Fashion images

Abstract

Fashion is an expression of individual taste and a form of communication. r Someone's clothes can tell others something about their age, status, taste and even profession . At first men and women dressed in accordance to a style that was restricted by religion and custom and until the twentieth century fashion was created only for the ~wealthy . Then came the industrial revolution and the general public was able to dress fashionably . The market for "fashion" grew and with it came the demand for fashion innovations. This was the start of Fashion photography. Newspapers used photographs of fashionable women at social events to illustrate stories about the lives of the rich and famous. Fashion trends became more visible as the camera glamourized them: Designers started using photography to document their collection and fashion magazines replace illustration with photographs. Women could now visualize themselves wearing the latest styles. Although styles have changed, fashion photography's aim is still to create a desirable way of showing the clothing and making it possible for the viewer to place herself in the subject's place and to identify himself ~ ith the subject. Although fashion photography today still creates a realistic mood for the viewer to believe in, the photographer always have to make use of composition and fantasizing to create a more idealized version of reality. Fashion photography is part of a complex set of relationships, advertising agencies, fashion magazines and the public and although the photographer is most of the time told how the manufacturers, for example, want the work done he still has to be aware of trends, because fashion changes as political and social conditions change and so does people's way of looking at themselves in different situations. Through her book, the author wants to show that fashion photography always has to be realistic but also experimental to create a visual pleasing image which, in the end, sell the product. The author will try to provide the reader with enough information about the history of fashion photography from the beginning up to what we today recognize as a fashion photograph. The author's own style, technique and motivations will also be discussed .