Berlin CSD is coming up. There have been many events in the run up to Saturday’s parade. Black and Paper chronicled Perfromer Ruda Puda during a stage performance with colleagues at Potsdamer Platz for Berlin Queer Days.
Choosing and Getting the Looks Together. Two costumes in particular were very elaborate with feathers giving the effect of a Las Vegas Stage Show.
THE PERFORMANCES!
Images by Vlad Sichov.
Dimitri unveiled a well-received collection for the Spring Season 2017 with looks inspired by his home country of Greece.
We captured the excitement on video. Putting the show together at the tent, all the fun and last minute touches involved making sure all is on cue before hitting the runway.
An overview of Paris Couture looks from France 24 with interviews with top designers showcasing their latest creations.
As in past posts, I review tech devices that are consumer friendly. I tend to run from appointment to appointment, place to place, so I favor small, portable devices that can deliver because depending on the situation I will either need pictures or videos.
I used the Canon Legria HFG30 HD camcorder during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The camcorder was easy to handle and flexible in my hand. I used the recorder for producing behind the scenes images of shows and impromptu interviews with designers. During Fashion Week I adapt a Guerilla Maker film style of handheld shooting because I never know what will happen or where is action is taking place.
The control buttons were conveniently placed for fast operation of all the features. There is a 3.5in OLED touch screen monitor for viewing with a touchscreen; there is an optional view finder. Equipped with Wi-Fi for fast uploads to social media outlets. I decided to review my footage from the SD Card (comes with two SD Card Slots) on my PC before channeling videos online.
On the top panel there is a camera and media playback button for recording and effects. Secondly, there is an Auto and Cinema button for filters and special effects. The digital zoom optics are smooth, the color accuracy is superior making it easy to capture good images. There are two inputs for microphone and headphone usage. For the series videographers there is a shoe on top for adding accessories.
I did find when turning on the camera the interface/software was a bit slow at the beginning. Secondly, for some reason viewing directly was not possible from the card. When I was transferring content from the SD-Card to the Mac there was an additional step of searching for images or videos using Photo.
I recommend the Canon Legria HFG30. I had a lot of fun with it. The price is a bit steep but worth it.
For more information go to Canon.
Our second time behind the scenes witnessing the team put the runway show together. Models practicing on the runway, make and hair teams preparing faces, dressers getting the looks together.
Music by Subset and Jon Luc Hefferman
Rounding out our Milan Fashion coverage with some images we took over our 4 days in the Alpha Fashion City during Menswear Week. We decided to share them.
Models from the Fratelli Rossetti Presentation
Bally Shoes Presentation for Ladies Shoes.
Tod’s Presentation and setting
Milan Fashion Week New Designers
Trussardi
Bertoni Collection for Women
The Pure Indulgence
The second part of the interview with Photographer Vladimir Sichov.
What is your favorite cover?
The November Cover of Paris Match showing The Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Romania Revolution Cover.
Why are you still motivated to take pictures?
I am a street life photographer. I look for moments, unknown people. I take pictures fast. The right way to be a street photographer is to be quick while not drawing attention to you. I place tape over the camera labels and numbers for discretion.
What is your favorite device?
I like fixed lens. I used Leica until 92 then switched to Canon.
Who was your artistic influence?
Bresson was a God with his sense of composition. He was the master and everyone else is several steps below. We spoke several times. I asked him how many good pictures he made. He said around 40.
Who was the most difficult subject?
The Vogue Studio and those white walls. I prefer action to studio, black and white over color.
Politics and politicians have played a major role in your works.
In May 1981 French President Giscard lost the election to Mitterand. I was assigned to go to his house in the Middle of France with other press people. All only had 20 minutes. After he learned I was Russian he spoke to my team for over 40 minutes. He said his favorite politician was Brezhnev. I spent 2 week with him on holiday in the Holy Land after he left office. His wife was religious.
And Chirac?
Prime Minister Jacques Chirac opened a world for me. I was a stateless so he arranged for me to have a French Passport.
Having covered so politics and events, what do you think of the current state of Europe?
If I had written articles on what I thought I would have been fired immediately. There is a body of unelected people (EU Commission) making disastrous decision for Europe. There is no Ford to build an industry. So much has been destroyed, from textile to steel production.
What were the most interesting assignments?
There are many but some now:
I was in the Soviet Union covering the Michael Jackson concert in 1989 before the coup. I felt something was going on so I called my editor and decided to stay in Moscow a little while longer. The tanks rolled into the city. I saw it all in front of The Russian White House. I was wounded, shot.
When Gorbachev went into exile I was with him for 3 days.
Horowitz was fun. I wanted to show him doing more than at the piano. Russians love ice cream and playing chess. He asked me if I loved ice cream. Yes!
I made images of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge at their apartment. One of those images was used at the Christie’s auction in 2009. It was rare assignment because they did not normally allow images made in their flat.
I accompanied Keith Haring here (Berlin) to take pictures of him painting the Wall for the mural. He was really fast. That was in 1986. I made pictures of him doing work on the Grace Jones video.
What advice would you give a photographer?
Love what are doing and you will never have a problem. If you find a job you like and you will never work. Do not expect rewards.
Air Berlin was an official partner for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin. If you are going to travel, do it with style! Air Berlin and partner airline Etihad Aiways are the official airlines for the global fashion tribe.
The happenings at the Mercedes Benz Tent during Fashion Week Berlin
Images by Vladimir Sichov
The New York City based label showed its Resort Collection at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The 90’s were back according to the designers for looks that were solid, wearable with many looks holding the body together. Soft, solid colors were the norm with a bust of a chromatic blue dress then to small floral patterns to choose for the lady going out in the evening.
Images by Vladimir Sichov.
