When is an image a Portrait? When is it a fashion photograph? Are the two the Same?
A portrait focuses on facial features and expressions. Portraits resemble peoples feelings and emotions which allows the photograph to become more powerful. A portrait usually includes the head and shoulders which is a representation of the person. Fashion photography focuses on the fashion the model is wearing. The clothes become more dominant as the photo includes the whole body of person being photographed. They also define the model as it picks out the models 'flaws' so to speak. For example, how thin the model is etc. The models get a lot of make up applied and then straight after they get photo-shopped to change skin tone, or facial features to fit the magazines standards. This they allows us to notice how they are selling the product as the model fits society's idea of 'beauty'. Portraits however take natural beauty as it is and allows their inner beauty to be shown.
To what degree should an image be manipulated to go into a fashion magazine?
I believe a small amount of manipulation can be used in model photo shoots in case of any scars on any different features on the face (spots etc.). However by adding the photo into photo shop and adjusting pretty much every feature of the model should not be allowed. For example, in the 'Evolution of Beauty' (Dove advert) the models face, eyes, neck, skin tone, hairstyle have all been changed to fit society's perspective on beauty. By manipulating natural beauty, the viewers/readers believe they have to change their looks to fit in and be accepted in the community. This is where major surgery happens and ruins peoples beauty and individuality. As well as changing the models face, they would also change their hairstyle. However if the hair didn't fit with the shoot and outfit the model was supposed to be wearing, the prep team would add a wig onto the model for it to fit into the shoot. This then has taken away the models identity completely as her face, hair and clothes have all been changed. This amount of manipulation should not be allowed as it is destroying viewers confidence as well as the audience. Finally, putting an image of this 'perfect' and 'beautiful' model on advertisements is faking the product they are trying to sell. Leaving audience to believe the product works to increase sales.
Is there a clash between the creative and commercial side of fashion Photography?
There is a clash between the creative and commercial side of fashion photography. The creative side of the photography has the authority to choose what the model is wearing and how their make up is applied. Where as the commercial side choose what actually goes in to the magazine. The commercial wins as they are the ones who publish the magazine. The creative side have to respect what the commercial say. For example if they did not want to include a photo of a model because they believe the image has been manipulated too much then they do not have to include it.
No comments:
Post a Comment