Sacré-Coeur Paris Shoot

A few weeks ago (end of November...) I travelled to Paris and during my trip, really wanted to do a shoot outside in the cobbled streets or near a Parisian landmark. I had a number of ideas in my head however some were weather dependant...Firstly I love Paris AFTER it rains (not during!) as it creates this other worldly effect on the streets if you look beyond the fact that its wet and miserable! If it rained I was planning on playing with reflections and different textures as the glossy, water touched streets look fabulous as shown in many images in Paris during the 1920s. Unfortunatly it didn't rain so I slightly altered my ideas- heading more towards a pure fashion editorial style than abstractly composed as rain would have otherwise determined.

I was particularly inspired by Helmut Newton 'Le Smoking' and also an exhibition of work by surrealist photographer Andre Kertesz the previous day. The exhibition wasn't fashion related but elements of artistic composition and raw beauty were so clear that I couldn't help but to be inspired.

It wasn't organised in the same way as my regular shoots as I had no access to lighting, no makeup artist due to a cancellation and the model brought her own clothes in a similar style to how I explained. If you look at it like this it kind of makes it more of a portrait shoot but I had a great time shooting this series as they still retain an editorial effect.

I will admit though, the ISO (for all you camera boffs) was accidently set to auto (agggghhh) so even though I was choosing it manually, it selected an automatic setting which tended to be extremely high, causing a large amount of grain on the images. They have been salvaged and transformed from the originals but I had a hard time doing so- I didnt carry out all the usual checks I tend to do with more major shoots so I have certainly learnt my lesson!!

I recently saw an editorial online which was in an Elle magazine using the exact same location as this (with the lamppost and set of stairs). It is a perfect location as it captures the essence of Paris and the Sacré-Coeur yet is still quiet and away from the hustle and bustle right directly outside the building. Enjoy!

J'adore Dior

Having just been researching hair and makeup for pin up style shoots soon to come, I found myself stumbling across some amazing Dior makeup looks. Dior is one of my absolute favourite designers (John Galliano is genius) and each time they do a Couture show there is guaranteed to be an equally stunning theme of hair and makeup design.

Seeing such images sparked my initial love for makeup which started when I was at school- I was fascinated by it and had quite a few Dior palletes and lipglosses by the age of 14! Something drew me into the idea that you could create anything from a blank canvas so I literally spent hours applying and reapplying different looks.

There were quite a few specialist groups on myspace which had weekly makeup competitions and I entered ALL the time and even started my own group which was so much fun. I never did get quite as good as the images you are about to see but here are a selection of my all time favourite makeup looks by Dior which continue to inspire me. Its often the little details that count...Voila, C'est Belle!

Renaissance 'Angelic Portrait'

This is the second Renaissance themed Portrait shoot which I've shot since the beginning of my final year  photography assignment. I'm really pleased with the images and love the concept of the Python against the angelic otherworldly beauty (images shown below)...I wouldn't classify myself as the best photoshopper in the world so I get very frustrated sometimes when I want them to look as good as possible! These images in particular require top editing to maintain their painterly aesthetic and fashion edge, especially as they express an element of beauty photography.

Two images are shown below which I have spent a few hours editing and would love to hear some opinions and thoughts as to what you like about them/how they could improve. I'm perfectly happy with my photography in this shoot it's just the post production which sometimes needs revaluating.

I had such a brilliant team for this shoot including Karen Field and Natalie James (Hair and Makeup) and Lorna Redburn modelling who I hope you'll agree suits this look to perfection! One of the models didn't turn up for this shoot so we did both looks on Lorna (although only the 'angelic' look is shown below, the other to come soon!). I'm actually extremely pleased we made this decision as it shows an alter ego like dualism when displayed together which they will be at my exhibition next year. So...more images to come soon once I have further mastered the wonders of photoshop.

Im also having a few issues when uploading images here as they seem to increase contrast and darken so much from how they appear on my computer!

'Fashion in Motion' Stéphane Rolland @ V&A

Yesterday was the 'Fashion in Motion' catwalk show at the V&A showcasing a collection of Stéphane Rolland's beautiful couture designs. It was definitely my favourite out of the three I have seen at the V&A (the others being Erdem and Kenzo) probably because I looooove couture!

Every dress was carefully constructed with amazing materials and architectural shapes which was perfectly complimented by the MAC makeup artist team working their magic! If I'm totally honest I hadn't heard so much about Stéphane Rolland before but I was blown away by each one of looks down the catwalk. I particularly loved the jewel embellished tights and the sharp shoulder detail which stood out as key trademarks of his work which are sure to be copied soon!

Anyway, a 10/10 show and I wish I could put even more images up here as it was amazing!! I will put them all up on my facebook page (which there is be a link to on the right hand side of my blog)
Oh and the man himself showed his face when the show had finished- he looked like he had stepped out of a L'Oreal advert, his hair was SO glossy!

Proud Cabaret: Numero 2!

So... last Friday I went on my second visit to 'Proud Cabaret' where I got a little more arty and imaginative so that the images may reflect and convey a place of fantasy and escapism! Ooh lala. Using the combination of still life (of the venue) and performances it almost builds a narrative when the images are shown in a series.

