fdsa

1. Unit 57: Photography and
Photographic Practice
Research of other photographers
work (P1, M1, D1)
Photographer: Sebastian Kim
Image 1 - Allur December 2014
Image 2 - Heroin#2 2015

2. Image 3 - Heroin#2 2015
Image 4 - Numero April 2011

3. Image 5 - Allure April 2014

4. Image 6 - Numero June 2013
Theme or focus of images
Over the years fashion photography has become an increasing phenomenon in
which imagery highlight fashion such as clothing and accessories therefore making
this the primary focus within images of this particular type of photography. Like all
fashion photographers Sebastian Kim has captured a number of images all of which
feature attractive models portraying clothes and accessories in a glamorous and
sophisticated manner, therefore enabling people like myself to look at these images
and aspire to be like the models and as a result using their style to influence my own.
Fashion photography also often creates a narrative based around the clothing
therefore engaging the audience making us more likely to focus on not only the
clothing but the context behind it as seen in a number of Sebastian's images.
Image One - This image is very basic in contrast to Sebastian's other work with it
featuring a model against a white background therefore making the models clothing
and bag the primary focus of this particular image due to it standing out against the
plain background. I personally feel that this particular image is targeting an older
demographic than his usual work due to the simplicity which often appeals to middle
aged women.
Image two & three- Both these images are taken from Sebastian's photo shoot
Heroin#2, in contrast to the previous image this one seems to have an underlining
narrative which i have interpreted as relating to drug use not only due to the name
but also due to the settings of not just these two images but the variety of images
within this particular photo shoot, all of which are in field full of rubbish or a squatter
like flat as you can see in image three which shows the two models sat in a room
which only contains a mattress on the floor. This underlining dark narrative
automatically draws us as an audience in and engages us, therefore drawing our
attention to the immaculate clothing that the two models are wearing. I feel that
Sebastian's contrast between the dark underlining narrative and the women's
immaculate clothing cleverly creates the ideology that it doesn't matter where you
come from, you too can be as stylish and sophisticated as these models.
Image four - within this image Sebastian has chose to have the model standing
against a dark background, therefore enabling the vibrant colours within the models
clothing to stand out, therefore automatically attracting the audiences attention.
Sebastian has chosen specifically to portray the model almost lie a mannequin with
her pasty white skin and unusual posture therefore anchoring the fact that the main
focus of this particular image isn't the model but the clothing that she is wearing,
making this are primary focus.
Image five - Within this image Sebastian has chose to represent the clothing as

5. sophisticated and empowering through the use of portraying a model in a glamorous
career which looks as though she is some kind of race driver assistant or manager, by
having her stood in front of the race driver himself it creates the sense that she is of
higher importance to him. Sebastian has chose to have the colours within the image
very bland browns and white in contrast to the dramatic black within the models
dress therefore as a viewer we are automatically drawn to the clothing.
Image six - Within this image Sebastian has cleverly used the clothing in order to
portray the model wearing the clothes as a wild cat by having her sat on a log , with
wild cats having connotations such as strong and fierce it automatically creates a
sense of empowerment regarding women and suggests that it is this particular piece
of clothing which has provided this model with that power therefore encouraging
women to buy leopard print clothing.
Composition
Like other certain types of photography such as advertising, Sebastian and other
fashion photographers have the advantage that they are able to manipulate and
move their subjects when conducting photo shoots. In terms of composition it is
noticeable that all of his images are taken at a lower angle to some degree, this is
due to the fact that fashion photography's main purpose is to promote fashion, and
by capturing the models who are wearing these clothes at a low angle to some
degree it creates a sense of dominance and importance, therefore empowering the
clothing.
Techniques used
In regards to the techniques used, image two and image five both have shallow
depth of field with the models and their clothing being sharp and in focus in contrast
to the background which is blurry due to the fact that Sebastian's intentions was to
focus on the clothing therefore the background is irrelevant, in order to achieve this
he would of had to use a fast shutter speed along with a small aperture setting.
In terms of the rule of thirds Sebastian has insured that on each image the model will
be stood within the intersecting lines, therefore making the model the first place our
eyes are drawn to when looking at his imagery therefore again ensuring that the
clothes are the primary focus.
Strengths & Weaknesses
I particularly like image six in which Sebastian used the connotations of a fierce
animal to cleverly create a strong, empowering representation of a piece of clothing.