Research photographers - Major project

For my photoshoot for the major project I will research two fashion photographers David Bailey and Juergen Teller. 

David Bailey:

David Bailey (1938) born in London is a British photographer and director known for his advertising, celebrity, and fashion photographs. His career started in 1960 for the British Vogue as a photographer. He also did other magazines and newspapers. You can recognize his photographs by his stark backgrounds and dramatic lightning effects. The color composition in his photos enhances sexuality but it makes it also more bolder and more vibrant. This leaded to a new era of fashion photography but it also shows the many talents of David Bailey. 

David Bailey transformed the British fashion and celebrity photography from chic to straight and full of life. His photos reflect the British cultural trend of the sixties based on punk looks by clothing or products. Therefore he was seen as an icon of British contemporary art of the 60s and 70s. 

David Bailey is also famous for engaged with the models before the photoshoot. He watch the body language and the way the models behave. This way he understand their personality more. This is why his portrait shoots take about two hours, with only half an hour of that involves the camera.

''I photographed woman the way I saw them on the streets. People could identify Jean because I did not make her look like a stuffed shop mannequin. Suddenly she was someone you could touch, or maybe even take to bed''.

David Bailey (Artsandculture 2020)

This photograph is from Jean Shrimpton who had a relationshop for four years with David Bailey. Jean Shrimpton was know as 'the face'.

By using a neutral background, the focus lays on the model. The black shirt she is wearing is not distracting and the focus is on her face. Her facial expression is powerful and at the same time it radiates calmness. Because of what she is wearing on her head and her attitude it reminds me of a fashion photoshoot. 

Juergen Teller:

Juergen Teller (1964) born in Germany is a fine art and fashion photographer. He was awarded the Citibank Prize for Photography in 2003. He received the special presentation International center of photography award in 2018. You can recognize his photographs by his starkness. He is known for regularly photographing his subject in isolated surroundings with a washed-out, overexposed light, and often with unguarded expressions. He combine their celebrity lifestyle with the everyday. He collaborated with many fashion designers such as Marc Jabobs, Vivienne Westwoo and Yves Saint Laurent. 

One of his way to relax himself and the model is to take many photos as possible but also to capture the spontaneity of the movement This is why he brings two cameras to the set, so when he takes a picture with one camera, the flash on the other is charging. He frequently does self-photography and he likes working in color. He uses unprocessed flash that blasts his subjects and keeps colors soft and muted.

Juergen Teller became famous in 1996 of the photograph from Kristen Mcmenamy, Nude, with 'Versace' marked across the chest in a heart shape that was featured in Suddeutsche Zeitung Magazine. You can also recognize his photographs by his familiar environments such as bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. The models appear unguarded and unposed. He refuses to saturate or retouch his images in order to render a sincerity that is rarely found in fashion photographs. His photographs contains authentic moments. He reveals the beauty and excitement in what we would normally consider as monotonous situations. 

The photo radiates warmth because it is not completely black and white therefore her outfit stands out more because it is white. Her hair is messy and covers a part of her face but it is not disturbing. 

Model poses:

Because my photo shoot is based on the winter trends of 2020, I choose the category High fashion. I have researched in model poses. Before I came to England I organized a number of shoots and I modeled once. Because of this I already knew a bit what is important for posing a camera, but through this research I know a lot more details.

It is important that you get to know the photographer. Fortunately, a classmate from B2 will be taking pictures of me which will make me feel more comfortable because I already know her. Normally the model need to follow the direction of the photographer but this time I will give directions so that the photographer has a good picture or how I want it. I also sent some samples to my classmate so that she has a clear idea of ​​what kind of photo shoot it will be.

In the beginning I will start with standing and walking photos. These are great starting points. I do this as a warm-up and to see if I like the background. In the meantime I will keep moving slowly so that the pictures don't always look the same. after this I will continue with walking but I will move my head over my shoulder, and I will angle my arms and legs. I will pay attention to try not to look flat in the photo's. Therefore I will tighten my stomach, use my hands to make it more natural, and have different body movements. I also want to take the photos from different angles such as from bottom side and front so that I have more variations of the same location. I will look in and next to the camera to see what works best I try to make sure that my eyes point in the direction my nose is pointing. This makes the photo more beautiful.

There are of course more things to look out for such as sitting or laying down, but for this was not relevant for this photo shoot

I want my photos to look natural and casual like these photos below.

Through this research I learned what lighting can do with your photos and what kind of message you want to tell the outside world. For my photoshoot I will not use a busy background so the focus remains on the clothes I will wear. Although I do want to use a street as background, because I find this more casual. On the first picture of David Bailey he made the photograph on the street but the focus remain on the model and I want to imitate that too but in color.

 I also learned how what is important when posing for the camera. Because of this I found out how I want to pose for my photoshoot and what to look out for. I I also found out which poses belongs to which category because sitting, for example, does not fit with a photo shoot based on trends because you cannot see the clothes properly. Now I can practice my poses at home so that I am well prepared for the day of the photo shoot.

Reference: 

Artsandculture (2020) David Bailey and the story of fashion photography [Online] Available from:

https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/david-bailey-and-the-story-of-fashion-photography/3gLiztVGSo0WLw

(Accessed on 13th November 2020)

Research David Bailey

Research David Bailey 2

Research Juergen Teller

Photograph David Bailey

Photograph Juergen Teller

Picture model pose

Picture model pose 2

Research model poses