Considering the breadth of fashion photography, it is useful to categorized the various approaches that might be taken. You can choose to specialize in one or all of these areas as a fashion photographer. Each variety varies in what it can do and how it can be used.
High Fashion Photography
This is the most widely recognized example of commercial photography that approaches the aesthetic territory of art photography. Photographers who specialize in fashion are typically featured in major museum exhibitions and gain international recognition.
High fashion photography is about more than just showing off the latest trends; it's also about promoting the designers' aesthetic goals. As this kind of picture normally requires a great production, you can leave realities behind and get wild.
The protagonists are typically well-known public figures such as top models or A-list actors and actresses. The point is to highlight the work of everyone involved, from the dress designer to the makeup and hair artists and, of course, yourself.
A full-frame or, if available, medium-format camera is ideal for taking such a picture. The reason for this is that they are expensive productions that demand nothing but the highest quality.
Photographs taken for fine exhibitions or high-end books need to keep their sharpness and clarity in the printed form, thus they must be shot with a very high level of detail and resolution. Imagine this photo shoot as the making of a film. Showing off your abilities is more important than trying to persuade the average consumer to buy this pair of jeans.
It takes a large group of experts working together to bring the concept to life and unveil the finished product. This emphasises the significance of building a strong support system and team. You will likely be using a sophisticated lighting rig and equipment.
And last, depending on the nature of the film, post-production may be required to complete the appearance or add additional effects.
Alternative Fashion
A female model poses indoors in dim lighting for an edgy fashion photoshoot. Toss in here anything that doesn't conform to the standards of contemporary style. The use of this phrase can be confusing. What we now consider "alternative" may find mainstream acceptance in the future.
Photographers working in the genre of "Alternative Fashion" attempt to bring back these abandoned styles. This is a type of fashion photography that features unsigned models and photographers who are nostalgic for the '70s and '80s.
They use a variety of methods, including dress, makeup, set design, and lighting, in an attempt to create an atmosphere evocative of the past and convey its spirit.
In this vein of photography, it's common to see references to and mashups of already established subgenres, such as Grunge, Gothic, and Hip Hop. Such photographs are rarely seen in mainstream fashion magazines and are only occasionally released online; they are often reserved for period movies and television shows.
When it comes to nonmainstream clothing, no single subculture holds sway at the moment. Numerous people today are blending and recombining various fashion trends. In contrast, the alternate method isn't always featured in mainstream publications. However, photography still plays a significant role in spreading these developments.
There is no reliance on more conventional media outlets. As an alternative, it uses online and independent media. Street style blogs have become one of the most visited online destinations for offbeat clothing and style. These sites chronicle the zeitgeist as it occurs in the streets.
Editorial Fashion Photography
Because of the need for elaborate style and set design, editorial photography is sometimes mistaken for high fashion, but the stories it tells are usually more accessible to the average spectator.
Editorial photography sometimes resembles lifestyle photography because of its aspirational nature. The model acts out a part and wears clothing that you might not wear every day but covet.
The term "editorial fashion photography" refers to images that appear in publications like coffee table books and photography and fashion periodicals. Editorial photography can be used to tell a story, offer background information, or demonstrate a trend.
A briefing is a meeting with the client to discuss the story they want you to tell through your images, which is an important part of the pre-node process.
Location shootings, as opposed to those done in a studio, can provide a more natural setting for the photographs. Make sure they fit the tone you intend to set with the story. Studio photography calls for elaborate lighting arrangements and the use of various objects. It's not that every scene needs to be set in a different galaxy, but the point is to make a point.
The word "fashion spread" describes a group of photos that spans multiple pages in a fashion magazine. It demonstrates the high glamour associated with a variety of high fashion labels. A fashion editorial can be compared to reading a tale, but one told entirely via images.
Model and photographer credits appear on the first page. The following pages feature the model performing a variety of roles. Each fashion editorial has a central focus. A woman strolling through Paris or a man exploring the deserts—anywhere is possible. The main purpose is to showcase garments in various settings.
Beauty Editorial
Types of fashion photography depicting a female model wearing sunglasses and fur for a beauty editorial. Clothes aren't necessarily a part of every fashion photography genre. Accessories like jewellery, hairstyles, and makeup are crucial parts of each outfit. And beauty editorials are the ideal setting for capturing all of these components.
A beauty editorial, in contrast to a standard editorial, usually only features the model's face and upper body. The item's function is to highlight the finer details of the subject's outfit. Accessories such as rings, earrings, and necklace pendants fall within this category.
In addition to jewellery, fashion magazines are a great place to display hats and other headwear. This type of photography draws attention to the finer points of a product by positioning the camera close to the model.
The natural beauty of the model is also highlighted in fashion and beauty magazines. It's useful for drawing attention to hair and makeup because of this. The art of nail design is sometimes displayed in this manner.
Street Fashion Photography
What people wear and how they wear it in the actual world is the focus of street fashion photography, also called street style photography. Instagram is only one of many social media platforms where you may find such pictures.
