Detailed Research: Fashion Photographer Research: Emma Summerton -

Fashion: Emma Summerton -

Born: January 1st 1969
Died: N/A
Place of Birth: Australia
Occupation: Fashion Photographer
Camera: Unknown
Style: High fashion, raw

Notable Places of Work:

• Vogue
• Yves Saint Laurent
• Agent Provocateur
• Nylon
• i-D
• Topshop
• Selfridges

Other Information:

• Born in Australia.
• Lives in two capitals of fashion: London and New York City.
• Studied at the National Art School in Sydney.
• Worked as a photographic assistant, post-graduation, to Turner Prize-nominated Fiona Banner.

Examples of Work:

The cool tones in this image is one of the reasons that this image is so effective. The direct address of the model to the viewer creates an intense feeling thus matching the cold atmosphere; the focal length which blurs the drink and focuses on the face and eyes also aids this. The use of contrasting colours is also important in the juxtapositions of cool blues and warm reds both in the background, on the model and in the foreground in the prop of the drink.

This image is all about raw female empowerment and even more than that, black female empowerment. Often within the media black women have been reduced to the status of being invisible or simply meeting a model quota but recent advances in media have lead to a movement of appreciation. This image features: Rihanna, Iman and Naomi Campbell. The image not only is challenging racism, sexism but also ageism in the media by showcasing women from different age categories all looking powerful and beautiful.

This image is interesting due to its composition; the use of the grid system means that the viewer is taken on a journey through the photograph to see all the faces of the models. The image features women of black decent and is a photograph of empowerment and beauty. The strong poses held by the models showcase the bold patterned clothes and somehow manage to fit and juxtapose the scenery all at once.  The muted saturation is another element that makes this image so striking.

This photograph is very much about exemplifying the clothes on the model and this photograph does this extremely well despite the fact that the image is in black and white. The increased contrast between black and white provides extreme differences so that they viewers eye is attracted to follow the flowing shapes of flames along the bottom of the dress. Additionally, the pose and make-up contrast the flow of the curved dress in that the arms are angular and the shadows on the face create sharp lines on the eyebrows and nose which also helps to link in the idea of the product being almost an oxymoron of light stereotypical femininity in the fabric but the flame pattern symbolising a more fierce female personality.

This photograph in its colours, pose and angle all come together to create a sensuous overtone. I would not be surprised if this photograph is for the client Agent Provocateur and that the product being sold is the undergarment featured on the lying female. The colour of the green and blue combined gives the impression of a motel which has been a favoured location to shoot in for a long time now. The messy bed and overhead mirror all connote sexuality and help to sell the product and the idea of female power. The lost identity of the male allows the focus to be placed solely on the female as the main focus of the photographic campaign.