Task One
Task Two
Tasked with selecting an iconic fashion image (and deconstructing it), then also shooting an image of someone who inspires us (in the context of the brief) I have selected the two following individuals;
My iconic image is in fact a promotional movie image of Marlon Brando playing the part of Johnny, in the 1953 film 'The Wild One'
(Task One)
Marlon Brando
The Wild One (1953)
This image was taken of the actor Marlon Brando on set whilst making the 1953 rebel motorcycle film ‘The Wild One’. Made only eight years after the end of WWII and made the same year the Korean War ended.
This image shows ‘Johnny’ leaning against his Triumph Tr6 motorcycle wearing what are considered to be cult items of clothing. The black motorcycle Jacket which was to become a symbol of rebellion and anti establishment is in fact part of the B.R.M.C.s (Black Rebels Motorcycle Club) ‘uniform’. The jeans (in this case turned up) are classic Americana biker wear from the rock and roll period, a time of youth culture, and the period in history when the teenager was invented. His cap mimics a period police or military item of clothing and makes him stand out as leader of his gang.
Pose and gaze a full on hip and cool for 1953. His stance shows his laid back and free spirited trouble making demeanour.
In a post war America that was based on consumerism the clothes and lifestyle of this character show him fighting against this middle class American lifestyle The image that is portrayed is that of a hell raiser and a trouble maker. Johnny looks off into the middle distance too cool and disinterested in the photographer to bother to acknowledge him.
Behind the main foreground subject matter lays that middle class white picket fence that he appears to be turning his back on in revulsion.
The trophy is a key element to the films story and is thus included in the image.
Obviously not taken specifically as a fashion image it has reached cult status and heavily influenced youth culture and other mediums. Both Elvis and James dean were to later take on elements of this style heavily influenced no doubt by this film/promotional movie image. It became a poster and many biker attempted to follow the style of a character that was visually cool, appealing especially to young men who wished to be Johnny, and to a lesser extent young women who adored the excitement and danger his character represented.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tLU_-8VIrs&feature=endscreen&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxLBLa220IU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6X-ZDft-CA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1BYkTqp5U0&feature=related
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| Marlon Brando from the 1953 film 'The Wild One' |
The street image (Task Two) is in fact more of a shop image, but the subject is a business owner and employer of eight people. Mark Mardell styles his look and his surroundings to make an appealing environment, he also styles people and is effectively part of the fashion business. His job is to make people look good, and to do that he projects a sleek and fashionable look himself. Mark has done some part time modelling in the past and has had just about every hair style you could image (apart from a perm! he tells me).
My own real personal inspirations are based in the world of the 'alternative' or retro, 1940's-60s. Searching for an event to shoot someone at in the short time frame we had came up a blank, but I am going to Stoneleigh to a show on Sunday where I will shoot anyone I can who has that inspirational retro/period look I so love (see following blog). Knowing JS needed an image by today I selected a good second best option to meet the deadline.
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| Mark Mardell hairdresser |
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