PHOTOGRAPHERS' SHOOT OUT Jul 2010

This Spotlight presents the winners of the Photographers Shoot Out Contest featuring the models from Fresh Faces 2010.

This editorial, 'Match Point', was created following the launch of the Shoot Out contest, and is inspired by the evolution that every sportsperson must go through to reach their goals. The struggle and the aim of improving everyday build the basis for success, not only in sports but in every aspect of life.

The team split the photo session into two series. In the first, photos show the fears and the difficulties that the protagonist must face. She overcomes these fears with a fighting spirit and the will to achieve her dreams. With this idea in mind, the crew shot the series on an old basketball court. The faded and flaking walls show the insecurity and the uncertainty before the unknown. The make-up artists took the inspiration from the masks of the Japanese Kabuki theatre as a symbolic hiding of internal emotions. The styling is a fusion of East and West made through a combination of Spanish design and Japanese make-up.

In the second series, the protagonist reaches success in every possible way and can finally leave her mask behind: both her fears and her rivals have been defeated. The tennis court was chosen as the location for this series because tennis perfectly reflects the mix of glamour and success in sports.

Ansgar was trained as a designer and finished his studies with an MFA in Düsseldorf, Germany. Taking pictures since his childhood, he quickly turned photography into a successful career by shooting for numerous advertising and fashion clients.

He loves to work with light and typically creates images of great depth and tension. Ansgar likes to tell stories in pictures and his conceptual approach is not only appreciated by commercial clients but has also found recognition in the art world, leading to exhibitions in New York, Paris and elsewhere. After many years in New York he recently returned to Europe and now works mostly out of Germany and Paris.

"The Salsa brand not only has great denim outfits but a diverse collection with rockstar chic. Naturally, we shot the collection in an environment that supports this look - a bar owned by a rock band inside the ME Design Hotel in Barcelona.

"Working with new faces, I found it important to direct the models in a setting that they could play with so we utilised the furniture, installations, etc., from the location. I loved the challenge to shoot 10 models in literally no time at all and come out with a whole variety of useful, at best beautiful pictures. If you can pull off the perfect mix of accurate planning and playful improvisation it makes for a great and very satisfying day."

Cristian di Stefano is a fashion photographer based in Barcelona. Originally from Buenos Aires, he has lived in Barcelona for the past nine years. Having had experience across a great many subjects, including marketing, communications, hairdressing, graphic design and more, he now focuses on photography and art directing for a range of different magazines and brands.

His photos were taken behind the scenes at the final of the Fresh Faces contest and capture the models in spontaneous moments.

David Ruiz brings to his projects a versatile advertising tone that shows his commitment to the brands that choose him for their campaigns. His style is minimalist, simple, and tidy, keeping an eye on randomness and coincidence.

This series of photos was taken at the Fresh Faces 2010 event, where three photographers simultaneously held photo sessions with the Fresh Faces finalists. The photos were taken in a very short period of time and showcased the talent of the models and the fashion brand By Basi.

David recently worked on the Lottusse international campaign that can be seen worldwide. He has collaborated with agencies including Contrapunto, Ogilvy, Tiempo BBDO, Wonderman, Shackelton, Saatchi&Saatchi, McCann and Leo Burnet, among many others, as well as with clients Lottusse, Casual Play, Dockers, Danone, Panasonic, Sanex, Gas Natural, Renfe, Unicef, Telefónica and H&S.

"The 'Recovery' editorial was born following the launch of the Shoot Out contest. I immediately started to plan the shoot and contacted my team. David Naveira shared his styling concept with me requiring a very particular location that would show futuristic technological chaos. His idea fitted with my concept for the editorial, and from then on I started thinking of images that would have a strong appeal.

"The model is not wearing clothes but she is neither vulnerable nor naked. She wears only recycled elements where black and silver colours are predominant. The team did a wonderful job and showed off their professionalism working in adverse conditions.

"David Naveira was responsible for styling and location, surprising all of us with clothes and accessories made of recycled materials. Iván Gómez and his assistants, David López and Sonia Robles, made a wonderful job of make-up and hair styling. Chencho Alcalá collaborated with the team with his wonderful headdresses and Carles Font worked on post production.

"I would also like to highlight the work of the model, Lindsey Opso (Trend Models), who showed her great professionalism under intense cold."

José Aragón was born in Madrid. He studied geology and film direction before following his true passion, photography. He finds inspiration in the cities he has worked in, notably London, New York and Milan. He is also influenced by the masters of Italian and Japanese cinema, books, video art, dance and experimentation.

