both themselves and the animals!
Here you see the ship during a phase of it being crushed by the ice!
The crew pose in front of their doomed ship! Despite being trapped and having to survive untold hardship not one man was lost!
Do You Enjoy Adventure, Heroism And Black And White Photography?
The fascinating story of the Voyage of The Endurance has been beautifuly chronicled by both photographs and film taken by the incredible adventurer and photographer Frank Hurley. If you like this type of exploration why not have a look at one of the many books, films and documentaries on the subject.
These three books are all from my personal library. The one on the left is filled with beautiful photographs by one of my favorite photographers Frank Hurley. The middle book is probably the best read of them all, Alfred Lansing's definitive chronicle of the voyage "Endurance Shackleton's Incredible Voyage". The book on the right, "South", was written by Ernest Shackleton himself and in it he praises the skill, toughness and courage of the great adventurer/photographer Frank Hurley!
Here Are Some Links About This Great Adventure
Masters of Photography - Frank Hurley
Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance (2002)
What Are your Thoughts?
- Do you like stories of adventure and survival?
- Have you ever heard of the great Frank Hurley?
- Who is your favorite of the early photographers?
I hope that you enjoyed reading about "Monochrome Master No.2 The Spectacular Frank Hurley"
Until next time,
