Background Research

To begin the exam we have been looking at artistic combinations and alliances with artists and photographers....

Many photographers are influenced by previous photographers and this is shown through the style of their work. Richard Avedon 1923-2004 was a world renown photographer for his portraiture images that were on occasion very explicit or very emotive. His images were very fashion based and he shots the likes of Marylin Monroe many a time. His images are always shown in black and white which defines his images from most.

This image is very stereotypical of Avedon. The image gives the perception of a playboy bunny getting ready to go out, I think. It is quite a fun image and the black and white defines the image.

This image is again really stylistic and very intricately posed. The fact that the image is in black and white ensures that the skin and the clothing almost completely merges together.
Rankin 1966-present has many images that are much like Avedons. Their styles are very similar which would conclude that much of Rankin's work was influenced by Avedon. Again like Avedon much of Rankin's work is quite explicit yet still very artistic and different from the every day image.

Rankin does photograph many modern day famous celebrities. This one in particular in Rosie Huntington Whiteley. Being an actress and all round celebrity the image had to be one of a flattering image showing her off in her best way. Rankin did a series of images of Rosie and called it '10 times Rosie' this consisted of; 1 model, 1 photographer 1 designer and 10 different shoots. The shots had been published in a book now.

This is one of Rankins commissions. It is a lingerie shoot. The image is very flattering and accentuates all aspects of the body covering all the right places.

This again is another celebrity, singer Robyn. This image is playful and fun with the use of vibrant colours and the progression of these colours hitting the face. Also the change in expression adds dynamic to the image.

It is clear that Rankin is influenced by the images of Avedon and this is seen through his images and the style he keeps. Other photographers have also been influenced by one another.

Edward Hopper and Gregory Crewsdon are two photographers that also seem to have similar styles of images. Hopper 1882-1967 had quite clearly influenced the images of Gregory Crewsdon 1962-present. Their images are often seen as very detached and isolated.

This first image is 'the hotel room'. I think this image seems very uncomfortable as the woman seems very unhinged from the man in the image and the colours are quite bland.

This image is one of Hopper's most famous images; 'Nighthawks' this image shows some people sitting in a bar, however where this bar is and what time the image is set is completely unknown. This adds to the concept of the image and the style of the perception taken by the viewer. The next image are by Gregeory Crewsdon and the comparisons between them are very similar.


This image is very strange. It shows a woman lying on the floor looking completely drenched however there doesn't seem to be any water around. The colours in the image are only vibrant away from the subject, in the corners etc.

This image is quite humorous in that the family are clearly having a meal and there is a naked woman in the doorway. The eye is not instantly attracted to the naked woman either because of the styling of the light, being particularly on the man and the woman seems more into the shadows.