Bruno Bernard
| Bruno Bernard | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
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| Born |
February 2, 1912 Berlin, Germany |
| Died | June 3, 1987 (aged 75) Malibu, California |
| Occupation | Photographer |
Bruno Bernard (February 2, 1912 – June 3, 1987) also known as Bernard of Hollywood, was an American photographer best known for pin-up and glamour photography of Marilyn Monroe and others.
Bernard was born into poverty on February 2, 1912 in Berlin, Germany. He was put into an orphanage by parents who could not afford to support him. In 1923, his parents gave him a Rolleiflex camera, which led to a lifelong interest in photography.
He attended Kiel University, where, in 1934, he earned a doctorate in criminal psychology. He became general secretary of a Jewish youth organization, which led to his name appearing on a Gestapo hit list. In 1937, he fled to America from Nazi Germany, claiming to German authorities that he was leaving the country to continue his graduate studies. He did attend the University of California, Berkeley where he planned to continue his education but soon became interested in the arts. In 1940, he became a directorial apprentice at the Reinhardt School of the Theatre, opened by Max Reinhardt on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Unable to get a job as a director, however, Bruno returned to his interest in photography. In 1938 he set up a darkroom in the basement of his Los Angeles apartment. Inspired by his background in psychology, what he learned about directing, and collaboration with Alberto Vargas, Bruno developed a unique portrait style that he called the "posed candid"; a style that evolved into what is now known as "pin-up" photography. Bernard preferred moderate use of artificial light. He preferred natural light like sun at the beach, and sometimes added a flash to his light concept. He never had any formal training in photography and credited his success to "two good teachers, trial and error".
By 1940, Bruno's basement darkroom had become his first studio. He started out taking photos of the wives and children of the directors and producers he had come to know through his apprenticeship. As he began making money, he opened a proper studio at 9055 Sunset Blvd. As word spread, he soon came to the attention of agents and other Hollywood professionals who sent actresses his way for photo shoots. He became known as "Bernard of Hollywood". Bernard is credited with first photographing Monroe at the Racquet Club in Palm Springs, California, in 1947, when she was still Norma Jeane, who later became known as Marilyn Monroe and is said to have told Bernard, "Remember, Bernie, you started it all".
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