Fashion photography
1. When is an image a Portrait? When is it a fashion photograph?
Are the two the same?
Portraits are used to capture the subject’s personality,
body language and facial expression to get a detailed look of that person in a
photo. Images in the fashion industry are not primary focused on the person so
the use of make up and clothing in fashion images cover up the person and dose
not give clear representation of that person which is the opposite of what a
portrait is used for.
Fashion photographs are heavily focused on the clothing
that the model is wearing rather than the model, this is because fashion
photographs main purpose is to sell and advertise the outfits in the photos and
show these outfits in as much detail as possible even if that means to alter
and improve it from the original photo.
2. To what degree should an image manipulated to go into a
fashion magazine?
Fashion photographs uses the manipulation of photographs
in a way, which can be seen as appropriate but also takes it a step too far.
During the film documentary the September issue we can
see the extent of photo manipulation as it takes place both before and after the
photo is taken. Firstly the models in the photos wear extensive make up which
has always been a part of the fashion industry so this is appropriate. There is
also no freedom given to the models to choose how to portray themselves in the
photos, the poses and style that are used in fashion photos will be up to the
photographer or the fashion designer. This type of manipulation is also normal
in the industry and can be expected in fashion photographs.
Manipulation after the photo has been taken is also used
in a way, which can be acceptable but also inappropriate as seen in the film
where photos were altered to brighten or darken them to help fit the tone of
other images in that issue. This is acceptable as the editors of Vogue magazine
need to keep their image consistent if there is a theme being used in multiple
photos.
The point were photo manipulation is unacceptable is
when it is used to alter the model in the photo by changing their distinguished
features like skin tone and eye colour. More troubling is the use of photo
manipulation to alter a persons facial and body features such as jaw line, eye
and nose height and changing the persons weight. This type of photo
manipulation should not be used as it changes who someone is and lies to the consumer who is reading the fashion magazine or advert. This type of manipulation can also have a negative effect on people both physically and mentally especially the younger audience because the models who's images manipulated portray them in a perfect way that can pass on the idea of perfecting someone's body to the audience which could lead to saviour actions like anorexia or completely lowering someone's self esteem.
3. Is there a clash between the creative
and commercial side of fashion Photography?
There is a definite clash between the creative and commercial in the film, both sides are necessary in the fashion industry and in the film we see both these sides
There is a definite clash between the creative and
commercial in the film, both sides are necessary in the fashion industry, we see this in the film with both creative and commercial sides from Vogue editor in chief Anna
Wintour and creative director Grace Coddington. During the time Anna and Grace worked together there were many clashes between the two however they still continued to work together even though Anna would strike down many pieces of clothing Grace wanted to have in the latest issue of the magazine. This clash would often occur because Grace's job is to work with designers to produce fashion clothing whereas Anna wants the magazine to sell well so she has to pick only the best and most appropriate for the issue. Anna's decisions on the clothing she wanted to feature in the magazine was not the only clash, there was also the pictures of the models which Anna would have to pick for the issues. The film shows Grace often choosing the more artsy and colourful pictures with big sets and backgrounds as she favours the creative side of fashion, Anna's decisions with the pictures would also clash just like the clothing decisions as she needs the magazine to stay focused and be continuous through out the issues rather than having a mixture of images which may not link to one another.
I think that the commercial side of fashion photography wins over the creative sides as the fashion industry is a business and the decisions made are mostly done to make money by selling the magazine and this will only be possible if the issue is consistent and shows the consumer exactly what they want to see even if that means sacrificing clothing or images which may be very well crafted but wont fit in with the theme of the magazine or may not be appealing to the target audience. the commercial side also needs to fill the needs of high end fashion houses who need to be advertised in the magazine. Even though the commercial side of fashion photography is more dominant I think that there should be a balance between the two sides.
Overall I agree that the commercial side wins because I believe that in any business the primary goal is to be successful, make money and appeal to the target audience, I do think that the commercial should not completely take of the creative side as to be successful in the fashion industry the images need to have originality and flair to make it stand out.
