Pictured: Antarctica seen in colour a century ago in remarkable images taken by photographer who accompanied explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton By James Rush 13 June 2014 He was considered a daring pioneer, a master of the form who would go any lengths in his relentless pursuit to document his remarkable journeys. Australian photographer Frank Hurley visited Antarctica six times, accompanying the famous polar explorers Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton, between 1911 and 1932. During that time he produced a series of images which were not only widely acclaimed at the time, but have gone on to become a poignant record of a fascinating era of southern discovery. Among his most famous images are the series of colour photographs from Shackletons ill-fated expedition of 1914-16, which document the destruction of the Endurance. The images depict the ship marooned in pack ice about 20 miles from Antarctica and the crews subsequent ordeal as they abandoned the vessel, made their way across the ice and waited to be rescued. According to the website of the State Library of New South Wales: Hurleys images of the expeditions led by Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton remain as popular and poignant records of a fascinating era of southern discovery. The library goes on to say Hurleys images were considered the finest taken of the region once they were exhibited. For most people, they also offered their first glimpse of the frozen region. Hurleys first expedition to Antarctica came in 1911, when explorer Douglas Mawson hired him as the official photographer for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Pioneer: Frank Hurley travelled to Antarctica six times between 1911 and 1932, and was the official photographer on Sir Ernest Shackletons ill-fated expedition of 1914-16 Marooned: During the expedition, the crew was forced to abandon the ship Endurance after it became marooned in pack ice some 20 miles off the coast of Antarctica Record: These remarkable images have gone on to became a famous and poignant record of a fascinating era of southern discovery Geologist and explorer Cecil Thomas Madigan pictured by Frank Hurley on an expedition which lasted from 1911 to 1914 Record: These remarkable images have gone on to became a famous and poignant record of a fascinating era of southern discovery. Pictured, right, is geologist and explorer Cecil Thomas Madigan, as captured by Frank Hurley on an expedition which lasted from 1911 to 1914 Exhibits: Hurleys images were considered the finest taken of the region once they were exhibited Desolate: A lone figure stands looking out across vast swathes of snow and ice during an expedition to Antarctica Rigging: The rigging of Endurance, encrusted with rime crystals, taken by Frank Hurley during the voyage in 1915 Dog teams scouting a way to land in 1915: Hurleys pictures also depict the struggle of the crew once they had to leave Endurance Cave: This picture of a cavern carved by the sea in an ice wall near Commonwealth Bay was taken during the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 Seals: Hurleys first expedition to Antarctica came in 1911, when explorer Douglas Mawson hired him as the official photographer for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition Penguins: An Adelie penguin can be seen as it loses its juvenile feathers or moults in this picture taken by Hurley during the 1911-14 expedition Blizzard the puppy: Hurley went on a total of four expeditions with Mawson. Pictured is a puppy in the snow during the first expedition Address: Biologist John George Hunter addresses the Adelie penguins taken during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14 Brave: Hurley was known for being willing to going to any length to get a picture, even if it meant putting himself in danger Wreck of the Gratitude, Macquarie Island, 1911: Hurleys images became famous the world over after he exhibited them upon his return Crowded beaches: Elephant seals and penguins share the beach at Macquarie Island, as pictured by Hurley on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 Explorer: Hurleys pictures offered a glimpse into lands and a life never before seen by many Wildlife: The first Australasian Antarctic Expedition set off in 1911 and returned in 1914 Dedicated: Lionel Greenstreet, First Officer of the Endurance, famously said: Hurley is a warrior with his camera and would go anywhere or do anything to get a picture Dedicated: Lionel Greenstreet, First Officer of the Endurance, famously said: Hurley is a warrior with his camera and would go anywhere or do anything to get a picture
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 04:45:32 +0000
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