Search any amateur style photography page, and you will quickly find that a great deal of the work is simply pretty girls in typical clothing. It nearly looks like a lot of this “photography” is not a lot about the clothing as it has to do with the women. In this post, we will discuss the causes of this phenomenon and respond to the concern: what is real fashion photography?
When I started taking fashion images, I was constantly working with designs who were dressed. It took me a few years a minimum of to attempt any sort of nudity in my work. Even then, it was uncomfortable, and the shooting experience was not enjoyable. Yet, other creatives start with “hot lady in a bra” photography. This has actually polarized the photography community for several years now. To what extent is “attractive woman in a bra” fashion photography? I believe it is not; in truth, I think it is one of the biggest factors behind the stigma of the “fashion professional photographer.”
A big portion of amateur fashion professional photographers has absolutely nothing to do with genuine fashion photography. The primary reason for doing such work is the remote possibility of fulfilling an attractive woman and going out with her later. I have actually personally known people who would ask girls to take part in shoots only due to the fact that they wanted them sexually.
Normally, these are the exact same people who declare that they are unable to work if their topic is not hot or appealing. Excuse me, but, if there is anything that screams “amateur hour,” it needs to be this. One of the things that separates enthusiasts from experts is that a specialist can fall for nearly any subject they have in front of them. Simply take a look at Platon’s picture of Putin. Even at the time of photographing him, Putin had a terrible human rights record. In spite of being a human rights supporter, Platon still photographed Putin, as a real professional photographer.
I believe it was Peter Lindbergh who said that while the model is on set, he is in love with her, however as soon as the camera is off, he no longer is. It is difficult to photograph a subject you don’t enjoy, regard, or admire in one way or another. Nevertheless, a real specialist can find something interesting in everyone. If you struggle with this, I strongly recommend taking a look at Peter Hurley’s Headshot Course offered in our store. We have made an area on discovering interesting facial features in human faces, which will help you enormously in this. It is not easy; it includes practice.
Declaring to be a fashion photographer if what you do is simply take images of lovely women in attractive clothing is misinforming. The entry point into this sector of the marketplace is almost non-existent. All you need is a few basic light setups off YouTube, some cams and lights, and you’re good to go. Do be aware of the truth that there is no cash in this. While I personally do not like this genre of style photography, I won’t judge you if you do. Be truthful with your needs from all of this. I say that you are totally free to do whatever you want as long as it is legal, but please call it something else, not fashion.
For the rest of us who wish to improve and become real style professional photographers, the first thing to do is to stop doing “electronic camera club” photography. This is where you have to open your mind to a lot of new info.
What Is Real Style Photography?
There is a great deal of material on YouTube declaring to be “fashion,” when, in reality, it is not. A great deal of these videos are easy to inform by their style. The makeup is normally something motivated by a 2009 post on DeviantArt, the lighting is a three-light setup from YouTube, and the skin is so plastic that it kills sea turtles.
What you should be viewing are videos of behind-the-scenes from huge fashion houses and publications. There is a great deal of this content. I would recommend creators such as Ian Hippolyte, BTS videos from Vogue, Lara Jade, and so on. Another great method to see great style photography is to have a look at sites such as models.com. Due to the fact that gatekeepers are securing the platform, the content on it is much more refined and “genuine.”
Real fashion photography is about style. However, that is not to say that nudity and sexiness have no location in it. Nevertheless, there is a big difference between a picture that belongs in Playboy and Marie Claire (even in their nude issue). Nudity by itself is just that. However, if it is elevated, and there is a meaning behind it, it ends up being something more. Another reason for nudity in fashion photography is that it is maybe one of the very best methods to draw attention to an item of clothes or a device. Both male and female nudity has a location in real fashion photography. Take a look at a few of the Tom Ford projects and the work of Steven Klein and Steven Meisel.
Unfortunately, there is a dark and disgusting side to style photography, and the dozens if not hundreds of genuine cases of misconduct from all sides are not uncommon. A few of the nudity is not consensual, and designs are in some cases required to do it, particularly at the start of their professions. Photographers that take advantage of models in such a way are hurting not only their reputations but the reputation of the industry. While there is nothing incorrect with two individuals meeting on set and winding up having a romance due to the fact that they like each other, there is everything wrong with one celebration abusing their power to get an intimate relationship.
Closing Thoughts
Genuine fashion photography is far from hot woman photography. Personally, my preferred models are far from standard standards of charm. When casting for individual projects, perhaps the last thing I look for is how sexy the model is. Sure, once I had to cast someone solely based upon their breast size, however, that is an outlier.
Be sincere with your intentions when doing fashion photography. If all you want to do is hot lady photography and they’re up for whatever it is that you want, go for it! However for the rest of us who wish to do genuine fashion photography, this is not the method.