David Eustace
.
Portraits
by David Eustace
STEPHEN FRY (Photographed in London 2010) was always
someone I felt I knew, even though I had never met him. From
seeing him on screen to reading some of his articles I felt there was
an honesty and vulnerability about him that was so very admirable
and strong.
I was contacted by an old friend John Hamilton at Penguin books
about me possibly coming over from NYC to photograph Stephen for
his new autobiography, but much would depend on making the
budget work....I told him there and then...the budget will work. I have
been very fortunate in my career to meet many interesting and
fascinating people Stephen Fry is one of those people.
SOPHIA LOREN photographed for US In Style Magazine at her home in Geneva (2001)
Like many of those who can comfortably be described as a legend she was an
absolute star in the nicest possible way. She was genuine, friendly and considerate
and professional. A few weeks after the magazine was published she took the time
from filming in Canada to phone my home in Scotland simply to say thank you. A
wonderful lady with a great sense of humour.
JACK BLACK photographed in NYC 2002. This was shot for the
movie poster School of Rock (© Paramount Pictures). The reason
I've included it was the memory and madness that led up to it. I had
flown over to London to finish an edit for a TV commercial I'd just
directed. As it was getting near the weekend and I had nothing
scheduled back in NYC I decided to fly to Glasgow for the long
weekend. I got off the flight late that night and when I put my phone
on their was a message from my agent saying I had to be in the
studio the following morning in NYC...Too long a story of the
madness that followed but I do remember BA telling me all morning
flights from Glasgow to London were full until I mentioned I had to
catch Concorde and a seat miraculously became available. As for
Jack Black and all the kids involved with the shoot..........Great fun
and loved the energy they all had.
JOHN HURT Photographed in 1999. Only good things from John Hurt his face
and character says everything else.
ALBERT WATSON: This is one of my earlier portraits. It was shot
around 1992, in Glasgow . I had been a fan of Alberts work (still am)
and managed the previous year whilst still at Edinburgh Napier
University where I was doing my BA in photography to get a weeks
assisting work with him. A few years later Elizabeth (his wife and
agent) became my agent. Both Albert and Liz were hugely influential
when I decided to set up in NYC and for that reason I will be eternally
grateful. One of the many things I think of (and admire)when I look
at this portrait of Albert is how after all these many years his passion
and excitement for the medium is still as strong as it ever was.
SIR PAUL McCARTNEY, There's not much one can say. I have
been fortunate enough to work with Paul on quite a few occasions
and have loved every minute of it. Good guy with a big heart.
MILTON GLASER: Milton kindly agreed to let me take his
photograph for a personal project I've been working on. Organised
by a friend, the designer Katja Mass.
He was very aware of the camera and knew exactly what I was
looking for and at one point it almost felt he was taking my portrait.
He simply sat there quietly watching and in around about way I
thought of him as the wise old headmaster. That morning was an
absolute pleasure. Photographed 2007
JOHN BYRNE: I have photographed John on many occasions and
could genuinely work with this guy on a weekly basis. I'm not sure
if it is because Im a huge fan of his work or the creativity he offers
and encourages, but there is something I find so very inspiring when
in John's company. This image was made in 2010 and was for a
series of images I made to celebrate the work of fashion designer
Deryck Walker. I had approached John to see if this was a project
he would consider and right away he was contributing.
JAMES EARL JONES photographed at Florents, Gansevoort Street
in NYC in 2007. This shot holds many memories for me. The man
and his strength of character, the physical location was a favourite
cafe I enjoyed, the neighbourhood (Meatpacking) was a very
different neighbourhood then.
ROBBIE COLTRANE I photographed for my first GQ Cover in 1993.
I had photographed him before when I was a student but this was
one of my first major editorial commissions. The magazines editor
at the time was Michael VerMeulen and this shot typifies what he
encouraged me and other photographers to do. He once said to me :
The front cover (GQ) sells the magazine the images inside sell you.
He and the freedom he encouraged in ones work alongside his staff
at this time were still to this day some of the most inspirational
people I have ever worked with.
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EVE ARNOLD. Photographed in London 1997 for British Vogue.
The simplicity of this image is only overshadowed by the quiet
strength that Eve eludes. I was making a series of 12 woman for
Vogue and this image above all sticks in my memory. This image
highlights my love for what the medium has given me. The
opportunity and reason to meet some truly inspiring and incredible
people. People who have lived lives and who through their work
have left memories that inspire the masses. Eve Arnold with her
work has asked many questions of mankind. Still one of my
favourite memories.
JAMES EUSTACE My father. This was the only portrait I ever made
of him and was taken not long before his death. He taught me
everything.