Photography Book

Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 20 - Controversial Fashion Photography

The Brief

To design and produce a book highlighting controversial fashion photography/campaigns.

Brief Type

Self-Initiated

Context & Target Audience

Fashion Photography is ever growing, becoming more daring and making more statements. This book will showcase some of the most controversial photoshoots and campaigns in the Fashion world, highlighting the fine line between reality and fiction.

The book will be therefore targeted at those, both male and female, who have an interest in Fashion and Photography, or have an interest in controversial campaigns.

Considerations

To ensure that this brief is completed to the highest standard, there are several elements which need to be considered throughout the design and production process:

Format and Binding AestheticsContent - Interests and Areas for DiscussionSourcing PhotographyGrid and LayoutVisual and Verbal Language

Solution

This book documents a series of controversial fashion photoshoots, highlighting the messages and photographers behind the camera and the photographs of the Vogue spreads. Many think photographers aim to be controversial, different or out there, whilst this series shoots aims to showcase why these are carried out for more than simply, the shock factor.

Evaluation

This brief was really very enjoyable, even in regards to researching prior to the lengthy design process. I feel being passionate and interested in the subject chosen really allowed for a strong final outcome, whilst showing throughout the publication itself.

1/6


Contextual Background and Inspiration

I first felt inspired to work on this brief after seeing the Downtown Divas Russian Prostitutes Photoshoot in i-D magazine.

The photographs showcase how at first glance they have the physique of models, yet the reality is very different being homeless, drug addicts and in need of food and clothes. The women were taken in, dressed up in haute couture and photographed professionally to get the message across on a global scale with masses

Research: Contextual/Content

2/6

of impact. I found this photoshoot quite powerful and thought provoking, especially due to my interests in the media and eating disorders, the COP module and my dissertation focusing on the media and its relation to eating disorders and in turn the fashion industry.

Most fashion photography books and collections, and even most magazines focus on the beauty and clothing, opposed to the story, the background and issues being played out in front of the camera.

Collated Photography

Through extensive research, 11 Controversial Fashion Photographers and their works were selected and sourced for use in the publication.

Each photographer and subject was chosen due to being daring, bold, controversial and recognised within the Fashion and Photography worlds, even if for the wrong reasons.

Featured Photographers:

1. Dafy Hagai2. Louis Banks3. Steven Meisel4. Raj Shetye 5. Giampaolo Sgura6. Terry Richardson7. Steven Klein8. Loral Amir & Gigi Ben Atzi9. Vasil Germanov10. Guy Bourdin11. Helmet Newton


Layout Design

The above examples showcase a variety of simple, minimal and clean layout designs, yet all are impactful, bold and eye catching due to the visuals and typography set within it.

Minimal type allows for the photography to speak for itself, as if in a gallery, an exhibition or a photographic zine.

Research: Aesthetics

3/6

Colour and Typography

The above example shows much more diversity within the layout, however, the use of bursts of colour, and larger, emphasised type adds much more depth and variation to the publication.


Title and Cover Design

The book title is derived from the idea of photography being an art form, and being subjective to the viewer. To tie this into the books controversial contents, the cover features a heavily manipulated picture of Hitler (by Zerocento), dressed in a happy, pink, love infested suit with a full face of make-up. This image, seen as highly controversial instantly sets the scene for the inner spreads, being mocked at also in a photo frame.

The image is taken from the Italian Fashion Line Cambia Styles S/S Campaign from 2010.

Contents Page

The contents page remains simple and minimal in aesthetic, highlighting the photographers number, name, photoshoot title and page number.

A slight infusion of colour has been added to added in the form of a subtle gradient, adding contrast and reflecting the tone and contents (i.e. photography).

Outcome: Cover Design and Contents Page

4/6


Content

Each photographer features their own section, showcasing their location and website/portfolio details, as well as a full series of images, background and contextual information, and credits of the models.

Each first page for the photographer, relays the section number corresponding to the contents page, whilst featuring a coloured gradient background adding depth to the imagery, setting the mood for the imagery to follow and breaking the sections in a aesthetically pleasing manner (seen middle top/bottom photograph).

5/6

Outcome: Layout Design

Layout

A variety of layouts have been used throughout, remaining consistent by using templates and allowing for a pick and mix depending on the photography at hand.

Adding a different and quirky aesthetic quality to the minimal and stripped back design, the page number and photoshoot name have been cut slightly off in the design process, to give focus on the photography and background information, whilst becoming a subtle design feature of their own on the introductory spreads.


Photography Selection

Not all of the photographs collected throughout the research process were used in the final outcome. The images used were selected due to being most impactful, controversial and high-quality, as well as really emphasising the background information given.

The images chosen also reflect the brief and the stated solution, embodying the most talked about and controversial fashion photography of the 20th and 21st centuries.

6/6

Outcome: Layout Design

Documents

Photography Book