David Levine (born 1960) is a British music, portrait and fashion photographer. He is best known for his work with

Culture Club Culture Club are an English new wave music, new wave band formed in London in 1981. The band comprises Boy George (lead vocals), Roy Hay (musician), Roy Hay (guitar and keyboards), and Mikey Craig (bass guitar), and formerly included Jon Moss ( ...

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

Kylie Minogue Kylie Ann Minogue (; born 28 May 1968) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and actress. Frequently referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Princess of Pop", she has achieved recognition in both the music industry and fas ...

and

The Cure The Cure are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Crawley in 1976 by Robert Smith (musician), Robert Smith (vocals, guitar) and Lol Tolhurst (drums). The band's current line-up comprises Smith, Perry Bamonte (guitar and keyboards), Reev ...

Career

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 James Newell Osterberg Jr. (born April 21, 1947), known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, musician, songwriter, actor and radio broadcaster. He was the vocalist and lyricist of proto-punk band the Stooges, who were formed in 1 ...

live at the Music Machine London and worked as a stills photographer on music videos with the director

Tim Pope Timothy Michael Pope (born 12 February 1956) is a film director most known for his music videos, for having directed feature films, and for a brief pop career. Early life and career Pope grew up in the north London suburb of Enfield. Both his ...

. As well as working with

, Levine also worked with a number of other 1980s acts including

Jermaine Jackson Jermaine LaJuane Jacksun (né Jackson; born December 11, 1954) is an American singer, songwriter and bassist. He is known for being a member of the Jackson family. From 1964 to 1975, Jermaine was second vocalist after his brother Michael of the ...

, 5 Star, and

Siouxsie Sioux Susan Janet Ballion (born 27 May 1957), better known by her stage name Siouxsie Sioux (, ), is an English singer and songwriter. She came to prominence as the leader and main lyricist of the rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, who w ...

. Levine quickly established a style of work in the studio, which was much copied by other music and fashion photographers in the '80sand indeed today his influence can still be seen.That style and work ethic (Levine shot virtually every day in the 80s) earned him the nickname 'The man who shot the 80's'. 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. 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 National Portrait Gallery may refer to: * National Portrait Gallery (Australia), in Canberra * National Portrait Gallery (Sweden), in Mariefred *National Portrait Gallery (United States), in Washington, D.C. *National Portrait Gallery, London ...

. Levine is currently guest lecturing on Fashion and digital Photography at the

University of the Arts London The University of the Arts London is a public collegiate university in London, England, United Kingdom. It specialises in arts, design, fashion, and the performing arts. The university is a federation of six arts colleges: Camberwell College of ...

London College of Fashion The London College of Fashion is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, a public art university in London, England. The college offers undergraduate and postgraduate study, short courses, study-abroad courses and business t ...

. 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.

Personal life

He is the younger brother of record producer

Steve Levine Steve Levine is a British record producer, best known for his work on Culture Club's studio albums. He won a Brit Award for Producer of the Year in 1984. He has also composed film and TV scores. History Levine's career began as a trainee tap ...

Career

Personal life

References

Further reading