Glamour Photography Models

No director of glamour photography models need be given a list of reasons why a head is invaluable in a picture. Some directors do, however, welcome ideas on how to bring the model's best face forward - whether it is one of beauty, character and/or expression.

Before we come to our views of the subject, however, we would like to acknowledge the presence of the controversy existing over the candid versus the controlled pose. Some directors contend they never direct their subject. 'To place a head or a mouth in a pre-determined position,' they say, 'would destroy all of the spontaneity and naturalness of the picture.'

Others, just as vehemently, contend that 'In a business that calls for consistent results, lucky mood and coincidence are not enough. They are not reliable and cannot be depended upon.'

We feel that when both director and model have a working knowledge of technique, each individual job will determine whether the pose requires controlled, candid or controlled-candid treatment.

Experienced directors practice many ways of getting a glamour photography model to act and react realistically before the camera. Each has developed ways of controlling a model without having literally to push her into position. Adroit use of words, exemplary action, strategic suggestion and psychological motivation all bring forth expression that is dependable as well as spontaneous. At the same time most directors have found in actual practice, that with intelligent direction from behind the camera, any capable model can accept correction and rearrange parts naturally without showing strain and losing spontaneity!

In photography we lean heavily upon the model's capabilities, yes, and in many instances even upon her ability to inspire us by doing something her way from which we can select or perfect a pose.

So, part of a director's success lies in his ability to keep a model suggesting ideas within the scope of the camera's ability to record them.

Many models feel they have exhausted the possibilities for different head positions when they have turned their head slowly from the left of the camera to the right of the camera! This can be most exasperating to a director (especially if you believe that you get the fullest creative contribution from a model by allowing her to move freely instead of placing her). Try a suggestion that will take her into several other positions from which you might select a pose.

You might ask her to repeat the horizontal turn - this time with her chin up a little higher. This gives you at least six additional positions to choose from. Then ask her to lower her chin and repeat the horizontal turn - six more positions! By repeating each of these eighteen positions with her head tilted right and then with her head tilted left, you've added another thirty-six possibilities without yet putting her in any exact position.

If your model has trouble with the tilt, which is the most difficult direction to understand, you might try this. Hold a pencil vertically in front of your model's face. Let the tip of her nose touch the pencil and divide it equally lengthwise. Ask her to put her chin on one side of the pencil and her forehead on the other as you repeat the word tilt.

With encouragement, let her try a few combined movements such as, 'Turn your head slightly to the right... that's good ... now tilt the top of your head right (or tilt your chin left).' If she loses her conception of tilt, hold the pencil before her again and she will usually remember it for the remainder of the sitting.

Candid Photography

Candid photography is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than technique. Your subject's focus is not on the camera, but on their current task. So we're not talking about the photo albums full of people looking at the camera and smiling here! Your subjects are un-posed and the shots are unplanned.

Candid photos are usually simple photos without a lot of technical equipment or any time taken 'setting up the shot'. Thus they capture some wonderful 'slices of life'!

Here are some tips for taking candid photos:

- Take your camera everywhere you go! Keep alert for candid situations - they can be found everywhere.

- Some examples of candid shots: A daydreaming store owner; an elderly man sitting beside you; commuters waiting for a train; two lovers on a park bench about to kiss; a child's delight when feeding ducks; elation of a football supporter when a goal is scored; a city tramp surrounded by clutter; a woman lost in thought staring at the beach.

- It's rare to get a second chance with candid photography. When you see an opportunity, grab it!

- Don't use complicated lighting techniques for taking your candid shots. Concentrate on the simple and use your camera's automatic features. Technical problems don't matter so much if you have a great candid photo. Most technical problems (like if the image is too dark or too light) can be fixed on your computer.

- Set your camera to "ISO 400" so it uses a fast shutter speed. This will help you 'grab' the shot even if you are moving.

- The best candid photographers blend into the background so don't be too obvious. Do what everyone else is doing so you fit in with the situation. Then when you see a good candid moment, bring your camera up to your eye.

- You don't always need to take the shot with your camera at eye level. Support your camera on your waist when taking the photo. Some luck or experience is needed here to get the framing right.

- Use your zoom lens to it's fullest extent so you can keep away from the action while taking your shot. A Telephoto lens is essential if you're going to be a fair way away.

- Never take photos of people's backs. Nothing is more boring than a group of people with all backs turned to the camera. It just doesn't work.

- Try converting the image to Black and White to get that extra punch and emotion.