In addition to the racks of glossy fashion magazines, you can pick them up at newsstands alongside stories on what's "in" for the season and how to style the latest trends. Originally a subset of street photography, street fashion photography focuses on people in their natural environments to highlight their own style.
Over time, street style photography shifted its emphasis to document the clothes worn by the fashion set at major events like fashion weeks. As the subjects of street style photos became more self-aware, they began deliberately accessorizing to attract the attention of photographers; as a result, the photos gradually became less candid and more contrived.
In fact, it was all a sham. If you're interested in taking street fashion photography, you'll need to decide whether you'd like to concentrate on candid, natural photos of individuals in the streets or on more orchestrated photo shoots that actually occur outside while giving the appearance of occurring in normal life.
Either way, it's a challenging and potentially rewarding field to explore.
Catalog Fashion Photography
Pictures of models displaying goods appear in catalogues. Images for a catalogue should focus solely on the products being sold.
Catalog photography for a fashion magazine is a subgenre of product photography. Its goal is to provide a visually appealing representation of clothing products so that potential buyers may get a feel for how they will look and feel before making a purchase.
The shot often takes place in a studio with a plain white backdrop. In this way, you may focus entirely on style.
Numerous established lighting schemes are suitable for this kind of picture. No, you can still be original and express your personal flair, but you'll have less leeway to do so.
Key Tips:
- Large soft boxes can maintain consistent lighting and highlight the textures and fabrics of the garments.
- The hands are one of the trickiest parts to posture naturally, therefore you should give them extra care.
- Little details can make a big difference, like having your model pose with her mouth slightly open to show that she is at ease.
- Keep in mind that you are creating a fashion catalogue, not a picture, and focus your attention on the garments.
- Tell the model to peek back over their shoulder at you if the shirt has a stylish look on the back, for instance.
Runway Fashion Photography
Others disagree that this is fashion photography and instead see it as more akin to photojournalism.
Because of the inherent unpredictability of runway photography—you can't choose the location, the time of day, or the outfits the models wear—the necessary talent is vastly distinct from those required in other photographic specializations.
In order to succeed in this fast-paced setting, you must be able to adapt quickly to new circumstances and think on your feet.
To photograph moving models in low light, a fast lens is required.
Since runway photography can encompass a wide variety of images, including ambience, full-length ensembles, three-quarter crops, and close-ups of accessories, the focal length will change from shot to picture.
Photographers working the runway typically need to catch a variety of subjects, thus they benefit from using zoom lenses rather than primes.
The press pits at fashion shows are notoriously cramped, making it difficult to set up a tripod. It's also possible to use a monopod.
Without a mechanism to steady your equipment, taking steady photos will be a major challenge, and eventually your arms will tyre.
Lookbook Photography
The most up-to-date collection from a designer is showcased in a small book called a look book (which, in the modern era, can be digital and interactive).
It's a great way to show off the latest and greatest from the company to potential purchasers (or carriers, if we're talking about retail outlets).
The outfits in look books are presented in a more natural setting than in a typical catalogue. Here, a concept or an idea is being sold alongside each collection via the photoshoots.
The stylist creates a cohesive look with the intention of making a purchase, and the photographer must capture the spirit and character of the garments being shown.
With the correct set dressing and props, this may be done in the studio or on site. Given the vast number of available look books, there is no "correct" camera, lens, or parameters for this particular situation.
While most firms and designers have moved on to digital only, there are still those that produce printed versions, particularly in high-end fashion where quality is paramount and costs aren't a problem.
Many businesses, however, create lookbooks only for use on their websites or for sale through electronic channels. What clothing and equipment you'll need to fit the bill is determined by the desired aesthetic.
To tackle this, it's best to have the initial briefing and then lay out a strategy.
Advertising Fashion Photography
In the same way that catalogue photography depicts garments and accessories as commodities, advertising fashion photography does the same with fashion. Advertising campaigns for clothing and accessories can be as simple as a single photo or as complex as a series of elaborate photo shootings with A-list models or celebrities.
You've probably seen many fashion campaign photos before, whether it be in bus shelter advertising, fashion publications, or paid posts on Facebook. The client's vision for their brand's message should drive the strategy behind the advertising shoot.
Advertising a handbag could consist of little more than a picture of the bag on a white background, or it could be part of a shocking, boundary-pushing image designed to spark debate. Therefore, the equipment and creative team requirements can vary widely between campaigns.
Glamour Photography
This photographic genre lies somewhere between fashion and portraiture. Emphasis should be placed on the attractiveness of the model.
It's not all about the hair and makeup, but they should complement the model's features. These shots are typically done to add variety to a model's repertoire.
Location, studio, milk bath—it doesn't matter, as long as you have complete control over the lighting for the shoot. Your chosen configuration should enhance the features of the model. Perspective is also crucial in this regard.
Because of the emphasis on posing in glamour photography, it's important to practise several postures in advance. The models can benefit from seeing examples of clothing or accessories in a fashion magazine.
