A Critical Analysis of Fashion Photography as a Developing Art Genre History and Present

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the history of fashion photography in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on the analysis of fashion photography history and current new trends. The research also analyzes how fashion photography has developed as an art. The study has been conducted using secondary research methodology.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Research Aims and Objectives2

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW3

Photography as art3

Photography as entertainment4

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY6

Data Collection Technique6

Secondary Research6

Literature Search7

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS8

History of Fashion Photography8

Cecil Beaton12

Contribution of Cecil Beaton from 1920-193913

Present of Fashion Photography25

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION37

REFERENCES39

List of figures

Figure 1 - The Bright Young People at Wilsford: William Walton, Cecil Beaton, The Hon. Stephen Tennant, Rex Whistler, Georgia Sitwell, Zita Jungman and Teresa Jungman14

Figure 2 - Elizabeth Taylor14

Figure 3 - Marlon Brando15

Figure 4 - Vivien Leigh16

Figure 5 - Tallulah Bankhead17

Figure 6 - Orson Welles18

Figure 7 - Marilyn Monroe19

Figure 8 - Baba Beaton: A Symphony in Silver, 192520

Figure 9 - Edith Sitwell, 192721

Figure 10 - The Hon. Stephen Tennant, 192722

Figure 11 - Loretta Young 193023

Figure 12 - Gary Cooper, 193123

Figure 13 - Mary Taylor 193524

Figure 14 - Tanned and shining: Crawford (1932)25

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Fashion photography is the use of photography to communicate the latest trends in clothing (see fig.). It has a distinctive history, separate from the developments in photography among fine artists. Fashion photography acts as a representation of popular taste and is created to serve a commercial industry, yet it has also served as an avenue for change, pushing the boundaries of acceptability with innovations in style, technique and the portrayal of fashion. Fashion photography was a democratizing force in the acceptance of photography, as it brought the new form of expression to an audience of every social level, rich or poor, urban or suburban. Via mass media, photography serves to relate changes in fashion over long distances and many cultures, primarily disseminating the styles of high fashion in Paris, Milan, or New York to the rest of the world (Bull, 2009, P 249).

In today's image-obsessed world, it is neither the hairdresser nor the make-up artist, the cosmetic surgeon, the stylist who is the true friend to celebrities. It is the air brusher who can work true magic, as unsightly blemishes, portly thighs, and horsey features are all gently removed with the aid of a steady hand and a subscription to Photoshop. It's seen as a relatively new phenomenon, but manipulating celebrity portraits to flatter the sitter was a ...