- People 'doing things' make the best candid photos. Sports players, trades people, farmers and accountants are all excellent examples of subjects with 'things to do'. Try to capture the essence of the person's task. For example, you might capture a plumber concentrating on fixing a leaky pipe.

- If you're in a public place, it's usually okay to photograph people. If they object however, you need to stop. If you're not sure, it never hurts to ask permission before hand. Your subject may want to pose, so explain what you saw them doing and ask them to continue as if you weren't there.

- Experiment! Sometimes the artistic expression of a candid photo can be limited by you; the photographer. Try different angles, places and scenes. Look at candid photos created by others (they can be found in lots of magazines) for inspiration.

Candid photography is a great way to add some artistic flare to your photos without spending a lot of time with the technical aspects of photography.

Photography Backgrounds

In photography backgrounds play a very important role. Unless they are carefully chosen, the end result can be disastrous. Irrespective of the type of camera that one chooses to use - it could be a professional DSLR or a simple point-and-shoot camera - the photographer has to pay attention to the surroundings. Despite it not being the focal point of the photo, the backdrop certainly plays a very important role in highlighting the subject.

There are some important factors that must be kept in mind while taking a photograph. It is important to examine the surrounding scenery in relation to the subject. Is there any object that sticks out like a sore thumb? For example, there might be a tree or a table that looks out of place and spoils the picture. If the individual in the picture is wearing a red shirt, then it is meaningless to take his photo against a photography backdrop that is also red.

The surroundings should not be too much of a distraction and it should not overpower the subject of the photograph. Photography backdrops are meant to enhance the photo, not be the primary point of attraction. It is important to use the aperture smartly. The photographer can blur the background by using a wide aperture, enabling the subject to be sharply in focus. Some photographers may prefer to fill the frame completely with the subject and almost eliminate the backdrop, thus giving a more intense feel to the final image.

When it comes to photography backgrounds for studios, most photographers use either clouded backdrops or plain backdrops. Each backdrop generally has a hem sewn in at the top so that they can be used with all commercial photographic stand systems. While some are heavy canvas, most of them are lightweight and portable, which makes them ideal for studio purposes as well as outdoor assignments. Custom-made backdrops are also available from certain suppliers and colour backgrounds are also available for projects requiring a massive canvas. Plain photography backgrounds give great results when used for fashion shoots and product shots. Chroma key cloths are particularly useful if the subject is to be modified digitally.

There are a variety of materials that is used for creating the backdrop. Paper rolls are available in large quantities in almost every color imaginable. They are fairly expensive though not particularly long lasting, which means that they would not fit the budget of most amateur photographers. The problem with paper is that it can very easily get torn or spoilt and cannot be used once the damage has occurred. A painted canvas can help a photographer take some truly stunning portraits but again, canvas backgrounds are very heavy and expensive.

Polyester cotton mix offers a good alternative, as this material is light but very durable. The pattern is dyed into the cloth so backgrounds manufactured from it can be machine-washed. The polyester makes backgrounds easier to iron, unlike muslin backgrounds which tend to crease very badly. By choosing the right type of photography backgrounds for their projects, photographers can produce top quality results and turn photographs into works of art.

Modern Photography

Photography started as early as the 4th century B.C., when the very first image was formed on a wall, using a pinhole camera in a dark room. It wasn't until 1820, that modern photography was born. In 1839, the word photography, derived from Greek words 'fos' for 'light' and 'grafo' for 'writing', was finally universalized by John Herschel.

Today we have reached a stage, where modern photography is present everywhere. Life would have been colorless, but for the morning newspaper, colorful and glamorous magazines, the soap operas on television or a late night movie at an auditorium. Viewing 'Still' photographs in a family photo album or watching live images on a video or television is indeed fun. From an old black and white camera, with minimal options for speed and zoom, to a modern auto focus digital or an SLR camera, which has a supreme power to manage every possible option in photography, indeed we have come a long way.

Modern photography is an art, in fact, an expensive art which is probably more than just amateur photography of a family, friends or nature, to more complex portrait, glamour photography or photojournalism by a professional. Whatever may be the level, the results can be passionate. There have been occasions when photographers have won awards and accolades, for their photography, in areas like fashion, nature, war and combat, to name a few from a long list.

The credit for modern photography goes to both, machine and the man behind the machine. The special photographic effects seen in the movies have reached a zenith. The camera tricks and the photography in modern movies can leave you in shock and disbelief. If you plan to pursue photography as a career, then following items are a must for you. A good camera, compact digital or digital SLR (single lens reflex) type, accessories like special UV filters, different zoom lenses for a more professional touch can take you a long way, if you are an enthusiast for still photography; but if you are venturing into the video photography zone, then modern handy cams can be pretty handy.

