The focal point of Fred with Tires by Herb Ritts is the half-naked, young man standing in the centre of
what appears to be a car garage or gas station. His oil-soaked overalls are
rolled down to his waist, exposing his toned, muscular upper-body. His feet
face away from the camera, whilst his torso is twisted to face the camera. Fred maintains direct eye-contact with
the camera, a smouldering expression on his face. A ‘dog tag’ hangs from his
neck and his grease-covered hair falls over his face, which has adopted a
smouldering expression. The image is in black and white and the photograph is
overall very dark. The car oil covering a large portion of the floor also
covers the model’s arms and face. Surrounding the model are objects typically
found in a car garage; a stack of road-worn tires sits in the right hand side
of the frame, with Fred clutching two
more. Car parts lay scattered across the garage floor; the setting is dirty and
authentic, grime covers the walls and blocked out windows.
All sections of the frame are filled leaving the photograph
looking busy, the setting consequently feels real and un-staged. Although busy, the image is symmetrical and
there is a very clear difference between the model and the background of the
image; this divide helps to make sure ‘Fred’ is still appealing amidst the
grunge. Placing an extraordinarily muscular model within a raw, social environment
makes it clear that Ritts was not focusing on realism. The image was designed
to be aspirational as opposed to relatable; with some consumers wanting to be
the model and more wanting to be with him. The model’s stance, his torso
twisted to face the camera with feet adjacent to the lines on the floor,
highlights his physique. A lot of interest is created through the use of lines,
strong lines can be seen in the tires, the model’s defined muscles and veins,
the windows and hose pipes. The curved lines of the model and the tires
contrast with the analytical straight lines that surround them. Colour is not a
key aspect of the image, there is more concentration on pattern and light and
dark contrasts. The photograph focuses largely on contrast; Fred, with his unobtainable physique
contrasts with the raw, real car garage. The blocked out windows help to
prevent any light from illuminating the background of the image; ensuring the
light falls mainly on the model.
By holding a tire on either side, the model is almost
mimicking a vehicle or machine and the symmetry of the image creates a sense of
strength, balance and stability. The model’s stance also creates a sense of
sexuality, this is re-enforced by the use of direct eye contact and the image
immediately feels more personal and engaging. Herb Ritts has almost reversed
the stereotypical gender roles in fashion photography as it’s usually female
models that are sexualised, as suggested by Laura Mulvey’s The Male Gaze. It’s refreshing to see the beauty of a male
advertised; this is becoming more common in the present day but would have been
ground-breaking in 1984. The model looks as though he has been doing physical
labour as his body is shining and marked with oil; this again provocative and
plays up to a stereotypical idea of masculinity. Leaving the model’s torso exposed
in such a practical, rough environment makes the image feel raw and if it
weren’t for the model’s strong, muscular physique the image would feel vulnerable.
The photograph has a very American feel to it; the model has an 80’s American
boy-band look with tanned skin and highlighted floppy hair. Around Fred’s neck hangs an identification or
‘dog tag’ necklace typically worn by military personnel; this re-enforces the
idea of American spirit.
I personally feel that this image would have had more impact
when it was first published due to the stereotypes surrounding gender roles. In
the present day this image is less shocking as we are now used to seeing male
beauty advertised within the fashion industry. I do however appreciate the
consideration that went into creating Fred
With Tires, every aspect of the image has been thought through from the car
parts scattered on the floor to the oil smudge on his nose.
References
Herb Ritts Foundation (2016a) Herb
Ritts. Available at:
http://www.herbritts.com/#/archive/photo/fred-with-tires-hollywood-1984/
(Accessed: 21 November 2016).
Herb Ritts Foundation (2016b) Herb
Ritts. Available at: http://www.herbritts.com/# (Accessed: 21 November
2016).
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