Sir Jimmy Savile OBE

Artist: John Hooton
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Sir Jimmy Savile OBE

Taken in 1966, this is one of my favourite images of the 60’s of the iconic DJ, Sir Jimmy Savile OBE.

I took the shot when I was 20 during my assistant days at 1:15 am, after a long advertising shoot for a petrol company with my boss, top fashion and advertising photographer John Cowan.

I asked Sir Jim if I could run a couple of rolls of film for my portfolio. True gent that he is, Jim said “Sure!” even though every one was pretty tired after the 5 hour gasoline ad session. Anyhow, this is the result and it remains one of my favourite pictures to this day as it shows Sir Jim as he really was and is – a strong and generous human being who did not take himself too seriously. You are a true professional Jim, and I am eternally grateful to you for giving me this opportunity.

Technical Details:

Camera: Hasselblad 500C
Lens: 80mm Planar
Film: Tri-X
ASA: 400 rated at 200
Exposure: 1/125 sec at f/16
Lighting: 5,000 Joule Strobe in perspex light bank.

Sir Jimmy Savile OBE belongs to the following groups:

B&W - Character - People Shots, Black and White Photography, Blast from the Past, Fashion and Editorial Photography, Film Photography, Former DPF Members, Let There Be Rock!, Medium and Large Format Film Photography, Nostalgic Art and Photography, THE WAIST UP - Portraiture Photography and This is England

Racheli

Fabulous shot!
John Hooton in reply to Racheli’s comment

Thank you Racheli. At the time, this was an honour for me. :-)
John Hooton

Thank you Racheli. At the time, this was an honour for me. :-)
pryere

The best shot I have ever seen of old Jim. I grew up with Mr. Saville, Jim’ll fix it, top of the pops etc. What a great oppurtunity this was, I am not suprised you cherish this one, fantastic.
John Hooton in reply to pryere’s comment

Thank you for your spot on comments Pryere. Although I took this photo I tend to agree with you! Most shots of Jim are very corny ‘show biz’ or ‘zany’ pics that are usually flatly lit and do not show the man behind the image. This has a bit more style and grace. Apologies for my total lack of modesty! LOL!
Gilberte

Splendid shot John
John Hooton in reply to Gilberte’s comment

Thank you Gilberte, We are the ‘Jim’ generation!
Roy barry

A fantastic shot of a British icon- I love how you have captured his spirit here.
John Hooton in reply to Roy barry’s comment

Thanks Roy. It is nice to have this shot appreciated after 42 years!
Roy barry

You can’t rush a craftsman….........
lisa1970

fabulous. great shot that stands the test of time. lots of character, no wonder you’re proud of it :-)
John Hooton in reply to lisa1970’s comment

Thank you Lisa, the time test is the greatest but you have a long time to wait!
kellyjomitchell

I remember this one from facebook – it is just fantastic! Being from the states, I am not familiar with this character, but reading the comments combined with the story that the photo tells gives me a pretty good image of the man (:
John Hooton in reply to kellyjomitchell’s comment

Thank you Kelly, you are very perceptive. Jim has used his gifts to do a great deal in his lifetime, selflessly raising millions of pounds for charity, often through physical endurance. He is a deserved recipient of the Order of the British Empire and a Knighthood from the Queen.
Shelly Hiebert

This is an absolute favourite of mine! If you remember my comments from fb I said he looked like a true character that didn’t take himself so seriously and that I would love to meet one day! Great shot John….straight to my favourite list.
John Hooton in reply to Shelly Hiebert’s comment

I do remember and thank you Shelly. It is both satisfying and flattering to know that this picture depicts the man so well.
LetThemEatArt

Now then, now then, guys & gals…great photo! My Dad once bumped into Sir Jimmy, back in the 60’s at a sauna bath in Leeds, when he had his hair half black and half white (Jimmy, not my Dad!).
John Hooton in reply to LetThemEatArt’s comment

That’s amazing because Jimmy had his hair half black and half blond when I took this photo, so I guess your Dad bumped into him in 1966!
Dennis Gay

G’day John,

So you shot Sir Jim with a ‘blad??!! No wonder the image has incredibly good quality.
A great character study of a great character, with a marvellous tonal range, great contrast, lovely depth of field, crisp focus and of course that wonderful entertaining eccentricity of your subject.
Great work that man!