Advertising The scale and method of fashion photography are typically quite small. A single, unique photo of a model wearing a certain outfit is permitted. Outdoor advertising photography is often used by major brands to promote their products on hoardings and other premium real estate.
Conclusion
The most well-known instance of commercial photography that approaches the aesthetic domain of art photography is high fashion photography. Photographers who focus on the fashion industry often have their work included in prestigious museum exhibitions and receive widespread acclaim throughout the world.
Celebrities, whether they are top models or A-list actors and actresses, frequently play the lead roles. Many "Alternative Fashion" photographers have a soft spot for the decades of the 1970s and 1980s. Various techniques are employed, such as period-appropriate clothing, cosmetics, lighting, and stage design, to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era.
These kinds of photos rarely make it into popular fashion magazines and are only occasionally made public on the internet. Like reading a story, but one told solely through photographs, a fashion editorial can be thought of as a visual narrative.
Jewelry, hairstyles, and cosmetics are all essential components of any look. By moving in close to the subject, the camera in this kind of photography highlights the product's finest details. If you want to study street fashion photography, you must determine whether you want to focus on staged photo shoots or more organic shots of people in the streets.
Fashion magazine catalog photography is a specific type of product photography. An very fast lens is needed when shooting models in low light. There is no such thing as the "right" camera, lens, or settings for this scenario.
The selected aesthetic dictates the necessary apparel and equipment. A handbag ad could be as simple as a photograph of the item on a white background, or it could be part of a frightening, provocative image.
Campaign to campaign, the necessary equipment and creative staff can fluctuate substantially. The model's attractiveness ought to be emphasized.
Content Summary
- Considering the breadth of fashion photography, it is useful to categorize the various approaches that might be taken.
- You can choose to specialize in one or all of these areas as a fashion photographer.
- Each variety varies in what it can do and how it can be used.
- This is the most widely recognized example of commercial photography that approaches the aesthetic territory of art photography.
- High fashion photography is about more than just showing off the latest trends; it's also about promoting the designers' aesthetic goals.
- Imagine this photo shoot as the making of a film.
- Photographers working in the genre of "Alternative Fashion" attempt to bring back these abandoned styles.
- This is a type of fashion photography that features unsigned models and photographers who are nostalgic for the '70s and '80s.
- Numerous people today are blending and recombining various fashion trends.
- In contrast, the alternate method isn't always featured in mainstream publications.
- As an alternative, it uses online and independent media.
- The term "editorial fashion photography" refers to images that appear in publications like coffee table books and photography and fashion periodicals.
- The word "fashion spread" describes a group of photos that spans multiple pages in a fashion magazine.
- Types of fashion photography depicting a female model wearing sunglasses and fur for a beauty editorial.
- A beauty editorial, in contrast to a standard editorial, usually only features the model's face and upper body.
- The natural beauty of the model is also highlighted in fashion and beauty magazines.
- What people wear and how they wear it in the actual world is the focus of street fashion photography, also called street style photography.
- Originally a subset of street photography, street fashion photography focuses on people in their natural environments to highlight their own style.
- If you're interested in taking street fashion photography, you'll need to decide whether you'd like to concentrate on candid, natural photos of individuals in the streets or on more orchestrated photo shoots that actually occur outside while giving the appearance of occurring in normal life.
- Images for a catalogue should focus solely on the products being sold.
- Catalog photography for a fashion magazine is a subgenre of product photography.
- Keep in mind that you are creating a fashion catalogue, not a picture, and focus your attention on the garments.
- Because of the inherent unpredictability of runway photography—you can't choose the location, the time of day, or the outfits the models wear—the necessary talent is vastly distinct from those required in other photographic specialisations.
- Since runway photography can encompass a wide variety of images, including ambience, full-length ensembles, three-quarter crops, and close-ups of accessories, the focal length will change from shot to picture.
- The most up-to-date collection from a designer is showcased in a small book called a look book.
- The outfits in look books are presented in a more natural setting than in a typical catalogue.
- Given the vast number of available look books, there is no "correct" camera, lens, or parameters for this particular situation.
- What clothing and equipment you'll need to fit the bill is determined by the desired aesthetic.
- In the same way that catalogue photography depicts garments and accessories as commodities, advertising fashion photography does the same with fashion.
- Advertising campaigns for clothing and accessories can be as simple as a single photo or as complex as a series of elaborate photo shootings with A-list models or celebrities.
- The client's vision for their brand's message should drive the strategy behind the advertising shoot.
- Therefore, the equipment and creative team requirements can vary widely between campaigns.
- It's not all about the hair and makeup, but they should complement the model's features.
- These shots are typically done to add variety to a model's repertoire.
- Location, studio, milk bath—it doesn't matter, as long as you have complete control over the lighting for the shoot.
- Your chosen configuration should enhance the features of the model.
- Because of the emphasis on posing in glamor photography, it's important to practice several postures in advance.
- The models can benefit from seeing examples of clothing or accessories in a fashion magazine.
- Advertising The scale and method of fashion photography are typically quite small.
- Outdoor advertising photography is often used by major brands to promote their products on hoardings and other premium real estate.