Photograph of the Day > Stunning Swarovski Shoot by Benjamin Lennox

My friend Kirsty had just bought the latest issue of Vogue with Gisele on the cover which came with a 'best places to party' guide. On the back of that cover I came across such a captivating image that I was searching the net for the shoot as I only had a glimpse of the image before we left for our train. I took a snapshot on my phone to remind myself to look it up! I think this image is pretty spectacular.

This was shot for Vogue Promotions, Vogue UK Dec 2011 by Benjamin Lennox. I had found these images on Kim Howells blog who was the stylist for this shoot. I think this shoot is beautiful especially the vibrant colours and the model's expression in my Photograph of the Day. I love the styling, fashion and how it's shot. There really isn't anything I can critique on! You certainly see the sparkle in Swarovski.

Source: 

Kim Howells Blog

Further Reading: 

Swarovski Website

Models.com - Benjamin Lennox

Combination top, Jason Wu. Chocker piece Andy Farrow. All designs made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

See the rest of the shoot here:

Dress, Roksanda Ilincic. Hat, Jane Taylor. Earrings, Anton Heunis made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Dress, Monique Lhuillier. Hat, Jane Taylor.

Jacket and skirt, both Marios Schwab. Hat, Catherine Piederriere, for Crystal Obsession. Necklace, Jacques Fath.

Dress, Marios Schwab. Headpiece made using Chunky Chain necklace, Dannijo; Aquitaine necklace,Simon Harrison; chain, Martine Wester; all made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Earrings made withSWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Dress, Giles.

Dress, Kanzi, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Dress, Rodarte, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Headpiece, by Helmut Newton, Swarovski Corporate Archive.

Dress, Mary Katrantzou. Headpiece, Otazu. Cuffs, Holly Fulton. Panther bracelet and Caddis Cascade bracelet, both Simon Harrison. One-stone ring, Janis Savitt. Matching button rings, SWAROVSKI CRYSTALLIZED. All designs made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Dress, Holly Fulton, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Headpiece, Jane Taylor. Crystal fringe, stylist's own, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Jacket, Jason Wu. Bra, ID Sarrieri, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Earrings and necklace, both Anton Heunis. Three-stone ring, Miquella. Gold bracelet, Rodrigo Otazu, available at SWAROVSKI CRYSTALLIZED. Red crystal bracelet, Simon Harrison. Matching large and small circle stone rings, both SWAROVSKI CRYSTALLIZED. Small crystal matching rings, Chelsea Taylor. Multi-stonering, The Earring Boutique.

Dress, Jenny Packham. Earrings, The Earring Boutique. All embellished with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Skirt and top, Jason Wu. Body piece, Jose Miro. All made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Photographer: Benjamin Lennox

Stylist: Kim Howells

Hair: Kenna

Make-up: Ashley Ward

Nails: Zoe Pocock

Model: Iekeliene Stange

M.A.S.H

Photograph of the Day > Alexander Skarsgård by Steven Klein

Was getting my daily feed of hot guys at homotography.blogspot.com and was utterly captivated by Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard in this wonderfully sexy shoot by the one-and-only Steven Klein. I must admit when I saw him in Lady Gaga's Paparazzi music video 2 years ago I wasn't completely sold by the guy however after watching True Blood (OMG his acting and mere presence is a pleasure to watch!) and now seeing this incredible shoot I am blown away! It's been a while since I've done 'Photograph of the Day' and this shoot is most deserving of that title... plus what better photograph to get me back in my regular features! The True Blood star is styled by Karl Templer and is photographed for the June/July issue of Interview magazine. He is joined by model Crystal Renn. I wish I could get my hands on this magazine where I live so if you can.. get it! :D

Source: Homotography

Further Reading: Interview Magazine  /   Steven Klein Studio   /   IMDb: Alexander Skarsgård   /   Models.com: Karl Templer

M.A.S.H

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

Photograph of the Day > Alex Pettyfer by Tyler Shields

(no copyright infringement intended (c) Tyler Shields)

OK, so I try not to be biased in my 'Photograph of the Day' feature however after viewing the talented and often sexual images of LA based photographer/video maker Tyler Shields I couldn't resist. He has set his trademark in portraiture and fashion photographer where he often snaps Hollywood's rising stars. To some his work is tasteful and arousing, to others exploitive and unnecessary; whatever your view is he simple demands your attention nonetheless. His style is reminiscent of Terry Richardson however I think Shields has his own established style.

