Part 5. Project 4. Research Point: Fashion Images

In this exercise I am to look at fashion images…and note down which textile qualities the photographer has brought to the fore and how they have achieved this.

Textile qualities taken from course manual; Silhouette, Volume, Drape and Movement

Irving Penn

In this image Penn has highlighted the silhouette of the fabric. He has done this with a symmetrical shot of a model using a very central balanced pose. The focus is all on the shape the model is making.

The focus on this shot is on the volume and drape of the fabric. By removing the models head from the image the focus is drawn entirely to the shapes of the fabric. The small amount of neck and back visible accentuates the traditional hourglass figure which itself is bordered by the puffy shoulder pieces. The voluminous waist created by the fabric further reinforces the hourglass notion of traditional feminine beauty standards.

Mario Testino

In this image Testino emphasizes the drape and volume of the fabric. He does this by placing the model in front of a doorway of similar colour to the fabric she is wearing, this forces the viewer to actively seek out the edges of the fabric to differentiate her from the surroundings.

In this image Testino highlights the volume of the skirt on the dress Britney Spears is wearing. He does this by showing a dynamic image that gives the skirt its full body.

Richard Avedon

In this image Avedon highlights the drape of the fabric. He does this by showing the soft rolls of the coat and its flattering cut even when engaged in quite dynamic pose. The set-up of this image reminds me strongly of this one by Henri Cartier Bresson…

Terry Richardson

In this photograph of Madonna by Terry Richardson the emphasis is on the silhouette of the fabric. One of the factors commonly associated with Madonnas image is that of being in good shape, of staying young and attractive. This form fitting outfit emphasises her slender figure whilst complimenting the large sword she is posing with.

In this image by Terry Richardson the emphasis is on the silhouette of the fabric. The whole image has a block like quality. The high contrast style of shooting has taken such an amount of tonal quality out of the image that the model looks as though she is a cut out doll from a magasine.

Sarah Moon

In this photograph by Sarah Moon the emphasis is on the volume of the fabric. The volume is emphasized with the use of the black under layer and up-draught affecting the uppermost layer. In a style reminiscent of Marilyn Munroe the clown-esque figure covers its face to draw our attention back to the textile.

In this image the emphasis is on the silhouette of the clothing. This is achieved again with no face to look at and a pose which highlights the hourglass figure. The clean lines of the dresses bodice are highlighted against the blue background. The sensation of movement in the bottom of the skirt ensures that that remains outside the interest of the viewer.

David Lachapelle

I found reading about Lachapelle the most interesting of the selection. Any photographer who just snaps and fires Madonna is worth a bit of investigating!

Looking at his earlier photographic work, I like his cinematic style. Looking (very very briefly) at a couple of his more recent paintings, I like the use of bold colour.

In this image the emphasis is on the volume (and colour) of the material. The sense of movement imparted to it is echoed by the dynamic stance of the model, the colour of the models hair and the fireball above the chimneys. The volume is shown off through the swathe of material levitating behind the model.

The emphasis in this image is on the drape of the material. The drape on the lady on the left is elegant and classy with its complimentary cut. The drape on the child on the right is a lot more sassy and funky. This is conveyed through the attitude of the model and the clean lines.

The Irving Penn Foundation. (2019). Fashion — The Irving Penn Foundation. [online] Available at: https://irvingpenn.org/fashion [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

Photogrist Photography Magazine. (2019). Mica Arganaraz and Rianne Van Rompaey by Mario Testino. [online] Available at: https://photogrist.com/mica-arganaraz-rianne-van-rompaey/ [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

MuuMuse. (2019). Daily B: Britney Shoots with Fashion Photographer Mario Testino | MuuMuse. [online] Available at: https://muumuse.com/2010/12/daily-b-britney-shoots-with-fashion-photographer-mario-testino.html/ [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

O’Hagan, S. (2019). Cartier-Bresson’s classic is back – but his Decisive Moment has passed. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/dec/23/henri-cartier-bresson-the-decisive-moment-reissued-photography [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

Nicefashionphotography.blogspot.com. (2019). Madonna – by Terry Richardson – Nice Fashion Photography. [online] Available at: http://nicefashionphotography.blogspot.com/2014/05/madonna-by-terry-richardson-nice.html [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

Iconolo.gy. (2019). One Size Fits All, V Magazine, Terry Richardson | Iconology. [online] Available at: http://iconolo.gy/archive/one-size-fits-all-v-magazine-terry-richardson/787 [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

AnOther. (2019). Sarah Moon on the Passing of Time in Fashion Photography. [online] Available at: https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/11299/sarah-moon-on-the-passing-of-time-in-fashion-photography [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

The Eye of Photography Magazine. (2019). Sarah Moon – The Eye of Photography Magazine. [online] Available at: https://loeildelaphotographie.com/en/sarah-moon-about-color/ [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

Trebay, G. (2019). David LaChapelle, From Photographer to Artist. [online] Nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/fashion/david-lachapelle-from-photographer-to-artist.html [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].

Artsy.net. (2019). David LaChapelle | Hot Flash, New York (1998) | Artsy. [online] Available at: https://www.artsy.net/artwork/david-lachapelle-hot-flash-new-york [Accessed 28 Dec. 2019].