Introducing you to one of the most iconic photographer's and of one of the most iconic shoots ever.. Brian Duffy (1933–2010).  Brian was a pioneering British photographer who, alongside contemporaries David Bailey and Terence Donovan, redefined fashion photography in the 1960s. 

Born in East London to Irish immigrant parents, Duffy initially pursued painting at St. Martin's School of Art before switching to dress design, which enhanced his photographic work.  

He began his career as a fashion illustrator for Harper's Bazaar and transitioned to photography, earning a position at British Vogue in 1959. Duffy's innovative approach led to collaborations with leading publications and iconic figures, including his work on three Pirelli calendars and his creative direction for David Bowie's 'Aladdin Sane' album cover. 

In 1979, he abruptly ceased his photographic career, attempting to burn many of his negatives, a decision halted by concerned neighbours and the local council, which halted the destruction of much of his work.

His archive was established in 2008 by his son, former assistant, printer and photographer Chris Duffy.  Chris opened the first Duffy exhibition in London in 2009 to critical acclaim, which led to international exhibitions and a BBC hour-long documentary on his life and career. In 2010, the British Journal of Photography named him one of the 100 most influential photographers of all time. Duffy's legacy endures through his innovative contributions to fashion photography, advertising, and portraiture, reflecting a career that continually pushed the boundaries of visual art. His work has become highly sought after by photography collectors and investors and is exhibited in the permanent collections of many museums worldwide.

 

Duffy On The Scary Monsters Shoot:

Taken by Duffy during the last of the Five Sessions with David Bowie in 1980. By this time, Duffy was winding down his photographic career. His studio was no longer filled with cameras, lights and famous faces of the era. It was replaced with tools for his new venture - antique furniture restoration. Without a studio or assistant, Duffy turned to his son Chris for a venue to shoot David Bowie, the only person who could persuade him to get back behind the lens.

Bowie asked costumer Natasha Korniloff to make him ‘The most beautiful clown in the circus.’ She described David as ‘Always a lot of fun to work with.’ David's New Romantic/Commedia dell'arte variant outfit was a throwback to his earliest costume experience, starring in Lindsay Kemp's Pierrot In Turquoise - a costume also designed by the late Natasha Kornilof.

Bowie began to pose as the perfect pierrot, throughout the session distressing his look until he was reduced to a disheveled, smeared, smoking clown.  This image was used on the edge of one of the 'Ashes to Ashes' 7" single sleeve. There were three variations and four inserts of 'stamps' to collect. Bowie coloured in this image with vivid coloured pens giving it a childish, playful Warholian style.

How Did Duffy Do The Thin White Duke Shoot? Photographing John Lennon in 1965:

In the cult movie  ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’, David Bowie played the part of an alien and was widely acclaimed for his acting role. The film was shot in 1975 and directed by Nick Roeg on location in New Mexico with an all-British crew. The Sunday Times commissioned Duffy to take behind-the-scenes photographs on the film set. Duffy had an established friendship with Bowie by this time, and they drove out to White Sands (where the world’s first atomic bomb was detonated) to shoot these extraordinary photographs using only two rolls of film just as the sun was setting.

Duffy used a long exposure with a triple flash unit that he had modified. David stood very still during the exposure with the exception of moving his hand.

Photographing John Lennon in 1965:

Shot by Duffy in 1965, shortly after the Beatles USA tour which included their legendary Shea Stadium performance that was filmed and released in 1966. Lennon told Duffy the device he is holding was a UFO detector from a New York novelty store. It was, in fact, a device called a ‘Nothing Box’ created by the infamous ‘Magic’ Alex Mardas, a Greek electronics engineer who became head of The Beatles company 

 

See Duffys Full Collection Here

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