Sydney May 2014 (5 photos)
Greta Garbo, and Monroe
Dietrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine
Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers, dance on air
They had style, they had grace
Rita Hayworth gave good face
Lauren, Katherine, Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you
Ladies with an attitude
Fellows that were in the mood
Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it
Vogue…
“Vogue” is a song by Madonna from her soundtrack album I’m Breathless (Music from and Inspired by the film Dick Tracy) and was released on March 20, 1990.
The body beautiful. It’s a work of art. We are reminded of it everyday. We all have an ideal we strive for. Whether we get there or not is another issue. But what defines real beauty? I think the beauty and fashion industries have very strong ideas about what they believe beauty should be, and this may often be far removed from reality.
And so each year new fashions come out, when there’s nothing wrong with the old styles. So who is the fashion industry designing clothes for? Them or us?
Beauty and fashion is all around. Wear these. Look like this. Smell like that. This goes with that, and that doesn’t go with this. That’s why they have the term “fashion victim”.
And whether you keep up with the latest trends or not, I wonder if the beauty and fashion industry are simply laughing at us behind our backs?
Hmmm, perhaps they are.
“Strike a pose”
word! great pics, the contrast between the posters and the real people is so hard.
Thank you. Yes, it can seem like a wide extreme at times.
Amazing pictures and thoughts. Love the comparison of the advert and the individual person. The last photo has very strong message..awesome post!
Thank you very much. 5 seconds later, that last guy was crossing the road, perhaps to get way from Elle. 🙂 Timing is everything.
:))) They don’t laugh: they are too busy to think how to get more money from us 🙂
But as much I know artists, they are trying to get some fun even in the industry 🙂
Very true -it is all about money these days, and a dash of humour helps. 🙂 Many thanks for the comments and have a wonderful day ahead.
Thank you so much:)
It ‘s a pleasure to watch your amazing shots and to read what it’s added to them. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you. 🙂
🙂
Fantastic you could not have staged this better 🙂
Thank you Joe. 🙂
From “I’m too Sexy” to “Vogue”. Uh huh. The shots of the humans next to the “ideals” are priceless. The industry is surely laughing at us, especially in this era of Photoshop. Though I bet that Elle is one of the few who have little airbrushing.
Purely coincidental series of posts. 🙂 The difference between ideals and reality can surely be quite harsh. I’ll bet there are a lot of guys who wish they could be that close to Elle.
Vogue…… 😉
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it.
Beauty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as always. We have our own style, we are all beautiful, such a shame some people can’t let us be. Love the different forms of beauty you captured in your photos. Great timing. This might be an oddly phrased question, but, do the photos find you, or do you find your photos?
Just another form of peer pressure isn’t it?
Thank you. I guess it’s a bit of both – I just try to be more observant when out on a photo walk. The guy next to Elle was there when I got to the intersection. The woman walking past the poster – I stood there for a minute or two, waiting an appropriate person to come by.
I love these images. There’s something about them that reminds me of Martin Parr’s work. Brilliant
Thank you very kindly. I like it when I can mix a bit of satire and humour together. I appreciate the comment.
Certainly shows us what’s real and what’s digitally manipulated.
Indeed. Thanks for the comment.
lovely pictures.. i love the last one ❤
Thank you very much. 🙂
On the whole, the global culture elevates all that is “young” and “new” and does not do such a good job at honoring the old and seasoned. Vogue implies that sooner or later you will be forgotten, discarded or ignored; it’s just impossible to keep up. Thanks for the thought provoking post. And, always love your black and white images: great contrast, sharpness and composition.
Yes, time is fleeting. I’ve just realised Elle is 50 now. She’s definitely doing a good job at not being ignored.
Many thanks. Have a great day ahead.
Unexpectedly multi-worded post 🙂 Great shots – speak louder than words, too. You have made your point loud and clear. Agree.
Words – sometimes my photos need a little bit of glue. 🙂 Thank you very much.
We all have our good fashion days, and our bad fashion days. Rarely does anyone have a Victoria Secret fashion day!
LOL. 🙂
Well said!
Thank you.
Stunning set Draco, the beauty’s cult is amazing in our society, and you show very well the difference between the magazines and the real life.
Have a nice day 🙂
Thank you very much Sophie. The business of beauty and fashion is all a bit overwhelming at times.
Have a wonderful day ahead too. 🙂
Catchy and amazing! Thank you.
Thank you very much. 🙂
What a cool way to address work of art; and the The last capture… 😀 I often wonder about the fashion and reality. Great post, Dragon!
Thank you Amy. The last one made me smile a lot too when I took it. 🙂 Have a wonderful day ahead.
Not that I’ve never seen a body like that before… but not in front of the body beautiful Ad 🙂 … Brilliant post!
Wish you a great week.
There’s a wide difference between truth and reality, just a shame the 2 sides aren’t closer together. Obesity is another problem altogether.
Many thanks Amy.
The problem is Huge, to say the least…
🙂 i had smiles alway through this series.. Your timing is perfect on both 3 and 4 the lady carrying the shopping just thinking that was her on the poster 20 years ago and the guy stood under the models laugh having a smoke just set me off 😀 and I agree with everything you say; I’ve never been fashion conscious in dress but I always wondered how the shop was stocked with the colours I fancied when I decided to buy; Its as though our minds are primed through advertising before the release of new fashions and colours
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. A little bit of humour in photography never goes astray. 🙂
The advertising can be quite in your face at times, but also subliminal – it’s everywhere.
With the money they are getting out of it I am sure they do.
