Fashion Photography
We looked at images that famous fashion photographer Mario Testino had taken for British Vogue. The pictures depict a beautiful woman in an elegant gown contrasted with the rough and dirty background. The astounding effect that the contrast has forces the eye onto the beautiful silk dress and makes it ever more stunning against the worn down backdrop. The position of the woman's body creates a line for the dress to stand up against, and the calm expression on the model's face gives the image an ethereal feeling.
We took inspiration from Testino's images and visited the abandoned pool in our school to take photographs against damaged backgrounds and ruined floors. We were told to bring a prop and I brought a striking red heart necklace that I believed would stand out in the images against the destroyed background.
First observations
In class, we visited the old, closed pool and took photographs. The dirty, scuffed background contrasted with the beauty of the models and clothes in the same way that Testino's images do. I edited the images in post-process to create enhanced colour and sharpness.
What went well - The colour in the photographs works well and I like the framing and angles.
Even better if - There was more variety in the photographs. If I had access to better clothing and accessory options, then I believe I could have taken more professional-looking photographs.
Even better if - There was more variety in the photographs. If I had access to better clothing and accessory options, then I believe I could have taken more professional-looking photographs.
Exhibition Visit - Masters of Style: Celebrating the stories behind Italian Fashion
To mark the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification, Masters of Style brings together six of Italy’s most influential fashion houses to celebrate the stories behind Italian fashion. Looking at defining moments from their advertising campaigns, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Gucci, Missoni and Prada will showcase a personally hand-picked selection of images from their collections and archives, bringing to life iconic style moments and offering an insight into the passion and influences behind their work.
As you walk into the exhibition you are met with large photographs of designers and a small bio underneath. This immediately took my interest and I enjoyed reading about how each of the designers started into the fashion world.
Upstairs, there were mazes of stretched white fabric to walk through, each small maze displaying the images of a particular designer. I fell in love with many of the images, and it was interesting to see how distinct one photographers photos were with another.
Upstairs, there were mazes of stretched white fabric to walk through, each small maze displaying the images of a particular designer. I fell in love with many of the images, and it was interesting to see how distinct one photographers photos were with another.
For example, the two images above are taken by photographer Glen Luchford on different fashion campaigns. And yet his style is recognisable in both photographs - cool colours, soft edges, mysterious angles. Even the model appears to be the same. In this way, photographers gain a reputation, and become known for a certain type of photograph.
My Own Fashion Photography Images - Planning
I plan to take my own photographs, inspired by many I saw at the exhibition. I created a collage of my favourite photographers and images from the exhibition and plan to take photographs related to each theme and it's keywords. I think that having a range of photographers and style to play around with will develop my ideas around fashion photography, and perhaps I may decide to pursue it further next year for my own project.
Second observations
Using the collage that I had made for inspiration, I took images of my Auntie, Isobel.
Pre-production, I attempted to replicate similiar angles and light settings of photographers, and post-process I edited the images in a like way.
As the photographers had use of a professional studio, and I did not, I think that if I were to take more images and carry this study further, I would use a photography studio, as the support of lights would benefit the photographs immensely.
Pre-production, I attempted to replicate similiar angles and light settings of photographers, and post-process I edited the images in a like way.
As the photographers had use of a professional studio, and I did not, I think that if I were to take more images and carry this study further, I would use a photography studio, as the support of lights would benefit the photographs immensely.
Third Observations
I decided to take another set that were more like to that of Mario Testino's work, using nature as a prominent factor. I liked the texture that the leaves brought to these images, and I played around with angles and light setting to provide each image with a different feeling.