Is this a Mirage?

When I first looked at this shoot, I wasn't a huge fan. But as I looked at the images a little longer, I grew to appreciate the beautiful use of color and the great landscape photography happening here. I'm not a huge fan of the model because I feel a lack of energy from her, but the photographer did a great job of shooting her and making the clothes look stunning. The color palette is fantastic; the bright, crazy patterns on the outfits are allowed to shine against the warm browns and blues of the desert setting. I do think the photoshopped moon is a bit too much and distracts me, but other than that the treatment of the background is beautiful. I really like the high saturation used in these shots; it enhances the clothing and really makes it pop. I don't understand the inclusion of the crazy purple guy in the second image, but I guess you're not supposed to understand everything in fashion. 

I'm Hungry

Everything about this shoot, which I'm guessing was inspired by the food pyramid, is absolutely amazing. The clothing paired with edible accessories looks beautiful against the stark white background, the models are energetic and lively, and the results are provocative and gorgeous. The fish photo is definitely a standout, and I'm wondering if the model actually had to put a fish tail in her mouth...for some reason I really hope she did. The gown really makes the first image, and the food is photographed perfectly, and I love that the model is actually eating vegetable too. I get a beautiful, mysterious aura from the second picture, even though the model isn't even looking into the camera. Bright and sweet, the image channeling dessert is also gorgeous, and the dripping goo coming off the model's fingers is a genius touch. The food is the star of the shoot, and the photographer captured it beautifully, but the models and clothing also add to this amazing editorial.

"Magnificent and Holy" is Actually Magnificent

This editorial from Elle Thailand proves you don't always need an elaborate set to create stunning images. The clothes, photography, and model all work to produce fantastic photos while against a plain, sometimes slightly textured white background. The elimination of props and distracting setting allows the clothes and ultimately the photography to shine.

This is the first photo of the editorial, and it is a quality opening, inviting me to discover the rest of the captivating images in the spread. I love the movement and the contrast between the red of the dress and blank background.

My favorite photo is below, and I love it for so many reasons. This image is hauntingly beautiful, and I could look at it for such a long time. The mask on the model's face is a great touch, adding to the mystery evoked in the picture. 

For a different perspective, the photographer captured a beauty shot I also love. The model's face is almost completely hidden behind her white wig that swirls like wisps of smoke. The undertones of yellow consistent from her face to the clothing is a subtle, beautiful detail. 

The rest of the editorial is equally stunning turns a simple setting into a great photo spread. 

Bewitching Photography

I love this editorial from VOGUE China. I've selected just a few of my favorite images from the spread, but overall I appreciate that it tells a story and there's a consistent mood to every single photograph. The colors are amazing: the blues and grays are dark and sad, while the reds, yellows, and browns are quite warm and beautiful. The photo of the model and scarecrow is my favorite, but all of the images are expertly photographed: great cropping, perspective, modeling...everything about them is brilliant. The only image I did not like is the one below, because I don't think the bright pink is distracting and does not fit in with the setting or any of the other images at all. 

Overall the setting is great, and made to look even better by the photography and editing. The model is beautiful and gives emotion in the images that adds to the overall melancholy apparent in every image. The shoot is sad, but the beautiful photos make me very happy. 

This is Weird...and I Like It.

This editorial, starring actress Marion Cotillard and a creepy, demented toy soldier was published in the December issue of W Magazine, and I think it's stunning. Strange, mainly because of the creepy, demented toy soldier, but still stunning. My favorite photograph is sadly devoid of a terrifying nutcracker guy, but is still beautiful nonetheless. The folds and details in the fabric photograph amazingly, and the pained expression on her face add to the idea of a trapped woman. The actress covered in fabric almost fades into the red background, which I love. This is simply one beautiful image.

The shots including the "male model" are very intriguing, and I love the setting of the rose garden, but they all lack that something special captured by the above photo. I still think Marion is a great model and I love how she interacts with the other person, but I think the face of the toy soldier is too distracting for me to fully enjoy the photos. They're very good, but not great. 

 

Aaaand, as soon as we eliminate the male model, I like the photos more. I love the visual swish of the rose bush that continues into the rose held by Marion in the first photo, and the clothing in the second is captured brilliantly. The lighting on the pants is fantastic, and it takes the viewer a while to discover the pair of hands coming out of the background to grasp the model. So the moral of this editorial is: eliminate the nightmare inducing male model and fantastic pictures are produced. 

Fix the Face!

The shots above are all from Prada's Resort 2013 campaign, featuring famous model Sasha Pivovarova and her open mouthed blank stare. Not only is this face completely blank, not evoking a single thing, but it is the same exact face in every single photo. I've only included four shouts here, but there were many more and all of them featured the same expression. It looks like she's listening for direction from the photographer, not posing for him. The setting for the shoot is nothing spectacular, beautiful but plain and boring, so I would hope the model would bring more to the shoot. Prada is a luxury brand, and if I were the art director here I would demand more attitude and opulence from the model. The ridiculous expression in every photo makes this campaign fall completely flat. 

Super Photos

This is one amazing fashion editorial. The colors, the wardrobe, the model...it all comes together to create some strange but fantastic pictures. The lines created in the first image from the trees is recreated in the pose of the model and the lines on her outfit, which gives the eye a lot to look at. The colors in that first photo are great as well. This is what an Instagram filter should look like. That picture is just weird but gorgeous. The second beauty shot is stunning. I love the decision to make her pupils red, and how that red appears in the background as well. The yellow in the hair matches the yellow of the coat. The expression on the face is so strong, and the idea of a woman superhero about to strip off her scarf to go save the world comes through loud and clear. Movement and action finally comes out in the third photograph, and the model stands out amongst her bleak suburban background. She's staring her enemy straight in the face, about to vanquish him with her ray gun. And finally the last image is extremely striking, I can almost hear the model gasping for breath as she rips off her costume. Everything about this editorial is super.