Yes, it’s just big business.
Love that last image – great timing!
Thank you very much.
Provocative subject… beautifully illustrated, as always!!
Many thanks. There’s healthy fitness, unhealthy fitness and obesity – such a wide variation in real life.
This is fantastic, Lignum!
One of my favorite songs too. 🙂
Thank you Lisa. Have a great day ahead. 🙂
Fashion, body industries, diet … what is all that? We want to be happy like this man close Elle Mcpherson !!!
Great series !
Being close to Elle would indeed be one of life’s simple pleasures. 🙂 Thank you very much. 🙂
Great picture!
Thanks Peter.
🙂 Great capture!
Thank you. 🙂
Great post & couldn’t agree more. Love the contrast of people – advertising & the real. Especially Elle laughing. Actually thats a bit creepy lol
I understand what you mean – it does seem like a scene from one of those movies when the artwork “comes to life”. Thank you very much. 🙂
Superb juxtaposition in the last. Trying to work out what he is doing with his left hand – wiping away a tear? 🙂
Or maybe feeling the heat? 🙂
Thank you.
Fantastic closing image – the difference between fantasy and reality.
Thank you. The truth can be hard to take sometimes. And yes, there can be a wide gulf between fantasy and reality.
Excellent sense of humour, Dragon.
Thank you. I try my best. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Great capture 😀
Thank you. 🙂
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
Your pictures speak volumes. Your words… food for thoughts! That’s why I seldom shop, lol… Always have loved your B&Ws. Lovely shots.
So who does your shopping? 😉
Thank you very much. 🙂
A fabulous series Lignum. That transition from fantasy to reality has so many spectacular results as you have so well demonstrated. I think my favourite is the babushka in the leopard print top (with a certain confidence of her own) between the commanding model photo and the one lurking beyond the arches. Babushka would insist on feeding both of them, eat eat! I bet she’s a good cook!
Thank you Patti, photography can surely be fun. Yes, she’d say “you’re too skinny. Eat!” Your comments always bring a smile to my face Patti. I’ll have to start thinking about dinner now. 🙂
Very very cool B&W! Loved this post 🙂
Thank you very much. 🙂 It’s always good to hear from you. Have a wonderful day ahead.
They are awful, basically: they prey on the wealthy (about whom I care not a fig) and the young. But re the latter, the peer group syndrome means they’re trapped. I wish both industries to the devil.
Love the shots but, LD ! 🙂
Thank you. As they say, it’s a jungle out there.
Awesome contrasts here, I like that very much! Yes, the industries for the so-called beautiful and/or rich and the real life – here they meet in one picture. Excellent eye-openers that makes the observer think … hopefully …
Thank you. There’s a lot of contrast in life, should we choose to see it.
Love the series and it was fun. The world of fashion is glamour and beaty, but also an illusion, stereotype and yes – a lot of photoshop. The reality is different, as we see, it is uniqueness and cosiness. Be fashionable, but in your way 🙂
Thanks. “Fashionable in your own way” – sums you up very well. 🙂
The last one is my absolutely favored! 😀 But your pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much. 🙂
I choose comfort over style all the time. Thankfully, (in my head) I look good doing that 😉
Comfort over style suits me too, except I draw a line at the “onesie”. 🙂
Great Images and equally great commentary. Found you via Leanne’s MM #12 post. Looking forward to seeing more.
Thank you very much. Very kind of you to say so. I haven’t seen that post yet – it’s been a very long day at work.
Nice contrasting themes in the last two photos to tie in with your thoughts. 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
You are such a great story teller Draco! I love this post, fantastic photos and thoughts. You’ve fit the real and ideal so wonderfully in the same picture!
Many thanks. The whole post and story developed around the last 2 photos. I’m it work well and you enjoyed it. 🙂
The shot of the real woman and poster woman pretty much tells the story. That’s a really strong photograph, well spotted.
Thank you. I just had to wait for someone to come along. 🙂
I think they are laughing at us behind our back, because they know they are selling us not so much a product that we need to wear but a dream. The woman walking near to that add in the shopping mall really highlights that to me, it’s a very good image of reality. She is like millions of women who actually spend the money on all those dreams, clothes, perfume, cosmetics and even exotic holidays, but they are nothing like the serene smart girl in the ads. And do they ever even remotely feel like that cool girl? Somehow, I think not! 😐 Pity though, some advertising can be so creative! 🙂
Creative advertising helps sell that dream Suzy. We all get suckered in at one point or another. Thanks for the comments. I hope you’re well. 🙂
I wouldn’t mind getting a bonbon like that!
Your “body” photo is hilarious! 🙂
Thank you. I hope your weekend is filled with bonbon surprises. 🙂
Lignum – I love this set. Your contrast within the photos – amazing. I can hardly wait for Tom to wake up so I can show your blog to him. Sheri
Thank you Sheri. I hope you’re both recovering well.
That last photo is priceless! Obviously he is not into fashion! 🙂
Is it that obvious? LOL 🙂 🙂 🙂
Much as I’d like to make some smart and snappy comment here…can’t do it. This is SUCH a spot-on photo-essay. Three cheers for the Dragon!
(Don’t worry…I’ll balance off all that kindness another time. 🙂 )
Thank you. I’ll hold you to that. 🙂
photos 3 and 4 are absolutely brilliant in terms of contrast…lol 😀
I had so much fun catching up with your latest posts, Draco… thank you!!!
Thank you very much. It’s been good to hear from you again. I’m glad things are on the improve.
!!
🙂