Theme – Mannequin
A mannequin
is typically defined as being a doll like figure which is used to hold clothing
in place during Photo-shoots or in store displays. Mannequins were first
introduced in the 15th century to demonstrate clothing to customers.
Mannequin also refers to a type of doll like style, makeover and posture. The term mannequin can also refer to models
that are controlled by photographers.
Norman
Parkinson was born on 21st of April 1913 in London; he was one of Britain’s
leading exponents of fashion and portrait photography. He began his career in
1931 as an apprentice to court photographers (Speaight and Sons Limited) and in
1943 he opened his own studio together with Norman Kibblewhite in London’s
Piccadilly. Parkinson was inspired and motivated by high fashion and famous
models. His photographs of the royal family as well as leading figures in the
world of film, theatre and politics ensured that he was a leading figure during
the 1940s until the 1990s. Parkinson worked with many leading magazines such as
Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue he once said “a photographer without a magazine
behind him is like a farmer without fields”. He adjusted himself to every
decade for example during the swinging sixties he focused on exotic locations
and colors. Most of Parkinson’s subjects contain striking poses that are
alluring to men.
Uma
Thurman’s mother Nena Von Schlebrugge 1966
Fashion
Smoking adds a social characteristic
Eye contact
Natural light
David Bailey – 2nd January 1958 fashion and
portrait photographer, Bailey was born in Layton East London. He developed a
love for history this inspired him to become a photographer, he left school at
fifteen and went through a few jobs before he was called for national service
during world war 2 and was later demobbed. After leaving the army he became a
second assistant to David Ollins, in 1959 Bailey became a photographic
assistant at the John French studio, and in May 1960 he was a photographer for
John Coles studio five before being hired by British Vogue. Bailey was introduced into professional
photography at the perfect time, during the 1960s fashion was at its height
this decade was nicknamed the swinging sixties, he was socializing with actors
and famous icons such as John Lennon, Mick Jagger and The Kray twins.
This
is one of baileys photographes, the portrait was taken in front of a white
background this is a common studio trait that allows the artist to create a
strong contrast. John Lennon and Paul Mcartney are looking directly at the
viewer this pulls you into the image they look emotionless and bored. The plain
clothes and background force you to focus on the face. The style is plain and
simple it is difficult to recognize what kind of clothing the pair are wearing,
if you look closely you see he is wearing a black tie and blazer this gives the
viewer more to think about and it occupies them for longer. 
Image of Jean Shrimpton taken in New York 1962 Baileys first trip to America, the most intriguing aspect of the image is clearly her reflection within the puddle this is a perfect example of rule of thirds. Furthermore the image shows the social scene of people going about their day to day lives. Furthermore the reflection makes the bottom half of this image completely different it is as if Bailey attached two images together. The black and white tones create a metallic effect.
Irving Penn – born June 16 1917 - 2009, Plain
Field New Jersey, is an American photographer known for specializing in
fashion, portrait and still life photography. Penn’s career includes work at
vogue magazine, and independent advertising for Issey miyake, and Clinique. He
attended the Philadelphia museum school of industrial art from 1934 to 1938
where he studied drawing, painting and industrial arts under Alexey Brodovitch.
While still a student Penn worked for Harper’s Bazaar. He also worked at vogue
magazine as Alexander Lieberman’s assistant where he took up photography after
a year of photographing the US and Mexico in 1942.
Still life
A wide range of subjects such as cigarettes, food, flowers and skulls, some
of his still life images are black and white which give of a gothic theme.
Apart from the skull most of Penns still life images are created using everyday
household items.
This shows that he has two sides one that is dark and mysterious and the
other bright and positive.
Portraits
Irving Penn
photographed many famous subjects from literature, film and politics. All of
his portraits are controlled under studio conditions for example the subject’s
posture, lighting, clothing, hairstyle and facial expressions.
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| President J.F Kennedy |
 |
| Al Pacino |
 |
Nicholas Ghesquieres
Geisha
The term
geisha refers to a woman who is trained in entertainment for example they are
trained in music, dancing, and art so we could call them artists. A geisha will
perfect the way in which she styles herself, a thick white foundation is
applied to the face neck and chest, a line is left beneath the hairline to
reflect a masked look, black is traced around the eye and eye brows, bright red
lipstick. This overall style relates to my theme which is mannequin because
geishas style themselves into a doll-like figure to show flawlessness,
mannequins are also made to carry out a specific role to look perfect for
viewers.
