Rare 1950s photographs reveal a different side to David Bailey

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A London exhibition of David Bailey’s early photography spotlights his candid 1950s–60s street scenes and portraits, revealing the raw roots of the swinging sixties icon's career.

From The Beatles and David Bowie to the Kray Twins, Twiggy, Michael Caine and even the late Queen, photographer David Bailey has captured some of the most famous faces of our time. But long before his iconic portraits of models, musicians and the photographer was turning his lens on the streets of London, documenting its places and everyday people.

Now, a major retrospective opening on November 11 is shining a light on his early career, offering fresh insight into the man who came to personify the swinging London of the 1960s. David Bailey himself says that the capital he recalls most vividly is that which surrounded him growing up in East Ham. He explains: “I remember the London of my childhood. That's probably the London that stays with you the most.

“What drew me to the ordinary people and streets of London? Because you can see these people. Famous people generally aren't walking down the street. I've always been passionate about photography and all forms of art. I photograph what interests me.”

The exhibition, which is being held at Leica Gallery London, will showcase 22 images from the late 1950s through to the mid 1960s. Included is a shot of legendary model Jean Shrimpton, with whom David Bailey had a four year relationship. He captured her in a 1964 backstreet, wearing the photographer’s own army jacket, and later noted that she was “magic,” with a knack of knowing where the light was and a natural in front of the camera, which loved her.

Of all the images in the exhibition, he says this is his favourite. Some photographs show the city’s blackened post war buildings. Others reflect some of the hardships faced by its residents, caught in the gaze of his lens as they go about their day to day living.

David, now 88 and who was married to both actress Catherine Deneuvre and model Marie Helvin, says: “The title of the exhibition, Time After Time, just seemed to make sense.

It was while he was doing his National Service that he bought a Rolleiflex camera and became…

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