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Photo: Luciano Ruiz

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Luciano Ruiz

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Photography is the medium by which one creates art through visual observation and careful deliberation. Over time it has allowed us to see the world in a different way by recreating images that are often overlooked by the naked eye. Being able to explore this contemporary form of expression over the past months has dramatically changed the way in which I interpret the environment around me. Throughout the course of this semester I have learned to make sense of every situation that surrounds me in order to produce frames that are both innovative and captivating. For this individual project I have decided to explore fashion and its relation to this flexible medium.

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Photo: Luciano Ruiz

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……….Fashion and photography have been evolving side-by-side for decades. Photographers are essential in capturing novel tendencies, while their images at the same time create trends themselves. It is this interplay of novelty and creativity that inspired me to create a fashion project. The subject’s exotic traits were my main inspiration. The subtlety of her skin along with the fine features of her face presented me with a blank slate from which to produce unique photographs.

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I was quickly moved by the subject’s reminiscence of the casual interplay between texture and color that characterize the Incas, native peoples of her home country Peru. For that reason I decided to use opposing colors and fabrics in order to create the perfect contrast between the subject and the setting surrounding her. By layering different clothing pieces and accessories I was also able to create this contrasting effect.

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Photo: Luciano Ruiz

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I soon realized that fashion shoots do not only entail good styling, but also require detailed preparation of the setting in which the subject will be placed. As stated above, the model’s subtle facial features were one of my main inspirations. In order to create that contrast I was trying to achieve throughout the shoot, I decided to place her in a setting with rough lines and strong textures. The presence of concrete walls and stainless steel elements fit perfectly with the subject. This allowed me to manipulate her and draw attention towards the aspects that I found most intriguing. As soon as I took out my camera I began to see with different eyes the environment around me. I set my imagination free and naturally captured what caught my attention. Allowing my creativity to wonder not only yielded results that were amazing, but that were also in tune with own personal beliefs and pleasures.

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Photo: Luciano Ruiz

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As I look back to the progress I’ve made throughout this course, I cannot help but feel proud of what I have achieved. I was able to produce amazing results by positively incorporating feedback into every subsequent project I undertook. The fact that I was able to integrate a setting and adapt it to the needs of this project is a vast improvement from previous assignments. Additionally, I kept true to my interests and desires throughout each project. Individually, they reflect different facets of our daily environment, but as a whole they mirror my own creative, social and political agenda as an aspiring photographer.

About The Author: Luciano Ruiz is a Candidate for Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania – Class of 2013
Photographs by Luciano Ruiz – Copyright 2012

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Editor’s Note: To access additional articles by Luciano Ruiz, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

www.MartineBrand.com

Copyright 2012

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Editor’s Note: To see more of Martine Brand’s Artwork, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click the green icon.

Jennifer Cole

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Jennifer Cole

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This recent shoot truly symbolizes this time period of my life where many “epiphany” moments seem to just keep on occurring. A more polished, sleek, mature look coupled with “edgier” fashion in these photos accurately depicts my new found self-confidence and Leo pride! The energy and aura captured in these images truly expresses my charisma, and refreshed appetite for life.

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Jennifer Cole

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Below is a list I came up with which through my experience, has shown me the ways I see myself maturing into the kind of woman I want to maintain:

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What it is to really “Grow up”.
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1. Taking better care of my physical self.
2. Dealing with my emotions and fears directly instead of numbing the pain.
3. Accepting failure & defeat as a means of forming new learning opportunities, thus becoming wiser, and stronger.
4. Walking through life with a strong confidence in my step.
5. Letting go of what I can’t control.

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Copyright 2012
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Editor’s Note: To see more pictures of Jennifer Cole, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

www.MartineBrand.com

Copyright 2012

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Editor’s Note: To see more of Martine Brand’s Artwork, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click the green icon.

Jennifer Cole: Photographed on April 4, 2012

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Jennifer Cole

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……….I’m currently in a time of my life where my perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge seem to have all of a sudden blossomed. It’s safe to say, I have never started to feel more in tune with myself: thus making this mindset ideal for a new photo shoot with TW. When I first turned 26, I battled the thoughts that told me I was getting older and I better hurry up and do something meaningful with my life. Then I realized that my life is still only beginning, especially now that all of my early life trials, joys, traumas, and dramas are finally starting to make sense. Older? Nah, I say wiser.

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Jennifer Cole: Legs

The first half of my 20’s centered on partying, gaining popularity amongst my peers, and escape after escape. Both good times as well as bad times lead to destructive decisions on my end: all continuously affecting and breaking down my health, inner peace, and overall well-being.

To Be Continued……….

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Editor’s Note: To see more pictures of Jennifer Cole, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Neffie's Legs

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Nefertari Williams

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……….My window is inches from my bed and I can see my neighbor who is at least 30 years my senior – sweeping her driveway which seems effortless for her. Before my cardiac issues I could run circles around all of my neighbors while we were out doing our yard work. Now as I lay here staring at my neighbor, I can’t help but wish that I had some of her energy.

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Some of us have gradually developed our cardiac issues maybe by slow plaque buildup or an inherited genetic disorder, and some of us had a sudden onset. In either case whatever physical condition you were in before your cardiac issue; you may find yourself longing to be there again. The difference is when I had more energy I never took a minute to smell the roses. These days I find myself thankful for every moment. I take notice of things that I so easily took for granted in days past. Problems that used to seems impossible – I now pick apart just to try and find the lesson to be learned.

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Although I find myself battling depression like many others with cardiac issues, instead of those days being the norm they are now slowly becoming the exception.With that being said: we are a group of survivors and we should see the success in just that alone. There are going to be days when the “Why me” bug tries to whisper in my ear, especially if the angina or the swelling is attacking.

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However when these times come, I like to remind myself of how far I’ve come and I usually smile. That smile is my fuel and it is contagious. If I am out and I see someone smiling for no “apparent” reason – I find myself thinking maybe they are a survivor too!

Editor’s Note: To learn more about Nefertari Williams and her fight against heart disease, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Fendi

Copyright 2012

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Editor’s Note: To see more of Martine Brand’s work, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click the green icon.

Brooke Lynne

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Brooke Lynne

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STRIPPED: A Tony Ward Studio Exclusive Blog Series – Part 2

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……….. I¹m Brooke Lynne and a new dancer at Club Risqué, a gentlemen’s club in Philadelphia. At 27, I just decided to make the jump into the exciting world of exotic dancing. I modeled when I was younger; went to beauty school, got married, got divorced, and got my breasts done. Prior to dancing – I managed a men¹s hair salon in NJ and began to notice the almost super hero like power I now had over men. Was it my new additions? Probably in part, but mainly it was the confidence that I possessed and my effortless ability to get along with men. When I was younger I would play dumb, act cute, and rely on my looks to attract men. I often lost them just as quickly as I got them. Now older and more experienced there was no playing dumb about it anymore. I knew what I wanted and they knew I knew what I wanted. And that was sexy.

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Instead of asking for things and delicately waiting like a good girl, I began telling men exactly what to do and what I needed. And they would give it to me! If not, then I stopped wasting my time and got it myself or found someone who could accommodate me. It wasn’t long before the women at my job said, “Why aren’t you on a pole somewhere?” I began to ask myself the same question. I was already wearing skimpy outfits, flirting with men, and giving scalp and hand massages. Why not get paid more for it? I had just started modeling – needed the flexibility to take off for auditions and I was about to begin my first semester at college, how cliche. I had a pole in my living room and a drawer full of clothing that I couldn’t really wear outside. The answer was clear. I had to at least audition. My new breasts needed to start pulling their weight.

To Be Continued……….