GB
Dennis
John Hooton in reply to Dennis Gay’s comment

Thank you for those kind words Dennis, and thank you for the compliment of adding this to your favourites.
Tony Ryan

Think it is wonderful that you have highlighted humility. No matter who we are or what we achieve we are at our strongest when we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
John Hooton in reply to Tony Ryan’s comment

Thanks for your comment Tony, there’s a lot of truth in what you say.
Elaine Farmer

John….you never cease to amaze me with the things you have done. I am so impressed….. truly! xx
John Hooton in reply to Elaine Farmer’s comment

You are very kind Elaine, early on I had some very good teachers.
LjMaxx

Captures a clear personality John.. He looks like he had a great sense of humor and a sense of who he was.. Wonderfully done.. :)
John Hooton in reply to LjMaxx’s comment

Thank you LJ. Jim is now in his 81st year and still going strong. He completed the London Marathon in 2005!
Kate Adams

Great shot John I have always liked Jimmy Savile he always appeared to be a great personality, how long was he on Top of The Pops or maybe I have the wrong programme I used to watch him with my sis who lives inLondon
John Hooton in reply to Kate Adams’s comment

Hi Kate, thanks for your comment. Jim presented the first and last show of Top Of The Pops and of course many in between. His other notable TV program was Jim’ll Fix It, where he made ‘wishes’ come true for applicants.
David Iori

Fabulous shot
John Hooton in reply to David Iori’s comment

Thanks David, one of my own favourites as explained!
savosave

great shot of sir Jim.We have a similar surname,and I once spoke to him as he jogged past my parents home at the time, Shefford,Beds…he used to stay at the nearby Henlow Grange health farm.
John Hooton in reply to savosave’s comment

Thank you for your comment David, it would seem on here that Jim gets around!
LoisBryan

this shot is magic, John … I bow low to the 20-year-old you … and to the you you’ve become. How I’m going to LOVE perusing your images!!!!!!!!!! I’ll try to restrain my enthusiasm and not drown you in messages …
John Hooton in reply to LoisBryan’s comment

Thanks Lois, gosh, if I was still 20 my cheeks would be red!
Von McKnelly

I hope you don’t mind the comparison but….Irvin Penn ain’t got nothing on you brother.
John Hooton in reply to Von McKnelly’s comment

Now then, now then… don’t exagerate… as it happens… I knew his assistant very well, before he went to America to work for him and when he returned a few years later. I was surprised to learn that most of his great portraits were taken on the roof in daylight – large format of course. :-))
Arrowman

Brilliant shot, I`ve met the guy, and this shot sums him up brilliantly! . Colin
John Hooton in reply to Arrowman’s comment

Thanks Colin. Yup, old Jim is truly positive in every respect.
Olly Jones

This is a great shot John
John Hooton in reply to Olly Jones’s comment

Thanks very much Olly, that’s really appreciated.
Peta Ridley

Such a wonderful shot of a British icon… I really love the way you have captured Sir Jimmy’s character, and with such great tones. A shot to be very proud of indeed…
John Hooton in reply to Peta Ridley’s comment

Thank you Peta for such a glowing comment. Jim was a very positive and easy subject to work with. :-))
Elana Bailey

What a great portrait and an even better story. How lucky you are to have been on your fab journey of life. Well done.
John Hooton in reply to Elana Bailey’s comment

Thank you Elana for those very kind and wise words, I have been lucky indeed!
Jeannette Sheehy

now then, now then!....love this photograph….now you have me singing the “Jim’ll Fix It” song…lol!!
John Hooton

Thank you Jeannette, I can certainly say that Jim fixed it for me in the same spirit long before his TV show!
Jeannette Sheehy

I was just looking through your work and am in awe. I have such a hard time with producing black and white – but I am going to try and take your advice that black is black, white is white and grey is grey and see what comes of it…
John Hooton in reply to Jeannette Sheehy’s comment

That’s the spirit! If you use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, try using ‘Curves’ to adjust the contrast. This will give you much more control over the mid tones so that you don’t lose them and you will be able to get that “taken on film” look. :-))
Shanina Conway

What a wonderful portrait and fascinating career you’ve enjoyed;)
John Hooton in reply to Shanina Conway’s comment

Thank you for those kind words Shanina, my career had it’s moments and I got my 15 minutes of fame when I was interviewed on TV in 1966 as one of London’s promising young photographers! :-))
Michael Bainbr...

Love it, such beautiful tonal range.
John Hooton in reply to Michael Bainbridge’s comment

Thank you Michael, this is one of my own favourites. ;-)
MuscularTeeth

that is an awesome photo.
John Hooton in reply to MuscularTeeth’s comment

Thank you – awesome character!
Bruno Pantone, 28 days ago

stunning piece :)
John Hooton in reply to Bruno Pantone’s comment, 28 days ago

Thanks Bruno!
sourig, 22 days ago

fantastic…great capture
John Hooton in reply to sourig’s comment, 22 days ago

Thank you Sourig, dear old Jim!
cammiecakes, 3 days ago

I love this the lighting is perfect….one of my faves!
John Hooton in reply to cammiecakes’s comment, 3 days ago

Thanks Cammie, it is still one of my faves too even after many years. :-))
cammiecakes, 2 days ago

I have to tell you of all the photos I’ve seen on here so far this one is my absolute favorite!!