Analysis of Very Sexy images

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In this post I am going to analyse a few images from my photo shoot of the Very Sexy theme and discuss the feedback I gained from my tutors. As I plan to re shoot this look the analysis of these images will enable me to identify what worked and what didn’t work in terms of makeup and hair, styling, lighting and poses. By reflecting upon this work it will allow me to progress forward with this look and re shoot to get the result I hope for.

The focus for this look was on the dark smoky eye and glossy red lip for a sultry and seductive look. Below shows the images I used as inspiration for this look. I used these images because I felt they portrayed a glamorous and sultry look that I was going for and they combined both a smoky eye and red lip that worked well together. Upon reflection of this I have realised that the purpose of these images are not for advertising campaigns. Therefore the makeup is a lot heavier than it would be in a beauty advertising campaign and this is something I did not account for when planning my looks for this shoot. 

  Below shows un-retouched images from this shoot for the Very Sexy theme. For this theme I created two looks, the first with a smoky green eye and nude lip and the second with a black smoky eye and red glossy lip. Both these looks were paired with bright blue nail.

 
 

 

   

On first look I was really pleased with how these images turned out. I feel that the bra works well for this theme and complements the makeup without distracting the viewer from it. Using the bra also ties in the Victoria’s Secret brand image and relates the viewer back to the brand. Initially I was happy with the lighting used for this image, I wanted the lighting to be harsher with a stronger contrast than the Dream Angels images. This was in relation to the theme; I felt that by creating a stronger contrast between dark and light it would add to the sultry mood of this shoot. However, when reviewing these images with my tutor I was told that the lighting used had washed out this model’s skin tone, making her skin look slightly dull and ashy and a lot lighter than she is. When looking back at these images and comparing the colour of the models face to her body, this is something I agree with. Throughout these images it is clear that there is two much makeup on the models skin and it has started to make her look very caked. This is not something that would be seen in Victoria’s Secret campaigns, as the models skin is also show to be fresh and glowing. These looks were the last looks of the day and the makeup had been built up and added to from the initial base for each look. This is something I will not do on my next shoots as it makes the makeup look too thick and there is much more coverage on the skin that needs be.

After analysing the images further with my tutors I have come to realise that there is too much makeup for this to be a beauty campaign or even something that would be used for Victoria’s Secret. The red lip and dark smoky are put together are two much for this look. This is something I will consider when re-shooting this look, I plan to do a much more subtle eye and keep a strong red lip. Doing two looks for this theme is not necessary and I feel that the green eye shadow does not fit in well with the theme and the styling as Very Sexy focuses on a more classic glamour and this green eye shadow is at risk of looking dated. The nails also do not work; it looks too much combined with the hair, makeup and bra. For future shoots I will keep the nails clean with no colour and just a clear varnish. 

 

--> To avoid applying too much makeup next time round I have compared and analysed two different images. One is from Victoria’s Secret, advertising their Very Sexy line of lingerie and another is from a campaign for Dior beauty. 

  The Victoria’s Secret image (on left) features the model with fresh glowing skin that has not been over powdered and lips are gently coloured with a berry shade lip stain. The model also has smoky eyes in this look however; they have been blended well across the eye for a very subtle look. This image is sexy and suggestive, however it is done in a very subtle way. This is why is successful and appeals to both women and men. This is something that I need to achieve in my re-shoot of this look I will do this by toning down the makeup. By applying to much makeup, which is what I have done in this shoot, the theme is too obvious and literal and therefore does not appear sexy. The Dior advertisement (on right) features a strong red lip paired with a smoky eye. This works because the eyes a made much more subtle and it is clearly the lips that are the focus this image as they grab the viewers attention and it is the item that is being advertised so it must stand out. This is what I need to do when re-shooting this. As my images are also for the purpose of advertising and selling a product, I first need to ask myself what product will I be selling in this image? This will then enable me to go forward with the look and make that product the focus of the look. For example If it is a lipstick the lips must catch the viewers attention first and if it is an eye shadow the eyes must be the focus of the look.