Fashion Photography

Fashion photography is a genre of photography which is devoted to displaying clothing and other fashion items. Fashion photography is most often conducted for advertisements or fashion magazines. Over time, fashion photography has developed its own aesthetic in which the clothes and fashions are enhanced by the presence of exotic locations or accessories.

10 Fashion Photography Tips:

1. Fashion photography should convey an essence of authority, so your direction of the model(s) needs to be confident and self-assured.  Showing signs of anxiety, stress or lack of direction will invariably be reflected in the performance of your model so make the subject feel comfortable and involved.  Organise a shot list before the shoot and rehearse technique and composition for each shot in your mind. Prepare the location, props and clothes ahead of time and for a truly effective shoot be sure to communicate your agenda, objective and posing directions coherently and calmly.
2.  Fashion photography is all about clothes and beauty, so pull all the elements of the scene and the model together to reflect this. For example if the shoot focuses on the clothes– use make-up and hair styling to compliment the garment – and vice versa.  If you desire a provocative or seductive look opt for dark, heavy make-up and over styled hair; alternatively for an innocent or natural feel choose subdued pastel tones, gentle make up and soft flowing hair styles.  Unusual looking folk bring interest and personality to the piece, whereas female models with large almond eyes, big lips, small chins and symmetrical faces are deemed “more commercial”.   
3. Posing can be a tricky point to master but browse through the latest men’s and women’s magazines to target a few inspired suggestions as well as getting a grip on what is currently fashionable. Using ‘broken down’ poses or poses that require angular body shapes can add interest and edginess to the piece – as well as help to elongate body length.
4. A studio is an ideal place to perform a fashion shoot because photographers can easily control lighting and stabilise conditions. If you are shooting in a studio environment remember to meter all areas of the scene to avoid unwanted shadows and the use of a separate light meter rather than the one in your camera, will offer a more accurate reading.
5. If you can’t afford to hire a professional studio and all the pricey equipment there is a way you can cheat at home. Clear a space in a room that benefits from large windows and peg a white sheet, net or fabric across the window. On a bright sunny day you’ll have yourself a homemade soft box – ideal for flattering even light.
6. When shooting in low light or into the sun, you may require an extra light source. If all you have is flash then rather than shoot straight on, set it to bounce of a nearby reflector, wall or ceiling. Experiment with angles to create an array of effects and discover what works best for you and the scene you are shooting. Be careful to pay attention to unwanted shadows that may fall across the face and body.
7.  Props are fantastic for telling a narrative within a fashion shot, but one of the best props to use is a mirror. A mirror can be a used to tell a story and act as an effective tool that allows the photographer to display the front and back of your model. Take a spate reading for the mirror and you may need to bracket your exposures here. Be careful to position yourself, lighting equipment and anything not to do with the shoot out of the reflection.  
8. Location, location, location! Getting the right location is important if you want to convey a narrative within your shot.  For example if the clothing and beauty styling are edgy, hard or provocative you may want to consider an urban setting , alternatively for spring/summer and natural fashions find a rural environment like; a field, meadow, beach, woodland or river bank.
9. Influence the image by moving around the scene and exploring which angles work best to full expose the garment. This could mean climbing a ladder, crouching low, working a slanted angle or moving closer to the subject. Think about what the message is here and create a composition to reinforce it.
10.  Fashion photography is achievable alone, but to step it up a gear rope in a friend, family member or photography student as an assistant. Often photographers need an extra pair of hands to position reflectors, angle and reset lighting equipment, tweak the positioning of garments and clear the scene.

Documentary Photography

Documentary photography follows a single topic or story in-depth over time, as opposed to photojournalism’s real-time coverage of breaking news and events. By deepening our understanding and emotional connection to stories of injustice, documentary photography can capture and sustain public attention, and mobilize people around pressing social and human rights issues.

The following tips will help get you going.

• Choose and Research Your Subject:

This could quite possibly be the most challenging phase of the process; who is going to be the center of attention in your documentary project? It could be someone in your own family whose story you want to tell — your grandparents, perhaps. It could be a family other than your own, a neighbor, or a group of individuals employed in an occupation you find particularly intriguing. You can choose someone you know well or someone you’re not especially acquainted with.

Regardless of how well you know the subject, spend some time doing research and asking questions, as this will assist you in determining how you want to present your subject and you will have at least a slight idea of what to expect during shooting.

• Get Inspired and Choose a Style:

Now that you know what you’re going to shoot, you need to decide how you’re going to shoot it. Will you use natural light or flash to impact mood? What do you need to do to ensure your photos are coherent and thematic? Should you do mostly wide shots? Long shots? Will your finished images be color or black and white? If you need help deciding such things, take a look at great documentarians like those listed at the top of this article, or browse entries from photography contests under the appropriate category. There’s no shortage of inspiring work out there for you take some cues from.

