The capabilities of cameras

Great new music video by Paul Blake for Parisien DJ Knuckles (now called Sovnger), shot using an Olympus i-SPEED 3. The slow motion editing is excellent, you get the delayed flickering lights of the Paris metro, the still-sharp detail in each shot while filmed in motion, and the well executed interplay between slow and sped up footage. This particularly interested me, having just shot a video using slow motion editing on another dig camera, so it was good to see how it comes out with the different camera. The fact that digital still cameras can now shoot video that looks this good makes the possibilities endless and really mobilises the digital camera even further. It is becoming so that you really only need one mechanism for a whole array of imaging functions. Which is interesting, as i was talking today with someone about the fact that people need to be multi-taskers today; it is not really enough to specialise in one area any more, and it seems the more skill bases you can add to your cap the better. That said, this video is definitely one to watch.

KNUCKLES | BLAKE - WHAT I LIKE from Paul Bryan on Vimeo.

For an extremely comprehensive record of the whole shooting process from storyboarding to finish, have a look at Paul Bryan's site: http://www.pmbryan.com/knuckles.html

Ali Larrey

You can find some amazing things in the Behance network. While doing some research for a photo shoot, i came upon the work of Ali Larrey, an art director, set designer, and floral designer based in Madrid. Her work is opulent, evoking historical excess through her compositions and love of decoration. I put up a few images here of a spread called The Atelier, these ones in particular caught my eye for the styling and the poses of the model. I particularly like the bathtub image for its colours and semi-quirky positioning.

THE ATELIER
LUCÍA SE CASA Magazine
Photographer: Antonio Cordero
Stylist: Abraham Gutiérrez
Set Design: Ali Larrey & Enrique Ferrero

http://www.alilarrey.com/

Fashion Journalism redux

New tracks in the world of SHOWstudio's take on fashion communication: the idea of a magazine feature comes to life on screen, with collaborator Alex Fury delivering a journalistic style commentary on the meanings and significance of the new season Prada shoes and stockings. This is yet another application of the idea of film coming into fashion, and i think this could definitely be expanded upon as a different approach to fashion reporting - even for fashion blogging. It shows that the esoteric side of fashion can still be presented in an engaging way, and that the wealth of fashion theory and knowledge - that is established and continues to grow - may have an outlet other than in an academic text or journal. While the video could not be embedded away from the site, click on the image below to go to their viewing page, as part of their Object fetish series.

Montage Mayhem

Recently been inspired by the photomontage-style artwork of Lisa Eisner for an upcoming project. The kaleidoscopic images layer photographs of nature and landscape, resulting in a new way of looking at our surroundings. They are colourful and detailed, harking back to the psychadelic aesthetics of the 60s, and rooted in the native Americans' connection to nature. She refrains from using photoshop, constructing hand-assembled images that have a sense of randomness yet a deliberate assemblage.
The works are currently on show as part of her Psychonaut exhibition at M + B Gallery, in Los Angeles, until June 5, which also features an installation work and 'scent sculptures'.

Images from Nowness and M+B Gallery

Rockabilly Love

I came across this editorial from Blend Magazine on the Design Scene website here.
They struck me most particularly for the hair - a little bit Chanel of recent catwalk shows, but with this rockabilly vibe that comes through with some of the styling - like the catseye sunglasses and small check shirt, the bouffant fringes. Some of the crotch-grabbing positions are a little unexpected, it seems that the shoot switches between a more innocent look with the hair and some quite romantic outfits, to these sexed-up photos which makes me a little confused about that they are really intending in this shoot. There is an obvious lack of narrative, or otherwise the theme that was intended has become lost. All the same, some very nice elements within each photo.

