Helmut Newton.

As a part of our concepts brief we have an individual task to do a visual analysis on a photograph. For prep work we researched a range of famous fashion photographers. This is something I personally enjoy and I was most impressed by Helmut Newton. He's known for his powerful, assertive, sexual and also dominant images of women. He finds the beauty in imperfection. Newton creates more casual and less polished that adds personal touch to the picture. It was interesting to find that he uses a simple set-up, just the camera and a flash on top. Its more about the image than editing as he says himself he finds boring. I think that explains why he rarely does studio work because it isn't real so he shoots in real locations. The photos are nostalgic and retro which I love. We romanticise older photos because things looked so much "more interesting" back then. The idea of keeping photos and not discarding was eye opening. A photo that we may find interesting this year might seem boring next year and vice versa. My favourite images are below:

The intimacy and tight frame allows us to see the details of the skin.

This picture reminds me of grease especially the hair as well as the era. Her expression portrays her confidence and dominance.  

The paleness of the skin represents purity but the cigar is like the opposite and seems rebellious. 

The women is dressed in a suit making her figure seem more masculine and the gritty road looks like a shot from a film noir. 

The seductive quality mixed with the strong and powerful woman on top cradling the man is refreshing. It is unusual to see the man as the weaker sex. The sinister man in the background watching could connote society watching.

I adore all of his photography and can't believe I didn't know of him before. 

Love, 

Shaleen

xxx