Sunday, November 27, 2011

Fit to be Tied

This Fall Quarter is coming to a close and I must say that I've had some really good experiences within it.  I loved my Advanced Fashion class most especially, and I feel that I have found what I would love to do for the next portion of my life.

One of the last photo shoots I did for that class was one in an editorial type style that revolved around ties... My model, Corey Wise, is not only an exceptionally handsome fellow on the outside, he's extremely handsome on the inside as well.  His charismatic demeanor, positive attitude, accommodating nature and his uncanny ability to be where he says he'll be when he says he'll be there is remarkable.  He's an up and coming runway model as well as fashion model of all types with a diverse portfolio to envy.  I'm extremely privileged to be able to work with him and start to call him friend.

Corey Wise ©2011 CPJ Photography
The idea was to have an accessory most men have no idea why they wear, and bring it to a sensual level.  I had a few other ideas for creating accessory based editorial imagery, and they are on the horizon.  I think that as I mature as a photographer, I'll be able to create a better connection between the imagery I envision and those that are captured in my camera.

Corey Wise ©2011 CPJ Photography
So as far as the tie...  I'm sure it has a history that is as splendid as any other history of fashion wear.  I truly need to look it up more in-depth than I have and do some of my own independent study.  LOL!

I've found that there are quite a few people who don't know how to tie a tie, either a double, or less complicated single Windsor knot.  I learned how to do so while serving in the U.S. Navy.  It was an interesting task at first, but the concept of the knot never left me.  I also found out there are 85 different knots for a tie.  I know two of them.  O.o

Corey Wise ©2011 CPJ Photography
And though I was never a true "fan" of the neck tie, I have always had a fascination with it, and see it as an essential part of male fashion.  It's been around for as long as I can remember, though it's gone through its changes - from wide to narrow to wide again, it seems as though the material is similar to those on a fad diet, never truly adhering to any part of it with seriousness.  :D

Corey Wise ©2011 CPJ Photography
According to the wonder that is the inter web, the material that we now know as the necktie has been around since the early-1600s.  The French saw it on some merchants and thought it looked awesome, so they adopted the practice and by the mid 1600s, it was all the rage.

Corey Wise ©2011 CPJ Photography
Both men and women wore material around their necks, and slowly the material began to take different shapes and forms to accent the clothing worn.

Corey Wise ©2011 CPJ Photography
Today's ties have not only purpose, but form and meaning as well.  The color of the tie as well as the pattern within the tie can be used to signify membership, status and a host of occupations that utilize the accessory as a symbol.

Corey Wise ©2011 CPJ Photography
All fashion requires some form of identity.  I know I've stated this in the past - but it's definitely worth repeating: Clothing isn't so much to cover a person's nakedness, as it is to adorn their nudity.  I truly believe that to be true - even with the necktie...

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Under Where?

It seems as though I've been 'bitten' by the fashion bug.  I'm falling in love with the genre of photography in a bad way.  I don't really want to - just because it's so complex and undulating like a writhing monster waiting to devour those who aren't prepared to worship it in its entirety - but I'm becoming more and more compelled to do so.

Recently I did a shoot for my Advanced Fashion class for a men's underwear 'campaign' that gave the model I worked with some images for his portfolio (hopefully), and for me as well.  I wanted to do a bit of location/editorial images that encompassed a little more than just doing something in studio.

The results were received pretty well, for the most part.  I was pleased with the images and I believe the model was as well.  :)

I think that in the next set with Jake (the model) we'd do something a little more dynamic and expressive.  I'll post those when that happens (LOL)!!


©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

©Carlos Paradinha Photography Oct-2011

I'm hoping that the fashion bug's bite is infectious and brings me to a fever's pitch of creativity...