Double Exposure (American TV series)

Double Exposure is an reality documentary series on the Bravo television network.

Internationally, Double Exposure is broadcast on Cosmo TV, Arena TV, DStv, Fox Life, Sony Entertainment Television Asia and AXN.

Premise

This Reality TV series follows Markus Klinko and Indrani, described by American Photo as "Two of photography's biggest talents". They are known for their images of popular culture icons, from album art for Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and David Bowie, to magazine covers of actors from Eva Mendes, Will Smith, to Katie Holmes, and advertising campaigns such as Kate Winslet for Lancôme, Mary J. Blige for Pepsi and Britney Spears for Elizabeth Arden perfumes. They are joined by fashion stylist GK Reid, who is known for his avaunt-garde fashion, creating among others Rihanna's breakthrough look for her "Umbrella" single cover and reinventing Mariah Carey's image for her Emancipation of Mimi album cover.^[1] Jorge Perez, their agent, is also featured as he brokers their deals.

Markus and Indrani provide the TV audience unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to A-list celebrities, and a rare glimpse of the process of creating celebrity and fashion images. Because Markus and Indrani are a duo and former couple, their artistic process is externalized, allowing their collaborators and their viewers to take part in their creative discussions. Unlike other reality shows where celebrities make cameo appearances, "Double Exposure" is based on extensive footage of the celebrities and designers working together with the photographers as co-creators of their real images, which then become an important part of pop culture.^[2]

Drama and comedy arise as the pressures mount and the artists are very passionate, interacting in surprising ways. In Touch reports, "The stars are on both sides of the camera... Beyonce got into Markus pants before he fell in love with Britney and went Gaga...".^[3] Markus and Indrani are a former couple, who come from opposite perspectives and often disagree, and GK often has to serve as referee. Before they began photography together in 1994, French-Hungarian Klinko was a classical harp soloist who won the "Grand Prix du Disque" for his EMI recording with the Paris Opera Bastille Orchestra. Calcutta-born Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri was an internationally successful fashion model and Princeton University graduate in Anthropology, who founded a charitable school in her home in India. They were first discovered by Isabella Blow, then by David Bowie and Iman.^[4] They work 18-hour days in high-stress environments, with difficult deadlines, stretched budgets, expensive locations and demanding talent who are their clients and require real results that will become an important part of pop culture.^[5]

Episodes

Critical response

According to Life & Style "The former lovers impress with their client roster and entertain with their fiery personalities."^[6] “The two stars are charming, funny, and talented. Throw in some behind-the-scenes photo material and a few superstar portrait subjects, and you’re looking at something special."^[7]

LA Times' Jon Caramanica suggests that the show is groundbreaking: "Perhaps that's the tipping point for a cultural course correction back toward the value of artifice.^[8]

Cosmopolitan reports that ""Double Exposure"... kinda feels like "America's Next Top Model" and "Project Runway" mixed together and on speed.". They also state that, "The two super famous celebrity photographers, Markus Klinko and Indrani...have enough personality to make the Real Housewives look dull."^[9][10]

CNN's Showbiz Tonight interviewed the duo live on July 13, 2010 about their shoot with Lady Gaga and Naomi Campbell. On July 20, 2010 Larry King interviewed Indrani and Markus Klinko on Larry King Live and featured their "Double Exposure" show photos.^[11]

References