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# Gritty Urbanite Photography
M. Ismail Captures the Essence of Toronto Spirit

By Mai Ismail | Published 2010-09-14 | Fashion
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solo-darkside-editorials
References: [rmai.me](http://www.rmai.me/M.Ismail/Rmai.html) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi-C3NYxEYE&feature=player_embedded)

Toronto photographer M. Ismail turns his editorial shoots in to dark, soul-searching narratives. Models under his direction are free to wonder the streets and aren't fixed to a specific site. Instead, they are allowed to wander and look for inspiration throughout the [downtown core of the city](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/streets-of-toronto) and interact with pedestrians.

M. Ismail's [black and white photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jiyongkim-fw25) brings out the model's emotions and the mood of the city.

**Implications** - Additionally, Ismali's unique take on [fashion photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glimsy-ai) puts the fashions into a context that has the power to appeal to a variety of viewers, who can identify with the relationship between the model, the clothing and the setting which inspires them.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 5.9/10
- Popularity: 70% | Activity: 100% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial
- Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography)

## Key Themes

### Key Themes Behind This Trend

- **Urbanite Photography:** Embracing the gritty aesthetics of urban environments, urbanite photography captures the authenticity and spirit of cities.
- **Soul-searching Narratives:** Soul-searching narratives in photography explore the deep emotions and introspection of the subjects, creating a powerful visual storytelling experience.
- **Mobile Editorial Shoots:** Mobile editorial shoots enable photographers to capture spontaneous moments and emotions on the go, allowing for flexible and dynamic storytelling.

### Where This Applies

- **Fashion Industry:** In the fashion industry, there is an opportunity to showcase clothing in a relatable context by integrating urbanite photography that captures the essence of cities.
- **Art and Photography:** Art and photography industries can explore soul-searching narratives as a way to create compelling visual stories that evoke deep emotions and introspection.
- **Travel and Tourism:** In the travel and tourism industry, mobile editorial shoots can be utilized to capture authentic and spontaneous moments, providing a genuine representation of destinations.

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