Credits:
Magazine: Blend Magazine
Fashion Editor: Sonny Groo
Styling: Venus Waterman
Hair: Hester Wernert For Mogeen
Make-up: Adrien Pinault |Calliste|
Models: Cicely Telman & Michelle Westgeest |Paparazzi Model Management| and Jorg van der Ham |Republic|
Photography by Petrovsky & Ramone

Smoky Delight

Just wonderful. A video art installation by Christoph Schemel, a newly graduated photographer from Berlin. A commentary on the beauty ideal, our continual yet doomed search for the everlasting perfect image. It's quite mesmerising to watch. 

Vanishing from Christoph Schemel on Vimeo.

Discussions of a fashion future

This video is an important and timely talk between Imran Amed of The Business of Fashion and Dazed and Confused founder Jefferson Hack as part of their Fashion Pioneers series. It looks at this period in time in which fashion media has been going through drastic change as it transitions from print, to digital, and a range of other platforms such as the Ipad - which has the potential to change the whole user experience of magazine consumption. They talk about the future of fashion and how it is seen, as these new interfaces are literally shaping a new way of viewing and interacting with the images, the designers and the clothing. It's thought provoking conversation, and part of the ongoing, evolving debate between print and digital media.

BoF Fashion Pioneers: Jefferson Hack from The Business of Fashion on Vimeo.

Here, There and Nowhere

Nowhere Boy gives an insight into the teenage life of John Lennon as he goes through his tumultuous family developments to discover what really happened to his parents and the reasons for his upbringing with his aunt, discovers a love for music and performing - bit of a showman - and begins a close friendship with fellow band member Paul McCartney, whose own family history bonds them together.

Realised by artist Sam Taylor-Wood (who incidentally is now in a relationship with the star Aaron Johnson) as her first feature film, the compelling story and great characterisation really carries the movie. Aside from being a story about a famous Beatle, it is a beautiful portrayal of male youth, finding your identity and fulfilling dreams. The struggle of coming to terms with a difficult family situation is touching, with the strength and passion of the female characters being central - they obviously shape the man that Lennon becomes. It is also entertaining for the boyhood antics he gets up to, being cheeky at school and pulling groupies, adopting Elvis hairstyles and Buddy Holly glasses and stealing records from the music store. At once a coming-of-age story as well as being a biopic of the young Lennon, the film is definitely worth a look. Aaron Johnson is also one to watch, his latest role is in Kick Ass, currently in cinemas, but his smartmouth rebel with a sensitive side in Nowhere Boy plucks at the heartstrings and paints an image of the man he is to become.

images - thecia.com.au

Tom Fordalicious

Tom Ford’s first foray into cinema has delivered a sensitive, evocative portrayal of lost love and human relationships. Based on the book by Christopher Isherwood, Colin Firth plays college professor George Falconer, a gay man crippled by the loss of his partner in a sudden accident. He maintains a polished, yet solitary existence while systematically organising his own suicide.
Ford’s fashion aesthetic comes through in the sensuous imagery: a highly stylised depiction of 1960’s America, at times bordering on a commercial look. Coming from a high fashion background, the consciously constructed world through which George moves can feel detached, yet it also adds to the sense of his loss and gradual disassociation from life. Memorable scenes are effectively the incongruent ones; a surreal conversation with the neighbouring family’s daughter and a fleeting moment with a Spanish model-type in the hazy light of an LA sunset. Bold and achingly beautiful, it is an accomplished debut for Ford from designer to director.

http://drnorth.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/suicide-is-spotless-a-single-man/

Moody Men

Continuing with my love and research of men in fashion and masculinity, NOWNESS has just released a new film for the Dior Homme AW2010 collection. Taking inspiration from a found polaroid of a white hallway, photographer Sharif Hamza recreated this scene in which to frame the new men's line, producing a film resplendent in mood as well as showing a reverence for the clothing itself. The billowing trench is particularly arresting, as well as the close up shots of the models, seeming to communicate without the need for words, as Sharif intends.

The White Room, Dior Homme Fall 2010

Directed by Sharif Hamza

Styled by Robbie Spencer