WEEK 1: SUPERVISOR SESSION (W/ JUSTIN)

Introduction of myself, what I did before the studies, the projects I worked on so far and my learnings/self-reflection > why I decided to do a fashion project now.

Working intuitively or planned:

The last two semesters have shown me that I better work intuitively. It is easier for me but I also think the results are better/closer. The only difficulty is finding the right words afterwards.

Justin generally agrees with that and also works that way. Saying the work he does on a certain day, can only be done on that day. On another day, it would simply have a different result. But still stresses the importance of research. He works in phases (which highly resonates with me), where he does a lot of research and that becomes an underlying foundation for his work.

The conversation gave me a general insight into the approach of fashion photography (consider hierarchy):

Either I focus on fashion, really get into it and become an expert. Clients will like it. This is the mediocre level of fashion photography and “everyone” does that.

But high end fashion photographers are actually artists. This is the area that defines the photography as art. Artists have an art form and are recognized for their creative integrity by the fashion industry. (The fashion industry looks at art for validation and concepts.)

Examples: Tim Walker, Sarah Moon, Richards Avedon, Ryan McGinley and Viviane Sassen.

This makes total sense to me and feels like a relief to hear it. Which means I can continue doing artsy photography. I just think I should make a project that has a connection to fashion, so that in my portfolio it becomes clear that I am open to fashion photography.

Approach of “doing something completely new”:

I get bored if I do things that have been done before. Therefore, I always try to do something new/different. Justin believes it is difficult to do something totally different and emphasizes that repetition will eventually lead to the knowledge and ability to do something new.

But also: not necessarily the result is essential. But the way of getting there. Workflow is art and the result is the evidence of that.

Which makes sense if I look at my first two semesters and two different work approaches have lead to two very different project results.

As a side effect this way of thinking puts less pressure on the outcome and leads to less disappointment (as the result is open at the start).