If you are a fan of glamour photography, you might be familiar with the name David Bailey, one of the most influential fashion photographers of the 20th century. Bailey was part of a group of young and talented photographers who revolutionized the industry in the 1960s and 1970s with their bold and innovative style. They captured the essence of the Swinging Sixties, a decade of cultural and social change, through their stunning portraits of celebrities, models, musicians and artists.
But who were Bailey's contemporaries and what made them stand out? In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of the great glamour photographers of the 1960/70 and 80s who worked alongside Bailey and left their mark on the history of photography.
## Guy Bourdin
Known for his provocative and surreal images, Bourdin was a master of colour and composition. He worked for French Vogue for over 30 years, creating iconic campaigns for brands like Chanel, Charles Jourdan and Issey Miyake. He often used mannequins, mirrors, shadows and geometric shapes to create a sense of mystery and drama in his photographs. Some of his most famous works include a series of legs wearing shoes in various settings, a model lying on a bed with blood dripping from her mouth, and a woman holding a gun to her head in a bathtub.
## Helmut Newton
Dubbed the "King of Kink", Newton was famous for his erotic and glamorous black-and-white photographs of women. He often portrayed them as powerful, dominant and seductive, challenging the traditional notions of femininity and sexuality. He shot for magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Playboy, as well as for designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Thierry Mugler and Karl Lagerfeld. Some of his most iconic images include a nude woman wearing a saddle on her back, a model posing with a giant snake around her neck, and a trio of models wearing tuxedos in an alley.
## Richard Avedon
Avedon was one of the most influential portrait photographers of all time, capturing the personality and emotion of his subjects with his distinctive style. He worked for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, creating memorable fashion editorials with legendary models like Twiggy, Veruschka and Dovima. He also photographed celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and The Beatles. Some of his most memorable portraits include a smiling Marilyn Monroe in a white dress, a young Bob Dylan holding a harmonica, and a close-up of Andy Warhol's scarred chest.
## Mario Testino
Testino is one of the most celebrated fashion photographers of today, known for his glamorous and candid shots of famous figures. He has photographed countless celebrities, royals and supermodels for magazines like Vanity Fair, Vogue and GQ. He is also famous for his portraits of Princess Diana, which were published shortly before her death in 1997. Some of his most notable works include a series of intimate photos of Kate Moss in various locations, a group shot of Hollywood stars at the Oscars in 2014, and a playful image of Prince William and Kate Middleton kissing on their engagement day.
## Al Vandenberg
Vandenberg was a street photographer who captured the fashion and culture of the 1970s in cities across America and the U.K. He photographed people from different backgrounds and walks of life, showing their individuality and style. He was also a collaborator of David Bailey, working on the album cover for The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Some of his most striking images include a group of punks on King's Road in London, a couple kissing on a subway platform in New York, and a young girl wearing roller skates in San Francisco.
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