Agua Caliente

Jessie commissioned me to do another portrait of her and she was keen on having it on a bathtub. This is one of the shots I took that day and I'm glad it turned out really well.

Leopard Eyes

Inspiring Fashiontography [3]: Jason Eric Hardwick's Rule-defying Photography

You know the feeling of seeing an artwork that leaves you breathless for a second and then you just want to keep it all to yourself because you are afraid that most of the people wouldn't understand it. Most especially when the beauty of this particular art seems to break the rules set by the majority. This was the feeling I had when I saw the works of this brilliant and kick-ass photographer Jason Eric Hardwick.

Hardwick's work is not just good photography for me. For me there's evident art in it. His editorials doesn't follow the norms of fashion photography and most of the time they seem to intentionally break the very rules that we learn in photography workshops. Well no offense but the photography workshops teach us photography techniques but not really art and the art of photography. What I like most in his work is his effort to mix the artistic and the commercial as shown in his editorials below.

Whoever said that fashion photographs should be sharp, not blurred, highlights and shadows metered to 'perfection' and models stick-thin should look closely at this photographer's work and know that what he does is far more remarkable than your own. Radical, deviant and questionable are just some of the adjectives that the brilliant works of art come with.

Yesterday I spent few hours reading this photography forum site and how everyone seem to have a problem of each photo being put out there. 'Oh the highlights are blown out' or the 'it seem to lack contrast' are just some of the ridiculous comments I've read. Makes me want to raise a finger to the all-knowing-pros out there. Isn't art suppose to be appreciated for the artist's point of view? For his mastery of techniques or lack thereof?

"Fashion photography is the blurry line between art and advertising. Photographer Jason Eric Hardwick understands the necessity of the commercial and the importance of the creative." (http://midamericamia.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/jeh_interview/)

Like what I told a new found friend over our conversation last night, I hope to prove that I'm good enough according to the 'standards' of fashion photography so that I can have the courage to start breaking all the rules and show the people my own art.

[To check the rest of Jason Eric Hardwick's work his portfolio is at http://www.jasonerichardwick.com/]

I'm not a hater of those who adhere, I just appreciate those who are brilliant and being hated for it.

"Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision unborrowed, and the response they received--hatred. The great creators--the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors--stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The first airplane was considered impossible. The power loom was considered vicious. Anesthesia was considered sinful. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won." - (From my all time favorite 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand)

Inspiring Fashiontography [2]: Gomillion & Leupold's Color Pop

I remembered getting really really inspired by these two New York-based photographers last year and for that I tried eliminating any inhibitions against color in photographs. They just do it beautifully that their photos begs for a second look. They just don't make the colors prominent they even make it POP! Just look at some of the samples of their work below and you'll know what I mean.

Every once in a while I look at portfolio site ( www.dripbook.com/gomillionandleupold/splash/) when I notice myself leaning towards monochromatic or desaturated photos. When paired with excellent styling and striking angles, color bursts in photos can be as opulent and sophisticated as monochromatic ones. Like in the photos above it's the colors that bring the drama and gives life to 'em.

I don't have that much details about their profiles but I know they've earned respect for their unique style. Actually their are quite really good in monochrome as well.

I just can't wait to experiment on these style again like I did before.

Inspiring Fashiontography [1]: Teuku Ajie's Avante-Garde Gender-Bending Photos

Being an aspiring fashion photographer I have a fixation on all eye-catching or unique styles and techniques that photographers employ in their photos that  I happen to come across in magazine editorials or during the hours I spend on the internet. In fact I realised that my favorites bar already have a long list of sites of these photographers I have been following. I also have more in stored in my e-mail and hard drive. I saved them because I hope that one day I will be able to experiment on a shoot and that I will be able to evoke their look and feel.

Yes I'm just passionate about this craft and maybe in fact I'm just addicted. So as a way of releasing this sort of  'drug' that messes up my sleeping hours and daily routine, I'd like to start sharing the brilliant works and photographers that inspires or have continually inspired me to evolve in this creative field. I'm sure in one way or another you will notice that they have influenced my own style and techniques.

---

[TEUKIE AJIE] - photographer

I came across Teuke Ajie's blog few months ago and I have grown to be a follower of his work. It seems he is on a league of his own.

This particular editorial by Teuke shown below had blown me away by the excellent play of light and shadows. Looking at each photo I wondered how he or they thought of having them styled and lighted in that way because the photos seem very dramatic without the clutter of props, effects or a grand location. Each photo highlighted the avante-garde outfits aptly.

I would love to have one of his photographs framed and hanged in my room. They are really exquisite art pieces.

Check out his other works through his blog [http://www.teukuajie.blogspot.com/] and see why he is definitely a one-to-watch.