Fashion Magazine

I enjoyed working with the fashion students on this project. There have been some adaptations because some of the students didn’t need images and other students swapped their timetable round. Originally I was working closely with Lucia Graham; her final collection was tribal theme underwear for men. It was interesting to start working with her because she had a very creative and abstract imagination.

The second student I worked with was Charlotte Anstey; her final collection was “blood” clothes designed for women. Her garments had a delicate vintage appeal so it was fun to work with her in the studio trying to capture the collection from all different angles. Charlotte ideally preferred to have her model standing still with very minimal movement. It was difficult to really capture the authenticity of her clothes because image after image her collection would look a little boring. I tried to give Charlotte ideas to allow her tops and dresses to move even if the model wasn’t moving. Throughout the shoot Charlotte started to feel more creative, and the model was more flexible. We ended up with some really beautiful shots which complemented her collection really well.

“Apple of my Eye” This photograph was taken by photographer Eleanor Hardwick. It is from a collection called “Apple of my Eye” Eleanor’s photographs are very inspirational to me and when researching about Charlotte’s collection I thought this would be a perfect shot to imitate.

The model is innocently sitting still pressing the red apple to her face. Her eyes are staring so far into space she is almost hypnotising me with her dramatic expression. Her hair, skin and clothes are very pale opposed to the deeply saturated red of the apple and her lips. The movement with her hand almost suggests that the apple has smeared the red upon her face. It is a very delicate image and the garment she is dressed in is white suggesting she is pure. Similarly to Charlotte’s collection, her garments are pale with the unpredictable red smear producing a strong contrast of colour. Her model Lucy Walters should ideally imitate a ghost, having no bone structure or life to her body. She’s just a weak, numb, bendy character with no warming expressions.

The images I did produce, I was very pleased with. Throughout the shoot I experimented with the studio lights. A few shots were overly exposed so I reduced the lighting allowing the detail in the garment to appear more superior.

I am really pleased with this shot. I made a few edits to this image but when I was showing Charlotte, she also preferred this edit. As it appears, the model is floating in the air. The colour of her dress almost looks as if torchlight is shining on it. It reminds me of the lights that you see when little chicks have been born and they have to keep warm under the UV lights. Her dress falls perfectly, almost swaying as she’s floating in the air. The contrast of the red is eliminating a little detail but it has highlighted the garment so it is clear to see what the designer is promoting. I am very pleased with this image and I’m happy Charlotte is too. Whilst we were shooting this series of photographs, I attached a plastic red sheet over the honeycomb light to produce the colour onto the garment. During the editing process, I manipulated the exposure to delete the background so the model is floating in mid air. The colours in the shot are dominant and the contrast of the red against black allows the dress to look more superior.

During my role as a fashion photographer I met some new students, learnt a little more about how photographers work in the industry and built more knowledge on professional photographers and fashion designers. I believe I took my job seriously and I was responsible when handling the camera, lights and students in the studio.

If I had the opportunity to do carry out this brief again I would have liked to of used more props. For example, Charlotte conveyed her theme of blood using red string, the string added effect and colour in the shots but I didn’t necessarily think it was a strong enough symbol to use. It would have been more ideal to put more dramatic make-up on the models face and maybe use some paint against the back drop emphasising the dramatic message. Overall I think I have produced some powerful images and worked to the brief correctly.

This morning Charlotte is having photographs of her collection taken. The theme of the photoshoot is "blood". Very mysterious lighting, lots of red props and an intimidating model. I have found one photograph in particular taken by Nick Knight and I would like to experiment with Lucy (the model) and see if I can create a similar shot.

The image below is of a girl leaning her head forward over a wooden stall, it's obvious to see she is bleeding. Her hair is covering her face and her hands are positioned near her eyes which suggests she is crying. Her long hair is draped over the stall drawing you to the reflection in the blood. The picture is very dark and attracts a lot of curiousity because of the attention to detail and the strong colours used creating a very powerful image.

Another photograph that I love is from a series called "The Apple of My Eye" taken by Eleanor Hardwick. She manages to produce such amazingly spontaneous and abstract images by taking her creativity to a new level. Her ability to create what she pictures in her mind is very well produced and this image in particular is distubingly beautiful. The model is innocently sitting pressing the red apple to her face. Her eyes are staring so far into space she is almost hypnotising me with her dramatic expression. Her hair, skin and clothes are very pale opposed to the deeply saturated red of the apple and her lips. The movement with her hand almost suggests that the apple has smeared the red upon her face.