Fashion: Constructed image

Task 1

Iconic image

Dovima with elephants by Richard Avedon, August 1955.

I consider this image to be iconic because at the time of shooting this would have been regarded as pushing the boundaries within fashion photography. The contrast between the raw natural skin of the elephants against the elegance of the model is very drastic. The image has also been printed so that the black evening dress (Dior) does not disappear into the shadow of the elephants. The setting is within the elephants enclosure which usually would be off limits to everyone apart from the keepers, this is a dangerous place and the chains around the feet of the elephants enhance this, but Dovima an elegant couture model with subtle imitation in her pose does not show any fear. It suggests that by wearing this dress you will become fearless and able to stand with these giant animals and also gave women an icon, someone to aspire to be like at the time. 

Task 2

Street casting

I took a bit of inspiration from Jergen Teller's 'Go-sees: Girls Knocking on My Front Door' series, but instead wanted to capture a model after a fashion show, when they still have their hair nicely done and make up is perfect. I suppose the thing that inspires me about this person is that no matter how many different clothes she wears or how many different looks she is given by hair stylists and mua's she will still be the same person at the end of the day.

I didn't know this person and felt a little bit awkward when asking to take her picture but being a model she was used to her photo being taken, feel like I should have made her stand somewhere else as the background is horrid but did not want to take too much of her time and looking at other street fashion photos the backgrounds are not much better.