Shawn Paul Tan, Fashion Photography
To add value or sell handbags?
Fashion Photography.
Photography lets me apply technology to creativity. Shot a lookbook for a friend’s startup, liked the euphora on-set: directing models in sync with stylist, creative director.
Studied, started out overseas. Wanted to be picked up by top-tier photographer. The scale’s bigger. There’s work-life balance in Europe (London). Being a racial minority there “helped”. Starting from nothing helped. Wanted to explore European, American expressions, principles.
Worked with teams of David Sims, Tim Walker.
Must fashion photographers like fashion?
It’s a broad topic. It’s useful to be interested, learn about designers, aesthetic, trends. It informs my practice. I enjoy it.
How-to fashion photography.
Traditionally in Singapore it’s been about advertising. Now brands are more receptive to creative direction. For me it’s about mood, dialogue. It’s a team effort.
I chat with, warm up models before shooting. Some of them are 14, 15 from the countryside and thus slightly shy and takes time to open up to the team.
Fashion brand versus editorial spread.
Some brands have strong control of art direction, others encourage collaboration.
Social media has made fashion accessible to clients. They’re more visually aware of what fashion photography can be; it doesn’t mean they’re visually literate. We still have a long way to set high standards.
(Visual literacy: The ability to decipher photo techniques. Fashion photos capture events in standstill. To achieve the best ones, photographers pose their subjects in ways to reveal backstory. Such include lighting, set, framing, angles, expression, gesture. Google for better definition.)
What’s the point?
It depends on clients. I like collaboration, have a strong sense of aesthetic; I like my style. It’s not just executable abilities, but creative input.
There’s a lot of hand gestures. I like femininity and feminism (control). Women played a strong part in my life, and they weren’t “masculine”.
“Dream”.
I’m trying to create a universe. Fashion photography is fantasy. People want reprieve from their mundane lives. It sells. Now it’s more natural building the universe because collaborators help with their input.
Photography trends.
Not really. We’re going back to tribalism.
Is it easier to be “good” in Singapore?
A bit.
