Fashion Photography 6

Unlike the very static modern images below, I have chosen this highly energetic classic image by Anthony Armstrong Jones, featured in British Vogue 1957. It is a fascinating image.

What I like- I love the way it tells a story, it is not a mannequin-esque photo like so many before and which much photography today has seemingly reverted to, it is a snapshot of life. First you are captivated by the models smile, then the doomed cocktail glass, and then you attempt to fill in the gaps. Is she drunk? Is that the waiter? Why is he receiving such a familiar greeting from a well dressed client? We all enjoy creating stories for the people we see around us, and this photo allows us to be more creative in our imaginings than normal. It also links with the images a few weeks ago which were all about selling a lifestyle, here you long to be as carefree and to be enjoying life as much as she is.

What I would change- I might include more of the waiter in the image, but that is only because I want to undersatnd more of what the image is about. However you have to ask would the photo be as effective without its mystery? 

For the modern images I'm going to look at Stella McCartney's A/W 10/11 advertising campaign. It's an interesting example of how photos can be combined with other media to create different and intriguing ads.

Stella McCartney

I find it interesting how the position of the model in the frame is the same each time, as is the straight-on pose all with faces facing front, looking right at the camera. The leg positions in the first and third images are even the same. This gives the images a theme and helps the garments be shown to sit together as a collection.

What I like- I like how great a contrast there is between the clean cut lines of the collection  and the cartoon graphics. I also really like how some of the cartoons interact with the image such as the Y of the second image. I find the placing of the model to the right of the frame very effective too, as your eyes notice her first, then you scroll to the left to read the text, before ending up back at the model and the clothes.

What I would change- I might experiment with even more interaction between the cartoons and the model. Maybe this would involve the model looking at the characters- I am aware however this would create a very different feel.