 I chose the handsome young actor, Alex Petterfer who has starred in Stormbreaker, Wild Child and upcoming blockbusters, I Am Number Four and Beastly, as I have found him charming since 2007. He hasn't failed to impress as he has also been featured in Burberry campaigns.

I particularly selected this shot as I liked the intensity in his eyes and how his intensity with the camera hasn't been distracted by two blonde models nibbling at him. His torn shirt and wet tousled hair exerts his masculinity which I find exciting and the models adds the glamour. I like the fusion of humour, sexiness and intensity in this shot and Shields has done a great job with this shoot. I also like his use of high contrast in his images.

Source: Tyler Shields Photography 

See more from his shoot: 

(C) Tyler Shields

M.A.S.H

Photograph of the Day > Stewart Shining

I'm not sure who the model is but I love this photograph. The shallow depth of field, pose and setting is a wonderful combination. To me this represents strength, beauty and a strange calmness. His face is relaxed despite his arms being tense from hanging on and I like how his feet are positioned. Our eyes read the photo following the barrier and after we admire his looks we realize this is set in a city (probably New York). The reason I've said strange calmness is that it is hard to find serenity in busy cities and to stop and look at something unusual is refreshing.

source: Homotography

See more: http://stewartshining.com/

Photograph of the Day > Jared Leto by Bryan Adams

Eek! Singer/songerwriter, frontman, director and actor Jared Leto shot half naked by singer/songwriter musician and photographer Bryan Adams for Zoo Magazine (from Germany FYI)! How excited was I to find this out!! Totally had to blog about this seeing that M.A.S.H's current 'crush' is Jared Leto :D Leto stars in the editorial 'Renaissance Man' for issue #29 for Zoo. Styled by Lotta Aspenberg.

I love Adam's composition and the drama the black/white gives. The playfulness is refreshing to see from Leto who is often seen as the mysterious blue eyed beauty however the spikey blonde hair (he's back to brunette now) and the apple core in his mouth with the rusty wall adds character and a hard edge which works great. It's also quite random and that's another reason why it's memorable and my favourite from this shoot. 

Sources: Homotography  /  Bryan Adams Photography

See more from this shoot:

© COPYRIGHT BRYAN ADAMS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Photograph of the Day > Lara Stone by Mert & Marcus

This photo was published in Interview magazine Sept 2010 issue and though it may be mid Nov you may think I'm slow at blogging this editorial. However this photo has been in my mind all morning and thought I'd blog as my 'Photograph of the Day'. This was the photo that influenced me to spend my last fiver on a magazine (which is imported from the US so therefore a little more expensive to buy in UK) rather than spend on lunch at the Tate Modern in Sept. Fashion over food is a rare occurance for me but recently I've been splurging so much on magazine, I can't get enough of them!

Mert & Marcus are amazing photographers and I featured the duo as my first 'Artist of the Week'. I must admit Lara Stone has an unusual beauty with a sexual appeal like no other. When I first saw her in magazines and ad campaigns, I wasn't blown away however over time she's become an amazing supermodel and is like a chameleon adapting whatver style and story thrown at her. This photo is very liberating and the colours are stunning. I like how you cannot see her face and its more of a sihouette. This pose looks like she's a comic book hero and is about to jump off the building with her 'cape' but the soft colours in the sky and the translucent coat creates a serene setting which is beautiful. This editorial is called 'The Chronicles of Lara'. I love Mert & Marcus!

Source: Touchpuppet & Interview Magazine

(NSFW) To see uncensored click on the source links above

See mores from this shoot: