FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY

Historical Influences of Fashion Photography



Introduction1

Discussion1

Historical Influences of Fashion Photography1

First Fashion Photographer2

Edward Jean Steichen3

First Color Photography4

George Hoyningen-Huene5

Horst P Horst5

Cecil Beaton6

Photography in Advertisements8

Sam Shaw9

Lillian Bassam10

Richard Avedon10

Helmut Newton11

Annie Leibovitz13

Albert Watson13

Patrick Demarchelier14

Mario Testino16

Mert and Marcus16

Eros Messina17

Mario Sorrenti18

Conclusion18

References19

Historical Influences of Fashion Photography

Introduction

Fashion photography is a genre of photography that focuses on taking the pictures on accessories and clothing on the models or without the models. These pictures are taken to be published in advertisements, fashion magazines and are distributed among the designers (www.photography.com). Fashion photography emphasizes on the styling and mood of the image rather than the garments. The garments are considered as an accessory to represent a certain lifestyle. Therefore, fashion photography is more complex as compared to other types of photography such as editorial and commercial photography.

Discussion

Historical Influences of Fashion Photography

Fashion photography was originated in the 18th century. The pictures and images at that time were printed and most of the time hand-colored for various magazines. The centre for production of these types of magazines was considered to be Paris. Many of the magazines printed in Paris at that time were imported by many countries such as England. In 1830, the technique of photography was developed but the métier of fashion photography came into existence after sometime. In the earlier times, the photographic technique that was used was called the daguerreotype but this photographic technique was not beneficial for mass printing (www.xtimeline.com). A new technique for photography was developed later on which resulted in the production of Carte de Visite. This was made for individuals and portrayed renowned music and theatre hall personalities of that time. Fashion photography started featuring in the magazines after the advancement in the halftone printing techniques. The various photographers that have played a very important role in developing fashion photography and making it what it is today are as:

First Fashion Photographer

Baron Adolphe de Meyer is considered to be the first fashion photographer. He was called The Debussy of the Camera. In 1913, he was hired by Conte Nast for taking experimental pictures for Vogue magazine. The main characteristics of Baron Adolphe de Meyer photography was the use of soft focus lens and backlighting. The sparkling reflections from the jewels and background materials are considered as being special to him (Hannavy, 2007, p. 1008). He also published a book that contained 288 photographs of the Countess di Castiglione, Virginia Oldoini. This made her the first fashion model.

Edward Jean Steichen

Edward Jean Steichen along with Alfred Stieglitz founded Photo-Secession Galleries in New York. In 1911, he photographed fashion models for Art and Decoration magazine. During his twenties, he worked for Conde Nast. His pictures were greatly influenced by constructivist art which was a great influential at that time. He had the skills to use props in a very simple manner to create graceful display of forms. The pictures taken by him are modernist in nature but they are classical in terms of the arrangement and order (all-art.org).

First Color Photography

The National Geographic was one of the first ...