David Levine (photographer)

David Levine (born 1960)[1][2] is a British music, portrait and fashion photographer. He is best known for his work with Culture Club, ABC, Kylie Minogue and The Cure.

David Levine

David Levine
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Died
London
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Music, portrait and fashion photographer
Years active1977–
Known forWork with Culture Club, ABC, The Cure, Kylie Minogue, Steve Strange and Tim Pope.
Notable workHis cover of Boy George on the "Karma Chameleon" single sleeve is one of the most regonised images of Boy George. One of his many shoots with ABC inspired the cartoons characters of the band that were used on the cover of the How to be a Zillionaire album.

Career edit

David Levine started his career in 1977 while working as a photographer's assistant. He went on to photograph artists live in concert including Iggy Pop live at the Music Machine London and worked as a stills photographer on music videos with the director Tim Pope. As well as working with Culture Club, Levine also worked with a number of other 1980s acts including ABC, The Cure, Kylie Minogue, Jermaine Jackson, 5 Star, and Siouxsie Sioux.[citation needed] Levine quickly established a style of work in the studio, which was much copied by other music and fashion photographers in the '80s[citation needed] and indeed today his influence can still be seen.[citation needed] That style and work ethic (Levine shot virtually every day in the 80s) earned him the nickname 'The man who shot the 80's'.[citation needed] Always filming throughout his stills career, his music videos are as typically stylish and gritty as his stills. Levine's work in both stills and film achieves a style unique to him.[citation needed]

Levine was invited to lecture at the University of Arts London, London College of Fashion in 2014 where he continues to lecture on Fashion Photography while continuing with his busy photography and film career.

Levine's 2009 portrait of Paul Nicholls is held in the National Portrait Gallery.[2] Levine is currently guest lecturing on Fashion and digital Photography at the University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion.[3]

Levine has never won any awards for his work, and is on the record as saying “I don’t do this to get awards, I do it so I know I’m ok at what I do.” Not ever one to compromise, Levine puts friendship ahead of anything.[citation needed]

Personal life edit

He is the younger brother of record producer Steve Levine.

References edit

  1. ^ "David Levine". Camera Press Ltd. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b "David Levine (1960-)". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  3. ^ "David Levine". London College of Fashion. 4 October 2023.

Further reading edit