Researched Photographers

Photographer 4: Eva Mueller

About this photographer

Eva Mueller is a Bavarian photographer that specialises in fashion, beauty and music photography. She originally study graphic design and was an art director in Munich before discovering her love for photography. Her work is famously minimalistic, yet still something really interesting to look at – she describes her work herself, “Less is more,” she says about her vision, “Creating timeless and iconic yet fun images is more important than the trend of the moment.”

Why have I picked this photographer?

I think Mueller’s work is something different to any other photographer I have looked at yet in terms of the photography and the makeup. The makeup is very edgy and contemporary in all of her shoots as she is used to shooting for some of the top high fashion brands, and the way she executes these ideas is innovative too. I mention a lot in my work about it wanting to be contemporary, fresh and modern and her work visually ticks all the boxes for me here and gives me a chance to explore something new.

This first photo that I found is very intriguing. I love the way makeup has been used here to make the model look like a starry sky and how this is complimented with the black background. The pose and facial expression of the model is very tranquil and peaceful as they are not making eye contact with the camera. Though there is this loss of contact, the focal point still remains with the eyes there is movement in the image where it looks like shooting stars are moving off the subject, and this starts from the eyes. The lightening here has highlighted and accentuated the subject’s features, making it visually more interesting to look at.

I love this next photo! - I think the makeup look is really fun and interesting. The way cartoon has been brought together with a human has made this piece visually dynamic and I think something that would get people talking. Only primary colours have been used in this image and this makes in conventional to what is being shown (in terms of the makeup). The facial expression of the model is very influence by the makeup on her face - I feel in this photo the makeup is so strong that the model becomes secondary in the image. This is also accentuated with that fact she is not making eye contact with the camera. The cropping of the image is interesting and has helped to highlight the angles of the face more.

This is a different kind of makeup photography that would be used for more commercial or advertising pieces as you can see the cosmetics used close-up. I really like this effect here as you can see clearly all the different colours used and the lighting has helped to create shadow on the inner corner of the eye, accentuating the angles and bone structure. There is no eye contact with the camera here, but there is an obvious subject as the only thing in the photo is the eye and the eyeshadow – this also adheres to the type of photo that it is.

This final photo that I found of Mueller’s is one that really caught my attention due to the contemporary feel and look that it has. I love the way the lighting has been used to accentuate the subject’s features as this has worked well with the makeup style that runs across her face. There is a lot of texture present in the photo as well which is also brought out in the light, for example, the sheer look of the models face and the more matte looking black makeup used – this also adds contrast within the photo. Although the facial expression of the model is soft and she is not making eye contact with the camera, the focal point is still on the eyes as this is where all the attention is drawn to e.g. with the makeup framing the eye and the cropping of the photo too. The background of this image is also sterile which I think has added a lovely element to the photo as the shot is almost side profile and this has meant that you can see clearly the angles of the subject’s face.

Influence

I have found Eva Mueller’s work to be very inspiring after researching her. One thing that stood out for me the most was the dynamic portfolio of work that she has – all of her work is so different and touches on different sides to the makeup/beauty industry incorporated through photography. This is definitely an element that I want to be able to achieve in my own work as it would provide me with a strong, diverse and interesting portfolio. I also think that this is something that will help me to retain interest in my project too through-out duration of it lasting.

Summary

Overall, Eva Mueller is most definitely a photographer whose work has inspired me and is likely to influence my own project. I mention a lot in my work about loving contemporary and modern photography and hers is something that excels in this area too. I particularly love some of the more editorial work that she has and this has inspired me to look at adding some of these features into my

own work too, making in more complex. Although it is something that I’ve yet to explore, I’m still unsure of photographing more close-up advertising makeup looks (like seen with some of Mueller’s work for high end designer brands) and instead still find myself more swayed to photographing full face look and as said, editorial pieces.