Jeff Bark’s Lucky 13
After another season in Paris, the city that seems to bring the entire industry together for the collections, I have been reminded of the fierce competition that is ever present, despite sometimes existing discreetly between the lines. Hearing one camp critique another, and engaging in numerous conversations on the philosophy of fashion, creativity and the subject of new ideas, made me abruptly and once again aware of the great power that lies in having a unique and original perspective or process. While some household publications have been newly deemed luxurious catalogs, when untarnished points of view once stood as their mighty banners, we often see the latest creations interpreted in one of two ways: standard, and sometimes more elaborate, set build studio stories, or the pages shot on location in both the imaginative and lifestyle sorts.
It’s become a complete novelty, then, to find a seemingly new way of working, like in the complex and radical detail found in a Jeff Bark image. Many people who come across his work are, more often than not, under the impression that what they are seeing is something shot in a beautiful, albeit sometimes beautifully disturbing, part of the world that they’ve simply never seen before. In each blade of grass, in every delicate branch or crumpled leaf, lies part of the story to be told, and, yet, it isn’t any sort of location at all. Much to my own surprise, and that of anyone who eventually discovers the truth about his work, these are all studio stories, with entire worlds created within their walls. Even more impressive is the way these stories come about, and the brilliantly small team with whom he works to give life to the ideas constantly emerging from his genius mind. In this story, filmmaker Michael Casker follows photographer Jeff Bark and his assistant, Chris White, as they turn what was once fantasy into a magnificent reality for Another Magazine, exposing the process for all to see.
See the second behind the scenes film, an impromptu (and beautifully dressed) version of the Rorschach test, on the Another Magazine site.
Photography Jeff Bark for Another Magazine
Styling Robbie Spencer
Hair Shingo Shibata
Make-up Lisa Houghton
Models Josephine Le Tutour, Marine Deleeuw, Nastya Sten, Natalie Westling at The Society
Casting Noah Shelley for AM Casting (New York: Streeters New York, Los Angeles: Streeters Los Angeles)
Set design Jeff Bark, Chris White
Photographic assistant Chris White
Styling assistant Victor Cordero
Hair assistant Takemitsu Kajihama
Video Michael Casker
Production Susan Gin
Photos and video courtesy of Jeff Bark for Models.com
Shot at Hudson Studios NYC
I love this; great photographic images, great models, and this is some of the best set design work ever. I love how Jeff’s mind works, and his great creativity and artistry. The video here is also very cool and well done. My only complaint is the cigarette in the one image. Fashion media has a responsibility not to promote doing things that kill girls by publishing it and trying to make it look glamorous and cool to do- which it is not.
really good! always been big fan of Jeff Barks work. More more more please!
by far my favorite photographer these days
So inspiring! love love love the creativity of the sets. <3
Awesome!!!!
My favorite photographer for a long time, and always creating something totally amazing.
Beautifully creative sets!! I love how the outdoors were brought indoors without it seeming ‘studio-like’.
Very nice and well done
Extremely well done and a real pleasure to look at
Well done Harvey Sherman
Love the journey you took us on… and the comic book shot was the best.