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Recent Sartorialist Looks

fxh

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It's good to see a few Sartorialist photos where the cigarette isn't a significant element of the composition.

It seems to me that the Sartorialist started off as a document of street fashions and styles, executed by a competent photographer who was an enthusiast, a fan, and was refreshing because it wasn't afraid to feature men, people who weren't under 30 and those with less than media determined physiques.

Lately it appears to have morphed into a showcase for a professional "fashion" photographer with the emphasis on the photos and composition and a preference for the mainstream approved body "perfect. A great many of the photos feature the cigarette as an accessory.
 

fxh

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Originally Posted by fxh
..smoking by women in North America and Europe had long been associated with loose morals and dubious sexual behaviour.

As far back as the 17th century Dutch painters had used tobacco and smoking to symbolise human folly. The only women shown smoking in these paintings were either whores or procuresses.

Similarly in the 19th century women smokers were viewed as fallen women, with smoking the occupational symbol of prostitution.
Indeed cigarettes became a common prop in Victorian erotic photography.

Only rebellious, bohemian intellectuals and artists such as George Sands dared challenge these social mores..


The cigarette in the Sartorialist is intended to signify that these posed idealised sharp models are erotic, rebellious, bohemian intellectuals and artists some how challenging the ordinary.

I see no photos of cigarette packets that display the the warning photos of disease and harm. These would, I presume, not be cool and erotic.

[I'm not clear what countries display these photos on cigarette packets - does USA - EU?]
 

Doxe

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Originally Posted by fxh
[I'm not clear what countries display these photos on cigarette packets - does USA - EU?]

Canada does. Cigarettes are also $10 a pack.
frown.gif


One possible reason why Shuman may photograph smokers is that smokers are required to be outside, and Shumam's pictures are almost always candid, exterior shots. Also, smoking is more prevalent in Europe than it is in North America. I'd wager that most of his smoking photos are taken on the Continent and not in New York.

Oh, and smoking is cool.
 

fxh

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Originally Posted by Doxe
Canada does. Cigarettes are also $10 a pack.
frown.gif


One possible reason why Shuman may photograph smokers is that smokers are required to be outside, and Shumam's pictures are almost always candid, exterior shots. Also, smoking is more prevalent in Europe than it is in North America. I'd wager that most of his smoking photos are taken on the Continent and not in New York.

Oh, and smoking is cool.


I guess my point is that these are not candid quick shots. They are clearly posed and any noise or interference with the desired image is removed.

I also assume that Mr S clicks a whole bunch of photos and selects the precise image he wants portrayed.

These are carefully chosen and constructed images.
 

jet

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Doxe

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Originally Posted by fxh
I guess my point is that these are not candid quick shots. They are clearly posed and any noise or interference with the desired image is removed.

I also assume that Mr S clicks a whole bunch of photos and selects the precise image he wants portrayed.

These are carefully chosen and constructed images.


Agreed. But there's money in what he's doing, and this has been what has changed his approach. Previously his pics were of people in the street - like bald fat man. But now it has changed to fashion insiders. Why take pics of people who can't help your career when you can take pictures of the editor of Vogue and reap the rewards of what that entails.

He gets advertising from his website, he has book sales to consider. GQ has him as a feature each month. There's a brand he's building. So far he's doing a good job, too.

Let's see how long he lasts...
 

Exit English

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Originally Posted by Doxe
Agreed. But there's money in what he's doing, and this has been what has changed his approach. Previously his pics were of people in the street - like bald fat man. But now it has changed to fashion insiders. Why take pics of people who can't help your career when you can take pictures of the editor of Vogue and reap the rewards of what that entails.

He gets advertising from his website, he has book sales to consider. GQ has him as a feature each month. There's a brand he's building. So far he's doing a good job, too.

Let's see how long he lasts...


The thing thats funny is that there are 1000 new street style bloggers popping up every 2 minutes wanting his job and in the case of someone like Tommy Ton, they are actually getting it.

I would sure love to get paid tons of money to take mediocre photographs of well dressed people.
 

Tomasso

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fxh

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Originally Posted by Doxe
Agreed. But there's money in what he's doing, and this has been what has changed his approach. Previously his pics were of people in the street - like bald fat man. But now it has changed to fashion insiders. Why take pics of people who can't help your career when you can take pictures of the editor of Vogue and reap the rewards of what that entails.

He gets advertising from his website, he has book sales to consider. GQ has him as a feature each month. There's a brand he's building. So far he's doing a good job, too.

Let's see how long he lasts...


I don't disagree with what you said.

I don't even disapprove of what he's doing. I was just musing about some of the changes and the style and inclusion of cigarettes. To my mind its just another fashion photographer these days.
 

jet

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LK wins this thread.

Originally Posted by scking
Those Louboutins make her calves look great. But then again, a $1000 pair of shoes should.

I made my girl last year get a pair and they made her already nice legs fantastic as well. Plus she was petite and loved to be as tall as possible.
 

Tomasso

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Originally Posted by MORNINGSTAR777
Label King via Racked:
After reading the comments it's more like Label King on the Rack........Wonder if he's caught Andre's eye yet....that's gonna hurt....
 

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