Photographer Research- Mario Testino

Biography 

Peruvian photographer Mario Testino  is known worldwide, his portraits are of some of the most famous faces- from the royal family to famous models and Madonna. Having also shot campaigns for the likes of Burberry, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace, he is in high demand.

British vogue editor Alexanra Shulman said in her contribution to his book, portraits, that Testino's work make you look better then you could imagine "not in your wildest dreams, but at the remotest end of possibility". He moved to London in 1976 to begin his career in photography,living in a flat in an abandoned hospital near Trafalgar square, he made a living by selling portfolios (for £25.00 including hair and make up),to models. His first photo appeared in Vogue in 83 and he has shot countless covers for the magazine all over the world.Mario Testino was commissioned to photograph Princess Diana in 97 for her famous Vanity Fair cover. 

Why I chose this photographer 

When I first looked at Mario Testino I found his work to be fascinating and I really liked how he had taken his portraits. He had taken shoots of many different famous people and I thought it would be fascinating to see how he created individuality throughout the people he has worked with.

Examples of Mario Testino work

I like how this image focus on one eye and highlights the colour of her eye. I feel that the image has been perfectly focused to allow the people viewing the image top only see what the photographer want them to see. I like the way on which Mario has been selective in  this way and believe it has created a more unique  and interesting image.

I like how this image is so straight on and showing no fancy angles and almost as if being straight to the point. I think that the hands on the side of her face frame her face and create a better image

I love this photograph taken by mario testino due to how soft and delicate the image looks. it give the girl an innocent look and makes her look very youthful and highlights her natural beauty. I like how this image is in black and white, if this image was in colour I think it would look different and give the image a different feel. The use of form within this photo is what I find interesting and what I looked at most the way half her face is shadowed yet her eye on this side is still perfectly in focus and bright, I also think that the way in which he hair is slightly out of focus in this image helps frame her face.

This is my favourite image by Mario Testino because her eyes are closed. The way he has made a portrait photo which are normally focused on eyes and almost completely cut this off allowing you to focus more on the image as a whole. I like the way in which she is holding her face and one of her fingers is covering her lips. I think there is many from  within this image as red normally represents danger however the pale baby pink can be seen as a very delicate girl colour.





Influence

I think that Mario Testino is very good at aiming his focus and knowing how to portray his focus in his images.I think this is the way he influenced me and helped me in the way I directed my models and positioned them within my images, I think below is an example of this.

Summary