Brian Duffy (Great Britain 1933–2010) Mike Henry and Nancy Novack 1964 digital print, printed 2011 courtesy Duffy Archive, Great Britain

It sounds like the dream career: from design assistant to fashion illustrator to one of the world’s most influential photographers. Brian Duffy helped capture Swinging London during the 60s and he is often named in the same breath as David Bailey and Terence Donovan (indeed, as a group they were known as the Terrible Three).

From the Duffy Archive in Britain comes Notorious, a selection of his celebrity portraits, negatives and contact sheets, including some his most famous work, now showing at the Monash Gallery of Art.

One of his most recognised photographs – the cover image for David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane album – is likely to blow you away, but it’s the more natural, documentary-style pieces, like his portrait of writer William Burroughs (featured below), that show how Duffy, who died in 2010, revolutionised the photography world.

Partnering this exhibition is Swinging: The Fashion Photography of Brian Duffy, on display in Sofi’s Lounge in the Sofitel.

Notorious: Duffy’s Celebrity Portraits
Until 13 May
Monash Gallery of Art, 860 Ferntree Gully Road, Wheelers Hill, (03) 8544 0500

Swinging: The Fashion Photography of Brian Duffy
Until 29 April 2012
Sofi’s Lounge, Sofitel, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne, (03) 9653 0000