Tim Walker - StoryTeller

 

 

 

When I heard that this book was coming out I just had to order it. I love Tim Walker and his unique approach. When you see one of his images you immediately recognise the style. I was not disappointed at all.

The book “reveals just how much one man’s singular vision has influenced contemporary tastes in fashion, beauty, glamour and portraiture”.

 

Stella Tennant and pink powder cloud. Fashion: Peter Jensen. Eglingham Hall, Northumberland, 2007

 

The foreword has been written by Kate Bush which I feel fits really well with the book. She quite rightly states that “Tim’s extraordinary work takes us on a journey in to his exotic imagination, where giants, dreams and broken fairy tales are all welcome”. When I look at his work I draw similar comparisons to paintings by the surrealist Salvador Dali. Walker’s photographs very much appear like a child’s imagination such as Humpty Dumpty being broken in half, or the plane made out of baguettes and yet there is a luxurious quality to them. This is particularly seen in the drape of cloth or in the flowers and decorations. Many of the images were shot in Glemham Hall or Eglingham Hall, both of which are large stately homes emphasising luxury.

Giant doll kicks Lindsey Wixson. Fashion: Louis Vuitton. Eglingham Hall, Northumberland, 2011

One think I did notice and had not previously realised was that Walker avoids using digital photography in favour of film. Does digital photography make things too easy and allow anyone to become a 'photographer'. I have not used a film camera since I was a child and you were given a plastic point and press. I rely on my SLR because you see immediate results and can tell where you have gone wrong. I would love to give proper film photography a go and think this is something I should learn more about.

Karlie Kloss in gold feathers. Fashion: Alexander McQueen. Shoreditch, London, 2010

“Photography is a magic thing! A magic thing with all sorts of mysterious smells, a bit strange and frightening but something you learn to love very quickly”. Jacques Henri Lartigue.

The book also shows sketches drawn by Walker as he explores various ideas and concepts for shoots. I found it, in some ways, more interesting to view these. I was intrigued how he arrives at the final image and the process he goes through to come up with an image.

Vivienne Westwood in coral tiara with roses. Fashion: Vivienne Westwood. Shoreditch, London, 2009

I felt so inspired looking through this book. I love so many genres of photography and fashion is one of them. Walker has shot for many of the fashion houses such as Mulberry, Louis Vuitton, Valentino; as well as famous fashion magazines including British, American and Italian Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Vanity Fair. Reading this book made me question what I hope to achieve in my photography and the style I am working to develop. Maybe in some way I feel intimidated and wonder whether I could ever produce anything half as good as I believe these images to be. I must remember that everyone has their own strengths and style of shooting, I just need to develop my confidence and not be afraid to explore new ideas and techniques. I am so glad that I bought this book, not only because Tim Walker is someone I admire, but because it leads the reader to contemplate their own direction.

(Tim Walker, Story Teller, Thames & Hudson 2012)