Artist of the Week > Jessie Ware

Yikes its been ages since I've posted on this blog! Almost a year. Well one of my summer resolutions was to blog more so today I'm deciding to put that into action! I must admit I've been demotivated by posting onto this blog due to the adult content I've been forced to have (this isn't an 'adult' site) but I hope you wonderful readers won't be put off by it!

Album released 20th August 2012. Buy on Amazon

Anywhos onto the main business. Today was a slow day where the clouds overcast and rain drizzled throughout the afternoon; I was thinking of what to do especially as electricity was cut off for most of the day (mum working on sockets in the dining room) and thought I would pick up the dusty guitar and practice singing. I was stuck on what to sing and looked up Nina Nesbitt on Youtube (A wonderful acoustic indie singer-songwriter) and was directed to Jessie Ware, a 27 English singer-songwriter, under recommendations. There I clicked on her current single 'Wildest Moments'. A mellow slow paced radio-friendly song sung with indie soul, her tone is a delight to listen to. The video, directed by Kate Moross, is a simple yet a fitting music video for the song; simple song structure and repetitive choral lyrics yet ever so catching and I love the words and how they speak truth:

'Maybe in our wildest moments

We could be the greatest, we could be the greatest

Maybe in our wildest moments

We could be the worst of all'

I particularly love her acoustic rendition of this song featured on the deluxe edition of her début album 'Devotion'. Other favourites are 'Running' (the vocals and electric guitar are brilliant!) and 'Night Light'.

Further Links:

Jessie Ware Website

Jessie Ware Soundcloud

Jessie Ware Music Facebook

Jessie Ware Youtube

Jessie Ware Twitter

Artist of the Week + Music Videos > Fefe Dobson

So Artist of the Week goes to Fefe Dobson, a fun young rock/pop chick with some cool attitude. I discovered her today on Ali's Blog. I love her individual style and how she doesn't like to be typecast into a typical pop/R&B star... I love her rock'n'roll edge. She's also a great singer-songwriter and has her songs covered by the likes of Jordin Sparks, Miley Cyrus and Selena and the Scene. Her songs has also been featured in many American commercials like Tommy Hilfiger, Whip It and America's Next Top Model and TV Dramas like One Tree Hill, 90210, Vampire Diaries and Hellcats.

Her latest singles are Stutterin' and Ghost which are great songs with a rock/pop edge however her earlier work you can really see her rock chick edge which is pretty awesome. It would be great to have her music come over to the UK! :)

fefedobson.com/ / Fefe Dobson Vevo / FD Myspace / Facebook

Buy her new album, Joy from Amazon.co.uk / HMV

Here's my top 6 official releases of hers:

Artist of the Week + Q&A > Reka Agnes Koti

Have only recently come across this great photographer, Reka Koti and her images are captivating, dream like yet mysterious. I had featured her for 'Photograph of the Day > Disoriented by Reka Agnes Koti' which received quite a lot of hits. Goes to show how amazing her photography is! I love how her images always contains conceptual content and mixes up her style from colourful 'folk' inspired fashion  to dark double exposed black/white lomography shots. She uses great technique and always draws the viewer in which I particularly like about her unique work. I like how non-conventional take to photography and she isn't concerned about solely taking a pretty picture, there is depth and a lovely cryptic element. I'm in awe from her work and have also decided to feature her as a photographer research for my Photography A Level at college. It ties in wonderfully to my black/white project I'm doing at the moment.

It's also great to hear what she has to say about her work. I managed to email her some questions which she kindly answered. Thank you!

1. Firstly, how did you get into photography? Has it always been an interest in your life?
I became interested about and started to learn photography two years ago, simply because I wanted it to be a part of my life.

2. How long have you been doing photography? What inspired you to initially shoot?
I was interested in portraiture photography from the beginning. Maybe because it is intimate honest and personal.

3. Did you get any formal training or are you self-taught?
I worked as an assistant of a well –know Hungarian fashion photographer and also attended a formal training on the technical bases of photography.

4. What equipment do you often use?
I use a canon 40 d a Diana f+ and tons of natural lighting.

5. How would you describe your photographic style?
Dreamy, intimate a bit melancholic and always spontaneous.

6. What would you say inspires you the most? What are your influences in photography?
Mainly everything, music, films, dreams, everyday scenes and mostly the person in front of my camera.

7. I love your lomography shots. What inspired you to get into lomography?
A friend of my started to talk about lomography, I liked it, so I tried.

8. Do you prefer black/white photography or colour and your reason?
I wouldn’t say I prefer B&W, but it certainly gives a certain mood to a picture, that is more valid in some cases than using colours

9. Lastly, any advice on aspiring photographers, like myself?
Just be brave, practice as much as you can, listen to the objective criticism, but mostly just listen to your on heart and mind.

