Pictures inspired by a film or a book are a great idea for realizing your own photo projects. Honestly, this idea germinated in my head for quite a long time. However, my photography school, British Academy of Photography, helped me with its implementation. For the purpose of completing the assignment, I carried out photo sessions inspired by the film The Great Gatsby.
The choice of the film was obvious to me because it suited my photographic style, i.e. simple, romantic portraits. Portraits in the style of Vanity Fair are for me an inspiration and a goal in further photographic development. In addition, I often use various styles in my work and my own photographic projects. Therefore, the 1920s and 30s of the last century, or the so-called vintage period, often reigns in my projects. In general, I like to use various elements in my work (i.e. outfit, hairstyle or session accessories) that add character to a portrait.
What’s more the book and film are not unfamiliar to me and I have to say that I like books/movies which are set in the 20s and 30s of the last century – especially when the action is set in New York, the city of Jazz, prohibition and gangster counts. It was both a time of great challenges and equally great profits. The time when the road from shoe-shaker to millionaire was the shortest.
Originally “The Great Gatsby” is a novel that was written by American writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. He introduced wealthy people living on Long Island. The story primarily focuses on the young and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his relationship with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Fitzgerald in the novel by his heroes explores their decadence, idealism. The books also present social unrest and attitudes towards the excess of material things, the position of a portrait of a man of that era. Through his book, the writer wanted to warn those who cultivate the “American Dream” ethos. Gatsby represents it because it came from nothing into wealth, power and privilege.
I am very pleased with the effect of the session despite the many difficulties I came across in the whole process. The male portraits came out in the assumed style and brought the effect that I intended to achieve, i.e. a simple portrait in a moody and dark climate. Sometimes it is so hard to get men to photo shoots so maybe a film-inspired session will be a good idea.
