How to Become a Fashion Photographer
To Become a successful fashion photographer you must love clothes and to know how to work with a model. Of all the qualities, imagination heads the list. In spite of the comparative simplicity that marks many fashion photographs today every picture is the product of some photographers imagination. |
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You will need to approach each photo with a fresh slant.
The background must be harmonious with the merchandise. It must accent it without distracting the eye from the outfit that is featured in the photograph.
The basic rule in fashion photography is concentrate on the merchandise. The merchandise is all important.
Your image needs to sell the product and you need to develop a "feeling" for the garment.
This feeling involves many things. Firstly, it guides the photographer in the selection of an appropriate background; casual, beach, glamour or street depending on the type of the garment.
Second, it "keys" the photographers lighting. If the texture of the gown is important, the photographer will light it one way or another. The clothing feeling is instinctive with some photographers and comes only with experience with others.
Study From the Masters
You should build up a library of a file of fashion magazines as many as you can find! Some old fashion magazines can be found valuable as the fashion changes and you can be inspired by some old approach and find out when the "old" is due to become "the latest" again.
Your file heading should read "backgrounds" "Poses" "Lighting" "Single Figure" "Two Figure" "Groups" etc.
These files will help you to study the fashion photographs of the masters and to find yourself that some pictures will appeal to you move than others. Try to study how they did it and what kind of the tricks they use to achieve effects. It will also give you a better idea of what you will actually need in the way of a studio and equipment.
Minimum Studio Equipment
Two large format digital cameras (20 million MP) and
One DSLR (11 million MP) for location and studio
One tripod
Additional lenses filters
One good and reliable exposure meter
Lighting units
Studio screens, preferable large and white
Background reflectors
Posing stands
Small dressing room
Bright lighted mirror and shelf for cosmetics.
Nine feet is the minimum height for a studio as some time you will need to shoot from above and 15 feet on each side.
Handling the Model
As your dealing with human beings, the first basic rule is don't yell!
Keep your voice low and your temper and try to pose her calmly to achieve your goal. Without a friendly feeling between you and your model you will not achieve a successful fashion shoot it is exactly like in every relationship between two people.
Be patient and choose a model not just for her looks but also for her personality. Constantly talk to her, encourage her and compliment her and if you can even joke with her it will make the atmosphere more fun and the model will get relaxed and she will begin to pose with more freedom and east. With more smiles and more flirtatiousness. With luck, you will get the shots you want in one session. Do not forget to give her time off for a break and for yourself.
In choosing a model look for long, thin legs, a small waistline, slender hips and disproportionately broad shoulders. This is the look that most woman in the western world admire. She believes that she can look like the girl in the photograph if only she buys that outfit.
It's your job to make her want to buy it!
When shooting, don't forget to analyze the lighting on the way it falls on the garment.
Study it and learn what is the best way to emphasize the light over the piece of cloth to make it look desired.
Try to improvise in cases that the clothes do not suit your model size such as using clips on the back of the clothes to tuck them in.
Manufacturers expect you to return their merchandise in good condition. Make sure that model dresses carefully. BE PROFESSIONAL!
Location Shooting
On location use DSLR and before you go look and your file for inspiration. Try to fit the look to the location mood.
Models for action, outdoor fashion pictures need different qualifications from models for high fashion.
If you are looking for such a model when there is no agency close by, try to look at your nearest dancing school. Trained dancers are usually attractive, healthy girls that can learn modeling easily and become because they are performing in public they will be far less self conscious than the average non-professional girl.
To get good clothing for the beginner fashion photographer, contact clothing stores in your town and ask if you can rent them for 10-20% of their value.
Also look in any market or second hand shops/flea markets for interesting props.
Choose props carefully for your photographs. You can also develop a connection with a shop for renting pros from them like an interesting radio, tv screen etc. it also applies to animal use and cars.
On Location Recommended Points
* The simpler the background the better!
* Blue sky is preferred by many photographers.
* Look for correct color balance for the outfit and the background including the relationship between the two.
* Public buildings are usually architecturally interesting.
* Make a list of places that you visit and like and create a location list for future work.
* Shooting outdoor is a challenge as you are out of your studio where you control the light and effect and on location you have to consider the weather that is constantly changing.
* So these are necessary for working in the field.
* A good fill flash and reflectors do not work between 11am-2pm.
* An overhead sun causes heavily shadowed eye sockets and white bleached nose.
* The long shadows of early morning or evening are soft and decorative.
Remember as one master photographer summed up "anyone can become a great fashion photographer. All you have to do is make a $3 dress look like $300!"