Can I as a photographer portray fashion in an innova2ve way?
IDEA 1
For my first idea I want to look at fashion photography in an unusual yet interes2ng way. I will take photographs of a fashionable jacket in an aDempt to make the jacket stand out in a cao2c environment.
ARTIST RESEARCH Messy Room 1 Vicky Madden
Garbage Girls Maya Furh
‘Filters Between’ Hakon Roisland
Hakon Roisland is a young photographer that specialises in taking surreal photos. Her edi2ng skills are phenomenal and her use of layers gives her photograph a vintage feel. The 2tle ‘Filters Between’ represents the process she used to edit the photographs, but also possibly represents a barrier being held up for protec2on. The model’s standing posi2on looks s2ff and she looks lifeless. This could represent the hardship’s of life taking over her and leaving her in a stagnant posi2on. She appears to be in the woods as there appears to be branches in the background. The use of the different texutures adds dimensions to the photograph and creates a unique feel to the photograph. The model’s body language also creates a horror/thriller feel to the photograph. The model looks rather ghostly. The features are not clear in the photograph though it is evident that it is a girl, (her hair). There is a low satura2on used in the photograph, this sucks the colour and life out of the photograph making it more paranormal. There is also a use of a scratched texture, this disguises the mode further. I like the variety of different tones that have been used throughout the photograph. It gives the photograph a more unique and mysterious look. I will incorporate the use of different tones and layers to disguise my model in my work, as Roisland’s masterpiece inspires me. I believe the photograph is successful however I believe that the photograph has been over-‐edited and could do with some toning down.
GHOSTS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED David Creedon
This is one of the ini2al photographs from the set David Creedon took in a deserted, haunted house. This specific photograph stood out to me as striking and unique. It displays a broken down room, possibly a kitchen as there appears to be some kitchen utensils. There is also a hole in the wall that could possibly mean there was a fireplace before the house was destroyed. The room appears to be aged and Victorian because of the layout of the room. The image also looks like there has been a fire which caused the ashes that are on the ground, and also caused the wall to peel. The room is dirty and could make the viewer uncomfortable looking at it. The 2tle of the photograph ‘’Ghosts Of The Faithful Departed’’, introduces the idea of death, and the roXng house belonging to a family that passed away. There appears to be a pain2ng of Mary (Mother of Jesus). This could possibly mean that the family were religious. The photograph has been taken using natural ligh2ng, this could be because the house has been leZ to the ravages of 2me so there is no access to ar2ficial ligh2ng, also it creates a more realis2c look to the ancient house. I believe that the photograph could make the viewer feel uncomfortable but intrigued as to the story and mystery behind it. I believe that the inten2on of the photograph was to inves2gate/look in to what happens to your possessions/house when you pass away. The photograph inspires me and I will incorporate it into my work with the ‘messy look’ the photograph has. I believe the photograph is a success as It raises many ques2ons to the viewers, also the photograph is strong and dis2nc2ve.
INITIAL PHOTOS
ARTIST RESEARCH Suo Sarumawashi HIROSHI WATANABE
Epitaph Cally Whitham
DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION
My first set of photographs portray fashion photography in a strange way. My photographs are gloomy and dark making the subject of the photograph stand out (the jacket). Photographer Maya Furh was my main inspira2on for my first ini2al set of photographs. Her quirky photographs gave me a basis on the type of surroundings my photographs were going to have. I included an element of animals to my developmental photographs. The animals add a quire, interes2ng twist to my photographs.
IDEA 2
For my second idea I want to look at fashion photography in a more usual way, I will use fur as my main fashion piece/subject for my photographs. I plan to mainly take some studio based photographs but also go on-‐scene to take another set to add to my idea.
Moodboard
Chris Von Wagan -‐ GLASS
Emily soto
Eolo Perfido Robert Allen
ARTIST RESEARCH Acous2c Movements DEVIN YALKIN
Gustaf Hagstrand
Vanina SorrenB ‘’Fashion Photography’’
Vanina Sorren2 was brought up in a family of photographers so it’s no surprise that her work is being described as, ‘’Unique yet amazing’’. This photograph displays one of the images from the set of photographs Sorren2 took for the GQ style edit. This photograph stood out to me from the rest of the images. She named the set, ‘’One of the reasons to get dressed is to get undressed.’’ The black and white photograph appears to be taken in a white studio. This is to ensure the subject of the photograph stands out and is not distracted by the surroundings. The photograph displays a young man, wearing a big fur jacket with his hand in his jeans pocket. Some may say that this is a typical model pose, however It makes the photograph complete, and keeps the aDen2on on the fur jacket which is the subject of the photograph. The model’s facial expression is stern and uninvi2ng. There is also a strong contrast used in the photograph. This brings aDen2on to the lighter areas of the photograph and creates a darker shadow. I believe the aim of the image was to adver2se the jacket. The photograph inspires me as the use of fur brings the photograph alive. I will incorporate this into my own work.
INITIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION
My second set of photographs portray fashion photography with the use of fur. There is a clear range of diversity throughout my set oh photographs as each photo is unique and different from the others. I mainly used layers in my development photographs in comparison with some of my photographs from my other ideas. Vanina Sorren2’s work was my main inspira2on for my set of photographs as the use of fur inspired me to add an element of it into my photographs. I believe my ini2al set of photographs are stronger than my development as they are diversed and strongly demonstrate the use of fur I wanted to incorporate into my photographs.
IDEA 3
For my third idea I will take a different approach to my photographs and experiment to see if it is possible to portray fashion photography using Portraiture. My photographs are going to be taken on site though some of them will look studio based.
ARTIST RESEARCH Seduc2on, Joy & Jolt PEETER LINDBERG
Under the skin Anna Den Drijver
Paul Cadden ‘’Hyperrealist’’
Paul Cadden is a UK based ar2st who aims to create realis2c/ real-‐life looking pain2ngs. Raised in Glasgow, he started pain2ng at the age of 6 and late in life created his ‘’Hyperrealism’’ pain2ngs that he is mainly known for now. In the words of Cadden, he aims to ‘’A"empt to understand the personal through the medium of drawing and pain5ngs.’’ Most of Cadden’s masterpieces are created using only a pencil although he oZen also uses pastels, water colours, acrylic and chalk. This piece of artwork displayed is from Paul’s hyperrealist set of drawings. It displays a portrait image of an elderly woman looking directly ahead. The image appears to be drawn with pencil alone, this being because of the grey scale in the image and different shades of grey. The image looks like a real-‐life photograph which was what Cadden was going for in this specific set of drawings. The image has been made out to be a photograph that’s been taken at eye level. The subject of the artwork piece itself is the woman in the picture hence why she is the center of it. The expression on the woman’s face displays, pain and sadness. This could be one of the concepts of the drawing itself. The woman appears fed up of something, as her eyes look watery. The strength of the photograph is the realism of it and the extent it resembles a real-‐life photograph taken. The photograph connects to my work as I will aDempt to create photographs that look like drawings in the style of Cadden.
INITIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
ARTIST RESEARCH Weighing the Rain: Portraits Hans Gindlesberger
A Modern Hair Study TARA BOGHART
DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION
My third set of photographs are close-‐up photographs and display portraiture. I experimented to see if it was possible to display fashion photography with these type of photographs. Paul Cadden’s Hyperealist artwork inspired me to create photographs that look like sketch drawings. Tara Boghart’s work also inspired me with my developmental photographs and gave e a basis on what my idea was going to portray.
IDEA 4
For my third idea I’ve decided to look at fashion photography using children. I want to use an idea that would be unique and different from the rest of my set of idea’s in the project. I also want to make the photographs look aged, however I will s2ll add the element of fur into the photographs.
ARTIS RESEARCH
People I Don't Know Aline Smithson
Alice Liddell Lewis Carroll
Cyrus Voss Bark
INITIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
DEVELOPMENT
ARTIST RESEARCH CULTURAL TREASURES VADIM GUSHIN
Exhibi2on In Berlin JEFF COWEN
HOLY BIBLE Adam Broomberg
Las Vegas Birthday Slideshow ALEC SLOTH
This Country is Yours Surendra Lawo2
EVALUATION
I believe my fourth set of photographs are the strongest out of all my ideas as they have the strongest developments. There are several ar2sts that inspired me with my work, however, Alice Lidell’s Victorian photograph gave me a basis on what my photographs are going to portray. I used Victorian jewellery and olden day books to merge with my photographs for my development.
IDEA 5
For my fiZh idea I want to look at the more cultural side of fashion photography. I am going to use an African theme with the use of African-‐ printed clothing and props. My photographs are going to be studio based.
IDEA 4
Moodboard
ARTIST RESEARCH
TURKANA TRIBE Eric Lafforgue
Ralp BenneD Crignolla
PATRICK GALIBERT
ISABEL MUNOZ
Wale O’ Konga’ Patrick Willocq
Patrick Willocq is a unique photographer that takes a strong interest in Congo DR. His fascina2ng photo’s display the hardship, pain and suffering of young mothers. ‘Wale’ represents a primiparous nursing mother’. The model’s eyes are closed this could represent her dreaming of a beDer life. This represents hope for a brighter future. The powder also represents the tribe the young girl comes from and creates the African feel that Willocq was trying to portray. The model is standing in front of a straw house, this shows an unsustainable construc2on which also represents poverty. Her hand is placed on her tummy, this shows the mother-‐child bond that is created when a mother gives birth. The use of black and white imagery makes the photograph less distrac2ng and makes the model the subject of the photograph. It also creates a subtlety of tones, and gives the photograph a sad feel. There is a lot of contrast used in the photograph, this makes the model stand out also. I personally like the posi2on the model is standing in, it represents vulnerability. I believe the photograph gives the viewer a mixed reac2on of confusion as the model appears to be smiling in the photograph, but sadness because of the condi2on the model is in.-‐-‐ The inten2on of the photograph could be to represent and make people aware of different parts of the world, including Africa. It could also be to create some diversity in portraiture. The ar2st links to my work as I will incorporate the African feel into my photograph, I will also make parts of my ini2al set black and white and use powder on the models face’s and body’s to create the African feel I will aDempt to convey. I believe the photograph is successful as it is a strong, powerful image that raises many ques2ons. The quality of the photograph is good and the photograph is unique.
