Photo (1990)
by Lagerfeld

Photo is a very pleasant fragrance that, despite is not utterly original, particularly complex or  revolutionary, proposes a strict kind of balance, quality of ingredients and sense of cleanliness. The dry down of moss, woods and benzoin is a cloud of smooth, slightly aromatic, woodsy tenderness but is far to become cloying or dense. The sweetness is moderate ( i would talk about mildness of citrus, some floral central note and woods), the averagely dry freshness is preserved throughout the trip, even when, after a very aromatic and herbal opening of cool, dry lavender, hesperides and aromatic spices, the smell becomes woody, mossy, smother and soft while remaining basically boise' and green. A sense of almost laundry (but not in a synthetic way) cleanliness will flank you for all the time of its short (what a pity) endurance. A tender, shy fragrance and i agree who with writes it's more wearable than Drakkar Noir but lacking of that mysterious x factor that places a fragrance on a stage.

13rd October, 2011.

I have had a mini of this for years, and every time I try it, I'm just...confused. I guess that's the best word. Maybe it's the concept I don't understand. Or the fact that it's in the same bottle as Lagerfeld "Classic". Except it's black and meant to remind one of a camera. So I guess in my mind I'm thinking...sporty version of Lagerfeld classic. But then I smell it and it's nothing at all like Lagerfeld classic, which further adds to the confusion. And then the scent itself is so thin I can't get a bead on it...so I end up putting the mini back on the shelf. But not today. I made a point to put on a lot of the stuff so that I could really follow it through its progression. And I've been doing that while I've been reading the other reviews. Shamu, The Cologneist...all have really nailed down what Photo is all about. And it makes perfect sense that it came out in 1990. It's a tamped down powerhouse with elements of (at that time) the newly emerging fresh acquatic notes. And now I'm certain it just doesn't do it for me. It's missing that X factor that a fragrance needs to distinguish it. I can't really explain this X factor, but I think most of you will understand what I mean. Lagerfeld classic had this X factor. KL had the X factor. Photo doesn't. It's not bad, now that I understand it, but for me it's not unique enough to actually wear. Whatever the driving note in Drakkar Noir is; is a note that is in Photo as well...and I 've discovered it's a note I really don't cotton to.

25th September, 2011.

Photo is being reformulated... Hence, i quickly grabbed 2 large bottles of the vintage versions recently while i could still find them. Really glad I did as it is one of the more interesting men's scent around. Not the usual citrus, woody or (worse) aquatic-smelling ones all over the shelves. For people who have not smelled it, pls do yourself a favour and try it. but beware, it is quite addictive.... i find myself sniffing non-stop!!

24th March, 2011.

I got this on a whim at Perfumania. It was 50% off, which makes me think it might be on the sad road to retirement. The packaging and bottle look quite dated, despite their ultra-modern cleanness of line.

These qualms aside Lagerfeld Photo is very good. It's also very derivative - its obvious inspiration is Drakkar Noir, the 80s fougere nonpareil. It adds a big bite of lavender to Drakkar Noir and cuts out the weirdly bitter heart. The resulting fragrance smells like an 80s grand-slam but behaves much more demurely; it dries down into a weird, fresh crystalline blue smell, like Captain by Molyneux or Grigio Perla (not calone fresh, herbal).

This seems about right for 1990 - it inhabits the shape of the big leathery scents of the 80s, but ambiguously. I find it much more pleasant and wearable than Drakkar Noir, whose sourness has always repelled me. Photo is a very good, surprisingly strange scent.

15th March, 2011.

Lagerfeld Photo is like Lite Beer from Miller. It's got the scent, attitude and feel of an 80s powerhouse cologne, but without the room-clearing sillage. It's also much drier and a bit lighter than most power scents.

It's a macho and very spicy aromatic fougere, with a strong underlying oakmoss presence so common with the colossal leather chypres from the 80s. As such, Photo pushes the definition of "aromatic fougere" to its outer limit. I think the note pyramid listed here is inaccurate because it does not list oakmoss, which smells to me like the most dominant note in Photo, and it omits patchouli and aldehyde, which also smell quite strong in this fragrance.

Photo is the perfect fragrance for the guy who loves the smell of 80s-styled colognes, but doesn't wear them out of fear of their explosive power. It is assertive and masculine, but moderately discreet. Therefore it is a scent that stakes your claim, but never offends. It is an excellent fragrance.

MY RATING: 8/10

5th February, 2011.

too perfumey for my taste for a man's cologne , it could be worse..the citrus scent is ok. I haven't worn it for a long time.

27th December, 2010.