Posts Tagged ‘images’

6 Reasons Why Your Glamour Images Need a Blog

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Nowadays almost any prominent artist – or the one with desire for prominence – needs to be appropriately represented in online world. The Glamourous Photography niche is no exception here –there are so many blogs, forums, websites, portfolios and much more.

So what makes guru and novices alike to establish their own sites and blogs? This is because of the following:

  • It is extremly popular to go onlin right now – the demand for cyberspace is growing daily, mostly because it is such a rewarding place for building a huge following without the need to spend big money. Promoting oneself in the real world can cost a lot and is arguable in terms of efficiency - Internet self-marketing, on the other hand, can prove more rewarding. With all those fancy technologies you could establish your site or blog and be up and running in no time at all;
  • Glamour photographers need to network, present their work, find customers, discuss techniques - just like any other professionals. The online world makes all of it doable with little expense from photographer’s side;
  • With Glamour Pictures being fully digital, it’s now a whole lot easier to bring them in front of an audience compared to the old days when they needed to be printed. With film left behind in a company of its dedicated fans, glamour photography embraces digital format - the one which is so easy to store and show off in web galleries and portfolios.

Taking this into account, you may desire to set up your own Internet home to showcase your skills, promote your work and solidify your reputation. However, prior to creating a real website, I would strongly advise to start a blog and see for yourself, how much potential this format has. To motivate you, let us look at these six “why should I’s”.

Firstly, blog is easy to set up and use – you don’t have to be good at HTML, CSS and other formidable abbreviations that give many users the creeps. In this case everything you need would be to acquire a domain name, a reliable hosting service; then you simply install the desired platform for blogging. Blogs are highly customizable, so you would be able to create both unique design and layout for your online home. Adding new content is a quick and effortless process, so you will not be overwhelmed with complicated tasks and will be able to update regularly and efficiently.

Has it come to your mind for what reason glamour photographers and ordinary marketers are so crazy about blogs, not websites? It’s just because they are more responsive. Blogging is a conversation, where the reader can comment, ask questions, evaluate and feel themselves involved in the whole process. Informing your readers that their thoughts are important to you can boost the chances for success.

Thirdly, there’s a growing demand for blogging. The ever-increasing number of Internet users grasp the idea of blogging and become a part of this tidal wave. It’s a good idea to contribute to this community through unique content, ideas, experiences and self-marketing. This will make you stand out of the crowd, gain credibility and establish firm foothold in the online world.

In addition, blogs are quite a multi-purpose tool you can use in many diverse ways. It can be you own article directory and collection of useful tips on glamour photography. It can also be a “glamour gallery”, where your works are showcased, your personal market of different products that you have created, your home-based business platform, where your clients will learn about your expertise and proficiency. To put it simply, your blog could be anything.

Another point is - a blog can bring money to your pocket. It is more than possible for an accomplished artist to make money from mere blogging - by advertising, marketing their expertise and goods, selling their works, providing training programs and a dozen of other original ways. Blogging is a very flexible and prospective tool.

Last but not least, your blog is the web version of your personality. Blogging is an ultimate opportunity for self-PR - probably the best one to begin with. Even considering strong competition in the world of glamour images, you still possess everything required to find and occupy your well-deserved place in it.

It is a well-known truth that we now are living in a whole new world called “informational society”. Information is at the same time a resource, a product and a tool. Any glamour photographer can make great use of online world for themselves. Creating a blog serves both the purposes of gaining respect and drawing income. The world of digital photography and the internet is crumbling with unexpected treasures and lucrative opportunities - make sure you have your fair share.

Useful Beauty Photography Tips

How It Happened: Brief but Glorious History of Glamour Images

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The art of Beauty Photography has come a long way from its very appearance to what we can see today. Like any other genre of photography, it witnessed some dramatic changes, withstood many cultural revolutions to finally emerge in its present state.

I would like to take you on a journey from the birthplace of Glamour Photographs to nowadays, and then take a sneak peek at the possible future.

Childhood. As to the starting point of the history of glamour images - nobody is certain. Some seek the roots in Paris of 1930’s, where so-called “french postcards” were sold in abundance - others deem Victorian photography and its gurus to be responsible. There are even people who seek the roots of glamour images in Renaissance and Baroque. Franskly speaking, the birth of glamour photography cannot be discovered with any degree of certainty. What I think is that the most likely period in which glamour photography was born is 1920’s and 1930’s, which were quite a vibrant time in terms of arts and culture. Also, it is from the first half of 20th century that the history of classic glamour pictures can be traced.

