R.Rachael
The . World . As . We . Know . It
Photography . FashionCampaigns . Womenswear . MyProjects
Richard Avedon.
On Febuary 2010 , I was fortunate enough to go see what would be one of the influencial excipitions in my life. Whilst in New York my father took me to the ICP and I got to veiw the stunning collection of the premier american potrrait photgrapher , Richard Avedon. For more than fifty years Avedons portraits have filled the pages of the countrys finest magazines and he has captured the likes of Jean Genet, Jimmy Durante, Brigitte Bardot, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jacques Cousteau and Andy Warhol. I was fasinated with his stark imagery and how his portraits had the ability to express the essence of its subject. It was because of this many sought him out for their most public images. His artistic style brought a sense of sophistication and authority to the portraits. More than anything, it is Avedon’s ability to set his subjects at ease that helps him create true, intimate, and lasting photographs.
I probably dont have much right to say and comment on the world of photography to an extent , but from what I am aware and from the works I have been fortunate to see , I truely believe the quality of fashion photography in not only magazines but also in portrature has been diluted . When I look back to old editorials, such as when Avedon shot Lauren Hutton ( another post on her below as she models for Tom Ford ) for American Vogue in 1969 , I feel the passion and talent has been sucked within a inch of its life with fashion photography.
Photographers , were in a league. They worked hard and evidently talent was shown. I am hopefull that the rise of true photogrphay will emerge again and so will its craft , but in the meanwhile I will just close my eyes to the images produced by kids with nikon cameras who for some reason believe they are photographers .
Chanel 2011 Spring / summer campaign.
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Photographed by Karl Lagerfield , Baptise Giabiconi, Freja Beha Erichsen and Stella Tennant, play in the grass for the Chanel Spring 2011 campaign. I'm not too sure why I like this campaign, but I think it is because it tells a story and seems fun and not overly edited or trying to be clever. The tones of the photographs are appealing to me - its nice and presents the clothes well in a scene.
Tom Ford.
Four months after returning to the runway , Tom ford has released footage of his star studded spring/summer 2011 womenswear show. The short film was well worth the wait as you could tell by the faces of vogues grace Coddington and anna Wintour on the front row. The models which walk the very intimate runway caught my eye on so many occasions , as I debated with my self if it was actually them. Years back when I attended the Scottish style awards I was lucky enough to meet Daphne Guinness , I knew very little about her and all i remember was her Cruelella hair style. She alongside Freja Beha Erichsen , lauren Hutton and Marisa Bernson gave the show a timeless elegance. The video genuinely made me smile , appreciate beauty through all ages and sizes ( Beyonce's curves to Vodianova's bones ) and the clothes were just stunning. The cocktail party atmosphere and the A list and respected crowed will definitely be a tough act to follow.
August Sander.
Earlier this month , I went though to edinburgh brieftly and manage to visit the August Sander Exhibition held at the Dean Gallary . They showcased Sanders work which documented the german people and culture during the 20th centuary. He undertook this extraordinary cataloging project by photographing individuals and classifying the resulting portraits into groups defined by the sitters’ occupations, trades or places in society. This resulted in his masterwork entitled People of the Twentieth Century, which he divided into seven distinct sections: The Farmer, The Skilled Tradesman, Woman, Classes and Professions, The Artists, The City, and The Last People. Within these areas, the prints now held in ARTIST ROOMS include classic examples that span all the categories of profession and social types and express Sander’s unique ability to capture simultaneously the individuality and universality of the human condition.
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Peter Pilotto.
Fall 2011.
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Pilotto and Christopher De Vos deserve credit for reckoning with the idea of revolt this season.
His aesthetic is a little too polite for revolution , but it was good to see designers putting a little muscle into their look. Some of the strongest pieces here had a real utilitarian vibe, such as mannish color-blocked waistcoats or sporty fishtailed vests with exposed pockets, done in a 3-D print technique carried over from last season. Their layered looks—in particular short skirts over wide-leg trousers—are part of an emerging trend here in London, but Pilotto's execution was the best so far, especially in mixed prints. Elsewhere, the collection's wrapped garments left something to be desired; the pieces didn't look quite finished. But the wrapping did show Pilotto and De Vos operating with a freer hand, as did their play with blurring in their prints. This was a strict collection, with something wild and new in it fighting to get loose. You could say it captured the moment well.
Edward Curtis.
I have always found the work of Edward Curtis fascinating. I liked you could tell he had seen a lot and had been fortunate to be immersed in another world and culture through his photography. I didn't know however how interesting and unfortunate his life was until I begin to read his books my father has kept in his office , and also read up on his biography. One of the facts which made me appreciate him more as a person and string character more than a photographer was when I learned when his dad passed away suddenly he assumed responsibility for supporting his entire family at the age of just 14.
The words that stuck in my mind however was what Curtis wrote in the foreword to Volume 1 of The North American Indian book. He said ,
" The passing of every old man or woman means the passing of some tradition , some knowledge or sacred rites possessed by no one other ; consequently the information that is to be gathered , for the benefit of future generations , respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind , must be collected at once "
I have never read anything I have agreed with more , it scares me how we loose so much knowledge through time and that wisdom we have spent years learning can be diluted through generations. It gives me hope however that the power of photography can eternally capture it , even though it cant fully teach it , it does act as a powerful porthole into past years and generations.
Pigeons.
I got a book for christmas two years ago. It was an unconventional present to say the least , as all its contents were images of pigeons. I had spoke to my dad a while back when we were both walking in central park about my fascination with the birds , and we both spoke about the normality of pigeons yet how we both found some kind of bizarre beauty in them. I took some images in the park and my interest in how you can capture them and draw some kind of elegance from their often dirty exterior grew. The book I got for Christmas:
"Extraordinary Pigeons" by Stephen Green-Armytage
It was great to look through but it focused mainly (as you can expect from the title) pigeons who were more show birds than the ones you see on the street. Their beauty was therefore easier and more obvious to spot , my interest lay however in the less obvious.
I am working currently towards producing a book with my work of pigeons collaborated with words. I will keep you posted on my progress.
Here Adam has illustrated his favourites from my Pigeon selection. Notice how the first and last images are or the front and backs of pigeons, signifying the bookends of the project.
Hay Bales.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
For even as He loves the arrow that flies.
This is a small photographic project I created, that at the time I never realized its significance. Only now when I look through these photos do I understand how valuable these photos I took in my childhood are. They remind me of the best years of my life; the people and the adventures we would get up to. I can never revisit these days but at least I am blessed with the photographs. The words by Kahlil Gibran best describe in part my thoughts on both childhood and in a way, life. I first heard his poem last year, my father told me it in a letter he wrote to me. It was then read out by my year head during our leavers day function.
Words By Rachael Eustace.
Photography By Rachael Eustace © RachaelEustace.Ltd.
Photography From Vogue.com, Tom Hoops, Richard Avedon, Edward Curtis, August Sander And Karl Lagerfeld.
All illustrations by Adam French © AdamFrench.Ltd.
Videos Via Youtube. No Copyright Infringement Intended.
All Rights Reserved.
