David Bailey

David Bailey

"Graduating from being an assistant with fashion photographer John French in 1959, Bailey began the 1960s with a contract with Vogue to become the decade's iconic chronicler with two defining portrait publications David Bailey's box of pin-ups (1965) and Goodbye Baby and Amen (1969). They focussed on a new social order that evolved from the decade of change." - National Portrait Gallery





http://timeless-couture.tumblr.com/image/61520507356

I cant quite decide if I like this image because of the fact it's of a famous model whom I think is extremely beautiful, or whether I like it because of the white background the photographer has used, along with the dramatic straight on shot, to emphasize the bold colours of the models clothing and makeup. I would surmise the lighting which has been used in this photo by Bailey is Butterly Lighting? I would surmise this because of the heavy shadowing under the models chin and cheek bones.



Jean Shrimpton by Bailey
http://daylightstudiohire.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/david-bailey/

Seeing as though David Bailey was most famous and well known in the 1960's through having his contract with vogue, I guess it makes sense to look into the images he took around this time. So obviously with working for vogue, Bailey was not taking photographs of just ordinary people like what I'm doing in my own studio work, however, its interesting to look at baileys use of lighting, poses and his vast use of black and white photography. 
I've chosen to present this image in my blog as like the first image, what strikes me most about the image is the heavy shadowing under the models chin. Although many photographers use techniques to reflect light back into the image, to lose the shadow which is often created under the chin with various lightings, Bailey has not done this and instead, has made the shadow heavily emphasized. I suppose this technique is in order to draw attention to the models fantastic jaw line. 
A technique such as this; choosing lighting appropriately to emphasize an individuals most beautiful or striking features, is somthing which i understand would come with time and a lot of experience.




http://une-dame-folle.tumblr.com/image/62650552932

Andy Warhol by David Bailey, 1965




"Benedict Cumberbatch by Bailey"

I personally prefer Bailey's images where he has opted for a grey background when shooting in black and white, such as the second image I have presented in this blog. Although this image comes across as striking and bold, which is probably what he was aiming for, with my own personal taste and preference id say the contrast and shadows created by the choice of side lighting is just too much.  
What i really like about this image is the close up style its been taken in and how detailed the image is. I am really drawn to the subjects eyes because of this vast amount of detail in the image. 







Diana, Princess of Wales by David Bailey, 1988.

https://24.media.tumblr.com/a6dd359baa697760fb206ae1903aebd7/tumblr_mwqshg2gBB1qkoeepo1_500.png

Again I cannot decide whether I like this image simply down to the successful choice of lighting, black and white photography and the pose.. or whether Its because of the famous person in the image.
I really do like all these close up head and shoulder images where you can really see every detail on the subject's face. The way the shadowing to the left side of the face begins subtle and gets more dramatic round the back of the subjects hair is something I think really makes the image successful and striking. Bailey's choice of lighting has again been very successful in flattering the person in the image. Here the shadow emphasizes the jaw line and cheek bone of the subject.





Jean Shrimpton by David Bailey, 1965 

http://mia-chamois.tumblr.com/image/53633416064