Glamour Photographer Techniques

Vertical shots are generally preferable to horizontal shots in glamour photography.

Beauty is fleeting, but a photograph can last forever. Consider, for example, the glamour photos of Hollywood starlets of bygone days, whose portraits still maintain their allure. Glamour photography is a sub-genre of photography that emphasizes the appearance of glitz, beauty and sex appeal in its subjects. Often associated with high fashion or portraits of models, it combines different effects of composition, posing, lighting and other elements to bring out the glamour of the subject.

Framing

Some techniques that make for good portraiture also can be applied to glamour shots. Photograph the subject up close, paying special attention to the mouth and eyes, which most strongly convey emotion and sensuality. Supplement facial close-ups with full-body shots that display the subject's physique and style of dress. Vertical shots generally work better than horizontal shots, but experiment with both during your photo session. One advantage of vertical shots is that they reduce unused space on either side of the model, thus using the frame in a more aesthetically appealing way. As a general guideline, each glamour photo you take should fill most of the frame.

Background

Though the model is the main subject of glamour shots, backgrounds serve to supplement the human subject and add to the allure of the image. In indoor settings, you can use a plain gray background, which conveys a simple elegance ideal for black-and-white photography, or a plain white background, which works well with both black-and-white and color shots. Outdoors, you can use picturesque settings to bring out the beauty of the photos. A lush garden, a tranquil beach, a glitzy cityscape or symbols of luxury all make good backgrounds.

Composition

Applying some basic rules of visual composition to your glamour shots can bolster their aesthetic value. Consider, for example, the "rule of thirds," which divides the visual field into three vertical and three horizontal "bars" of equal size, similar to a tic-tac-toe board. Place objects of interest, such as the model's eye, hand or a prop, where the gridlines criss-cross. Another technique that works well in glamour photography is depth of field, which refers to how much of the shot is in focus. Glamour photographers often leave the model in sharp focus while blurring the background, lending an elegant, appealing touch to the shot. There are several ways to achieve this effect, but the most straightforward method is to get close to the subject and open the camera's aperture to a wide setting.

Other Techniques

Lighting is important in evoking a glamorous or romantic mood. Softer lighting and shadow can bring an air of mystery, romance or sensuality to the model. Shooting during the "golden hour," the period of time at dusk when the light takes on a particular golden quality, makes the skin glow and makes human subjects generally look more attractive. Consider also the importance of posing. Male and female subjects are usually posed differently, but the photographer should pose both genders to emphasize the model's physique, especially the natural curves of the body. Experiment with upright and sitting poses. Have the model turn his or her head in different ways. For example, one classic, effective glamour shot pose is to have the subject lean against a doorway.

References

• Photography.com; Glamour Photography: Taking Glamour Shots
• "Successful Glamour Photography"; Duncan Evans; 2005; pp. 23-37