| Terence Donovan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 September 1936 Stepney, East London, United Kingdom |
| Died | 22 November 1996 (aged 60) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Photographer and film director |
| Children | Terry Donovan, Daisy Donovan, Dan Donovan |
Terence Daniel Donovan (14 September 1936 – 22 November 1996) was a British photographer and film director, best remembered for his fashion photography of the 1960s. He oversaw the music video to Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible".
Donovan was born in Stepney in the East End of London to Lilian Constance V. (née Wright) and Daniel Donovan, and took his first photo at the age of 15. The bomb damaged industrial landscape of his home town became the backdrop of much of his fashion photography, and he set the trend for positioning fashion models in stark and gritty urban environments. Flats and gasometers were popular settings, and he often had the models adopt adventurous poses. He wedged one model up the side of a building, and photographed another as she posed dangling from a parachute.
Along with David Bailey and Brian Duffy, he captured, and in many ways helped create the Swinging London of the 1960s: a culture of high fashion and celebrity chic. The trio of photographers socialised with actors, musicians and royalty, and found themselves elevated to celebrity status. Together, they were the first real celebrity photographers.
Donovan shot for various fashion magazines, including Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, as well as directing some 3000 commercials, and a 1973 movie Yellow Dog. He also made documentaries and music videos, and painted.
Donovan was a black belt in judo and co-wrote a popular judo book Fighting Judo with former World Judo Gold medallist Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki.[1]
Donovan committed suicide,after suffering from depression. His last interview[2] appeared in a British photography magazine a few weeks after his death.
Donovan was married twice. His first marriage to Janet Cohen was short lived and he remained married to his second wife Diana Dare until his death. He was the father of founder of Rockstar Games Terry Donovan, musician Dan Donovan (of Big Audio Dynamite) and television presenter Daisy Donovan.