Anyone can take a decent picture now and then. But there's nothing more satisfying for a photographer than the ability to take a great portrait--especially a glamour shot, a picture that brings out a subject's unique beauty. And to improve your own glamour shots, here are some tips and tricks to make your next portrait a great success.
Go Digital
If you want to take a great glamour photo these days, you're in luck. You don't need a studio, thousands of dollars in equipment or budgets--just a decent digital camera (with zoom), and a few ordinary and inexpensive household items.Of course, you also have to have a little creativity and initiative.
Choose a Unique Location
Contrary to popular belief, all great glamour photos are not taken indoors. Be creative. While you can take photos indoors in your own studio, you can also shoot in your subject's own home, capturing their beauty in their own comfort zone, or take pictures "on location"--in a park, by a lake, anywhere that serves as a flattering backdrop to your photo.
Pick an Overcast Day
If you do decide to shoot outdoors, pick a comfortable environment (even better if it reflects your subject in some way--a museum for an art student, or an outdoor concert hall for a musician, perhaps), and pick a day that is at least slightly overcast. (If the day is sunny, use a reflector to fill in the shadows.)
Add Pizzazz to Interior Shoots
If you're shooting inside, an interior shoot will give you more control over your environment and lighting. For your photo's background, look for an area or wall that offers aspects of glamour or sophistication--from a print or poster of city lights, to a luxurious couch or settee, to a rich wall color or pattern.
Use a Backdrop
You can also achieve surprisingly professional results with homemade backdrops--a plain gray paper roll works wonders, and can be ordered inexpensively from a photo supply store, as do plain (not patterned) sheets. Steer toward rich tones and stay away away from stark white backdrops, which can be too harsh when photographed.
Go for Controlled, Soft Lighting
What you want for a glamour shot is controlled lighting, preferably lighting that is very soft, and not visible in the shot. Experiment with a pink bulb for a softer touch, or various filters, or simply cover the lamp with a scarf or piece of lace.
Use Diffusers and Reflectors
If you're shooting indoors, an ordinary umbrella can serve as a surprisingly effective reflector, helping you to direct and fill in the light as desired over your subject.
Another inexpensive and invaluable tool for a great or glamorous portrait is some kind of reflecting device, which can fill in the shadows and make for a more flattering photo. A big, inexpensive piece of white poster board can make for a great reflector--and for just a few bucks. Reflectors and diffusers can flatten out the light, erase imperfections and make for a far more flattering picture.
Makeup, Wardrobe and Props
When preparing to take a glamour photo, your subject in most cases can do her own makeup better than you, so simply direct her to do her own makeup as if she were preparing for a party or special event. Have her bring face powder, lip color and eyeliner to the shoot, for occasional touchups, as well.
For wardrobe, have your subject show up with a few different tops to wear for the shoot, with varying necklines (and solid, rich colors tend to be more flattering than patterns or stripes). For extra pizzazz, keep a few additional wardrobe props available for the shoot, from scarves, wraps and boas to capes, jackets and more.
Create a Safe and Comfortable Atmosphere
Glamour shoots can be intimidating, so have your subject bring along a friend (who can also act as an occasional assistant/helper). Most people photograph best from slightly above, so experiment by having her tilt her chin slightly, and with at least a few shots in which she looks up at you, and slightly from the side. Keep her at ease by providing feedback through the shoot, complimenting her on especially good looks, angles or moments.
Taking the Shot
Most casual photos tend to be taken horizontally, so when taking a glamour shot, experiment with the framing. Vertical photos can be striking and distinctive and add an air of formality to the image. Your shot should be at least a medium close-up, and experiment with going in closer, as well.
The era of digital photography means you're able to take an almost limitless number of photos in your glamour shot session, so snap away. Not all glamour shots automatically involve a smile. Sometimes the most unguarded or unposed moments can be the best.
Tweaking the Result
While the real mark of a great photo is a superb result without further manipulation, you can certainly make subtle tweaks after the fact with photo manipulation software (and the world will never know). Image software allows for very simple manipulations that can make for a better photo even with little training in the software, allowing you to manipulate brightness and contrast, remove dust or scratches, correct lighting issues, soften or sharpen and more. Intensifying the contrast, for instance, can often make for a more dramatic photo.
