Blog Post 3
In terms of personal development, this unit has inspired me to continue my research and discussion of contemporary issues in the fashion world. Furthermore, it has improved my technical photography skills and knowledge of photo-based creatives.
Contemporary Portrait Photography introduced me to a variety of techniques and artists within the discipline, expanding my knowledge of these areas will aid me as a creative director. Being aware of how the camera functions in relation to the set and lighting will allow me to create interesting effects, such as distortion or blur. This can be evidenced in Gareth McConnell’s work, for example his project for Gucci A/W 2017 where the spot lit scenes explored motion blur, saturation and over exposure (Figure 1). Another photographer which stood out to me was Hew Locke, in particular his series ‘How do you want me?’. This project is interesting to look at in terms of styling, from the consolidation of the rich fabrics to the composition of the shot. His work made me think of the brand Missoni and how his project could influence their campaign. Thus, teaching me how inspiration can come from outside the fashion world.
Throughout the unit, the issues raised by Julia Crew, Katelyn Toth-Fejel and Anna Fitzpatrick in their respectable lectures; have inspired me to explore the issue of consumerism. The unforeseen lockdown encouraged many people to organise and clean their homes, a trend which inspired me to document our over stocked wardrobes. My aim was to demonstrate the variety of outfits in our closets, using clothes we likely haven’t worn in a while and thus inspiring others to do the same. I did this by physically styling my mother’s closet, as well as, FaceTiming my friends and guiding them through video call. This idea was inspired by our lecture on ‘Home Portraits’, where I was introduced to Heather Glazzard and her recent FaceTime series.
The Better Lives themes have inspired me to create work inspired by contemporary issues, which isn’t something I would typically do. Improving my awareness helped me analyse the kind of content being produced, for example @bellahadid Instagram post which showed her FaceTime self-portraits for Vogue Italia (Figure 6), and thus understand what resonates with the current audience. The importance of creating work to suit the current climate is something I explored in my previous blog posts, so it’s encouraging to see how I’m already using the themes explored through the unit. Furthermore, it encouraged me to practice my styling skills, an area I tend to avoid as I don’t particularly enjoy it. Lastly, I tend to create content myself so working with other people for my images has been an interesting experience. This has made my project more diverse as the models are real people from a variety of age groups (18 – 44), allowing me to incorporate the themes covered in Shahidha Bari’s lecture on Diversity.
List of Illustrations:
- McConnell, G. (2020) Portraiture Now. [Lecture Screenshot] Better Lives: Contemporary Portrait Photography. FU001708. London College of Fashion. 24 February.
- Prosina, A. (2020) Julia. [digital image] 18 April 2020.
- Prosina, A. (2020) Yulia. [digital image] 18 April 2020.
- Prosina, A. (2020) Leila. [digital image] 19 April 2020.
- Prosina, A. (2020) Eli. [digital image] 20 April 2020.
- Hadid, B. (2020) 11 April. New work for Vogue Italia. [Instagram] Available at: Accessed: 23 April 2020.
4th May 2020 @ 9:16 am
Blog 4: Reflections on your peers’ work using the Better Lives themes as a framework for analysis
https://1920betterlivessmc.myblog.arts.ac.uk/2020/05/01/blog-post-3-6/
Anastasia Prosina’s blog caught my eyes with the colourful imageries which drive me to wonder what she had created. She has linked the Better Lives option of Contemporary Portrait Photography well with her BA course. As she aware of taking in new skills to help improve her personal project in the future. She has explain the skill she has learnt well in the blog. Furthermore, Anastasia had continued research on photographers with analysis.
The well research and interpretation are translated through her project outcome. The composition of subject figures in each outcome is very successful. Along with the styling which are eye-catching in colours. Anastasia had used the accessible surrounding during the pandemic situation well. Which the location support the subject of the images wonderfully. Moreover, she put the element of Better Lives theme within the shoot. I am totally agree with her point of consumerism issue. Her aim inspired me to do the same for my own working practice. Over stocked wardrobes has the conflict with sustainability that we all are promoting. Her aim has pass on the intention of consumerism awareness to the reader.
The overall blog shows a strong potential creative director in Anastasia. According to her research , analysis and interpretation skills. However, her interest is very broad. The limited of time and resources may effects the outcome. As some of her research did not show in the images she crated. I would love to see her work in the future since this project gives us short time to produce creative works. It is also very interesting that she had focused on the consumerism issue in this project but did not neglect another theme. Which is diversity.