Mario Gerth Mario Gerth is a photographer, journalist and traveller. He’s travelled to over 65 countries taking photographs of the things and people that fascinate him. He has witnessed, war and poverty. He took a set of black studio based photographs in Ethiopia of the ‘’Surma Tribe’ ’that he is mainly known for now. This image is one of the photographs from the set that stood out to me. The image displays a young boy roughly between 8-‐13 with a saddened look on his face. The image is portraiture and it displays the hardship, suffering and poverty that such people go through in Ethiopia. His facial expression looks like cry for help. There is a good contrast of black to white in the photograph and the use of the black studio makes the white powder stand out. The powder used on his face represents the tribe he is from. It is a way to dis2nguish who is from what tribe in Ethiopia. The photograph shows and represents the diversity there is in the world as this use of powder on the model’s face is seen as the, ‘norm’ in Ethiopia, but unusual here. From the photograph could possibly give the viewers a sad feeling when looking at the image as you can see the pain in the boy’s eyes. I believe that the photograph is successful as Mario Gerth wanted to display the poverty and hardship people in other countries encounter and this photograph does. I will convey Gerth’s photographs into my work.
INITIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
DEVELOPMENT
Mariah Robertson Mariah Robertson is a talented ar2st. Her work stands out to me as it is striking and unique. The pain2ng is part of her shapes and colours theme. It has a vibrant burst of colour. It could possibly be portraying shaDered glass with all the cut and different shapes she has used in the pain2ng. It is also very colourful. The picture conveys diversity as there is a plethora of colours that would usually clash however the way they have been used in the pain2ng makes the colours unite accordingly. The picture gives the viewers a confused point of view as they possibly may not know exactly where to look as there is so much going on in the photograph. The image is abstract and looks like it is trying to disguise/hide something. The ar2st links to my work because of the ray of colours used throughout the picture. The photograph has an element of aggression as there are several cuts and scratches. This aspect creates confusion to the viewer as it has a selec2on of bright colours but displays depression. Parts of the image resembles thorns I believe the photograph is successful as it goes perfectly with her Shapes & Colours theme she was ini2ally going for. I also believe It is a beau2ful pain2ng and has a great outcome. The picture inspires me and I will convey the variety and mesh of colours into my own work.
Evalua2on My task was to choose a concept and idea from the many briefs provided then create an initial set of images and development. Before deciding what my initial idea was going to be a researched a variety of ideas , each giving me a basis on where to begin with my work, and the type of photographs I would be taking. At first I decided my main idea was going to be ‘’Landscape Photography’’. I was going to go to a beautiful spot in Central London and take photographs that I would eventually edit and develop I ended up taking photographs for that idea but later decided that It was best I changed my idea as I was not satisfied with the value of my work. The new idea I decided to portray instead was ‘Fashion photography in an innovative way.’’ I started off by researching deep into what innovative photography was as this gave me a basis on what my photo’s should be. For this idea I initially took many photographs which I ended up cutting down. The first set of photographs I took were in a park in Ilford, where many shots of my model were taken of her wearing fur. The majority of the photographs I used where in black and white. As the photographs where taken during the daytime I used that as an opportunity to use natural lighting. I wanted to ensure that every photograph I took was different and the images were not all similar. To make it possible I used 3 different models including a child (4 years) to model the fur look I was going for (inspired by Vanina Sorrenti) In my developed photographs I took some more close-up photographs of my model. For my second idea I looked at African fashion photography. I believed that it was rather innovative and unique. All the shots are close-up although the African print is still viewable in the images. The visual impact my photographs have on the viewers are quite surprised yet interested. Looking at some of my photographs they may think that they are quire. . I do believe that my photographs reach the level of symbolism needed, however, the photographs
could've ensured that all photograph taken related to my brief as I believe that some of my photographs went slightly off point from my ini2al brief, other than that implica2on, I do believe that they reached the needed level of symbolism as they do portray fashion photography in a way that is unusual and not typical. Furthermore, I am very pleased with the quality of my work, I believe my photographs are strong yet unique. I par2cularly like my second idea in comparison with the first. The African themed photographs are the strongest and most unique out of the whole set. The models facial expressions and tribal look create the successful images that I believe them to be. There is evidently a range of different ideas in my set of photographs and each are different and unique to the others, however, as successful as I believe my photographs to have turned out there is s2ll room for improvement and I do believe I could’ve tken my photographs that step further in terms of my development. I believe that I pushed my crea2ve boundaries with my work as not only did I look at the photographic side of my images but I developed them in an ar2s2c way. I experimented with my photographs and tested out many different types of edi2ng techniques before deciding what final methods I was going to use for them. There are many ar2sts that inspired me with my work these include Mario Gerth, who’s photographs gave me a basis on what my work would convey. If given more 2me on my project I would’ve taken my photographs in more loca2ons and created another set of photographs. I also would’ve done much more research which would’ve given me more direc2on and inspira2on with my work but as a whole I believe my project is a success.