ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2018 ～POWER of MUSIC 20th Anniversary ～ [II]

[truehappiness]

Leslie used to have less retouching on his works, or if he did, it was lighter and less 'plasticky'.

Sometime in 2012-2013, he changed the way he retouches his photos to make it similar to how Shimoko does. I only really enjoy ND CHOW's work lately even though Leslie always has good setups just some strange retouch issues. Kazutaka is also good but oh my god everything ends up cream/beige....

Part of what makes this look different I think is the lack of hair visibility and her eye makeup being not quite her usual. The team that did her hair/makeup for this is totally different from her usual staff.

[Cahz-]

Her face looks like the "old Ayu" lol For me, this photo is amazing

[Isicio]

I like how she looks, but damn I need the new release so bad D:

[relmy]

Ayu's used tulle and Namie's photo uses more a silky sheen fabric, it makes the images look totally different. Namie's is smooth and shimmery, which fits with the overall vibe of the image. Ayu using tulle looks much more structured and fixed, which with the arm positioning and styling works for her photo.

It's like... sure, they both used blue fabric draped around them but the images are totally different in how they feel. It's like saying they both wore a blue dress. I do like the Namie promo more though, sorry Ayu. She still looks good though.

[Next_Level29]

i dont like leslie kee but i have to admit that he photographs ayu very well. i give him kudos for that. that picture looks amazing

[//ABEST]

holy shit!! her best picture in ages and no contacts!!

[mizuki-7]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

It’s unfortunate that people think she tooks the idea from Namie while it looks more like a continuation of her last shooting with Leslie Kee which was done before Namie released her best of ...so it’s more the opposite ...

[Cahz-]

Originally Posted by mizuki-7

It’s unfortunate that people think she tooks the idea from Namie while it looks more like a continuation of her last shooting with Leslie Kee which was done before Namie released her best of ...so it’s more the opposite ...

By the way, are there HQ individual pictures of this?

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by Cahz-

By the way, are there HQ individual pictures of this?

None, because it's from before the selection of the final shots.

[Adamyuyu]

Hi,

Does anyone have two extra tickets for the May 12th concert? Please let me know

[Cahz-]

Thank you mizuki-7

[JackieRos]

Do people not know how this works? It’s usually the photographers direction that they follow and it ends up being the final photos.

Blame the photographers and not Namie or Ayu.
But anyways I don’t see the comparisons, the only common thing is the fabric.


Every single time, people have to compare.....

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by Minerva

Do people not know how this works? It’s usually the photographers direction that they follow and it ends up being the final photos.

Blame the photographers and not Namie or Ayu.
But anyways I don’t see the comparisons, the only common thing is the fabric.


Every single time, people have to compare.....

Some people, including Sunshineslayer, give Amuro (who is super famous for being super creative when it comes to just about everything) too much credit. I wonder how will the pop scene in Japan survive when she retires and then there is nobody to inspire great ideas.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by Minerva

Do people not know how this works? It’s usually the photographers direction that they follow and it ends up being the final photos.

Blame the photographers and not Namie or Ayu.
But anyways I don’t see the comparisons, the only common thing is the fabric.


Every single time, people have to compare.....

Actually, in this kind of of work, nops. Either Leslie was an integral part of her team for this pieces and had a saying on the direction, but not the final decision, or he received the directions before hand to follow. The direction was most likely from Ayu's creative team.

And the fabric thing is obviously a trend, considering so many people are using that at the same time. But I have to agree that for the casual observer it looks like Ayu copied Namie because Namie's event was anounced earlier and generated more buzz.

I wouldn't be surprised if this direction was decided BECAUSE it looks like Namie's, as a way to grab the attention of people confusing both promotions.

[JackieRos]

I honestly hate the cover, I hate the pouty mouth pose; whoever is giving
her the direction to do this pose needs to get new ideas.

Of course is not just her that does it, this trend needs to die forever

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

Actually, in this kind of of work, nops. Either
Leslie was an integral part of her team for this pieces and had a saying on the
direction, but not the final decision, or he received the directions before hand
to follow. The direction was most likely from Ayu's creative team.

You said it better.
What I meant to say is I sincerely doubt that Ayu or Namie said, take a picture
of me with this fabric across my face for my cover. But I still don’t know why the comparison.

[jean-baptiste]

Absolutely love the new promo image.

[EndOfTheWorld]

In my opinion whenever Leslie Kee photographs Ayu, she never looks like her self. I like the photo but it has a very artificial look. I feel that way with just about everything he does. I do sometimes like his work with Ayu but generally no. Ayu just can't seem to quit Leslie Kee.

[Aderianu]

I think only Leslie Kee can portray Ayu as powerful woman

[EndOfTheWorld]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

I think only Leslie Kee can portray Ayu as powerful woman

I don't think Ayu needs Leslie Kee to accomplish that.

[xLuna&1LOVE]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

I think only Leslie Kee can portray Ayu as powerful woman looking nothing like herself

MTE! lol