Mario Testino

How much do I love a well put together fashion photography book? Let me count the ways! Okay, I’m not actually going to count, because doing maths is lame and I have a liberal arts degree for a reason… But this book was a glorious entré into the fashion world, as portrayed through Mario Testino’s lens. Like the title implies, Testino takes us from the front row (an enviable position to be in) of many of the world’s most important fashion shows to back stage (arguably an even better position to be in), capturing moments in time in his signature style of photography. Testino’s use of lighting, movement, and drama makes his work painterly in nature, and focuses more on evoking a feeling than portraying the clothing or people with any sense of accuracy – a technique that may annoy the fashion historian in me (who wants to see the clothing in overly accurate detail), but which my artistic side absolutely adores for their unexpected emotive quality. The resulting images are luscious, and even in their most blurred and frantic form tell far more of a story than expected from what should be simple depictions of people in clothing. But that’s the truth behind fashion, isn’t it? When done well, fashion is a performance; it’s a narrative; it’s an emotion; and most importantly: it’s art.… (más)

Collected from the exhibit of Testino's portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, this book collects a range of portraits that showcase the breadth of Testino's work. Included are celebrity portraits, party scenes, and shots more reminiscent of the painters of previous generations than photographs - all which prove his talent in his craft.

Like all modern celebrity/fashion photographers Testino works in the realm of the unexpected - tapping different styles to suit each personality caught in his lens - and in doing so he has transcended the traditional role of the silently invisible photographer. He is himself an icon, while also creating images that are nbothign less than the peak of style and art. His portrait of Madonna for the Ray of Light album cover is no less than THE Madonna photo, and proves that his work will remain in the public eye for many years to come.… (más)