Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

Probably my favorite fashion photographers today are the team of Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Maybe this is not a word used in photography critiques, but "stunning" is my immediate reaction. The imagery is saturated -- fully saturated -- and I don't just mean colour or exposure. There is an overall richness and depth aesthetically and in the emotional impact of the photographs. Their work is not just confined to what goes on behind the camera or with their impeccable lighting -- they are equally involved in the hair and make-up room. They put their stamp on everything that goes into a shot. They live and breathe fashion.

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott met in England in 1994. Alas is from Istanbul, Turkey and Piggott from Bangor, Wales. They credit Guy Bourdin's Charles Jourdan advertising campaign from the 1970s as some of their inspiration. (See my posts on Guy Bourdin.) They are the "it" photographers ... their work in fashion and portraiture has landed them large advertising campaigns and constant editorial work --they are in hot demand ... and I'm guessing that pretty much everyone wants to be photographed by them. (Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott are represented by Art Partner.)

Shakira

Natalie Portman
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan
Ron Cristiano for Emporio Armani Underwear, 2010

Cindy Crawford
Cameron Diaz

David and Victoria Beckham for Emporio Armani Underwear

Abbey Lee Kershaw for Versace

for Alexander McQueen, Fall 2006

Lara Stone (foreground) for Calvin Klein Jeans

Lara Stone for Paris Vogue

for DSquared2, 2009

Lara Stone in Dolce & Gabbana, Fall 2007 (not sure if they know of Jan Saudek or took any inspiration from him, but this could be influenced by his work)


Mariacarla Boscono for Loewe, Madred (this would appear to be influenced by Guy Bourdin, from whom they say they took some of their inspiration)

Jennifer Lopez for Louis Vuitton

for Gucci Spring 2010 Campaign

From the "Pin Up" Series, shot for W Magazine, 2008

From the "Pin Up" Series, shot for W Magazine, 2008

From the "Pin Up" Series, shot for W Magazine, 2008

Marc Riboud

Disclaimer: This post does not do Marc Riboud justice! There is the Pentagon March shot of 1967 (seen at the end of this post), along with additional iconic images that are instantly recognizable, but there are other images equally compelling, some poignant and others just powerfully quiet. This is just a small sampling of some of his less seen work. To read the Magnum bio on Marc Riboud, click here. I encourage you to visit Riboud's website which houses a vast amount of his portfolio material.














Here is the iconic 1967 Pentagon March shot:

Illusion of the Year

A photograph of two lovers was sent to the Archimedes Laboratory where Courtney Smith, Gianni Sarcone, and Marie-Jo Waeber collaborated on this 2011 Illusion of the Year entitled, "Mask of Love". At first you see a single face adorned with the Venetian mask. Upon further inspection, you will see the original image of the two lovers. This type of illusion is called a bistable illusion. To read more, click here.

Bleeding Hearts

This is one of my photographs which I'm posting today because the Bleeding Hearts in my garden are magnificent, prolific, and currently in full bloom!