This is image is very striking and eye catching this is due to the
contrasting colours, the red dress on a green background adds more emphasis to
the subject.
The surroundings look typical because geisha's are described as uplifting
and calming you can picture them in a park or a lush green setting. This geisha
is wearing traditional white foundation which again adds a strong contrast. The
first compositional technique that is clearly visible is the depth of field, it
is low this helps the geisha blend in with the surroundings because the colours
are conflicting with each other. The frame is vertical this allows the
photographer to capture more of the subject for example if the image was shot
in a square format I would not be able to see her dress and the contrast would
not exist. The shot looks like it was taken close up because of the scale of the
subject.
 |
| Norman Parkinson |
This image is
related to fashion, it was shot in black and white one advantage of this is the
metallic effect, there is also a strong contrast between the subject and
background this makes the subject more eye catching. It is a simple image it
has a soft feel however the pose makes the image more interesting and alluring,
the subject is looking directly at the camera this can draw people in. The
square format has allowed the photographer to crop any unnecessary objects, Eye
level makes the image natural to the eye. Look closely at the subjects pose she
has created leading lines starting from her shoulder up to her hair. The
background and subjects skin creates a soft and relaxing texture, there is no
empty space above the subjects’ head and she is placed in the centre of the
frame this makes the image more detailed and organized it places more emphasis
on the model.
Norman Parkinson
·
Natural
lighting
·
Square
format
·
High
depth of field, wide lens and high aperture
·
Eye
level
·
Leading
lines
·
Harmonious
colors
·
Warm
colors
·
Arid
landscape
·
High
depth of field
This is a
very beautiful image, firstly the colors are harmonizing see the orange dress
and surrounding desert it creates a soft and calming image. The sand creates a
smooth texture throughout the image compared to the rocky background. The
subject is dressed from head to toe in orange colors this allows her to blend
in with the surroundings. The image has been cropped into a square format I
think it works well because it places the subject within the Centre at eye
level this allows the photographer to add more emphasis onto the subject.
Furthermore it allows the photographer to crop out any unnecessary areas or objects. I can also see leading lines the sand dune has a beautiful curve that
cuts through the center it seems to have created a divide between the soft
textures on the bottom half and the rough texture on the top area. The
photographer may have used a wide lens and high aperture to create a high depth
of field, this effect gives the viewer more details to observe.
This image
was shot by David Bailey the first common trait is the black and white, the
white background places more emphasis on the subjects, the contrast is very
strong, the subject that is placed at the front pulls me in because he is
wearing a very dark black blazer it looks like a black
void within the middle of the image because of this the subject at the back is less visible. They
look emotionless and intimidating. The vertical angle allows Bailey to capture
the height and size of his subjects, eye level allows the viewer to see
everything in the frame with ease. The dark colour tones make this image look gothic
in appearance.
This photograph caught my attention because it uses reflective effects;
the subject is a real mannequin, the photographer has captured the subject
outside a shop display this has allowed him to gain a reflection. It shows the
viewer the social scene from a shop window it also demonstrates the way in
which mannequins are styled to appeal to customers. The lines within the image
are flowing look at the shape of the mannequin it creates a flowing wave effect
starting from its head to its arms. The harmonizing colors create a relaxing
and soothing vibe, the strong reflection produced shows that the image may have
been taken at midday when the sun is at its zenith. The overall colors make the
image look metallic.
David Bailey
This
is a portrait of Jonny Depp; it caught my eye because of the emotional pose the
subject looks distressed or frustrated, the main feature is eye contact this is
the best method to create a striking image, the colours are contrasting which
adds an eye catching effect the dark clothing, hair and white background is a
common studio technique used to create this effect. The angular shapes created
by the subjects pose make the image look sharp and rigid, shadows can also be
seen on the sides of his face, his hands act as a shield covering him from the
light, furthermore the black and white effect makes the image easy to view it
adds a smooth texture which makes the viewer feel calm and relaxed
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