Book Review: FILMSCAPES
Courtesy of the artist, Denis Piel.
Review written by Shanel Thompson.
Denis Piel’s mastery of creating a narrative by capturing a series of stills is made evident in his book “FILMSCAPES”
“Storytelling has always been essential for me ever since I was a kid; it was my way of making the world the way I wanted it to be,” writes Piel.
Piel, who was born in France and grew up in Australia, is an internationally acclaimed photographer, best known for his groundbreaking editorial work during fashion’s halcyon days of the 1980’s Vogue, GQ, and Vanity Fair.
“FILMSCAPES” gives viewers a preview into the mind of Piel and his photogenic progress. The book sheds light on his methods of distinctive cinematic style and is a compilation of shoots selected by Piel from his extensive archive which contains photos from his Vogue years, some of which are personal edits which have never been seen before.
Courtesy of the artist, Denis Piel.
“With my pictures, I search for a type of truth; rawness always attracts me,” writes Piel.
Piel’s photography narrative flows in an effortless manner. Bold models proactively seducing the viewers in a sequence of photos that come alive with subtle changes before the eyes. He captures the essence of vulnerability as his models pose nude while imitating a time of slumber and intimacy in moments between pictures that give his viewers an insight into the larger story being told.
“I preferred to work with models who never ‘learned’ how to model. For me, this is the death kiss of achieving ‘reality’ and indeed any semblance of vulnerability,” writes Piel.
Courtesy of the artist, Denis Piel.
Courtesy of the artist, Denis Piel.
Piel conducted his photo shoots by shooting a complete storyline, using his models as actors. His curiosity in human relationships shaped his photography and added a level of realness to the images that are displayed in his work throughout “FILMSCAPES.”
“My aim was that the fashion morphed into a scenario that encouraged the viewers’ imagination,” Piel writes. “Precisely what I want was not always apparent until I saw it in front of my camera.”
Courtesy of the artist, Denis Piel.
Courtesy of the artist, Denis Piel.
