Fashion in Photography essay (without images, see printed out version for images)

                                                                Photography in Fashion               

“I’m a little fool hardy. Dangers of violence, rape and murder – are less frightening than making a living in fashion photography” – Dianne Arbus

The idea I am going to explore, is all different fashion styles, and poses - to experiment with what works best.

The different aspects of fashion photography and which I would most like to recreate are; different eras, such as the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. I plan on recreating these, by the different styles which my model would be dressed in, her hair and makeup, and the props which would be around her. Another idea which I would feel would give a different aspect to fashion photography is doing jumping shots. I could go one of three ways, the first taking shots of different people in mid-air, jumping and putting them together in an imaginative way , perhaps in a circle. The second idea is getting different ages doing the same jumping shot, however putting them together in a sequence as it goes up in age. I believe this could be quite quirky and different and an idea which not many other people have pursued. My third idea is to use props; I can combine this idea with some of my others, to reinforce my point. I would like to use mirrors as a prop for one of my photo shoots because I like the way which you can change and do different angles with the reflection from mirrors.

“My portraits are more about me than the people I photograph.” – Richard Avedon.

The four main artists which I am planning on researching are; Daniela Silicz, Bora Tarhan, Fred Fraser and Aashith Shetty. Daniela Silicz uses props and mirrors, which links into my themes. She also does jumping shots. As illustrated by the images below, which are her work. With the image of the jumping shot, she has used the rule of thirds. She has cleverly placed the person on the third line, and has chosen to have her looking into the picture because it draws the viewer’s eye into the middle of the picture. She has also used the rule of thirds when it comes to the background. The tall bit of building on the right hand side is on the third vertical line, and as well the building which is horizontal is on the first rule of third line from the bottom. This therefore means there are two thirds of the plain skies in the furthest background. The main reason why the model is in the foreground is because Daniela Silicz wanted her to be the main focus of the image. The purpose of the image being dull dark, black and white colours is because it reinforces the aim which she is wanting to correct. Additionally it makes the look of the building more dinghy and has more of an effect of human presence. The wall in the background,  works as a leading line, drawing the on lookers attention to the model herself. This is the same for the TV areal.

 I love the image of the person using the mirrors. It uses many different photographic skills, some being such as it using the rule of thirds. The top of the mirror is on the top of the first horizontal line, and the bottom of the mirror is on the last line, this then concludes that the mirror is in the centre of the image. Also the side panels are directly in the middle of the vertical rule of third lines. This then leaves the mirror and the model being in the centre of the image. The mirror also works as leading lines in this image, drawing the on lookers attention to the models face. I feel the main reason why Daniela Silicz chose to plan her picture like this is because it creates the main focus on these two things. The model is in the foreground, the mirror is in the background and the wallpaper adds to the scenery and creates the mood of the picture. The mirror adds a quirky picture since you can see her face in all three, because of the different reflections created. . The way the model is looking up into the light creates shadows on her face, which gives it definition.

The photographer Bora Tarhan, takes his photos by using props, editing, style and lighting. This is shown throughout the pictures below. The first image, I love so much and find such an inspiration. I find the editing and effect of black and white creates the mood of the photo and shows up the lighting and shadowing more, than if it was just normal, non-edited. I also like how the model is dressed in black and white to have the contrast with the editing. The styling of the picture is extraordinary, the big hat matches the dress, however the centre of the dress matches the gloves. The tons of the hat are darker than everything else, which emphasises it and makes it stand out amongst the image and the other components.  The shadowing behind the model  really accentuates her hat, and the shadowing on her face makes her cheek bone stand out and makes her look really feminine to match her outfit. The model is in the foreground to make her standout and the shadow of her looks like it’s in the middle of the photo and the light on the wall is in the background. The photo slightly uses the rule of thirds, the light is in the top third of the horizontal line. The two lines going down then dress, with the criss 

My favourite part of the next  picture is the props which are being used. The typewriter is my favourite part; this is because it’s so quirky and different. It also tells the story of the picture and shows the eras. The glasses contrast the dress, however the pattern of the dress, clashes with the spotty pattern of the sofa, so this makes the colour and the pattern stand out a lot more. The colour of the curtain in the background makes the light stand out. This picture has used the rule of thirds, the top of the light and the typewriter are on the 3 points to the right hand side, and the model is two thirds of the picture. I don’t like how at the right hand side corner of the image, in the foreground you can see a corner of the second sofa. I think it detracts from the photo and doesn’t make anything of it. Personally I feel the image would be better without it as it makes your eyes go there, instead of on the main focus of the image.

