A Projected Beauty
The enchanted garden
Vogue Italia
November 2008
Photographer: Solve Sundsbo
Model: Jessica Stam
via Foto Decadent
Vogue Italia
November 2008
Photographer: Solve Sundsbo
Model: Jessica Stam
via Foto Decadent
Solve Sundsbo is one of those photographers whose use of colour I have always admired. I think that rather than choosing a location or background designs merely for the purpose of acting as a setting, he truly puts thought into creating an artistic image as a whole.
In Sundsbo's fashion photography, the clothing serves only part of the message. Even though it is the most important part of the shot, it is always the shot as a whole that helps to exemplify the beauty of the fashions contained therein. I find that the inherent danger of shooting fashion, is that one looks to make the clothing the main focus of a shot. Whilst I do enjoy shoots with minimalist settings, where the eye is allowed to appreciate the clothing without distraction, there is also a joy to be found in more conceptual shoots. A shoot where one finds a story being told, or a fantasy being painted is one which can be admired, not solely for the fashion, but also the art that is photography.
I remember first coming across this shoot and being mesmerised by the techniques employed by Sundsbo. He is a true magician in the way he produces his photographs, and I loved the concept of the projected backgrounds. There is an uncertainty of depth within many of shots, where Stam is posing in front a studio backdrop, yet the projection of the florals creates a beautiful painting of light over and behind her. Indeed this helps to create a certain dreamlike quality to the shots, with the softly diffused light and colours. Comparatively the shots with the highly saturated colours of the budding flowers are simply exquisite in the way in which they strike with such a vivid and playful quality.
I was also fascinated by the fact that Sundsbo uses what one would assume to be a spring setting, with the luscious use of blooming flowers and bright colours, for winter clothing. The juxtaposition of those two elements, for me, only adds to the wonderful sense of magic and fantasy. Indeed I have always felt that even on the darkest and most dreary of winter days, one needs to carry the thought and beauty of summer within themselves. It is far too simple to wrap up and forget style in the light of harsher weather. However I would argue that the layering required for colder weather, allows one far more flexibility and chance for experimentation when considered alongside the relatively minimal clothing required of summer.
Currently playing: Superstition - Stevie Wonder
xxxx
In Sundsbo's fashion photography, the clothing serves only part of the message. Even though it is the most important part of the shot, it is always the shot as a whole that helps to exemplify the beauty of the fashions contained therein. I find that the inherent danger of shooting fashion, is that one looks to make the clothing the main focus of a shot. Whilst I do enjoy shoots with minimalist settings, where the eye is allowed to appreciate the clothing without distraction, there is also a joy to be found in more conceptual shoots. A shoot where one finds a story being told, or a fantasy being painted is one which can be admired, not solely for the fashion, but also the art that is photography.
I remember first coming across this shoot and being mesmerised by the techniques employed by Sundsbo. He is a true magician in the way he produces his photographs, and I loved the concept of the projected backgrounds. There is an uncertainty of depth within many of shots, where Stam is posing in front a studio backdrop, yet the projection of the florals creates a beautiful painting of light over and behind her. Indeed this helps to create a certain dreamlike quality to the shots, with the softly diffused light and colours. Comparatively the shots with the highly saturated colours of the budding flowers are simply exquisite in the way in which they strike with such a vivid and playful quality.
I was also fascinated by the fact that Sundsbo uses what one would assume to be a spring setting, with the luscious use of blooming flowers and bright colours, for winter clothing. The juxtaposition of those two elements, for me, only adds to the wonderful sense of magic and fantasy. Indeed I have always felt that even on the darkest and most dreary of winter days, one needs to carry the thought and beauty of summer within themselves. It is far too simple to wrap up and forget style in the light of harsher weather. However I would argue that the layering required for colder weather, allows one far more flexibility and chance for experimentation when considered alongside the relatively minimal clothing required of summer.
Currently playing: Superstition - Stevie Wonder
xxxx