Let me know what you think; if you have any ideas for my next visit please let me know- I love feedback :) On my next visit I plan to create a more abstract vision of the performances compared to the 'straight shots' that I have currently documented. This is so that when I create the book of final images they can be presented together (possibly on a double spread) to offer two alternate elements which convey different meaning!

P.S I love candles that smell of Christmas :)

 

 

  

Young Fashion Photographer of the Year- Finalist!

So ive been shortlisted as a finalist for 'Young Fashion Photographer of the Year' and I thought I should show everyone my entry as not many people actually know what it is! Hope you enjoy... Im not expecting to win (although it would be nice!) but its should be a great experience tomorrow at the live finals :)

Black and White Burlesque

I just couldnt help myself, Ive already posted colour images from this shoot but I just loooove black and white photography and couldnt resist. Im off to Proud Cabaret again on Friday so there will be some artistic pics of the venue too coming soon.

Ok I should go to bed now...

Life is a Cabaret!

On Saturday I went to watch (and photograph of course) the Cabaret show at 'Proud Cabaret' as part of my project looking at the idealism and fantasy conveyed in a classical inspired burlesque show. The show was faabulous and there were so many talented ladies and gents who performed amazing acts! I love how Burlesque is a celebration of the female form yet can also be humorous and down to earth; bringing together an audience from all walks of life. 

Being shown to a massive front row table which was allocated to just myself (which made me feel a tad bit lonely at first as it would have fit about 10 people!) I got my kit out and took photos of the show. I hope to go back soon to photograph the venue too as it is decorated so decadently and beautifully that you are drawn into the fantasy world before the curtains are even drawn, hense the drawn curtains below! It was so different to photographing fashion as I wanted to capture the reality of a Cabaret show without  intense photoshop or alteration. I still feel like I can add so much more to my project so will put the next pics up as soon as Ive gone back for more :)

Here is Proud Cabaret's website- Its well worth a visit: http://www.proudcabaret.com/

 

 

Albert Watson @ the V&A

Although it was quite well hidden on the V&A website and kept relativly low key, there was a talk/discussion with Albert Watson this Tuesday I had to go to! It was really inspirational and he is so real and down to earth which obviously is reflected in his images. There was also his latest book 'UFO' (unidentified fashion object!!) on sale which he signed for me. I probably should have been prepared and bought it on Amazon (like I do with most things) but couldnt say no for £55, especially signed. The book is truly gorgously glossy- perfect for a coffee table book or to simply be inspired by which I will certainly do every now and then as his images attain such a pure sense of depth and rawness it is impossible not to be inspired by them all.

I love how he creates fashion images in such a subtle way with far more meaning than a simple shallow perspective which you may expect from a more contemporary fashion photographer. At the talk he said that he was inspired by absolutly everything and doesnt work with just fashion but also more with 'pure' forms such as landscapes and still life which assist his vision with portrait and fashion work. As spoken from his own mouth; his word are 'not fashion pictures but photographs of fashion'.

There is an exhibition of his work at the Hamiltons gallery at the moment which I will most certainly be going to as soon as I have a breather from my own projects!! Below there are some of my personal favourite photographs of his and the front cover of his new book which you must have a look at. There are so many images of his which are stunning so I was pretty limited in this sense as I cant go posting hundreds here Im sure you can see from just these three that he is something else..!

Renaissance 'Vanitas' Painting

The other day I did a shoot for my Renaissance project. Im making a book at the end and it will be a combination of still life, fashion style portraits and big dramatic scenes inspired by Renaissance art. Ive done quite a few shoots now (well one of each) and am looking forward to evolving it further throughout the project. Anyway, for now here is one of the pictures which I am really pleased with.

The image symbolises constructed and masked beauty (in context with the other images when presented in the book) yet also the appearence of reflected idealised beauty- the skull often conveyed as something so dark yet also stylised here. Snakes and skulls were often used in Renaissance art as a sign of human mortality and temptation - am juxtaposing these concepts into a fashion vision.

Kenzo V&A Fashion Show

So...I was extremely excited to hear that the V&A were doing another 'Fashion in Motion' and I had to go to see the collection and practise my catwalk photography skills! I love events such as these as you never know when something like this may inspire you in the future (as many have previously)- I enjoy going to fashion, art and photography events to really absorb as much as possible.

I also managed to nab a seat on the front row after mentioning I was a student photographer and all that which was really worth it. I was on the opposite end of the runway to the photographers but I kind of liked that as it offers another perspective. I dont like using flash on the catwalk as there is already amazing available light and loved the linear spotlights which you can see in the selection of my images!

The style was inspired by the combination of Japenese and Sardinian influence and many of the dresses had circular undergarments to really create a sense of dramatic western aristocracy with the contrast of orientalism. I particularly loved the gloves which matched the pattern of the outfits . The bursts of colour worked exceptionally well within the show and kept to the classical Kenzo style. There was bold and bright eyeshadow, gloves and bras for the finalised look contrasted with the dreamlike floral fabric. I wasnt entirely sure of the yellow PVC gloves but hey that may just be me... A great show and it was a nice surprise to see the creative director Anotonio Marras show his face (if somewhat briefly!) at the very end.