Anyone can take a decent picture now and then. But there's nothing more satisfying for a photographer than the ability to take a great portrait--especially a glamour shot, a picture that brings out a subject's unique beauty. And to improve your own glamour shots, here are some tips and tricks to make your next portrait a great success.
Go Digital
If you want to take a great glamour photo these days, you're in luck. You don't need a studio, thousands of dollars in equipment or budgets--just a decent digital camera (with zoom), and a few ordinary and inexpensive household items.Of course, you also have to have a little creativity and initiative.
Choose a Unique Location
Contrary to popular belief, all great glamour photos are not taken indoors. Be creative. While you can take photos indoors in your own studio, you can also shoot in your subject's own home, capturing their beauty in their own comfort zone, or take pictures "on location"--in a park, by a lake, anywhere that serves as a flattering backdrop to your photo.
Pick an Overcast Day
If you do decide to shoot outdoors, pick a comfortable environment (even better if it reflects your subject in some way--a museum for an art student, or an outdoor concert hall for a musician, perhaps), and pick a day that is at least slightly overcast. (If the day is sunny, use a reflector to fill in the shadows.)
Add Pizzazz to Interior Shoots
If you're shooting inside, an interior shoot will give you more control over your environment and lighting. For your photo's background, look for an area or wall that offers aspects of glamour or sophistication--from a print or poster of city lights, to a luxurious couch or settee, to a rich wall color or pattern.
Use a Backdrop
You can also achieve surprisingly professional results with homemade backdrops--a plain gray paper roll works wonders, and can be ordered inexpensively from a photo supply store, as do plain (not patterned) sheets. Steer toward rich tones and stay away away from stark white backdrops, which can be too harsh when photographed.
Go for Controlled, Soft Lighting
What you want for a glamour shot is controlled lighting, preferably lighting that is very soft, and not visible in the shot.
Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques
. Experiment with a pink bulb for a softer touch, or various filters, or simply cover the lamp with a scarf or piece of lace.Use Diffusers and Reflectors
If you're shooting indoors, an ordinary umbrella can serve as a surprisingly effective reflector, helping you to direct and fill in the light as desired over your subject.
Another inexpensive and invaluable tool for a great or glamorous portrait is some kind of reflecting device, which can fill in the shadows and make for a more flattering photo. A big, inexpensive piece of white poster board can make for a great reflector--and for just a few bucks. Reflectors and diffusers can flatten out the light, erase imperfections and make for a far more flattering picture.
Makeup, Wardrobe and Props
When preparing to take a glamour photo, your subject in most cases can do her own makeup better than you, so simply direct her to do her own makeup as if she were preparing for a party or special event. Have her bring face powder, lip color and eyeliner to the shoot, for occasional touchups, as well.
For wardrobe, have your subject show up with a few different tops to wear for the shoot, with varying necklines (and solid, rich colors tend to be more flattering than patterns or stripes). For extra pizzazz, keep a few additional wardrobe props available for the shoot, from scarves, wraps and boas to capes, jackets and more.
Create a Safe and Comfortable Atmosphere
Glamour shoots can be intimidating, so have your subject bring along a friend (who can also act as an occasional assistant/helper). Most people photograph best from slightly above, so experiment by having her tilt her chin slightly, and with at least a few shots in which she looks up at you, and slightly from the side. Keep her at ease by providing feedback through the shoot, complimenting her on especially good looks, angles or moments.
Taking the Shot
Most casual photos tend to be taken horizontally, so when taking a glamour shot, experiment with the framing. Vertical photos can be striking and distinctive and add an air of formality to the image. Your shot should be at least a medium close-up, and experiment with going in closer, as well.
The era of digital photography means you're able to take an almost limitless number of photos in your glamour shot session, so snap away. Not all glamour shots automatically involve a smile. Sometimes the most unguarded or unposed moments can be the best.
Tweaking the Result
While the real mark of a great photo is a superb result without further manipulation, you can certainly make subtle tweaks after the fact with photo manipulation software (and the world will never know). Image software allows for very simple manipulations that can make for a better photo even with little training in the software, allowing you to manipulate brightness and contrast, remove dust or scratches, correct lighting issues, soften or sharpen and more. Intensifying the contrast, for instance, can often make for a more dramatic photo.
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