Photograph of the Day > Life Adjustment Center by Ryan McGinley

Today I said to myself that I was going to sit down and properly focus on my Photography coursework but I just couldn't resist reading my daily feed of Homotography and what do I see?... this beautiful monochrome photograph of a naked man with an alligator in a studio. How wonderful!

This is shot by the talented photographer, Ryan McGinley who has shot the likes of Kate Moss, Ellen Page, M.I.A, Tilda Swinton, Michael Cera, Casey Affleck, Seth Rogen, James McAvoy amongst many others. I only had just discovered his work today and what a lovely surprise. I must admit there's a lot of full frontal nudity in his projects which I'm still debating whether I find appealing however, nudity aside his creativity and vast imagination has produced spectacular art pieces.

This series of photos features many different animals with nude 'humans' and are shot in the forest and the studio. It gives an 'Adam & Eve'-esque feel to these photos with very interesting angles and motions. Also the way he captures the animals expressions is amazing.

I chose this particular photo as this was the image that captured my attention. The interaction between the male model and the baby alligator is surreal, serene and spectacular. (< like my alliteration there?!) :D

Beautifully shot!

This also reminded me of Helmut Newton's infamous photograph with a female model being eaten by an crocodile. (See my feature on Helmut Newton here)

Helmut Newton

Crocodile, 1980

Ryan McGinley Photography

Sources: Homotography  /  Ryan McGinley

(C) Ryan McGinley

Wes (Gator), 2010

M.A.S.H

Artist of the Week > Helmut Newton (NSFW)

So for for my A2 Photography my project I've chosen to do fashion/narrative photography using black/white film. We have to shoot in either 35mm or medium format and the latter for the final piece. 

I chose to research one of my favourite photographers, Helmut Newton; a pioneer of fashion photography. I love how glamorous, sexy and feminine his shots were. Although he has shot many female nudes he still manages to keep the integrity of the female form intact and hasn't flaunted it in a sleazy manner. His signature black/white photographs often explores sexuality, erotica and fetishism which was were a mainstay of Vogue and many other publications. This ties into my project by how he manages to tell a story in every photograph which is very inspiring. He pushed fashion photography from the 50's/60's and today sex is incorporated a lot. For his time it was amazing to see such fresh, intuitive photography. I simply love black/white photography!

Read More: http://www.helmutnewton.com/

Please note: (NSFW - Contains Nudity)

Quote of the Day - Helmut Newton

"My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, amuse and entertain."

-Helmut Newton
Photographer 

London & Westminster Uni

So I went to Westminster Uni yesterday for an open day to look at Photographic Arts course at Harrow. Thought it was pretty good however I think my first choice so far is Southampton Solent Uni as they offer Fashion with Photography course which sounds awesome. Although I would love to live in London, going on the tube was so quick and easy (I'm such a tourist in cities!) and fairly cheap to get a year pass as well. Living costs may be super expensive but I suppose in the long run it would pay off as there's so much going on in one of the fashion capitals of the world. I'm also looking at London College of Communication where Rankin graduated from. :) Shall be going to an open day in autumn.

(Rankin, photographer. Love his celebrity portraits!)

London is so full of life and there's always something going on. Compared to my little boring town of Bridgwater in Somerset, London is certainly the place to be for fashion and photography. When I was walking through Oxford Street I saw so many fashionable people from such a diverse range of styles. Also the fusion of ethnicities and fashion was very inspiring, I want to move to a city that inspires me! Southampton is a nice place but London had that extra zest, the city is always awake which I love. Plus the numerous galleries shall never bore me and you can make so many contacts; networking in London would be a bonus! In addition to that, I would like to move to London sometime in my life, so why not at 17? :) So many pros and cons to consider.

Firstly I've got to get in the Uni I like the most! Must get cracking with my portfolio and personal statement then! Here's some snaps I took from my day trip. I forgot to mention, I saw Richard E. Grant on the tube! Loved him in Withnail & I! haha. I'll never tire from seeing celebrities every day as well. :D

(from the Tate Modern gallery, Exposed exhibition)

(From the Tate Modern. Valie Export, Action Pants: Gentital Panic, 1969)

(From the Deimar Noble Photography gallery, Threads: Six Masters of Fashion Photography. Above, Helmut Newton)

(photo from outside the BBC television centre. My mama and I! )

I love London! Shall be visiting you again soon! :)