“I do what I feel, that’s all. I am an ordinary photographer working for his own pleasure. That’s all I’ve ever done"
~ Bert Hardy
(1913-1995)
Yes I was born within the sound of Bow Bells so that makes me a Cockney too. I’ve lost my accent over the years but can completely identify with this heartfelt and tender image. Bert was far from an “ordinary” photographer. No “ordinary” photographer could have produced so many extraordinary images over such an amazing career. His closest equivalent may well be Alfred Eisenstaedt, who also worked for an important weekly publication before tv or the internet. Bert worked for “Picture Post “and Eisenstaedt for “Life Magazine”. A tender insight into a simple working class couple’s life, authentic and just human as Bert was.
