Photographer- Miles Aldridge

Miles Aldridge is a fashion photographer from London, UK. He focuses on the subject of women, putting them in an overly colourful scene, creating more of an intriguing effect rather than focus on the beauty. His series titled 'Home Works,' focuses on a woman baking a cake in an overly colourful kitchen.

Moodboard on Miles Aldridge 'Home Works.'

Objectively, there is a woman in which has appeared in all of this series 'Home Works.' She is crouching down next to a table with a destroyed cake on the surface. She is then holding a knife and is destroying the cake. The expression on the models face, somewhat contrasts the destruction going on within the cake. Subjectively, she appears monotone and blank, this creates a calm effect, which then contrasts the fact she is destroying a cake. Her expression of boredom suggests that she has no interest in the cake that she had just made. It could possibly have not been what she thought it would turn out like. Also, looking at the photograph as a series, it reflects the labels that women are subjected to, as they are expected to be at home baking/cooking. This compliments the expression on her face due to the lack of interest. This reminds me of the 1950's look- the style of the kitchen, appears quirky and refers to a 'kitsch' style. The model, is clearly on trend with the fashion, therefore representing the modern day, this shows the contrast between the past and present of women roles. Objectively, the colours that the model is wearing, along with the bold colours in the background also contrasts the meaning behind the photograph.

Miles Aldridge Responses;

For my response to the photographer Miles Aldridge, I took a model into the studio. I created a yellow backdrop within the studio to reflect the vibrant colours in Aldridge's series. I also told my model to wear red to mimic the contrast. I purchased a small cake to use as the subject. I directed my model to look unimpressed whilst taking the photographs relating to the model within Aldridge's work. I used a bright flash so that it looks artificial similar to the fashion style photography.
Whilst taking these photographs, I wanted to create a narrative. I am intrigued by the message behind the series created by Aldridge and felt that I can develop on this. Once the shoot was over and I showed my model, she stated that it was like she was 'cutting the calories,' turning it into the narrative of an eating disorder or weight and diet constrictions. I feel that with this response, the photographs with the cut up cake are the stronger ones of the series. My model almost looks disgusted with herself for indulging on the cake. The colours that are present, still create a contrast to the narrative, in that my model will be feeling less than vibrant in the situation. Aldrige's aim within his series, was to make his model have a sense of boredom, however, I have brought another emotion into it- disgust. I feel that mooing forward with this in my developments, I can bring in different emotions within this setting. For example; Anger, sadness and guilt would work well.