Selection of a camera and accessories would also depend upon the place of photography you are planning, indoor or outdoors? In both situations, you will need a good camera, but if you love to shoot outdoors, then you cannot do without a handheld or body supported balance system and the tripods to avoid a blurred picture. The camera cranes, dollies and remote heads would further augment your efforts for photography, especially outdoors. Some of the most awesome pictures have been captured outdoors, on land, under the sea and in the sky.

Sony, Nikon, Canon, Minolta and Olympus manufacture very good digital or digital SLR type of cameras for modern photography. These cameras range from $50 to $2000. It would be inappropriate if we do not mention here the role of printing. You can transfer the images onto your computer or store them in USB drives. You can print your results with a wide range of color printers available, without wasting precious time for the processing lab results. So go ahead and nurture that artist in you and enjoy taking photographs of the beautiful land, the life under water or the different facets of the sky.

Lifestyle Photography

Lifestyle photography is all about capturing your essence. It is similar to the environmental portrait but it takes it a step further. Wikipedia defines lifestyle photography as "re-creating real life situations in a controlled setting."

Lifestyle photography is very different from the traditional studio portrait session where the subject is posed (chin-up, tilt your head, hands on the lap etc.), photographed and ushered out of the studio. The majority of lifestyle photography shoots take place outdoors or on-location, such as in your home or some other place that is significant to you. Lifestyle sessions usually last from one hour to three hours and include a few formal or posed shots and lots of informal, candid photographs that capture doing what you do best. If it is a family lifestyle photo shoot, be prepared to run after your kids, roll around with them, take them for a piggyback ride or simply enjoy sharing an ice-cream with them - anything that you would normally do on a Sunday afternoon with your children.

In Hawaii, where I live, lifestyle photography sessions often center around the ocean or the great outdoors where people spend a lot of their time. If you are a paddler or a surfer, the photographer will ask you to come to the shoot in your board shorts with your paddle or your favorite surfboard. A typical session will include a few posed shots on your favorite beach and then the fun begins ... its off to the water to do what you love. Some photographers will get in the water with you while others will shoot from the shore. 

This is not to say that lifestyle photography can't take place in a studio - it can, but a studio can be limiting. There are photographers who specialize in studio lifestyle photography, and if the outdoors is not for you, this is a good alternative.

Preparing for a lifestyle photography session is easy after you find the right photographer. Wear what you normally wear to do what you love, then show up for the session with a good attitude!

Art Photography

Are you considering combining professional picture styles, artistic creative visions with special effects, prints and so on? Fine art photography also known as art photography is just what you need to know. It does the trick when you want to make objects of very classy collections. This style though rarely used in advertising or in the media, still maintains an audience of mainly collectors and dealers.

The evolution in fine art photography was marked in the beginning of 20th century and as a result there are gallery system opened to exhibitions of various famous photographers. Some styles though presently out of fashion, they are referable to make photos similar to paintings as possible.

Travel Photography

How often do you return from a long-awaited vacation with bags of photos, only to never look at those snapshots again once you're home? This doesn't have to happen. In fact, by following some basic travel photography tips, you'll make sure that you return home with photos that you'll want to look at again and again, even if you are a beginner on vacation.

By following just a few travel photography tips, you can be sure that you'll bring home a photo album's worth of stunning shots of friends, family members, ocean views or mountain scenery. It just takes some practice with your camera, a few new shooting techniques and a willingness to use all the tech tools that come with your photography equipment.

Female Photography

Today, female photography is something you see examples of every day. Often, female photography is employed in advertising to attract interest and help in the promotion of some product.

Then there are several forms of female photography where the female form itself is the subject of interest. You can find styles such as glamour female photography, boudoir photography, and female figure photography.

If you are an aspiring photographer, and you would like to try adding female photography to your portfolio, you may benefit from a few tips. To begin with: choose a model who is at ease with herself and her own body, as this will make it much easier to achieve good results.

As you begin to work with a female photography model, the first consideration is to make your model feel at ease with the situation; the atmosphere should be safe and supportive. Always treat the model in a professional manner. Also be open to the model's ideas and make her part of the creative process.

It is my experience that female photography can be very interesting and rewarding, and the results something you can be proud of. The main thing to keep in mind is to choose the right type of model, and to strike up a fine working relationship with her.