+44 (0) 207 252 3900 info@shootfactory.co.uk
Monday - Friday 10:00 - 17:30
Photography is always an art form regardless of the capacity in which it is used. Technique and experience maintain a huge impact on your artistic results.
These dimensions of photography are never more vital than when dealing with fashion shoots. This type of photography requires that the artist do more than work with lighting and equipment in order to achieve a wonderful composition. Photographers involved in the fashion industry are responsible for selling both the clothing and the models that are making them appealing. In order to achieve the best possible results on every level of the shot, there are some golden rules that every photographer needs to have under their belt.
Fashion photography aims at capturing glamor, elegance, beauty, and appeal in a universal sense. Making these things an undeniable reality in your shots requires a considerable number of skills that begin with the foundations that you will find below.
Because you are working with a model, he or she must be able to give you some poses that will lead to successful shots. Before beginning the shoot, the photographer should come up with some basic poses with which to work. While professional models should have no problem selling the shot and the clothing, amateurs are likely to need a little more direction. Instruct your model in some industry standard poses that work with the location and any props that are included in the shoot. You should also develop poses that put the model and the garments in the best possible light. Work with at least five different poses in the beginning. Once you start to evaluate the results, you can narrow down the possibilities and concentrate on those that are the most promising. It is also important to have continued interaction with the model so that they feel confident in the poses that they present.
Glamor photography does maintain some basics when it comes to lighting. Lighting has a huge impact on the mood and dynamics of each individual shot, making this element of dire importance. The proper lighting can enhance or completely drain shots of their energy and appeal. The lighting of the shoot depends heavily on the goal of each photograph and the direction of the photo shoot. Minimal or soft lighting can add to an emotional mood while brighter, more intense lighting can highlight certain features and increase the excitement of the image. Different approaches call for different lighting schemes. The most intense and engaging settings can require several different lighting sources, white backdrops, and reflectors from varying angles. You can also save face and considerable effort by taking the time to experiment with new lighting equipment before the shoot begins. Knowing exactly how to achieve the effect that you have in mind with the equipment on hand helps your creative vision come to life more efficiently.
Locations for your fashion show should also be a major consideration. A dynamic background can enhance the quality of a shoot just as much as possessing years of training behind the lens. However, it is important to choose locations that adhere to the mood of the shoot. The setting should compliment the model in addition to working with the photographic style that you are pursuing. Making poor decisions regarding the setting can lead to a struggle between what you are shooting and the end results that you desire. The setting also requires considering your light sources. Outdoor settings can be especially challenging in this regard. The proper light may only be available during a certain time of day. Additionally, you can compliment and enhance the lighting in natural locations by using reflectors and artificial sources of illumination in tandem with the sunlight.
Fashion and glamor photography also requires the photographer to work closely with other artists in order to achieve the desired results. For instance, the makeup models wear on the shoot should compliment their natural features in addition to the clothing that they are displaying. All of the elements, including the setting, must be in synch with one another. Choosing the wrong makeup for the project at hand is typically one of the biggest mistakes that occur in fashion photography.
Amateurs in the world of glamor photography also make the mistake of thinking that every shot requires a ton of lighting equipment and extensive preparation for each shot. Some of the best images that a photographer can take come from using spontaneity and natural lighting to their advantage. These elements are especially powerful when working in an outdoor setting where natural exuberance and the raw beauty of materials are the most important elements for the photographer to capture. However, shooting in an outdoor setting with only the aid of natural lighting requires a more intimate knowledge of one’s equipment. In these situations, the success of the shot often hinges on the proper use of aperture, exposure, filters, and other manual elements. An experienced photographer is wise to take the time to scout the location and experiment with the kinds of results that they can expect using their equipment and the natural light that will be present at the time of the shoot.
The domination of digital photography in the fashion industry has also made it necessary for photographers to sharpen their editing skills and experience using editing software such as Photoshop. This program tends to be the industry standard and is excellent for making subtle adjustments to photographs that can substantially increase their value as an image. Most photographers use these programs to tweak exposure, heighten colours, or remove blemishes from the skin of their models. However, photographers should not rely on software too heavily in order to develop a high-quality image.
The artistry in the work should be achieved during the shoot itself so that an excessive amount of time in the editing room is not required. Excessive editing of photos is also obvious to the trained eye. These tips simply scratch the surface of all the techniques that can be learned when engaged in fashion photography. The more experience one has, the less effort it will take to come up with extraordinary results from every shoot. It is also wise for photographers to continually communicate with other photographers who have more experience in order to pick up pointers. The industry is always expanding, and the technology is always advancing. There is always more to learn, and the beauty that you are able to capture in any particular setting should evolve as you grow creatively and professionally.