Robert Trudell

Who

Ondrea Barbe shares her portfolio and insight into it in a 2003 PDN Magazine Emerging Artist series article.  She describes how her website www.OndreaBarbe.com portfolio is updated “2 to 3” ^[2] times monthly.  With the website and article we learn Ondrea’s contemporary fashion photography style began in 1996 and continues today.

Ondrea Barbe’s Clinique Ad Image ^[11]

Where

Ondrea bounced between California and France where her career breakthrough came when her contest winning exhibit “The Soul” displayed in the Nice, France’s Museum of Modern Art.  She worked as a freelance photo editor and Creative Director to pay New York City rent when no one would hire her as a photographer. The editing experience honed her shooting skills.  New York remains her main current residence as an established photographer.

Technology

Barbe learned the “process of photography” ^[2] in a Nice, France black-and-white film lab.  Use of photograms, double exposure and superimposed images tailored her seminal work with a headless, armless mannequin as “The Soul”.  Ondrea’s work progresses through color film, to digital photo and digital video (film).  She’s observed using a high end digital Canon SLR camera in some films of her personal work.  Her commercial photos reflect brightly lit well equipped studios.  The images also demonstrate fast, sharp lenses along with fine resolution captures.

The stills used in “City of Fun Shows” ^[5] look like video captures taken from the filming.  Some grainy ^[10], low light images remain in her portfolio, but mostly a well polished commercial repertoire finishes the exposed exterior.

Cultural Context

Born in 1970, Ondrea cultured in both an East and West Coast U.S. heritage along with French European influences.  She’s embraced New York City along with its Museums and scenes.  Her financial support of the International Center of Photography ^[9] demonstrates an interest in furthering the education and expansion of an art she engages in commercially and personally.

Effect on Culture

Barbe became the “go to” gal for sensual, seductive and “Sex in the City” ^[12] celebrity scenes. Commercially she studied many of the best up and coming Magazine mentors as an editor and director.  With that knowledge she advances the skills in framing Makeup and highlighting shadows.  Her engaging photo shoot approach develops and captures an image of celebratory fun and sensation that reflect interaction.

Work Samples

With sharp shadows and guiding highlights, Ondrea Barbe guides us through a path.  She shows the eyes, lips and flowers along with their reason to be seen.

Ondrea Barbe’s images

References:

1)      Ondrea Barbe

http://www.ondreabarbe.com/

2)      2003 PDN Magazine – Emerging Artist Series

http://www.pdngallery.com/global/plugins/flash/en/professional/features/legendsV7Q2/ondreabarbe.swf

3)      Selina Maitreya (Oppenheim)

http://selinamaitreya.com/

4)      Ondrea Barbe’s Youtube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/ondreabarbe/videos

5)      City of Fun Shows

http://cityoffunshows.com/ondreabarbe.html

6)      Supply & Demand Integrated – Ondrea Barbe Commercials

http://www.sdintegrated.com/content/directorPage/Commercials/Ondrea_Barbe/id/

7)      Ondrea Barbe Facebook Page  http://www.facebook.com/people/Ondrea-Barbe/1134810886#!/people/Ondrea-Barbe/1134810886?sk=info

8)      Step out in Chicos http://www.sdintegrated.com/content/viewVideo/Commercials/OndreaBarbe/Chicos/StepOut

9)      ICP – International Center of Photography http://www.icp.org/

10)   Ondrea Barbe – Love Series http://www.ondreabarbe.com/#/PHOTOGRAPHY/love/12

11)   Ondrea Barbe – Clinique “Paper Flowers” ad video http://www.sdintegrated.com/content/viewVideo/Commercials/OndreaBarbe/Clinique/PaperFlowers

12)   Ondrea Barbe – Celebrity http://www.ondreabarbe.com/#/PHOTOGRAPHY/celebrity

http://www.outpost81.com/ondrea_barbe_essay.htm