£16 Replica dress a step to far?

Kate Middleton has been in the world's media since she started dating the Prince William in late 2003. 
So last week the world was overcome with joy when it was announced that Prince William would Marry his long term university sweetheart Kate Middleton in the spring of 2011.
As well as being in the media for her relationship with Prince William she is also often in the media for her her fashion sense and style. Middleton has been Listed among other celebrities on "Best Dressed" lists in publications such as The Daily Telegraph, Vanity Fair and People's Magazine.
Therefore when the engagement was announced last week women across the world not only fell in love with her even more but the beautiful elegant dress she wore.

The Photograph seen across the world on TV and in publications last week.

The simplistic sapphire blue £349 Issa London dress which she has been photographed in has proved to be once of the most iconic dresses this year loved by women across the world. So much so that a week after the pictures have been published a replica dress is already on sale!

£16 F&F replica dress on sale at Tesco stores and online at www.tesco.com

The £16 replica designed by F&F at Tesco has proved to be a huge success selling out online within an hour of its release. Lynn Richards a Tesco store manager commented saying  "The dress has been on high demand since its realise, It has proved to be very popular with people of all ages.Lots of women will want the dress as a keepsake which replicates the dress Britain's future Queen wore on her Engagement."

I was also lucky enough to speak to a Fallon Dyer a university student who managed to buy the dress when it came on sale. "I wanted to by the dress as I not only love Kate but her fashion sense as well. I have often looked online for style guides and stores which sell other replicas of clothes which she has worn in the past, Therefore this replica dress was something which i knew i would love and could afford!"

The replica of the elegant Issa dress works well casually as well as formally with this autumn/winter trends.

The bright Sapphire blue dress works well within the winter scenery.

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Fallon says how kate`s style has influenced the way she dresses on a daily bases.

Although creating replica outfits worn by celebrities is obviously very successful and has proved to be in high demand the real question is, Is it going to far?
Many young people especially, are pressured by today's media to look as 'slim' and 'georgous' as celebrities they see on TV and Magazines. So is selling affordable replica outfits worn by some of the worlds most beautiful influential women encouraging more and more young girls to try and be "Perfect"?
Although many people look up to celebs such as Kate Middleton is it a step to far selling replica clothes that they have worn and encouraging women to buy them? Should fashion outlets and supermarkets especially be allowed to sell such items?
So the question is will you be buying outfits like this in the future or is the fashion industry trying harder and harder to morph us into the people in today's media that we look upto and somewhat inspire to be?

Truth.Freedom.Beauty.Love

Paris. One of the most beautiful cities in the world.
From the 17th to the 20th myself and some of my class mates were lucky enough to have the chance to visit Paris. Our main reason for out visit was to attend an exhibition called "Paris Photo" which takes place at carrousel du Louvre. Paris photo sees photographers from around the world, both famous and up and coming , Exhibit there work for public to view and purchase.
Walking round the exhibition was an amazing experience, to view other photographers work and become inspired for our own work.
As well as Paris photo we also had the chance to do some site seeing around the city. Places we visited included Notre Dame, Moulin Rouge, Arch De Triumph, Chan De Lise and of course the Eiffel Tower.
Here our a few of the pictures I took. For more please see my facebook page!

As the days become shorter and the nights become colder we look forward to returning home after a long day to a warm house and a cooked meal. However is this something that we take for granted?
Shocking statistics reveal that 1million people in the UK alone are homeless and are living in poor conditions on Britain's streets. Even more heartbreaking statistics shows that nearly 200 people in Stoke on Trent alone are between the age of 16-25 and are either homeless or in fear of being homeless.
Thankfully with charities such as Shelter England founded in 1966, each day more and more is being done to protect people effected by loosing there home or being thrown out of home. Unlike other homeless charities all donations made go direct to the charity meaning they do not charge commission. Shelter reallies on people volunteering themselves and public donations to run a successful charity to raise awareness and help people affected by loosing a home.

Alex Bradley and Betty Swaffield currently work for the charity after being recruited on the street by other Shelter workers. Working 9 hours a day sometimes 6 days a week they spend there day talking to people going about there day to day routines in busy shopping areas such as Hanley.Alex says "There are challenges to street fundraising of course because a lot of people do not want to spare the time. It becomes a matter of perseverance and trying to make yourself seem appealing so people will talk to us."

Betty has been apart of the Shelter team since march after being recruited by other street fundraisers.

"It is very rewarding to know that this money improves the lives of vulnerable and distressed people." 

