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11/14/2009 01:40:34 PM · #1 |
To Breast or Not Too Breast in Fashion?
Breasts have always been an integral part of the Fashion scene. Whether to give impact to ones image or to startle the reader in to really looking at the imagery or designer being featured on that page. Although I have on the rare occasion done so for a beauty or skin story, I have rarely used this marketing technique gratuitously in my imagery. Perhaps due to the fact that my perception of beauty emanates from the eyes or from the light that I paint to highlight those parts of the image that are of importance to me. Many photographers insist on at least one upper torso nude shot in a series or the revealing of one of the two intimate parts of the female anatomy to add impact to their imagery.
I have often considered why I have not used this form of marketing in the expressing of my imagery. I might add that like most heterosexual males, I find breasts to be one of the more attractive elements of the female body. However I feel quite uncomfortable asking a model to disrobe in public. I know that it has more to do with me than the model, as they are accustomed to doing so for credible fashion magazines. I have often concluded that one of the reasons I do not, is that I believe that my images should be able to stand on their own without having to resort to sensational tactics to draw the reader to my images.
I will say however, that if an image is asking for the revealing of a breast, in other words would benefit and be enhanced esthetically by doing so, I would do so without reservation. I also believe that there is a fine line between what might be considered tacky vs elegant. I'm not a " Grunge Trash" photographer. There have been some incredible artists like Terry Richardson who have pulled off that style with panache and conviction that come across with a Raw authenticity that renders their images as credible. They are not glamour shots. They are a slice of life perceived from a certain vantage point that is understood by the artist and given real meaning.
As I do not wish to emulate a style, I will continue doing what I feel is appropriate at that moment in time that works for me. If the occasion does require an interpretation that gives a reason for doing so, I will.
I having been asked on several occasions by gallery owners, "Ben, why don't you shoot more nudes?" and the only answer that I can reply with is "I am a Fashion Photographer..."
So, are Breasts in Fashion? Yes they are. It just depends on how you wish to frame them.
//www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2009/11/14/to-breast-or-not-too-breast-is-the-fashion-question/
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11/14/2009 01:57:42 PM · #2 |
...i like boobs...
jk :) I think it's a matter of making the breasts an integral part of the entire image without making them the main feature. It's a very thin line that you will probably have to experiment with. |
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11/14/2009 02:15:32 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Blue Moon:
...i like boobs...
jk :) I think it's a matter of making the breasts an integral part of the entire image without making them the main feature. It's a very thin line that you will probably have to experiment with. |
"It's a very thin line that you will probably have to experiment with..." Well there you have it. You have made my day ;-)
Ben :-)
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11/14/2009 02:17:33 PM · #4 |
you could - potentially - take that view point, flip it 180 degrees, and photograph 'man boobs' in an 'unfashionable' yet revealing manner. it's likely a lot harder a subject to work with than trained models, but the results might be interesting...
:)
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11/14/2009 02:20:39 PM · #5 |
Man boobs would be a lot more startling! If fashion mags wanted to be startling & attention-getting we wouldn't always see the same old stuff.
Message edited by author 2009-11-14 14:21:48. |
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11/14/2009 02:23:44 PM · #6 |
you'd almost have to look....!!!
unlike those fashion shoots with the womans boobs hidden behind some $5000 piece of fabric... it would be a quite revealing series.
and, i was being somewhat sarcastic.
Message edited by author 2009-11-14 14:25:00.
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11/14/2009 02:47:48 PM · #7 |
Benjamin, truth be told I have never understood high fashion photography. I looked at your portfolio on DPC, and on most of them, I have no clue what is being sold. The photo on your blog that matches this article, a girl in a dentist chair, being molested by 2 guys in Halloween costumes. The only thing that could possibility be for sale is her shirt that I can̢۪t see enough of to even know whether it looks nice or not. Who are you selling it to, woman? Seriously, I doubt it, it looks more like the beginning of a photo spread for Playboy. (or) Are we indeed selling to woman, stuck in the 50̢۪s idea that woman must satisfy men̢۪s fantasies to be happy?
I̢۪m not getting down on you, it is what it is, I just don̢۪t get it.. |
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11/14/2009 04:12:29 PM · #8 |
Is a boob more or less of a boob when it's covered with designer fabric? ( soup I know you're kidding!
Fashion photography for some reason is more about style than about the product. To see a good clear picture of the product you would go to a catalog. As always, fashion and style follows what's already happening on the street in real life.
Irving Penn is my favorite fahsion photographer.
Message edited by author 2009-11-14 16:13:01. |
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11/14/2009 05:30:25 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by alans_world:
Benjamin, truth be told I have never understood high fashion photography. I looked at your portfolio on DPC, and on most of them, I have no clue what is being sold.
I̢۪m not getting down on you, it is what it is, I just don̢۪t get it.. |
This applies to a large majority of advertising though surely. If you took the tagline off 80% of tv adverts you'd have no idea what was being sold either. I think you'd have to go back 50 years or more before advertising was just, 'here it is, you want it, this is the price'. Once sex and desire was melded with consumer desire that was it really. Saying that though, i don't really see fashion, and by extension fashion photography, as just about selling the clothes; it's an artform really, just like sculpture or fine art.
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11/14/2009 05:32:28 PM · #10 |
Women have breasts, so no worries if you see the shape of a breast (in any size or form) in fashion. Can even be naked. But if you need a naked breast to sell some cloth that is not related to the breast, than your cloth or the photographer sucks.
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11/14/2009 05:47:31 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:
Originally posted by alans_world:
Benjamin, truth be told I have never understood high fashion photography. I looked at your portfolio on DPC, and on most of them, I have no clue what is being sold.
I̢۪m not getting down on you, it is what it is, I just don̢۪t get it.. |
This applies to a large majority of advertising though surely. If you took the tagline off 80% of tv adverts you'd have no idea what was being sold either. I think you'd have to go back 50 years or more before advertising was just, 'here it is, you want it, this is the price'. Once sex and desire was melded with consumer desire that was it really. Saying that though, i don't really see fashion, and by extension fashion photography, as just about selling the clothes; it's an artform really, just like sculpture or fine art. |
80% of clothing adds, yes I agree. 95% of everything else, you don't even need audio. |
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11/15/2009 06:35:19 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by Azrifel:
Women have breasts, so no worries if you see the shape of a breast (in any size or form) in fashion. Can even be naked. But if you need a naked breast to sell some cloth that is not related to the breast, than your cloth or the photographer sucks. |
Very well expressed. A very good point.
PS..Just aded a Hilarious Parody to my Post:
//www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2009/11/14/to-breast-or-not-too-breast-is-the-fashion-question/
Message edited by author 2009-11-15 07:17:52.
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