Digital Photography Articles

Monday 30 November 2009

Glamour Model Posing Tips From a Photographers Standpoint

Glamour Model Posing Tips From a Photographers Standpoint

When it comes to modeling, there are almost as many potential photographers as there are potential models. While many people understand that there are serious demands placed on any man or woman that wishes to be a model, few people understand all that goes into being the professional that snap the pictures.

Of course there is undoubtedly going to be a huge expense in the accumulation of the proper photography equipment like high end digital cameras, meters, lighting for the studio and even advertising to promote the new business.

However, all the top dollar gear in the world will not help one to become a true professional photographer.

This genre takes on many forms from portfolios for modeling to romantic portraits ( also known as boudoir ) for females to give husbands as gifts. But, no matter what type photos, a photographer will need to offer glamour model posing tips during a shoot, and this is something that simply does not usually come naturally.

It must be acquired, and it can be if you know what to do.One of the best ways to gain some practical experience is to pay attention to facial expressions that you see on a daily basis. Since more than one facial feature can make up a good pose, you will need to be aware of the entire face and the movements it makes, from the eyes, nose, mouth and other regions of the face. This will help you to give good and reliable pose ideas when shooting.

Another good way to gain experience is to look at magazines. Looking at what established models and photographers do and how the pictures come out is a great way to get an idea or two when it comes to model posing techniques. Once again, it is important that you pay close attention to facial expressions as well as body poses.

This will also help you to understand a little better what the model will need to do when creating the photographs and will help you to hand out advice which is useful and that gets results.When it comes to male or female modeling photography, the person in front of the camera will look to you for direction, and if you are not prepared to give them the proper looks, the photos you take will not fair very well.

Simply because you lack experience does not mean that you cannot offer valuable and professional glamour model posing tips on your photo sessions. By being observant, you can make it through your first few shoots and you can gain the experience that is so important in this business.

A final thought is of course, practice. There is no substitute to practicing your craft until you are comfortable. Shoot with some fashion or glamour models who are willing to be "experiments" in exchange for free pictures for their portfolio books. You will get better and will learn something new with each session. Do this before advertising for paid sessions.

Once you have a few photography shoots under your belt, giving appealing posing tips to the models you shoot and making the photos you create reach their highest potential will become second nature.

Friday 27 November 2009

Basic Photography Lighting Equipment

Basic Photography Lighting Equipment

Lights are some of the most important tools photographers use in the creation of their final products. Here's a look at some of the most basic photography lighting equipment, as it relates to studio strobe lighting. Choose the right tools, and you'll get a better result, every time.

While you may occasionally be able to get good results with the wrong equipment, most of the time you won't. There's a slim chance that a photo taken with a bare flash head will work out. However, rather than take that chance, it's a better idea to find the equipment to help you do a really professional job.

Bare bulbs are just a strobe head with no reflector, allowing the light to go wherever it wants to. They're only really effective as a portrait background light in a small space. They can also be used inside light boxes.

However, for pretty much every other use, you'll want a reflector or diffuser of some sort. Small reflectors are sometimes built into the light head, and work well with umbrellas, as well as for bouncing off of walls and ceilings. Stick with a neutral colored wall if you'll be bouncing light off of it, however.

Larger reflectors are a kind of photography lighting equipment that doesn't work as well with umbrellas, since they block part of them. However, they're much better for bouncing light onto ceilings and walls. They project more light, using fewer watt seconds. For commercial photography, this will save you money on photography lighting equipment.

Umbrellas are used by most portrait photographers, but not everyone cares for them. They spread relatively soft light over a large area, but have poor control. An alternative is a soft box, which creates a square catch light.

If you do prefer an umbrella, make sure you get the biggest one you can. After all, a large umbrella can be positioned closer to the subject to give the effect of a smaller one, but a small one can't act like a large one.

Another piece of basic photography lighting equipment is the grid spot. Shaped a bit like a metal honeycomb that goes over the reflector, it keeps the light from spreading, making multiple columns of light close together. This creates a spot light.

Larger grid spots are more efficient, but they also take up more space. They work well for background lighting, however. You'll also want to look at light boxes. These are a simple frame holding open a five sided box (some are also round). They offer a lot of control, and can work well for fill lighting.

We shouldn't forget about strip lights, either. These long, thin light boxes can help you do some interesting experimental effects. Another very important and key component in a pro photography lighting equipment setup is a backdrop.

From product photographs to glamour shoots, a dependable background support and backdrop is always needed. Utilizing a high quality, all cotton muslin backdrop to shoot against will assist photographers in creating stunning images on a consistent basis.

For photographers looking for the best shots and attaining them with a great degree of consistency. Making the best use of photography lighting equipment and accessories will greatly assist them in producing incredible photographs routinely.

In the extremely popular photography world, the quality of your shots matter a great deal for everything between shooting product photos for your business or eBay store all the way to complete glamour shoots.

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Your Boudoir Photo Shoot - How to Prepare

Your Boudoir Photo Shoot - How to Prepare

As a newcomer to boudoir photography, it's important to know what to expect. You don't want to be under-prepared, without an outfit you want to wear or your favorite shade of mascara. But you also don't want to over-prepare by running out to a tanning salon and getting a brand new haircut. Each studio is specific, so it's important to confirm with them exactly what you should do. Here are some helpful tips to help you get ready for your big day.

