David Hurn: On Instagram
Magnum’s David Hurn stands out as one of Britain’s most significant documentary photographers, renowned for his depictions of ordinary people in their daily environments. In 2016, Hurn opened an Instagram account to post insights about photography: technical advice, recommended readings, notable exhibitions, and interesting works he encountered. His use of the platform has deepened over time, as shown by his personal musings on photos from his 60-year career and thoughts on his own life’s end. His Instagram features images from events like the Hungarian uprising in 1956, behind-the-scenes from the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” in 1964, visits to Arizona during the 1970s and ’90s, and local Halloween festivities in his Welsh village amid the pandemic.
This volume assembles these posts from the last seven years, highlighting Hurn’s dedication as an educator and his earnest effort to share his journey in photography.
About the Author
Born (1934) in the UK and of Welsh heritage, David Hurn is a self-educated photographer who initiated his career in 1955 working as an aide at the Reflex Agency. While employed as a freelance photographer, he first became well-known for his documentation of the 1956 Hungarian uprising.
Over time, Hurn moved away from reporting on contemporary events, choosing instead a more intimate perspective on photography.
He was admitted as an associate member of Magnum in 1965 and became a full member in 1967. In 1973, he established the acclaimed School of Documentary Photography in Newport, Wales, and stepped down in 1989. Since then, he has been frequently sought after to give lectures and conduct workshops globally.
In 1997, he co-authored a highly successful textbook with Professor Bill Jay, On Being a Photographer, which has remained in print ever since.
His book, Wales: Land of My Father, distinctly showcases Hurn’s style and artistic drive. It is a personal project exploring the meaning behind ‘my culture’ through observations of significant changes in Wales from 1970 until its publication by Thames and Hudson in 2000.
David Hurn holds a longstanding international reputation as one of Britain’s most pivotal reportage photographers. His photographs are collected by many prominent collectors and museums.
In 2016, David Hurn received an honorary fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society.
He continues to reside and work from his home in Tintern, Wales.