Check out her sites:

Myspace  / tumblr  / Facebook

Check out my favourite shots from her flickr photostream below:

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)

Artist of the Week > Craig McDean

This week's artist is Craig McDean. I've been researching photographers for this week's feature artist and I couldn't get the Megan Fox photo shot for Interview June/July 2010 issue, I featured for photo of the day 22.07.2010 out of my head. It was was a striking photo that demanded the attention of the viewer. It is for that reason I've chosen to feature Craig McDean, born 1964, a British photographer now based in New York and represented by Art + Commerce, NY.


It is surprising that he originally worked as a car mechanic before studying Photography. He started his photographic career in London as photographer's assistant to photographer Nick Knight. His early editorial work was featured in magazines like I-D and The Face. This led to advertising campaign work for clients such as Jil Sander and Calvin Klein, and editorial commissions with Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. More recently, McDean has photographed fashion campaigns for clients including Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Estée Lauder, Blumarine, Max Mara, Chloe, Ebel, Pollini, L.A.M.B, Dior, Gap, Lanvin Men, Alexander McQueen, Bally, Versace, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger.


He has also photographed for magazines such as W, Vogue Paris, British Vogue, American Vogue, Interview, Vogue Italia, Fashion Rocks, Another Magazine, Muse, V, and Vogue Korea. Even though Craig McDean is primarily a fashion photographer he has photographed celebrities such as Björk, Madonna, Natalie Portman, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Aniston, Joaquin Phoenix, Hilary Swank, Uma Thurman, Gael García Bernal and Nicole Kidman.

Interview Magazine, June/July 2010, model: Megan Fox.

This was photo of the day on 22.07.2010. I love the confrontation with herself and the sexual tension. It's playful yet sinister too.

Daring Do, American Vogue, May 2008, model: Coco Rocha.

I love the comic book drama and the black stands out vividly against the vibrant yellow. This photo is powerful and electrifying.

Another Magazine,  F/W 2008, model: Bridget Hall,

The colours are bright and eye-catching and he has slightly solarized the photo in post-processing. The image is quirky and fun.

Interview magazine, March 2009, model: Mary Kate Olsen

Many magazine covers are the same with the model/celebrity with full profile smiling at the camera, however Interview magazine are renowned for their edgy styles and artistic approach. Love her dazed but soft eyes into the camera.

CFDA Designer portraits, June 2009, model: Marc Jacobs.

Marc Jacobs is a marvellous designer with innovative designs and bold looks this portrait certainly manages to capture his personality in one shot. The bunny ears and the eyes looking away creates a lovely fun image.

The Now Guidelines, Vogue Italia, September 2009, model: Jac Jagaciak

The styling is awesome and the hair is extravagant. Her sombre expression is beautiful and loud make-up/styling makes the photo come to life.

A Decade in Style, Another Magazine, F/W 2009, model: Jessica Stam

This expression is unusual but certainly jumps out of the page when read in a magazine. The gothic romance styling is beautiful and the Versace Haute Couture dress is simply amazing. McDean manages to capture amazing photos.

V Magazine, November 2009, models: Daria Werbowy, Philipp Haemmerle

I'm a huge fan of Daria Werbowy as she is my favourite model. Her look is beautiful and versatile and she manages to convey breathtaking images. McDean has managed to capture Werbowy's beauty flawlessly.

W Magazine, February 2010, model: Rihanna

I'm loving Rihanna's look since her new album, Rated R and her short hair is constantly changing style. She's a trend setter like Lady Gaga and Alexa Chung. I love Rihanna's eyes and eyebrow expression; very sexy!

Interview Magazine, October 2009, model: Kristen Stewart

I'm not a huge fan of Kristen Stewart as I'm not too keen on her acting and her personality doesn't excite me however her style certainly is fashionable even if she doesn't try. I love cold emerald eyes, messy hair, pale skin and rouge lips. This has a 'Joker' element with the lips and I like how Craig McDean uses paper to cover her mouth.

Another Magazine, S/S 2010, model: Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard has become increasingly popular since her Oscar winning performance for La Vie En Rose in 2007. She's very high fashion and has been in demand for many magazines and designers due to her beautiful face and versatility. I saw this magazine in WHSmiths and it certainly stood out against the over covers. McDean manages to shoot another eye-catching photograph.

It's seems that many photographic assistants to iconic fashion photographers have become very successful themselves. With advice from renowned photographer, Nick Knight it is no wonder that Craid McDean has certainly made a name for himself. From his edgy editorials to the occasional beautiful portrait. I love his loud, quirky images as well as his dark, high fashion shots. He's certainly one to watch!

see more: http://models.com/people/craig-mcdean

Craig McDean @ Art + Commerce: http://www.artandcommerce.com/AAC/C.aspx?VP=SlideShow_VPage&IAPA=1&STY=A&L4=2U1XC58ISKG9&L5=2U1XC58ISB3W&L6=2U1XC58IS7NR&XX=Artists