Negotiating Project
Photographers
3rd Janurary 2012
Today was our first day back at college, we were advised to start researching ideas for our 'Negotiated Project'. A project where we have to work with photographers to style and display our Little Black Dress that we designed and created.
Photographers
Richard Avedon
I decided to browse photographs using the internet and came across the New York photographer called Richard Avedon.
I decided to browse photographs using the internet and came across the New York photographer called Richard Avedon.
His work straight away attracted my eye due to the obvious movement his photographs captured.
Considering my LBD contains great movement inspired by the motion of butterfly wings I was very excited to research the photographer further to inspire me during this project.
Paul Himmel
I came across photographer Paul Himmel, a fashion and documentary photographer in the US.
I found an image which displayed a scene almost telling a story to the viewer as it indicates a woman running at high speed. I want to create a story of the metamorphism of the Butterfly as it attracts the viewer to read into the image not just view it.
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| Image from Google.com |
I decided to browse the internet to see whether I could find an image similar to Paul Himmels work but wasn't as abstract - I came across a blog which displayed a couture collection with a similar blur effect:
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| I am definitely going to try and add this technique to my final photographs. |
Tim Walker
My photographer suggested to research Tim Walker, an amazing photographer which I found super inspirational while researching ideas for this project. I have added some of my favourite photographs below:
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| I love this chaotic scene, especially the extremely large butterflies (relating to my theme) an idea which I will experiment with.... Below I have edited photographs which I have taken on my visit to Butterfly World. I am going to enlarge and cut these images out - the plan is too hopefully make them look lifelike using photoshop in   |
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I really liked this image simply as it shows the model confined within a box.
As I have looked at Butterflies as my theme - I could possibly include some kind of restriction in my final photoshoot symbolising the cocoon like the photograph above.
The next couple of photographs - also by Tim Walker are totally out of this world.
I love once again the extremely LARGE insects in this case a spider which looks as though the model is its prey.
The image below is also another one of my favourites simply due to the movement of the model stuck in the spiders web - it creates a story and extreme creativity. Something I hope to achieve during this project.
Make up
My Little Black Dress is very dramatic and unique - my first idea is that the make up should be as daring as the dress.
I love how the theme of my project could be literally included in my final photoshoot. The make up is very feminine which would contrast well with my final LBD which also shows a masculine side. The only negative point about the image shown below is that it might distract attention away from my Little Black Dress- something which I don't want to happen.
Another idea I had was to use very gothic/fetish make up just like the photographs below:
This is because even though my dress is inspired by a very feminine theme e.g. butterflies it also contains a very masculine/gothic edge to it. The reason of this is because my dress was also influenced by the fetish theme at the time in which I have included studs onto my dress.
I like how the make up is very dark and dramatic yet still shows a feminine side just like my dress.
Make Up Mood Boards
Hairstyle Ideas
I could visualise the model wearing my LBD with dark hair (black if possible) hopefully in an up-do.
As I want my final photographs to display the story of metamorphism - I am thinking about a sleek huge bun which is very controlled and confined referring to the cocoon of the four stages of the butterfly metamorphism.
Once the LBD has 'broken free' of its cocoon - the hair could be more natural and messed up displaying how free the butterfly is.
Hair Idea Mood Boards
Shoe Ideas
Due to the fact that my LBD relates to the fetish trend 2012, I am thinking about keeping shoes quite masculine for instance quite clumpy with possible studs.
Shoe Mood Boards
Accessories
Accessories Mood Boards
Location
Some accessories I am thinking of using include bangles, earrings, necklaces etc.
Once again, I want to keep the accessories relating to the fetish theme - therefore studded & black leather.
Accessories Mood Boards
Props
As I want to emphasise the metamorphism of a butterfly - I am going to experiment using rope/chain to represent the trapped caterpillar within the cocoon.
I also came across an image by Tim Walker which displays large silhouette insects on. Something I am keen to interpret.
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| Photographed by Tim Walker |
Prop Mood boards
I have a few different ideas of possible locations in which my LBD would be photographed:
Butterfly World
Advantages
Butterfly World is the location in which I collected my primary research to be able to design my LBD. The location would capture my LBD in a room full of exotic butterflies in their natural habitat.
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| Photograph By Stephanie Raeburn - taken at Butterfly World |
Another reason why photographing my LBD at Butterfly World is appealing to me is because there is the possibility of actual tropical butterflies landing on my LBD - emphasising the butterfly theme even more. While visiting Butterfly World - a butterfly landed on me for quite a while and allowed me to move it from hand to hand (pretty amazing).
