For this assignment, we did research for an upcoming project. We each got to choose one to two genres of photography to focus on for the remainder of the school year. I decided to focus on Fashion and Interior Design photography.
Fashion Photography
Fashion photography is a genre of photography that focuses on clothing and jewelry. Depending on what kind of fashion photography it is, the pictures convey a story. This is a concept that I would like to follow. I chose this genre of photography because I have always been someone who wants to express myself with the clothing that I wear.
Petra Collins
If you decide to do further research on this photographer, please be aware that their work may contain controversial and inappropriate material.
Barbie Ferreira
Photograph taken by Petra Collins for Evening Standard Magazine
Petra Collins is a photographer and model who always uses a feminine element in her pictures. She has taken editorial pictures for Gucci, Vogue, The New York Times, and Adidas. She says that she has been taking photographs since she was fifteen, and her popularity grew in the 2010s. She grew up in Toronto, Canada, and created her first art collective at seventeen. The art collective was created so that young female artists would have a place to gather with others like them. After dropping out of high school, she enrolled in Rosedale Heights School of the Arts to pursue her artistic passion. I like her photographs because they are dreamy and resemble movie scenes. The color palettes are soft and have a narrative story to them.
Cecil Beaton
Cecil Beaton
Cecil Beaton with his pug in the Winter Garden, Reddish House, 1961
©The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s
Link to some of his work here
Merle Oberon as Antonita
Photograph taken by Cecil Beaton
Cecil Beaton was a prominent British portrait, war, and fashion photographer of the 20th century and a painter, costume designer, and interior designer. He was part of a group called the “Bright Young Things,” a name for aristocrats who lived lavishly and grabbed the attention of the paparazzi. He was born to a wealthy family and studied at St. John’s College but left before he could finish his degree. He was a self-taught photographer but also studied in Pau Tanqueray’s studio. He shot for Vogue, Vanity Fair, and became a Royal photographer after photographing Queen Elizabeth. Beaton uses his backdrops as props, just as objects are used. His approach to fashion photography is unique, surreal, and very experimental for his time.
Jingna Zhang
If you decide to do further research on this photographer, please be aware that their work may contain controversial and inappropriate material.
Luping Wang
Photograph taken by Jingna Zhang for Harper’s Bazaar China
Jingna Zhang grew up in Singapore and is a photographer and art director. A mix of Asian and Western aesthetics inspires her work. She categorizes herself as a fashion and fine art photographer, often mixing the two. Her photographs have been featured in Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Before becoming a professional photographer, she was a national athlete on Team Singapore. She majored in fashion design at LASALLE College of the Arts and started photography as a hobby in 2008. I like her work because it has a mystical and fairytale element.
Their work stands out in the photographic world because they push the boundaries of what photography can do. Photography for them is not just simply taking a picture of clothes. It is about incorporating details to create an overall story. They use unique composition methods, aesthetics, and props to stand out among others.
What I can learn from examining their photographs is to make sure everything in the picture is tied to what the model is wearing.
Interior Design Photography
Interior design photography shares characteristics with commercial photography because they are selling the designer. They need to capture the room to make the viewer want to be in it. The photograph should also portray the size and dimensions of the room properly. I like interior design photography because it relates to the job I am interested in. I believe interior design and decorating can significantly impact someone’s mood and health.
Juno Calypso
If you decide to do further research on this photographer, please be aware that their work may contain controversial and inappropriate material.
The Fantasy Suite
Photograph by Juno Calypso
Juno Calypso is a British artist focusing on vintage architecture and social commentary on mental health, consumerism, and femininity. She graduated in 2012 from the London College of Communication. Her work is featured in Vogue, TIME Magazine, The Guardian, and Vice Magazine. Her photographs include soft color palettes, satire, and a storyline. I like her photography because she takes pictures of older buildings that often feature pink.
Danica O. Kus
Milan Design Week, 2016, Moooi, Exhibition Rebecca Bathory
Photograph taken by Danica O. Kus
Danica O. Kus is an interior design photographer who doesn’t only consider a building’s architecture but also the atmosphere. Her photographs have been put into permanent exhibits in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Rodin Museum Paris, and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. She has won many awards and is featured in books and magazines. I enjoy her work because she doesn’t take pictures of dull, minimalist interiors. She looks for places that have an element of surrealism.
Jake Curtis
Photograph by Jake Curtis
Jake Curtis is a photographer specializing in interiors, still life, lifestyle, and portraits. His photographs of interiors are often combined with still life and lifestyle. He utilizes crafted lighting, which brings a unique look to the details and subjects of his pictures. He has been included in magazines like Vogue, Design Anthology, Elle Decoration, and Wired. I like his photography because of his usage of light, colors, and composition. The places he shoots at are clean but look like they are lived in, which is an important element of interior design photography.
Their work stands out because of their use of color, lighting, and subject matter. These photographers take a unique approach to the interiors that they are capturing.
Examining their photographs taught me to pay extra attention to color, lighting, and composition.
Bibliography
Bauck, Whitney. “How Petra Collins Went From Failing High School to Photographing for Gucci.” Fashionista, 13 June 2023, fashionista.com/2017/03/petra-collins-instagram-photography-interview.
Cecil Beaton | Artnet. www.artnet.com/artists/cecil-beaton.
“Cecil Beaton- Photographer’s Biography and Art Works – Huxley-Parlour Gallery.” Huxley-Parlour Gallery, 2 Apr. 2022, huxleyparlour.com/artists/cecil-beaton.
“Cecil Beaton Photography, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist/beaton-cecil.
“CV – Petra Collins.” Petra Collins, 30 Aug. 2021, petra-collins.com/cv.
“Danica O. Kus – Architectural Photography.” Danica-o-kus, www.danicakus.com/about.
Jake Curtis . About. www.jakecurtis.co.uk/about.
“Juno Calypso – Biography.” Arusha Gallery, www.arushagallery.com/artists/57-juno-calypso/biography.
Nicholls, Will. “An Inspiring Look at the Life and Work of Photographer Zhang Jingna.” PetaPixel, 1 Mar. 2022, petapixel.com/2017/07/20/inspiring-look-life-work-photographer-zhang-jingna.
Olivia.Toledo. “The Always Elegant Photos of Jingna Zhang | Fahrenheit Magazine.” Fahrenheit Magazine, 10 Aug. 2021, fahrenheitmagazine.com/en/modern-art/Visual/the-always-elegant-photographs-of-jingna-zhang.
“Petra Collins | BoF 500 | the People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry.” The Business of Fashion, www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/petra-collins.
Wikipedia contributors. “Zhang Jingna.” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Jingna.
Zhang, Photographer Jingna. “Jingna Zhang – Fashion and Fine Art Photographer, Director. NYC / Tokyo.” Jingna Zhang, www.zhangjingna.com/about.