Photographer Snapshots - David Bailey

David Bailey, Michael Caine, 1965

The reason I find this particular image so interesting is because I first saw it in Gerald’s Bar in Carlton North a couple years ago. As I walked in, this huge print stared down at me - and I got completely lost in it.

I came back to it about a year later and studied it for a while over a glass of wine. It’s such a striking image due to its high dynamic range, high contrast lighting, and in this instance, the large scale it was printed on. It’s interesting that David Bailey decided to shoot Michael Caine in the character of Harry Palmer; a spy/detective Caine was portraying at the time. I think when a subject is pretending to be someone they’re not, it’s much easier for them to relax in front of the camera, especially for actors. They’re already familiar and comfortable with the lights, sets and cameras, which really helps produce an incredible photo portrait.

It was interesting to get to study work in real life instead of online. I haven’t done it properly since high school. Any artist knows there’s a profound difference in viewing an image in person, (even if it isn’t presented under gallery conditions). The effect of an image when viewing a tangible piece gives another level of appreciation and perspective. The scale of the print in Gerald’s Bar is what really impacted the way I saw it, so it was a nice reminder to me of how art can make you feel. It is a privilege to have art stop you in your tracks and sweep you off your feet. All it takes is looking up and being ready to appreciate the beauty in the world, for the world to provide you with these moments.