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| Myself & my new friend :) |
Disadvantages
A few disadvantages of photo-shooting my LBD at Butterfly World is the actual surroundings that encases the tropical butterflies - the roof an walls are visible and aren't very attractive. I want the area to be as natural as possible with no man made objects.
A few disadvantages of photo-shooting my LBD at Butterfly World is the actual surroundings that encases the tropical butterflies - the roof an walls are visible and aren't very attractive. I want the area to be as natural as possible with no man made objects.
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| Photographed By Stephanie Raeburn - this image shows the disadvantages of this location! |
Rising Sun Country Park
Advantages
Advantages
The Rising Sun is located very near to where I live therefore I am very familiar with the area and the potential of this location. I want my dress shot in a location which displays a natural envrionment due to the fact that my theme relates to nature.
Poses
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| Photograph By Stephanie Raeburn displaying the natural beauty of the Rising Sun |
Poses
I started to look through magazines to gather tear sheets of different poses in which would benefit my LBD as well as show the model a variety of poses.
I want the poses to be very insect looking which I have displayed below:
Meeting My Photographer
I want the poses to be very insect looking which I have displayed below:
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| Quite an insect looking pose relating to the insect theme - Vogue Magazine |
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| Scanned in from Vogue Magazine |
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| Scanned in from Vogue Magazine |
Tuesday 7th February 2012
Today I got paired with a photographer who was going to shoot my final LBD. We discussed different ideas of where the dress should be photographed, models, make-up, hair and poses. I am really pleased with the overall progress as we seem to want to capture the same quirky essence of the dress and portray it through a photograph.
My photographer, Georgia, was also extremely helpful in choosing a model to give the right look. She had already previously worked with the model that she thought would look great being photographed in the LBD.
The fact that they have already both worked together is an added bonus as they will feel comfortable and more relaxed.
Below are a few websites showing the photographers skills:
www.flickr.com/photos/georgiaclaire
I am really happy with the studio shoot as the photographs focus more on the dress than the essence therefore by doing a location shoot as well Ill have the best of both!
I decided to try and edit a couple of my favourite photographs listed below:
LookBook Ideas
A LookBook is a collection of photographs complied to show off a model, photographer, a style, or a clothing line.
I started to collect research before we met with the graphic students so they would get a better understanding of what us fashion students wanted. I have added some of my ideas below:
Layout
I firstly started to look at how the LookBook could be arranged for instance shown in the photograph below. I really loved how detail of the garment is emphasised by the unclose shot of the t-shirt. The essence within the photograph displays a sense of aggressiveness achieved by the model...after all the t-shirt logo does display 'Rebel'.
Front/ Back/ Inside Covers
Thinking about the inside cover of the LookBook I came across this image on the internet.
Straight away I loved the contrast between the black garments against the white background.
I have an idea that the same model could model each persons LBD, posing different in each dress, in which these photographs could be overlapped and combined together.
A member in the class came across this photograph on google - an idea that most of us loved as it creates an interest in what is inside the "Little Black Book".
They showed our class their ideas of how the LookBook could eventually look.
There was a few really good ideas for instance repetitive polaroid images on one side of the double page spread along with each persons promotional piece. An idea of also adding our personal signature was also really creative.
Location Shoot
After weeks of negotiating times and places a set day was arranged to complete my second LBD photoshoot - this time on location !!
Everything was the same from the model to the photographer - there was only one difference which was the fact that I had asked a professional MU artist to come and help.
I have added some of the most successful images below:
After seeing the original images from the location shoot - I expected them to be stronger in terms of engaging the viewer. I think the location images create an essence to the whole photograph however for this project I needed photographs which also showed off the dress as well as the essence.
However I decided to edit the location shots as well as the studio shots to show an overall contrast in which shoot was the most effective.
I have added my edited images below:
My favourite edited images are the last two. I have made them black and white and increased the overall contrast. I have then added a tint to the image as it adds depth and drama to the photograph.
It was then time to edit some more of the studio shots to then compare the location and studio together.
As soon as I had edited the studio shots straight away it was obvious which shoot stood out the most. The studio had much more drama and looked more powerful compared to the location shoot.
The dress in the studio also appeared a lot better and stood out against the plain background unlike when in location the dress was lost in the presence of its surroundings.
The four edited images above are my final four photographs which I am really pleased with as they relate the high-end of the market and look really dramatic.
Monday 20th February 2012
Both me and the photographer have arranged our first photoshoot for Wednesday 23rd February 2012.
We have decided to do this photoshoot in the studio so we could capture the detailed LBD in a minimalistic area.
