Let the Games Begin

The set design in this editorial celebrating the London Olympics is amazing. It appears that all the backdrops are made out of construction paper, beautifully draped and perfectly crinkled. I'm still trying to figure out the white material; if it is paper of something else, but the way it photographs against the set is stunning. It's hard to capture such energy and movement in a still shot, but the photographer certainly achieved it. The diving shot is spectacular, and I'm assuming took a lot of editing to create, but I'm assuming the others were shot normally. I love the mix of modern and classic in the biking photograph, as the beautiful, sleek, modern helmet fits in surprisingly well amongst the pretty pink background and old-fashioned bicycle. The models do a good job of bringing energy, but the real star of this shoot is the art direction and set design. There's not much to say about these photos, they're simply clean, elegant, and absolutely gorgeous. 

"Bird Fantasy" Doesn't Contain Many Birds or Fantasy

These photos are beautiful, but I feel like this shoot had a lot of potential and the final result is a bit of a disappointment. If the editorial is titled "Bird Fantasy" that gives the photographer a lot to work with: feathers, beaks, etc. and although a few of those elements appear hear and there, more could have been done. I do love the emotion in the first photo. The pose and expression of the model makes me think she's some evil, slightly crazy bird lady, which is great. The hair makes the second photo, but otherwise it falls flat for me. Same with the third; the accessories are doing all the work, but the photography isn't anything special. I think this shoot would benefit from some different crops, angles, and perspectives. Every single picture is shot from the waist up, the model is sitting in every one, and the background does not change. I think the art director needed to give everyone on this shoot a bit more direction and have them push the limits a bit more, because these shots are alright, but since when is "alright" good enough? 

Posing with Art Makes More Art

First things first: I appreciate the design and attention paid to the title page of the editorial. Normally a fancy serif type is put over the first image of the spread and that's it. I love the type and the page just draws me in and prepares me for the rest of the photos I'm about to see. This shoot finds models posing with art in a museum, which is a concept I'm sure has been executed before, but these all feel fresh and look beautiful. The models don't draw attention away from the art, but instead interact with it in a way that highlights its beauty. Posing on a bright wooden horse, I love how the model interacts with the headless wooden figure and incorporates herself into the art instillation. In the third photo, I'm wondering if the wooden structure on the floor already existed by the painting, or if the photographer had it created for the shoot. I'm really hoping it's the latter, because I love how they brought the painting to life for the model to pose with. The geometry in this shot is fantastic, and there's so much to look at your eyes linger on this image for a while. In the final picture, the model has actually become a part of the painted landscape, and the result is beautiful. The color of her dress works perfectly with the palette of the painting, and it truly looks like the girl is walking through some illustrated world. This editorial is simple and clean, but absolutely gorgeous and I love that the models share the spotlight with the artwork instead of attempting to overshadow it.