Bailey Exposed

by David Bailey (Photographer)

Born into a working-class family in London's East End in 1938, David Bailey became the best-known photographer of his generation and has led a life that most people can only dream of. Drawing on numerous interviews, some previously unpublished, and illustrated with many iconic photographs as well as previously unpublished images from Bailey's private archive, this book explores the man behind the camera. His outspoken and irreverent observations on life, death, women, style, fashion, sex, class, the movies, the 1960s, photography and Hitler are as thought-provoking as they are revealing. The book also contains the reflections of some of the illustrious figures Bailey has worked with, among them Angelica Huston, Paul Smith, Jerry Hall, Catherine Deneuve, Mary Quant, Kenneth Williams, Jean Shrimpton, Penelope Tree, Damien Hirst and Diana Vreeland, as well as fellow photographers Cecil Beaton, Terence Donovan and Brian Duffy. In their interviews and writings over the years, these figures have provided some fascinating insights into the experience of being the focus of Bailey's lens.

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2014

About the author

David Bailey is one of the most respected photographers in the world. He worked as a fashion photographer for Vogue magazine, but he is also known for his work on the ‘Swinging London’ scene from the 1960s, which gave him celebrity photographer status.

Bailey’s fashion work and celebrity portraiture, characterized by stark backgrounds and dramatic lighting effects, transformed British fashion and celebrity photography from chic but reserved stylization to something more youthful and direct. His work reflects the 1960s British cultural trend of breaking down antiquated and rigid class barriers by injecting a working-class or “punk” look into both clothing and artistic products. Bailey himself became a celebrity who epitomized “swinging London”; he was known for his affairs with several celebrated women, among them the model Jean Shrimpton and the actress Catherine Deneuve, whom he married in 1965 (divorced 1972). He is thought to have inspired the role of the photographer, Thomas, in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Blow-up (1966).

Reviews

[Wilde Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of quotes by / about a photographer plus examples of his work.

Some of images were very good / striking.

Reading / viewing time around thirty minutes.

[Izzy Triggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you’re interested in portrait photography READ NOW.
absolutely wonderful and baileys quotes had me howling.
especially the kray twin quotes

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fabulous little art book. Full of quotes and beautiful photography.