Does the merging of photography and illustration create more interesting editorial pieces of work?
Photography has been used in magazines for years and can be used in very creative and visually striking ways, however in recent years the process of ‘photo illustration’ has become more prolific. In this process the artist draws over images that have already been taken to create a strong contrast of media resulting in a more visually interesting piece rather than just a photo. Reasons people use this type of work can be to make a product or hing more interesting to the viewer, to elevate it to another level.
Artists like Hattie Steward create very bright and vibrant work that goes more into a cartoony style.
However I do think that this way of working can be seen as lazy as it is almost like doing half the work. This type of work, in my opinion is extremely good for very lighthearted and more positive magazines of topics but it would not be appropriate or work with other types of magazines. In some of her work, known as ‘doodle-bombing’ she adds these cartoon eyes and cartoon things to create a sense of satire, so we shouldn’t be too quick to pass work like this off as ‘silly’ or ‘childish’.
More artists I this vein are people like Martin Sharp who does similar work but in a less cartoony way.
His work, in my opinion, becomes more about the illustration than the photography that I really think is what makes me like his work much more. He relies more on his artistic skill than the photography.
Sometimes photo illustration enters the realm of collage, artists like Matt Herring does a lot of work like this and this style of editorial art is very abundant today.
This style of work is usually used in political pieces as it can be a created quickly and the political figures are recognisable to the viewer instantly. I personally do not enjoy this work, it is overused, predictable and boring.
One of my favourite editorial illustrators in this style is April Bey. She uses her illustration skills to elevate someone of importance up to make them seem very important, to bring the person to the viewers attention. This photo illustration is my favourite because it has a purpose. It wants to say something, and it wants to say something important. Especially with Bey she brings importance to ethnic minorities, something that would not have been normal in earlier years.
Overall, do I think that the combination of photography and illustration makes a editorial piece of work better, not necessarily. I think that it has its merits however ultimately it can be seen as a much quicker and easier way of working, in my opinion.
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