Fantasy fashion
2023
Photography | Graphic Design
Fashion Photography
University assignment
Because it is a fantasy themed publication, I want to create a theme of mystery and wonder. Although those themes are typically generic in a fantasy setting, I want to turn away from the norm and create a setting where a fantasy subject interacts with our modern world. With these themes all try to artificially create a naturalistic approach with the subject in a state of wonder and exploration with modern objects to interact with. Because this thematic approach is turned away from the norm there is flexibility for storytelling; appropriate for the conventions of a fashion magazine/spread.
In this publication I wanted to portray the impression of the fantasy world is the norm, and the modern bike is the fantasy object. Although the premise of the publication is fantasy, the idea of switching the norm of fantasy and escapism is to be a subtle nod. Although the images are purposefully directed, I wanted to create a naturalistic approach to the model and how he interacts with the props.
Through the composition it is critical to make it clear that the knight is from a fantasy world and the bike is from the modern world. The model is to interact with the bike not knowing how or what it does; hence in image 4 he picks it up with the hind wheel and inspects it. Eventually at the last image it is humorously conveyed that the knight was unsuccessful and fell off the bike.
Vogue
I was inspired by vogues typographic detail and how they use type and photo to amplify each-other. My project with its fantasy themes will suit this publication company due to vogue’s nature to present upcoming and popular fashion trends.
It is not uncommon for a vogue publication to have a landscape image across a portrait spread. Like vogue’s graphic elements in their publications, I’ve enhanced the images with typographic elements being interrupted/covered by the subject.
Lighting
I will be using a candid flash photography style. Explained in exercise one, mountain biking BMX and skate have their own cultural identity with candid flash. Since I’m using a BMX bike as one of my major props, I’ll be creating a familiarity with using a candid flash while the BMX bike is present.
Editing
I will be using a candid flash photography style. Explained in exercise one, mountain biking BMX and skate have their own cultural identity with candid flash. Since I’m using a BMX bike as one of my major props, I’ll be creating a familiarity with using a candid flash while the BMX bike is present.
Helmet
The helmet has a highly reflective surface which was great for the flash to bounce from to show the shape of the helmet, however majority of the helmet is black and doesn’t reflect as much light; this could be problematic when the background is already dark and absorbs the shape of the helmet, making it look like there is a floating silver piece of metal. To counteract this, I made sure that there would be a decent amount of light reflecting off the dark parts of the helmet. In post-production using capture one I created a mask on the helmet to adjust the blacks and the shadow of the helmet to create a contrasting outline. I adjusted the contrast to make sure that there is a highlighted rim on the outside of the helmet to juxtapose the helmet and the dark background.
Background
To make the subject pop from the background, I saturated the red on the shirt of the model while creating a mask on the arms to counteractively desaturate the red from the skin. Additionally, to add a nice contrast I saturated the greens on the foliage and the blue from the sky.
Byron McIntosh 