OUGD601: Tim Walker

Tim Walker is one of the most iconic fashion photographers of the 20th century, known mainly for his way of capturing fairytale and imagination through a photograph. Walker often uses typography within the curation of images if appropriate to communicate the story in a more literal way, yet often the props which are positioned at the centre of the image is what's doing the talking. Walker uses pre-meditated design techniques to plan every scene and curate the image to best communicate his concept, rather than taking a candid approach and focusing on the models personality. Rather, his work takes a new-romantic approach, interpreting romantic fine art periods through his photographic concept. The styling, set design, compositional and photographic techniques all work in harmony to create something not just aesthetically pleasing, but also emotive and peaceful too.

"More than fashion"- Greville Worthington, Turner Prize Winnner discussing Tim Walker for the Guardian.

In a Guardian interview with Tim Walker he discusses that bringing dreams into real life demands a high budget. Who will pay for this? The answer was the fashion industry, and Vogue was a natural progression for Walker.

"I don't want realism, I want magic!" - Tim Walker

Tim Walker also taps into the idea of celebrity here, doing a full shoot at The Ritz with Kate Moss. Her super model status is hard to overlook as it gives a very unrealistic hint to realism through the images. Moss could easily go out and splurge on Chanel and leave a hotel room looking exactly like that, so is the image fact or fiction? Furthermore, the introduction of the little dogs sitting naturally may make the viewer question if those are her dogs, and therefore her home. The premise of the shoot is undeniably about luxury and excess, with hints to Marie Antoinette royalty and showgirl couture through the use of features and plush fabrics. The tonal qualities are all in keeping with the overarching feel of the images- Moss looking at her dogs all inquisitively  beautiful yet alone may highlight the blue pigmentations and suggest loneliness. However, the use of warm colours such as reds and golds further enhance the surroundings and lead the viewers eye firstly around the hotel room to see the decedent luxury, for the eye to then come down and find Kate in a worn out slump, highlighted contrast is also on her as the only figure in black, synonymous through fashion as the colour of elegance and timelessness. 

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/may/24/tim-walker-photographer-fashion-art - Tim Walker on fashion realism and the purpose of editorial fashion photography. His work is theatrical, romantic and bordering on surrealist. Brands hire him to communicate their mission/products in a uniquely Walker way. His shoot at the 1998 Glastonbury festival, featuring campfires, supermodels, foil capes and muddy fields, is one of the most referenced in recent fashion history. In doing so he has inspired multiple imitators and changed the course of fashion photography.