David Hurn, born July 21, 1934, in Redhill, Surrey, England of Welsh descent, is a documentary photographer and member of Magnum Photos.
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Hurn is a self-taught photographer. He began his career in 1955 when he worked for Reflex Agency. He gained his reputation as a photojournalist for his documentation of the Hungarian revolution of 1956. In 1965 he became associated with Magnum Photos and became a full member in 1967.[1]
In 1963, Hurn was commissioned by the producers of the James Bond films to shoot a series of stills with Sean Connery and the actresses of From Russia With Love. When the theatrical property Walther PPK pistol didn't arrive, Hurn volunteered the use of his own Walther LP-53 air pistol.[2] The pistol became a symbol of James Bond on many film posters of the series.
In 1967 Dino de Laurentis asked Hurn to come to Rome to shoot photos of Jane Fonda in Barbarella.[3]
In 1973 he set up the School of Documentary Photography in Newport, Wales. Eventually, he turned away from documentary photojournalism, bringing a more personal approach to his image making. He says, "There are many forms of photography. I consider myself simply a recorder of that which I find of interest around me. I personally have no desire to create or stage direct ideas."[4] His book Wales: Land of My Father illustrates the traditional and the modern aspects of Wales.
In 2001 he was diagnosed with colon cancer but made a full recovery.[5] He continues to live and work in Wales.