Fred Fraser is a photographer who works with a hair stylist/ makeup artist/ props director called Liz Dungate. They mainly focuses on her styling, and the poses in which the models are in, to emphasise the image. The first images use natural colours to make the shadowing stand out a lot more. The prop is there to make it quirky and different. It emphasises the pose and the model and makes this picture original. The way the model is posed uses the rule of thirds. The body being higher draws your eye to the face, however you first see her legs then the straight one draws your eye up to the body. Then the body draws it up to the face so you get a sense of the whole picture. The big hair black hair makes a statement piece for the image. She is very thin and this adds to the picture. I feel it would give a completely different look if it was a larger model doing it; It wouldn’t look correct.

The second image of hers which I like is the one with the woman praying in front of all the TV’s. The line of vertical TVs draw your eyes down to the woman praying with the beads entwined in her hands. The only thing I don’t like about this photo is the picture in the middle of the red wall. I understand that if that painting wasn’t there then it would look too bland and wouldn’t look correct however I personally feel it detracts the focus from the model and the TV’s which are the main elements of the image. If that painting wasn’t there then I feel it would be such a good image because the TV’s are on a third line and they draw the viewer’s eye into the picture, which draws it to the woman who is praying. The dress which she is wearing draws  your eyes out as it is in the bottom third and going out of the picture all along the bottom, so your eye follows it. The brown belt in which she is wearing blends in with the brown of the old middle TV. The only bold colour is in the background and it is the colour of the walls.

My final photographer who I have researched is Aashith Shetty. The reason why she is such an influence to me is because she mainly does jumping shots, with bold fashion styles which clash. She also does them in a studio, on a plain background, which is what I am hoping to do for my final piece. I love this photo because the jump looks so natural and so relaxed. It looks posed but not too over the top. I love how he has chosen such bold colours which clash, such as the pink tights and the red scarf, however they work so well. I like how the background is plain so that the focus is on the model and the model only. I also really like the hair; it’s such a bold statement in itself. It adds that finishing touch to the look. Also the bangles and bracelets on her arm make it look natural and un-posed. I think the reason why I like this photo so much is because it looks casual and something which the model would wear out and about, so she doesn’t look uncomfortable in it.

This is the same for the second picture. The purple and the yellow clash when put together. I like this photo more than the other one, because the jump is a lot more natural and I prefer how you can see both feet instead of just the one. At the same time I like how, he has managed to create a line with her body, which draws the attention of the viewers eye. If you go from the foot in the foreground and up, he has managed to create a diagonal line by tilting the head back. Once again the hair adds a new dimension to the picture, and it wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t an afro.

I have many ideas for my final piece; some being, to make people of different ages in a jumping shot, but all the different aged models to be in a sequence. As the ages of the models progress, I am planning on changing the ear of the styles. For example if I start off with a girl the age of 5, then she will be dressed in 50’s styled clothes. The next on the sequence I would have a 12 year old girl, dressed in 60’s clothing, and so on. I could present this in a circle so you get the full effect.

Another idea, which I personally find my strongest, is to go one of two ways. The first route I could go down is to take a photo shoot of a human being a Photoshop Barbie doll arms, legs – different body parts onto it. I could swap this round and take a photo shoot with a Barbie doll, and Photoshop some human body parts onto it. The gives it a quirky effect, and makes it a bit different, such as the photographer Rankin does. This is the idea with I am going to explore for my final piece. This idea came from a blog which I found online, when trying to develop my idea. This blog was called Sex Sells, which was on fashion served.

Sex Sells is an online blog, which has images of models with Barbie body parts. I have used this as inspiration and this is where my idea for my final piece came from. It is so quirky and different. This blog used different body parts and so I am wanting to recreate this.

I am aiming to achieve a sequence of high quality photos, which have a professional but quirky look. I hope that all my images will have good editing skills, and be unique to my own personal style.

For my final piece I printed out the three images, and stuck them together in a 3D triangle. The reason for this is because it means you can easily see all three. As well I want it to be hung up from the ceiling - which is the reason I have attached string to it. By doing this means you are giving it the room to spin and see all three images, instead of just focusing on one. The reason why I have backed it on white card is to strengthen it, so you can't see any joins.

The choice of the three images, are because they work the strongest and show the development I have been through to get to this point. The one of the Barbie, is because it was my original idea, to have a Barbie main part and a subtle human part. So in this case, there is the Barbie face and hair, however she has human eyes. This gives it a quirky little twist.The reason for the next image ( the one with the Barbie legs) is because I personally feel this is the strongest image out of them all. There is perfect shine on the legs, telling the on looker that they are plastic, and not real. The image of the model is one of the first one I took, however I have modified and developed it, to create it unique for my final piece.  The picture itself worked however, it was a bog standard portraiture image and I wanted something different. The final image out of the three is the one with the Barbie arm. This was a great image to begin with and has been enhanced by the idea.


This is such a strong final piece, because of the way it is set out the way the images look. If I was to redo this, to give it a higher mark and make it look better, I would spend more time on the Photoshoping of the images, as this is the aspect which I feel let them down. I would make it more precise and make everything flow a lot better.

“Which of my photographs  is my favourite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” – Imogen Cunningham.