15.11.10

Wonder(ful)




I don't know about you I am in a great mood today. HAPPY! When I feel happy I literally want to bounce off the walls, I dont know why but I feel excited. The kind of imagery that springs to mind when I am happy would be that of photographer Tim Walker- my most favourite photographer of all. His imagery is nonsense, its beautifully abstract with the softest colours and cutest animals and the prettiest props you could ever find. His imagery is drawn from childhood memory, storybooks and dreams. His photographs provoke escapism which is why theyre so popular. How could something that's subconsciously pleasing ever go wrong? Tim's imagery has clearly been noticed by Rihanna as her new video for 'Only Girl in the World' is hugely inspired by his imagery. What an amazing video!

Tim Walker started off his career creating Cecil Beaton's archive at Conde Nast and by assisting photographers such as Richard Avedon. He took the long root too if your planning on assisting photographers and it wasn't all smiles either. Walker was no longer needed by Avedon after one day he accidentally dropped the world renowned photographer in front of quite a few people. Yes I did say DROPPED. I read an interview with him a year or so ago declaring how Avedon had a habit of sitting on the floor of his sets cross legged whilst taking pictures, he actually had a runner employed as the person who picks him up off the ground once he wanted to get up but unfortunately this guy was off and Walker had to fill his shoes. Avedon hadn't quite stood up properly before Walker let go and Avedon collapses to the ground in an angry heap. Wow. Im sorry but I couldn't help but laugh at that.

I could go on for pages about what Walker's created and how hes does it and how amazing his work is in my eyes, but instead im gonna post the video of Rihanna and a couple of Tim's pictures and let you enjoy...

GUSH. sorry.

10.11.10

MAKE LOVE NOT WAR


Is all this really necessary? Are we really reverting back to the times when we were all less educated and therefore massively ignorant in thinking that violence would get us what we want? This isnt about racism or communism or even giving rapists and peadophiles the same liberties we grant law abiders. Its just money, to pay for the education you CHOOSE or CHOOSE not to recieve.


I couldn't believe my ears the other day when listening to Radio Five Live and heard that by the end of this month all prisoners in the UK will be granted the LIBERTY of voting. All this due to the EU and the infringement of human rights. I think the one point many many people were missing when phoning in to throw in their poorly thought out ideas on life/politics and 'Human Rights', was that voting became a LIBERTY when this country became a democracy, however should someone display the intention of harming others or live a life of destruction or law breaking then clearly they do not have the good of the country or others in mind, therefore deeming them unfit individuals to make decisions that effect any other human being. People may say that the prisoner vote may not make enough of a dent to really make a difference to any elections, it only takes one vote to swing it doesnt it? When it comes to rallying and enticing voters even the the most PC and honest of politicians will be angling for the vote of the prisoners, what will they offer them for their votes? What kind of bribes will take place? I may be completely over the top in worrying about this situation but if you think about it in the simplest of ways, what good can come of this? None. I do not believe that you are born with the 'Human Right' of being able to vote, but the liberty. As soon as you violate another human being or break a law then that liberty should be taken away. Surely taking away another's freedom is an infringement of someone's human rights? Should we just do away with all the prisons while were at it?

Its things like this that really upset me. Yes being a recent graduate I have my own views on the rise in tuition fees, yes charging three times the amount that I was charged would be hugely upsetting, its bad enough I've entered my adult life with £20,000 worth of debt let alone £40,000+ after maintenance and tuition fees! The thing is, if you look at the amount that we are charged here for further education and how much other countries charge you will see it is still massively competitive here. In America you would be looking at spending about £200,000 for a degree. Today I was shocked by seeing the images above of smashed windows, spray painted walls and fires, along with all the injured people taken to hospital, all over a rise in fees that if you never earn over £20,000 you never have to pay off and that still you dont even have to pay off until you can afford it. I cant help but feel that people participated in this neanderthol like behaviour for the sake of letting out personal aggression and for the pure sake of being able to say "I was in a riot once".

And anyway, I think I read the statistics for graduates that gain jobs in the industry they studied in has fallen to about 80% hasnt it? With the lack of jobs that seem to be available in the current market what with all these cuts anyway, what good is a degree? People only want people with experience anyway..

PEACE.

1.11.10

The VAMP is back








...No I'm not talking about vampires, I'm talking about 'vamps'! Seductive, sexy sillhouetted women, the LADY is back (...but yes probably in a Chloe cape). From studs tassles and clumpy angular platforms and wedges last season, we've gone all... countryside retreat. It's all about the nudes, the blacks, the reds and the hunting themed colours: berry, khaki, emerald green and brown. The most prominent looks this season include luxurious 40's siren fur, A-line skirts and cinched in waists, glowing bare skin and uplifted cleavage. The hunting look is restored with femininity with its leather short shorts designed to expose long slim thighs all bronzed from the not so long ago Summer.

All of this is illustrated in photography by Jacques Olivar. Casablanca born photographer who has worked for the likes of Burberry, Celine, Trussardi, Hermes, Armani, he started his career by leading an awarded campaign for DIM stockings. He continued to win awards for his campaigns which have in turn award him more campaigns. Some of his works can be bought from the UK's first branch of LUMAS which can be found on Conduit Street, Mayfair.

Olivar's imagery bares a resemblance to the works of such photographers Annie Leibovitz and Mario Sorrenti, especially in the subtly lit images with cold tones and reflected sequins. He really does show an appreciation for female beauty, you will rarely find an Olivar image that demonstrates a female model looking less than desirable. Olivar mostly works on location and each environment seems to have the ability to tell a story of it's own even without a sitter, which sets him apart from alot of other fashion photographers these days with their white backdrop studios...getting models to jump up and down to make the shot a bit more interesting (Enough! too many people do this, wheres your signature style? And you call yourself a photographer...).

Anyway, above are a few of Olivar's most relevant images for Autumn/Winter 2010.

Enjoy.