photo-SHOP til you drop!

So in preparation for my photographic brief (which I have yet to start) I have been trialling new things on photoshop - with the help of some youtube tutorials. Having started uni with no knowledge of photoshop whatsoever, I feel that I have finally grasped some aspects of it. 

This is a composition I created. With the flower picture, I turned it in to black and white, and added colour to emphasise some flowers on it. I like the effect I think it makes it really stand out. With the word flowers, I cut this out from a picture of flowers. Again, I think the 3D effect looks visually appealing. 

Another picture turned black and white, with the emphasis of some colour on the flowers. 

Here I took the photo of Marilyn Monroe and added elements of colour to her. This is great way to change elements of the photo as to how you want. I wanted her to have striking red lips with subtle blonde hair and pale skin, which was the trend of the time. 

Loving the playfulness of these images reflecting the 70s vibe. Very on trend with fashion at the moment. I like pictures that capture at story, and find that these images are very successful at doing so. 

Photographed by Camilla Akrans for Harper's Bazaar US April 2011

Research, Research, Research!

So I'm due to start my latest university project, a photographic brief which will enter a US brand in to the UK market.

Of course I have been conducting lots of research, getting stressed and tearing my hair out (not literally but you get the point). You see the brand must not currently be operating within the UK market, which has made my search a lot harder! However today I had a break through, and it would appear that I have not one, but two brands to choose from! Both are different in there own way and I now have to narrow down  my options. The brands are, Laugh cry repeat and American gold. Both of which I found on http://www.spanishmossshop.com.

This website is my new found love. It offers some vintage clothing and some new clothes, mainly from American designers. It does of course ship to the UK which is a bonus. 

Pictures courtesy from http://www.spanishmossshop.com.

Ballet Fetish

At the moment there seems to be a real trend for ballet. Whether this be in fashion, film or as a hobbie, it seems that this forgotten trend is making a come back!

Following the film, "Black Swan", fashion has moved in to the ballet genre. This is evident in Chloe's sheer chiffon skirts with leotards beneath. Mulberry created dainty, little replica ballet shoes, in the form of a classic brogue.  This has helped ballet to become more widespread. Even The English Nation Ballet even a rise in their ticket sales, through this growing trend. 

Having danced for over 10 years (every dance style possible from hip-hop to ballet, contemporary to tap),  I myself didn't like to dance ballet, instead I'd rather admire those that did. The elegance, grace and beauty of it, all that makes ballet the art form it is. 

Me - dancing on stage at a competition.