Glorious 50’s and Onwards. After World War II, glamour images reached the apex of their glory, closely followed by controversy and outrage. Shining star of Betty Grable was in zenith ever since pre-WWII time; in 1953 Marilyn Monroe emerged on Playboy’s cover and led glamour photography from darkness of controversy and public outrage into the light of recognition. There were also Pamela Green and others helping to bring this young art to its feet and conquer the world-wide audience.

Dawn of Digital Era. Color wasn’t the only achievement that glamour pictures acquired - they turned into something more creative and provocative. Hope Talmons and Dita Von Teese gave way to Heidie Van Horne, Bernie Dexter, Lucy Pinder and others. As it happened, film gave way to digital photography. It improved technical side of the process and altogether simplified it beyond measure. An amateur in possession of DSLR could potentially become a glamour artist. Combined with World Wide Web, a real army of both gifted artists and usual dabblers emerged in the online world.

Are you Afraid of 3D? Finally, nowadays we face a new era, when 3D rendering easily re-creates that very glamour that we are so striving to deliver. This new form of art attempts to challenge the canons of glamour pictures. However, it is my firm belief that no computer-rendered beauty can ever substitute for genuine model, real lighting and sincere artistry. If this is a struggle of old and modern, my side is with the former.

I feel optimistic about the future – oils, film and digital have found their admirers and seem immortal. Artistic 3D may join these ranks, and so may whatever comes next. It is not technology that is behind each glamour picture – it’s the soul, the inspiration and the dedication: that of photographer and the model. No real photographer ever forgets this - and I’m sure that neither will you.

Improve Your Photography

7 Tips For Creating Artistic Glamour Images

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Human body has always been a popular theme to depict in fine arts. But how does one make it look artistic rather than vulgar? We will now investigate a little about how a glamour artist can accomplish mastery on this delicate subject.

Nude portraits are not about our physical desires – they are all about art. They may be rather bold or provoking or sexual, yet they provoke thoughts rather than carnal excitement and raise emotions much subtler than plain loathing. This is all theory though – to hell with it, it’s high time to see how it is done in practice!

I have prepared 7 must-read tips & tricks for you to use and build up proficiency in matters of nude Glamour Photos - as well as motivate yourself properly.

  • It is important to feel the border between artistry and vulgarity: as a photographer, you need to pursue the former, not the latter. Make emphasis on body shapes and texture. Unless you know what you’re doing, refrain from depicting genitals - not many photographers know how to make them look appropriate on a nude glamour portrait. Rely on your artistic taste to decide what will look great and what should be avoided - it is a more reliable criterion than strict rules of glamour photography;
  • Don’t overload your model with trinkets and jewelry – when it comes to nude photography, human body must dominate the shot. To create an impression of glamour and elegance, you only need something pretty and sophisticated to complement the composition - but not to draw the viewer’s attention away from your model;
  • For practical purposes one should always avoid using so-called “hot lights” in a studio. Cold lights consume less electricity, create less heat and prove to be more flexible when it comes to studio lighting. In order to acquire more subtle light, use soft-boxes. In fact, softer lighting always contributes to the atmosphere of your nude portraits, so don’t disregard with this opportunity;
  • Watch out for the proportions: shooting from too high or too low might make your model look either a long-legged giraffe or a humpty-dumpty. You don’t want any of that, do you?
  • Get inspired. Different poses, lighting angles or backdrops and accessories will certainly deliver you several great variations on the same motif;
  • Can’t you forget that your camera has its limit of exposures and you have the limit of time? I mean it - to call your session successful, you need lots of material to look through. Even hardcore glamour photographers make some several thousand pictures in one studio session – so they could later pick really astounding images;
  • Establish a connection with your model. She is not a “main character” of your shots, but the one who plays a vital part in the process. She is not simply posing nude but co-creating. If your model feels uncomfortable, you won’t get anywhere – even if you’re Helmut Newton!

Shooting nude portraits is not easy - as well as being into Beauty Photography. Yet you can achieve a lot if you keep practicing and pushing on. As they say, with one step you can start a trip of thousand miles! In the case of glamour artists one flash is enough.