We have also arranged to do a location shoot of my LBD at a location in South Shields which is going to be occurring on Tuesday 28th February 2012.
Studio Shoot!
Our first shoot of my LBD went really well - there were no problems and I can't wait to see the photographs!
I have added a few backstage preview shots of the night!
Studio Shoot!
Our first shoot of my LBD went really well - there were no problems and I can't wait to see the photographs!
I have added a few backstage preview shots of the night!
Professional Photographs
Photographer: Georgia Claire
Model: Beth Longmore
Hair Stylist: Katie
Garment & Styling: Stephanie Raeburn
I decided to try and edit a couple of my favourite photographs listed below:
LookBook Ideas
A LookBook is a collection of photographs complied to show off a model, photographer, a style, or a clothing line.
I started to collect research before we met with the graphic students so they would get a better understanding of what us fashion students wanted. I have added some of my ideas below:
Layout
I firstly started to look at how the LookBook could be arranged for instance shown in the photograph below. I really loved how detail of the garment is emphasised by the unclose shot of the t-shirt. The essence within the photograph displays a sense of aggressiveness achieved by the model...after all the t-shirt logo does display 'Rebel'.
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| www.lookbook.nu |
The photograph below displays the same garments just in different views. I love how the background is very simplistic and how photographs have been merged together to make one. It is very effective and makes the garments stand out.
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| www.lookbook.nu |
Front/ Back/ Inside Covers
Thinking about the inside cover of the LookBook I came across this image on the internet.
Straight away I loved the contrast between the black garments against the white background.
A member in the class came across this photograph on google - an idea that most of us loved as it creates an interest in what is inside the "Little Black Book".
As a class we are thinking about keeping the LBD book A5 size so it easy for people to just pop into their bags and pockets.
An idea is to also tie the LBD book with a black silk ribbon.
Meeting the Graphic Students...
Today we also met with the graphic students who are actually going to put our LookBook together.They showed our class their ideas of how the LookBook could eventually look.
There was a few really good ideas for instance repetitive polaroid images on one side of the double page spread along with each persons promotional piece. An idea of also adding our personal signature was also really creative.
Location Shoot
After weeks of negotiating times and places a set day was arranged to complete my second LBD photoshoot - this time on location !!
Everything was the same from the model to the photographer - there was only one difference which was the fact that I had asked a professional MU artist to come and help.
I have added some of the most successful images below:
After seeing the original images from the location shoot - I expected them to be stronger in terms of engaging the viewer. I think the location images create an essence to the whole photograph however for this project I needed photographs which also showed off the dress as well as the essence.
However I decided to edit the location shots as well as the studio shots to show an overall contrast in which shoot was the most effective.
I have added my edited images below:
My favourite edited images are the last two. I have made them black and white and increased the overall contrast. I have then added a tint to the image as it adds depth and drama to the photograph.
It was then time to edit some more of the studio shots to then compare the location and studio together.
As soon as I had edited the studio shots straight away it was obvious which shoot stood out the most. The studio had much more drama and looked more powerful compared to the location shoot.
The dress in the studio also appeared a lot better and stood out against the plain background unlike when in location the dress was lost in the presence of its surroundings.
The four edited images above are my final four photographs which I am really pleased with as they relate the high-end of the market and look really dramatic.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
I think because I have completed two photo-shoots within this project it shows my initiation as well as dedication.
I think being able to show the contrast between the two shoots has been beneficial especially when choosing the final images.
My final four images are really strong and emphasize the essence, which I wanted to create which was really dramatic and high-end.
I have presented my work really well from the display booklet to my essay which I printed on linen effect paper and got it thermal bound.
My final four images are really strong and emphasize the essence, which I wanted to create which was really dramatic and high-end.
I have presented my work really well from the display booklet to my essay which I printed on linen effect paper and got it thermal bound.
Weaknesses
I think weaknesses during this project include that I didn’t have a printer to print my work off A3 therefore was stressing over the Easter holidays because I didn’t have my work in my hand.
It was also very difficult to negotiate a time and date in which everyone involved in the Photoshoot was free.
Opportunities
By completing two shoots – I have had the opportunity to explore too completely different photoshoot experiences.
I also got the opportunity for the first time to work with other professionals – therefore networking.
Meeting the photographer in particular was great because she has offered to shoot my final FMP dress which I am making currently as well as other pre-made garments.
I also got the opportunity for the first time to work with other professionals – therefore networking.
Meeting the photographer in particular was great because she has offered to shoot my final FMP dress which I am making currently as well as other pre-made garments.
Threats
The Easter Holidays stopping me from printing and presenting my work as soon as possible!