Glamour photography is all about you and your unique beauty. That said, it's typically not recommended that you change a lot of things about yourself before the shoot. These pictures are for your significant other and he already loves you for who you are.

You don't want a series of photographs of yourself that look nothing like you. New haircuts are a bad idea. There are typically professional hairstylists on hand at any boudoir studio, so keep the hair that your significant other knows and loves.

However, if you do want to get a haircut, you'll want to have it done before the day of shooting. While your hairstylist at the photography studio will be a professional, she may not be permitted to cut or dye your hair as a part of the studio policy.

Tanning is also not recommended before the shoot, unless of course you tan regularly. Again, you want to look like you, so your skin should look how it would normally look. New tans are also a bad idea because they can leave you with multi-colored or red skin that you don't want in your final product.

Usually there will also be a professional make-up artist at the studio, so you don't want to overdo it before you leave the house. A modest amount of make-up, just some mascara, is probably all you'll need before arriving at the studio. The make-up artists will take it from there and make sure that you look exactly how you want before the shooting begins.

While professional cosmetologists are commonplace in boudoir studios, it's a good idea to get a manicure and pedicure before you arrive. Many studios do not offer this service, and you'll want to make sure that everything is just right before you begin.

Aside from these physical attributes, there is still one big issue left: clothing. Your clothing, other than you, is the most important thing to consider before your pictures are taken. You need to consider exactly how you want to look, how revealing or modest you want to be, and what kinds of photographs you want in exactly what outfit. Your ensemble will be sharing the spotlight with you, so make sure that you're happy with it.

Being prepared for your boudoir photographs will help your shoot go smoothly, and if things go smoothly you'll be more relaxed and able to focus on looking your very best. Just make sure that the style you've prepared is the style that you're most happy with, because in the end these photographs are all about you.

Craig Bennett is a freelance copywriter and former college instructor in Business Administration. For several years he was a professional freelance photographer.

You may learn more about the excitement of glamour photography and how to enjoy this art form either as a photographer or as the one being photographed at his blog:http://www.LearnSexyPhotography.com

The Modern Movement of Photography

The Modern Movement of Photography

In the process of time, portrait and wedding photography has changed from the traditional approaches of formal portraiture to the less formal. The appeal of more relaxed and the natural poses are more personal and reflective of who the portrait is really about.

The movement of more casual styles may have been influenced by the current fashion photography that emphasizes untraditional poses. Fashion photography emphasizes details through techniques in lighting instead of using rigid poses. Also the digital camera has provided a high level of flexibility with nearly unlimited frames where the right shot doesn't have to be created, but rather just captured.

The modern day photographer doesn't have to be in a studio, in fact most people today don't want their picture taken in a studio. A natural and relaxed photo can be achieved anywhere.

Post processing has lead to this movement in the fact that pictures that aren't perfect can be made perfect. Natural poses will yield unexpected results. The best picture may be one where there is a tree branch in the way, or a stop sign in the back ground, or maybe even a little bit of bad posture.

All of this can be fixed in post production software. Even some free software can be used to make such corrections. And of course the all popular Photoshop seems to be the all in one tool for post production.

Does that mean the traditional way of photography is dead? Well quite the contrary. Traditional poses have been around since the beginning of time with paintings and certainly continue today in modern photography.

The concept is not as popular but the possibilities have been enhanced ten fold with modern day technology. Posed shots have shifted from the "glamour" shot of yesterday into dramatic enhanced effects of background and lighting to reveal fairy tale like effects that can seem almost magical. The possibilities are endless with todays post processing techniques.

The wonderful thing about photography today is it doesn't need sophisticated studio equipment or a huge investment. A good digital camera is very affordable and there are simple ways with a natural lighting, couple of lighting sources, and a decent post production software to make incredible and professional portraits.

No matter what equipment you use, what techniques you are interested in, the essential goal remains about portrait photography: To idealize the subject. The best pictures portray information about a person's self. This can't be achieved with words and must be achieved by the pose, the lighting, and the surrounding elements in the picture.

The best way to do this is to make sure you know your subject before you take pictures of them. Then begin taking snap shots. The beauty of digital cameras is that you can see your results right away to see if you are taking pictures that are capturing the personality of your subject.

Now that you know it is important to capture your subject's "self", you must also know that it is your job to make your subject look good. There are a few ways you can bring out the best in a subject, but the easiest way is to make sure you have a good lens.

For portrait photography with 35mm format try using a 80mm lens. For medium format try using a lense between 100-120mm. The longer lenses will have a slight pinching effect that will make your subject appear slightly thinner.

With the movement in modern day photography there are opportunities for all types of photographers and the possibilities are endless. We are only seeing the beginning of the digital age and there is more to come in the near future.

Bill Cotter is an author for http://www.memoriesputtomusic.com about wedding photography phoenix Beyond just more information about phoenix wedding photography, Bill also writes about being a wedding photographer.