Although at times street fundraising can be hard there are some rewarding aspects of the job at the end of it.
Alex stated "The most rewarding part of working for Shelter is that we know that the money we raise each day make real changes. We also get chances to visit the projects that the money we raise helps fund."
With the help of the public and generous donations Shelter are able to take there work even further and raise more and more money to help people in need across Staffordshire and the rest of the UK.

Stop and speak to street fundraisers it only takes a minute and the cause may inspire you further.

So as the festive season ripens and the Christmas shopping rush kicks in, spare a thought for the people who will be alone and homeless this Christmas. Take a moment to speak to the street fundraiser such as Alex and Betty and see how you can get involved.

For more information visit www.shelter.org.uk

Lucy Jolliffe

~ My eyes make pictures, when they are shut. ~

Whilst sat in my lecture playing with camera i tried to think of something i could take a few photos of that would be interesting.
I came up with the idea of photographing eyes. Strange I no, but i guess eyes are unique to the person who they belong to and many stories lie behind them.

The eyes are mirrors to the soul.

I didn't want to tell the tree or weed what it was. I wanted it to tell me something and through me express its meaning in nature.- Wynn Bullock

Flash- Learning how to use a flash correctly can be a bit tricky at first i guess. So many different ways to use one to create the right effect for each photograph.
So what better way to learn flash techniques than a afternoon stroll in the park on a cold,wet and dark November day.

My awesome class mates getting there cameras ready

By using a lower flash setting you can see the difference in colour and brightness in this photograph compared to the previous one.

I love this! Theres something beautiful yet haunting about this photograph.

Although this is similar to the previous photograph, it shows how different camera and flash settings can change the mood of a picture and turn it into something completely different.

 Compared to some of my other photographs this is quite a dark picture making the tree alot darker than its leaves.

I loved the colours in the photograph and the fact i have captured Clare taking her flash pictures at the same time!

One of the many squirrel's I saw playing in the trees.

Using a flash gun i was able to the Autumn colours perfectly before the leaves slowly fall off and blow away into the distance.

This effect is amazing!

Every picture is a front page picture! - Martin Elliot!

I guess that as i have started this blog it would only be right to up upload some of the work I've been doing since I've been at uni! I'll keep it to a standard though and leave my drunken antic photographs to facebook instead!
One of the recent opportunities we had was taking photographs at a ceramics convention at the Britannia Stadium. It was an interesting day, meeting a range of people taking a personal approach to the ceramics industry. Now living in "the potteries" it was interesting finding out more about local history and how important it is to people in the area.
Here are some of the people i spoke to and some of there work.

Inspirational Summer

Well this is the start of my blog! I began using word press but it wouldn't let me upload my images, helpful i no!!
So this is my new blog, lets try again.

I shall take you back to my summer and what inspired me to take my passion for photography further.
For you that no me or have read that awesome "about me" section you will no that i worked as a photographer this summer at a place called The Wight Studio with a family friend, Mandy Meadows. ( That's her ) >>>>>>>


I worked for Mandy all summer in the studio helping her out both shooting and editing. Whilst working with her I learnt tons of new things not just about photographs but about cameras (cannon obviously), Editing, techniques and working in the business its self.
I was lucky enough to be able to shoot in the studio, location shoots, events, and weddings which was not only a great experience but was also a learning curve which would point me into the direction which lead me doing my university course!!
My time working at The Wight Studio really made me realise that this is what i want to do, and i guess really did inspire me. Lets just say I'm looking forward to working there again at Christmas!
Here are some of the Photographs i took over the summer for you to look at, enjoy! 

Kiara

Cowes Week Yachts, And yes there are a lot of them over that week!

T-Rextasy on stage at Cowes Week.

Isle Of Wight Scotter Rally
Scooters reflecting into a shop window with a scooter in it.
I thought it looked pretty cool!

Ruby
Ruby was the daughter of a man i met when shooting down on a local beach one day.
I ended up spending the day with them taking pictures for there family enjoying there holiday on the Isle Of Wight.

Claire and Ricks wedding.
It was beautiful!

These may have been the nicest cup cakes EVER!!

The awesome cup cakes once again, overlooking the wedding reception guest.

I love this picture.
This is from a wedding i did in the summer, The bride and her sister holding hands.

Very rock and roll!

I loved being on stage doing this!
This is Doctor and the medics performing during Cowes week 2010.

One of the most important photographs form any wedding!
The First Dance!

This wedding marquee was amazing inside!
Such a beautiful day.

I think this is quite a unique wedding photo because it has a bit of everything in it.
Brides dress,grooms suit,flowers,shoes and rings.