Mario Testino

The images below are from the work of Mario Testino.  Mario style of photography has been described as 'luxury realism' but he resists from analysing it too much.  The images below show a softer side of stinkingly rich famous people and he has been able to capture them appearing more relaxed.  They almost appear to be everyday folk. 

The above image instantly makes you think if a young couple in love rather than the royal family.  It also brings the modernness back  to the Royal family as it hasnt been shot in a traditional royal environment instead a studio with good lighting to give an element of freshness to the image.  The image really captures the happiness and fun of the couple in the eyes.  The perspective has been shot from face on with good use of the rule of thirds.  The  composition of the couple is simple with both leaning in to each to emphasise the closeness that they share. I like the way that there heads have been cut out of the image, again this makes it more interesting and edgy rather than your normal royal shot.

A very simple shot which evokes alot of meaning.  The image above of Brad and Angelina gives you a feeling of intensity and may also have a sexual meaning.  The rule of thirds applies to this shot and runs through both of their eyes.  Again the main focal point of the image is the eyes and then your eyes drop down to their lips.  The perspective could have been shot from above as the couple may have been lying down, or it may also have been shot face on.  It is difficult to say as the couples faces take up most of the image space.  Lighting equipment has been used in the images to produce the clean freshness when the image has been taken in black and white.

The image aboves perspective has been taken from below the subject looking up.  The main focal point is her eyes and then your eye line follows her hair flow further down the picture to her hair. This portrait gives you a feeling of being deep in thought or about perhaps loosing a love.  Her hair which is slightly out of focus  adds texture to the image.  With the eyes being very sharpe and striking.  I like the images where the frame is taken up by the portrait with no other elements for distraction. By doing this whilst composing the image more emphases can be given to the face of the portrait to give deeper meaning and feeling.

The image of a young Naomi Campbell is taken from a front facing perceptive.  It has an element of fun and mischievousness.  Again Testino has made the subject relaxed and captured a naturalness in the image. The image has a high depth of field with the sofa she is sitting on being in focus.  The lighting lighting and tonal rage used makes Naomi sign look radiant and glowing.  The rule of thirds applies to this image.