Walter Bird (1903–1969) was a British photographer. Bird became known for his images of nudes and jointly set up a studio, Photo Centre Ltd., with John Everard and Horace Roye in 1939. From 1958 he was chief photographer for J. Russell & Sons, eventually purchasing the business in 1961. From 1958 to 1967 he was the official photographer for the National Photographic Record, initiated by the National Portrait Gallery to record important and influential citizens. He was a fellow of the

Royal Photographic Society The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, commonly known as the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), is one of the world's oldest photographic societies. It was founded in London, England, in 1853 as the Photographic Society of London with ...

Life and work

Early in his career Bird worked mostly on advertising commissions and portraits that were published in periodicals such as ''

Theatre World ''Theatre World'' is an annual American theatre pictorial and statistical print publication. It includes Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and regional theatre, national theatrical awards, and obituaries. Theatre World "In 1944, three ...

'' and ''

Tatler ''Tatler'' is a British magazine published by Condé Nast Publications focusing on fashion and lifestyle, as well as coverage of high society and politics. It is targeted towards the British upper-middle class and upper class, and those interes ...

.'' He shared his studios at Kinocrat House, 85, Cromwell Road, London with the photographer Joan Craven. He became famous for his images of nudes and was a rival of the photographers John Everard and Horace Roye. As the intense competition was harming their business, they eventually decided to cooperate instead, which led to them in 1939 setting up a joint company called Photo Centre Ltd. They made their headquarters in a suite of rooms above Bird's studio in

Savile Row Savile Row (pronounced ) is a street in Mayfair, central London. Known principally for its traditional bespoke tailoring for men, the street has had a varied history that has included accommodating the headquarters of the Royal Geographical ...

. ''Eves without Leaves'' (1940) was their first joint publication, which proved popular with Allied troops during the Second World War. In September 1940, however, the photographic studios were severely damaged by the German Luftwaffe during a bombing raid. During the war Bird served with the

Crown Film Unit The Crown Film Unit was an organisation within the British Government's Ministry of Information during the Second World War. Formerly the GPO Film Unit it became the Crown Film Unit in 1940. Its remit was to make films for the general public in ...

, before re-establishing his business at 46 Queen's Gate, London. When

Walter Stoneman Walter Ernest Stoneman (6 April 1876 – 14 May 1958) was an English portrait photographer who took many photographs for the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in London. Career as a photographer Stoneman was born in Plymouth, Devon, on 6 ...

died in 1958 Bird took over his position as chief photographer for J. Russell & Sons, purchasing the business in 1961. Bird superseded Stoneman as the official photographer for the National Photographic Record, initiated by the National Portrait Gallery in 1917 to record important and influential citizens. He was elected a member of the

in 1936, gained his Associate in 1937 and Fellowship in 1948. He held a one-man show of his work at the Society's house at 16 Princes Gate. He remained a member until his death on 4 March 1969.

Publications

* ''Beauty’s Daughters,'' John Long, London, 1938 * ''Beauty’s Self'', John Long, London, 1941 * ''Eves Without Leaves'' (with Roye and John Everard), C. Arthur Pearson, London, 1940. * ''More Eves Without Leaves'' (with Roye and John Everard), The Camera Studies Club, Elstree, 1941. * ''Eternal Eve'' (with Roye and John Everard), Elstree Publications, London, 1947. * ''Miniature Lovelies'' (with Roye and John Everard), The Camera Studies Club, Elstree * ''Curves and Colour'' (with Roye and John Everard), The Camera Studies Club, Elstree * ''Graceful Memories,'' The New Spotlight on Beauty Series No. 1, The Camera Studies Club, Elstree * ''Andre: Britain’s Venus'', The New Spotlight on Beauty Series No. 4, The Camera Studies Club, Elstree

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bird, Walter 1903 births 1969 deaths British portrait photographers Nude photography Photographers from London