port folio.
photo graphy.
earlier fashion
banger (2009)
wonderland (2009)
costume promo (2009)
commisioned for Colosoul Magazine (2009)
undies (2009)
a ghost’s wedding (2010)
pure (2010)
costume promo (2010)
positive bodyimage test shots
The unattainable and unrealistic body ideals portrayed in today’s media have long been criticised, especially because of their expected effects on self-perception and body image. In response to growing community concerns with body image, the Australian government has introduced a national strategy on ‘positive’ body image, which includes a voluntary industry code of conduct. This code aims to promote a healthier, less contrived depiction of the human body in the media. However, some of the code’s principles, which address the depiction of the human body and the use of digital manipulation, seem to ask for a radical change in the practice of fashion and advertising photography, in particular, the reduction of the use of digital manipulation techniques. As the use of digital manipulation has become common practice in amateur and professional photography, a change of that practice appears rather doubtful. Therefore, this research project aims to explore the practicability of the code’s principles in the context of 21st century commercial fashion photography. The project will investigate the differences in the creative and production process when working according to the code’s principles, as opposed to the ‘usual’ production process, where the photographer does not have to pay attention on promoting positive body image. The pictures you see in the following pages are shot according to the principles of the code and have not been retouched. Model: Sarah Elise Taillier, Assistant: Tabitha Khoo
photo grapher.
alexandra engels
engelsalexandra@web.de | 041 68 29 477