Max Dupain

Maxwell Spencer Dupain (4th April 1911 - 27th July 1992) was a well known Australian photographer. He is best known for his work in photographing Australians.

Related Topics:
4th April - 1911 - 27th July - 1992 - Australian

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Having received a camera at the age of 13, Dupain four years later won the Carter Memorial Prize for Productive Use of Spare Time and later joined the Photographic Society of NSW. After school he went to work for Cecil Bostock in Sydney, where he honed his craft.

Related Topics:
Carter Memorial Prize for Productive Use of Spare Time - Photographic Society of NSW - Cecil Bostock - Sydney

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By 1934 Dupain had struck out on his own and opened a studio in Bond Street, Sydney. In 1937, while on the south coast of New South Wales, he photographed the head and shoulders of a man lying on the beach. This was titled "Sunbaker" and is his most famous piece. However, it was not until the 1970's that the photograph received wide recognition.

Related Topics:
1934 - 1937 - New South Wales - Sunbaker

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In 1939, after the outbreak of World War II, Dupain married Olive Cotton (also a photographer) but they divorced soon after. During the war Dupain served with the Royal Australian Air Force in both Darwin and Papua New Guinea helping to create camouflage.

Related Topics:
1939 - World War II - Royal Australian Air Force - Darwin - Papua New Guinea

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After the war Dupain returned to photography with a greater emphasis on the documentary style. He also worked extensively for The Colonial Sugar Refining Company Limited and made many trips to the interior and the northern coast of Australia.

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Dupain continued working until his death in 1992.

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