On the day of the big wedding, it’s your job
to make the bride look as good as possible. George Suresh takes us back to the
basics of glamour photography to help you take better images every time.
If you're looking to take your glamour
photos to another level, adequate preparation plays an important part. In fact,
the more preparation you’re willing to undertake, more quality time you’ll get
with shooting your model.
If
you're looking to take your glamour photos to another level, adequate
preparation plays an important part.
The images featured here are stylized in
which I requested the model to pose. If you’re keen on achieving a similar
standard, following the steps I've outlined below should definitely help point
the way. Applying these same principles to a wedding setting will give you an
advantage when it comes to those all-important beauty-bride shots.
1. Understanding glamour photography
Generally speaking, glamour portraits
should be flattering and compliment the model. While glamour does share a close
relationship with fashion photography, it's important to understand the fine
distinction between the two. If you get this fundamentally wrong, you don't
just end up with images that portray conflicting representations - you've potentially
wasted a lot of valuable time, too.
Fashion
photography usually involves the model being used to emphasise a product.
Fashion photography usually involves the
model being used to emphasise a product. The products could range anywhere from
apparel to accessories. Glamour photography, on the other hand, uses products
to compliment the model.
2. Choosing a theme
Before you start, make sure to have a good
understanding of what glamour should represent to you. If you're shooting to a
brief, be clear of exactly what the client is expecting of you. With the images
on display in this feature, I chose a theme that represented a contemporary and
sexy nature.
With
the images on display in this feature, I chose a theme that represented a
contemporary and sexy nature.
Think about how your theme could influence
other factors, too. In my case it influenced the shooting technique, location,
apparel and prop selection, which I speak more about later.
3. Choosing a technique: natural versus stylised
Making a decision on whether to shoot a
natural or stylised portrait may seem like a breeze - however, if you get the
two mixed up, you could end up with "cheesy" or uninspiring images.
In my case, as the contemporary theme represented modern environments with corporate
apparel, I knew that natural poses weren't going to suit the location and theme
for this shoot - hence I chose stylised.
Making
a decision on whether to shoot a natural or stylised portrait may seem like a
breeze
4. Poses: glamour versus fine art
Again, to avoid conflicting
representations, make sure you also have a strong understanding of what glamour
poses imply or represent. How does a glamour portrait pose differ to one that
depicts fine art? Prior to your shoot, find some high-quality glamour/fine art
portraits and analyse them carefully.
How
does a glamour portrait pose differ to one that depicts fine art?
Apart from occasionally portraying the
model in a flattering or glamorous way, fine art poses can sometimes portray
qualities that may not be deemed appropriate for the theme or model.
An example of this would be when a model
displays an erotic pose. As this may not always suit a glamour portrait, its
association with eroticism would make it more suitable as fine art.
5. Choose a location
Scout locations and identify as many
potential shooting spots as possible. Depending on the theme you decide to
shoot, pay particular attention to the background. The simpler the background,
the more effective your images become. Observe the colors closely. The more colors
there are, the busier your image becomes. Also look for leading lines:
straight, long walls and narrow pathways. They work tremendously to help put
focus on your subject.
Scout
locations and identify as many potential shooting spots as possible
Remember, whichever location you decide to
shoot in, make sure it pays compliment to your theme.
Think carefully about your color palette.
Remember, the fewer colors, the stronger your image generally becomes. As a
rule of thumb, I general limit my color palette to about the or four maximum.
Using bright colors or highlights such as reds in your accessories or props may
work well in producing great little focal points.
6. Apparel
When deciding on apparel, try to involve
and discuss this with your model as well. Mention your theme and suggestions of
apparel to begin with. And if you're working with a professional model, it's
more than likely they have a strong sense of fashion and can assist by
providing some useful suggestions. They're usually up to speed on current fashion
trends, too. Never try to be an expert in areas you're not.
When
deciding on apparel, try to involve and discuss this with your model as well.
7. Props and accessories
The next stage could see the introduction
of props.
These could potentially be the icing on the
cake of a really interesting shoot. Some things to consider would be umbrellas,
sunglasses, gloves, head bands, fans and hats - or, in the case of a wedding,
parasols, bouquets and the like. However, don't be afraid to experiment with
your imagination here. Whatever props you end up using, just remember to work
in the prop to suit your theme.
Some
things to consider would be umbrellas, sunglasses, gloves, head bands, fans and
hats
8. Lighting accessories
If you're shooting on a clear day with harsh
sunlight, the use of a diffusion panel and reflector can assist in getting
perfectly exposed images that have a professional quality about them. Nowadays
you can acquire five-in-one reflectors that contain a gold, silver and white
reflector as a well as a diffusion panel. They come in different sizes and
conveniently fold into a compact size, making them extremely portable and a
must-have in any portrait photographer's accessory kit.
If
you're shooting on a clear day with harsh sunlight, the use of a diffusion
panel and reflector can assist in getting perfectly exposed images that have a
professional quality about them.
The panels are very simple to use. The most
important one is the diffusion panel - this is basically positioned anywhere
above the model to block out the sun. The reflector can be positioned anywhere
that allows it to reflect sunlight onto the model to create a fill light. It
can also produce a nice catch light on the eyes, too.
