Settings for Photographing Models

Studios provide a controlled environment for photographing models.

Textured backdrops, infinity walls, bright strobes and bustling stylists come to mind when thinking of a high fashion photography studio. There are, however, other options for photography settings that will give novice and veteran photographers plenty of inspiration to make stunning images.

Studio Settings

From an inexpensive urban loft rental to a large room in the photographer’s home, the savvy fashion photographer will choose a well-lit space large enough to allow for both long shots and close-ups. An effective working space is equipped with strobes, umbrellas and diffuser screens, along with backdrops of black, white, neutral gray and muslin painted in mottled textures. Reflector cards of white, grey, black, silver and gold are on hand for a variety of lighting options.

Outdoor Settings

Unpredictable natural elements can create dramatic effects to a shoot that otherwise might have been routine.

Effective outdoor settings for most photographic situations are pleasing to the eye, without creating a distraction from the model or the theme of the shoot. Calm, overcast days or areas with ample shade are ideal for most lighting and setting needs. However, if harsh shadow and high contrast is desired for dramatic effect, settings such as open areas with direct sunlight and highly reflective surfaces can create interesting results. High winds, while unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, can also lend drama to an otherwise typical shoot.

Urban Settings

Urban settings provide dramatic effects in photographing models.

A current trend that uses urban settings for photographing models is all the rage for professional photographers. Derelict buildings with rough textures, graffiti-enhanced walls of myriad colors, and unkempt exteriors create a dramatic contrast between beauty and grunge that can be quite stunning. While permits are often needed to shoot in restricted areas, such as Detroit’s abandoned train depot and industrial settings like the various manufacturing plants located in River Rouge, Michigan, the results can be well worth the hassle.

Architectural Settings

Photographing models against backdrops of historical buildings and interesting structures, although somewhat complicated, can create an exciting image with a unique mood. A misty morning at the Chartres Cathedral in France, a busy afternoon at the Guggenheim in New York or a late evening on San Antonio’s River Walk are a few examples among the range of attractive possibilities. The world offers endless opportunities for adventurous fashion photographers to stretch themselves higher and farther than they ever dreamed.

References

• Ronald D. Warren; professional photographer; Oak Park, Michigan
• Professional Headshots; Organizing Your Studio Space; John Hart