Alfred Hodgeman. Photo by Frank Hurley-Wikimedia

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Frank Hurley


 

Frank Hurley who lived between 1885 and 1962 was an Australian photographer and adventurer who took part in numerous expeditions within Antarctica.

Frank Hurley got his name and fame primarily by being the photographer for Australia during both world wars. Frank Hurley recorded his story and played a key role in helping people learn about different events, such as Seal splashing and bowling.

While his determination and dedication further made him one of the greatest photographers to grace the world. Outlined below are ten astonishing facts about  Frank Hurley during his years.

1. Frank Hurley left school and home at the age of 13

Hurley left his home and school at 13 with no skills or qualifications. Hurley went to work in the Sydney dockyards while also working in a steel mill. Hurley wanted to find something to live for and hence decided to find work in these areas while awaiting major opportunities to come his way.

2. He taught Himself photography

Frank Hurley with his daughters. Photo by National Library of Australia- Wikimedia

Hurley is famous for his work as a photographer. The astonishing fact is that Hurley learned photography on his own. He did not attend a class or get guides from other people, but he developed the art of photography all on his own.

He was passionate about photography and hence took the chance and started teaching himself photography. His efforts paid off as he eventually became a war photographer who covered both World War I and World War II.

3. Frank Hurley used to be a dog driver

Despite his status, Hurley was charged with feeding dogs and giving them water during the world war. Hurley was a war photographer who was regarded as a capable photographer.

However, during this period, Hurley was also expected to look for water and give the dogs good shares to quench their thirst. His status as a photographer remained, while he also had to carry out the duties of a dog driver with other people in the group.

4. He was a War Photographer in World War I and II

Photo by Frank Hurley –Wikimedia

Another notable astonishing fact is that Hurley was a war photographer in both world wars. He went with the Australian army and managed to cover world war I and World War II.

This may seem like a small feat but it holds a lot of strength. It is important to understand that in times of war there are numerous casualties while being a photographer in any war puts one in danger.

However, irrespective of the dangers that came his way, Hurley managed to cover both wars and continue with his work when the wars were over. His expertise with photography got him there and he survived all the same.

5. He was the Official Photographer on Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition

Frank Bickerton at Land’s End. Photo by Frank Hurley-Wikimedia

Hurley took part in Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition that took part between 1911 and 1914. Hurley was a photographer and a pioneer during these expeditions.

He managed to capture different crucial activities and events taking place in these areas. Douglas Mawson was the one who invited Hurley in 1910 to film his expedition. One of the notable astonishing things about this trip is that Hurley managed to capture some of the earliest moving footage of Antarctica further underlining his prowess in photography.

6. He was the Official photographer on Ernest Shackleton’s British Trans-Antarctica Expedition

A turreted berg.Photo by Frank Hurley-Wikimedia

After the achievements of the previous expedition, Hurley took part in Ernest Shackleton’s British Trans-Antarctica Expedition which took part between 1914 to 1917.

Like the previous expedition, Hurley was invited to join the expedition. Shackleton sent Hurley a telegram inviting him to join the Endurance expedition. The expedition entailed numerous risks.

Hurley was willing and determined to take part in them, thereby accepting the invitation. During the expedition, Hurley was an accomplished dog driver and hunter.

7. Frank Hurley managed to take still and moving images in the windiest place on Earth

During different expeditions, Hurley gained his name by taking still and moving images. He succeeds to do this in the windiest place on earth, in mountain tops and areas and snowy regions.

In photography, wind causes notable distractions and disturbances and can affect the quality of images. However, irrespective of these shortcomings, Hurley managed to continually outline his capabilities by taking motion and still images and recording some of the greatest events during his travels.

8. Frank Hurley got landmarks Named After Him

Hurley has an illustrious career and notable journey which helped him acquire his name and get different landmarks named after him. Notably, he played a key role in discovering different areas and recording them.

Thereby influencing how they were eventually named after him. Some of the notable landmarks named after him entail Mount Hurley and Cape Hurley. The capacity to have a landmark named after an individual outlines his power and the role he has played over the years.

9. He recorded the unusual sight of seals splashing and bowling around the endurance

Two crab-eater seals on the ice. Photo by Francis Hurley-Wikimedia

Hurley was a key figure in creating and saving history for the history books. He recorded multiple events that are still present to date helping people learn and remember.

One notable achievement dates back to the time when Hurley recorded the unusual sight of seals splashing and bowling around the endurance. Hurley found it fun and intriguing how the seals were acting and behaving.

He opted to record this unusual sight and save it for people to see in the future. Throughout his life, he learned the essence of recording key events and ensuring that people could learn about things that transpired in different areas.

10. Frank Hurley ran naked to Save his Pictures

Hurley loved his work and captured different events throughout his life. During one expedition when the endurance started sinking, Hurley took off all his clothes and sprinted naked into icy waters to save his pictures and the work he had worked on during the expedition.

The ship disappeared beneath the ice, but Hurley managed to save what was precious to him, his work.

 

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