More On Glamour Photography

Becoming A Virtuoso Of Glamour Images

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

As an aspiring photographer, one needs to know what “glamour image” means, as there is a huge range of definition about glamour images. Nude and sexually appealing photographs do not equal glamour ones. Sure, Glamour Photographs are frivolous and naughty, yet even though they are erotic, there is no room for pornography. Actually, speaking of glamour images we should usually mean a mixture of sex and romance, desire and charms concocted together in a stunning combination to make a perfect glamour photograph - yet they should always possess some aesthetics. As an aspiring glamour photographer, one should have the knowledge and understanding of several things like equipment, shot types, background, lighting, etc, and a photographer should be inspiring to make the model feel at home to give a perfect shot.

Glamour image equipments include a studio, cameras, lighting, props, etc. For those starting off into the captivating world of glamour images it is only possible, in most cases, to rent or borrow equipment in order to begin the learning process, or be assistants for accomplished professionals. If you have watched glamour images they are mostly taken vertically as vertical shots are out of the ordinary as opposed to horizontal shots and make the image daring so that it attracts attention of viewers. Moreover, if you look at the physical appearance of human beings, the face as well as the whole figure is vertical.

Props and background are other thing one needs to keep in mind in creating effective glamour shots. Even though beauty photography is focused on the model rather than her surroundings, a good artist should make great use from the contrast and drama it can provide. There should not be any clutter in the background. As of the props, they are not always necessary, however, they play a huge role if one has to show action or meaning of the image. For instance, if you shoot a model on the beach, a surfboard can be a great detail and will add up to the picture’s mood.

If we detach from all the technical background that an artist should possess for the sake of being successful in Beauty Photography, it leaves us with the most important skill of all, which is light manipulation. Photography is only possible due to light, and in glamour images it cannot be over-estimated. Light comes from different sources, natural and artificial, and as a photographer, one has to be perfect in manipulating light, because glamour image is all about creating stunning images with a touch of aesthetics.

For Glamour Photographers

Photographs That Sell

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

If you are considering becoming a professional photographer the most important factor to think about is how to create eye catching images. There are a variety of other factors to think about depending on the subject and the job you have been given but creating an image that captures people’s interest is very important.

If you happen to be driving through stunning roads and come across a deer (or a bunch of them), get your camera! Watch for sunsets, moonrise, cloud formations and tree shapes. Keep an eye out for any interesting movements your pets make.  Visit flower shops and exhibitions. Flower pictures are many photographers’ bread and butter and they can be easily photographed. Greeting card markets thrive on photographs of plants, gardens, sunsets, architecture and sweet photos of animals. Wildlife and nature are great for calendars and geographic magazines as well as educational fields. You can see some great scenery in a mulititude of places. Check out photography Wales

Diversity and quality are the biggest aspects in photography. The wider the range of topics you cover, the more likely you will get a sale. Anyone can make a good living from stock photos. Freelance photographer Dmitri Markine sells just as many photos taken from his own backyard as from exotic and far away locations. If you love travelling, put your holidays to work for you. Travel guides, brochures and websites could be possible markets for your photos. Take photographs everywhere you go!

What should you do with that super image? The edges are sharp as razor, while the clarity would bring joy to many publishers; the main thing to aim for with any image is to sell it to multiple markets. This will be done for you if you send images to an agency. They sell to large corporations as well as small business. It’s a perfect way to gain some exposure and see what’s out there.You do not have to sell you images yourself but weill probably get more sales if you put the effort in yourself.

It is important for any photographer to keep a portfolio of his work to show. You don’t know when a possible purchaser will want to see your work. No one will not be impressed if you have to dig through a dusty desk to scrape them together or use email to send them to clients. Have a printed portfolio as well as a web based portfolio.  When you do get a sale, don’t charge a large amount just because the picture only took a few minutes of your time. You’ve spent years learning your craft. You spend a considerable amount on equipment, advertising and education and your photos are worth a decent figure.

If you really know what you are talking about and can take a fantastic shot, think of submitting it to a publication or a magazine, along with all the details of the precise equipment you used and a step-by step guide of your procedure. A bit of a challenge perhaps, but worth the effort. There are many other markets to consider too; all kind of magazines, newspapers, travel guides and books. So grab your camera and don’t stop shooting! Photography is an art and the more you practice the better you will become. No famous photographers became like that overnight. We all spent sleepless nights perfecting our craft. Take a look at photographers Cardiff