Based between Madrid and Tokyo, José has collaborated with international magazines such as Vogue Nippon, Esquire Japan, FHM, NoX and Kee Hong Kong, as well as with international clients including Hogan, Cartier, Levi's Japan, Subaru, Cupid Jewels, Dress 33, Corrupt Design Jewels, and many others.

This series of photos was taken at the Fresh Faces 2010 event where Jose shot as one of three photographers who held simultaneous sessions with the Fresh Faces finalists. Shooting over a very short period of time, his work showcases both the talent of the models and the quality of fashion brand Escada.

"My work is based on the use of light and colour saturation, and I approach each project with a different sensibility. I always try to find what lies underneath instead of focusing on what the eye perceives."

Lucia Humer was born in Bratislava, Slovakia, where she studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. At the beginning of her career she worked as a graphical designer, a position that helped her learn about post production for her later photography. She has been shooting fashion photographs for four years.

"For me, photography means the binding between beauty and art, combining them in one moment and in one shot," she says. "It all starts with an idea, but on set this idea is reborn thanks to the work of a lot of people who collectively produce a great final output."

Lucia works for modelling agencies and fashion designers from Austria, Switzerland and Germany, and is currently seeking representation in other countries.

"I got to know the Slovakian model, Monika Reiterova, when she was living in Spain. Her dream is to become a top model. The Idea for the editorial was to present fashion from LK-look as youthfully as possible. Everyone searches to realise their dreams and many dreams are like fairytales, but it is possible to find your way to the target.”

Photographer Oliver Topf shot for Krone LiVE Magazin with eight participants from the Fresh Faces 2010 contest.

Relaxed at a BBQ, or classy with champagne, the eight models were dressed in the perfect outfits for every garden party occasion.

"The editorial 'El Taller de Luz' was born out of the idea of creating a story that is different from the usual concepts of fashion editorials, leaving dynamic and colourful scenarios behind and focusing on the expression of feelings.

"The inspiration comes from the daily life of those who work in the world of art, expressed in a visual metaphor. Our workplace, where we spend so many hours everyday, becomes a dark and gloomy cave. Isolated from the world, immersed in our own madness, we give free rein to our creativity, breaking the grey walls that confine us, waking up free with the light and brightness that emerge from our designs. It is our 'Studio of Light' - 'Taller de Luz'.

"The strong contrast between the greyness and the shining white dresses tries to transmit in every shot this concept of creation that allows us to create beauty out of a dark place."

Barcelona-born Sergi Jasanada began working in the fashion industry as a model and later moved into photography. Entirely autonomous, he works between Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin.

His freshness and mastery of light has led him to shoot for numerous fashion brands and publications, including METAL, Tendencias, El Magazine de La Vanguardia, Men's Health, FHM, NoX, Down Town, H Magazine, Novias de España, Best Fashion, Breil, Sacha London, Gas, Caroche, Amichi, Giulio, Mango, Avia, Loop Vision, TMX, Rabat and Encuentro.

The editorial Sergi shot for the Shoot Out contest was a game of contrasts: cool attitudes in warm places, beige lights and blue-magenta shadows. Black and white was the choice for the brighter and more saturated shades, while colour was used for the more neutral tones. The whole concept was basicly to create eye-catching and attractive images... and to have fun!

Valeria Lazareva is a young Ukrainian photographer who has already developed her own unique style. Her photos are at the same time classic and modern, sensual and mysterious.

In this editorial, Valeria combines black and white and colour images to create a melancholic atmosphere.

Yocky Zhang is a Shanghai-based photographer who's work often sees him travelling between Beijing and Shanghai. His first job was as an advertising copywriter, but after six years he discovered his true means of expression when he unearthed a real passion for photography.

Yocky's first photo exhibition was shown at Shanghai River South Arts Center in April 2009. His work has appeared in Vision Magazine and Marie Claire China. Yocky is currently seeking representation in China and overseas.

"I always find Shanghai by night so beautiful, and have thought for a long time that it would make a nice background for a fashion story. For this editorial, I combined the colour and mood of vintage wardrobes. Models Kelly Fang from Shanghai and Johanna Kowol from Germany worked with my regular team, stylist Baiba Ladiga from Latvia and make-up artist and hair stylist Mandy Wong from Malaysia. We shot at midnight and everyone enjoyed the experience."