Miles Aldridge

Another person also appears in my Vogue Italia is Miles Aldridge. I also own one of his books. "Miles of MAC"

Here's a bit about this darling man:

Miles Aldridge (British, b.1964) is a fashion photographer widely known for the distinctive style of his photographs, which are over-saturated, surreal, and glamorous. Aldridge sets a stage and mood akin to the great Hollywood directors of the 1940s through 1960s. Infused with intense color, light, and drama, his women and men are always beautiful yet detached. The women he portrays, in particular, are often caught in dark or mysterious situations. Among his influences are his father, graphic designer Alan Aldridge, and filmmakers David Lynch, Derek Jarman, and Federico Fellini. 

After studying illustration at the Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, Aldridge worked as a music video director, and in 1993, officially turned to fashion photography. Not long after his career change, Aldridge was already shooting covers for W magazine. Since then, Aldridge has worked with many publications, including Vogue, The New York Times, andThe New Yorker. 

Aldridge’s photographs have been exhibited in the Miami Beach Art Expo (2007); the Galerie Alex Daniels, Amsterdam (2006, 2008); the Contributed Studio for the Arts, Berlin (2010); the Gallery Hotel Art, Florence (2010); his first United States solo show, The Cabinet and Acid Candy, was displayed at the Steven Kasher Gallery in New York City (2009). His work is in numerous permanent collections including the National Portrait Gallery, London, the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the International Center of Photography, New York. (Anon., N.D)

It was only when I went back to look at my copy of Vogue, that I saw he was the one responsible for taking the photos in it. They are majestic. I just love the way colour is such a key element with his work.

(Miles, N.D)

All of the photos that I've seen of his just look like they should be printed on the glossiest paper and blow up to the size of a wall. What I love about this image is the use of a blue gels. (I'm sounding like I know what I'm talking about but the truth is I'm just making an assumption) The red lipstick is probably very bright but it's a orange toned red so the lighting doesn't 'bring out the red' as much as a blue based lipstick. The use of gels makes the photo seem cold with a 1920s/1930s feel. Black velvet always has a white 'sheen' it and added colour makes that same sheen look blue. It's little details like this that make me love his photos.

Something I adore about this man's photographs is the importance of make up. I know he did a lot of photography for MAC, but even in work that isn't for them it such a strong element that I feel as though can be over looked or unappreciated. 

Something else that I've noticed, is there's almost a pin up poster style to his work. They remind me of the big posters that would have been advertising things for housewives but it takes away from that and makes all of the women seem like screen sirens and powerful women.

During our practical sessions, we got the chance to shoot with a 100mm lens. I love this. I like things that are quite tricky to do. When going through pages and pages of internet images, I found a collection of photos that Miles has done. 

M

I want to be able to come up with quirky ideas like this. Even if I could shoot images that are even a fraction of this quality, I would be completely happy with my life. I really wish I'd made time for shooting this semester, I would have loved to have tried to capture something similar to the above. He's another photographer that'll definitely be looking back to for inspiration next term.