• Get Prepared:

Decide what gear you will need to pull off what you have in mind; if you need to be mobile and move quickly, a minimalistic approach will serve you best. Also, obtain permission as you need it. If you are shooting at a place of business, for example, you can’t just show up with your camera and do whatever you want. It’s important to not be intrusive, so play nice with others and they will likely return the favor in kind.

• Embrace Your Role as a Storyteller:

You have the responsibility of objectively telling your subject’s story; regardless of whatever stylistic decisions you make, your number one goal is to represent the truth as it relates specifically to your subject. You are not editorializing, you are documenting.

• Interact With Your Object:

Assuming your subject matter is people-focused. If so, and your aren’t going for the detached observer approach, then your work will benefit from establishing relationships with your subjects. Introduce yourself, explain a little bit about what you’re doing, ask them about themselves; if your subjects are at ease and comfortable with having you around, it will be strongly reflected in your images.

• Play The Waiting Game:

Don’t think that the moment you walk onto your location great moments are going to start happening; it doesn’t work that way. You have to wait for things to unfold and develop at their own pace. Remain vigilant, always on the look out for defining moments, but don’t try to rush it. Accept that it could be hours, perhaps days, before you get the shot you’re looking for.

Of course, if you’re working within a limited time frame, you will need to maximize that time. In such cases, don’t become overly focused on one thing; refocus your attention elsewhere, then come back to your original target.

• The Big Picture vs. Details:

You can more effectively tell a story by using varied perspectives; don’t rely exclusively on one kind of shot. Use wide angle shots to establish the scene, and use more detailed shots to personalize the story.

• Keep Post-Processing Simple:

If you rushed through the shoot or didn’t put the deserved amount of care into each shot, going overboard with post-processing cannot save you; it will only call greater attention to your failure to get things right in-camera. So, in keeping with the idea of truth and reality, make sure that your images require little processing. Thoughtful framing and composition will have far more impact than unnecessary processing flourishes.

• It’s All About Presentation:

Now you get to show off all your hard work. Choose the most meaningful images and round them up into a cohesive unit; organize them in such a way that they form a story that is easy for the viewer to follow. Keep in mind that the images that have the most narrative impact may not always be the “best” shots — don’t include photos just because they look nice. Stick to images that act as vital pieces to a puzzle.

From there, decide how you want to present your final product to your viewers. You might build an online slideshow, compile a book, hang prints in a gallery — it’s up to you. Documentary photography can be a demanding but rewarding task. Give your work the treatment you know it deserves.

Candid Photography

A Candid Photography  is a photograph captured without creating a posed appearance. This is achieved in many ways, for example:

when the subject is in motion,

by avoiding prior preparation of the subject,

by surprising the subject,

by not distracting the subject during the process of taking photos.

Thus, the candid character of a photo is unrelated to the subject's knowledge about or consent to the fact that photos are being taken, and unrelated to the subject's permission for further usage and distribution. The crucial factor is the actual absence of posing. However, if the subject is absolutely unaware of being photographed and does not even expect it, then such photography is secret photography, which is a special case of candid photography.

Architectural Photography

Architectural Photography is simply photographing the design aesthetics of buildings and structures. There are different types of subjects when it comes to Architectural Photography – it can cover tall buildings, bungalow houses, heritage sites, modern buildings, farm barns, bridges, warehouses, factories, and many more. Typically, architects and architectural firms who want to display their work are the primary clients of Architecture Photographers, although property owners who would also like their homes featured or published can hire an Architecture Photographer as well.

Architecture photography isn’t just about showcasing the façade of a building and its external features. It covers the whole building in its design entirety. Sense architecture involves the interior features of a building, it should not be mistaken with Real Estate Photography which focuses on the space rather than the design, although both professional photographers can include furniture arrangements or similar setups done inside the actual building.

Architecture Photography is really more about the design than the building itself. When it comes to design, an Architecture Photographer may highlight some of the details that make a building look aesthetically pleasing. It is not uncommon to see architectural photographs of just a fraction of the whole building. Perhaps a wall, an archway, or some beams may be shown instead of the whole appearance of the actual building.

Aside from the common buildings that we see, Architecture Photography also covers shooting buildings, walkways, arches, and other structures that serve a different purpose other than providing shelter or space. Highlighting the design of these structures including patterns and other design aesthetics is the first concern of an Architectural Photographer.

Aerial Photography

Aerial photography is the acquisition of a vertical image with a specialize camera installed on board of an airplane, equipped for this type of work.

Airborne acquisitions are always performed in such a manner that two consecutive photographs have a side and forward overlap. These overlaps enable a three dimensional (3D) observation of the territory, with the help of a specialized tool. The optical phenomenon, which makes it possible to see in 3D, is called the stereoscopy.

Overlap

In order to obtain a three dimensional view of a covered territory, part of the photographed land on one image has to be also present on the next image, this is what is called overlap.

Stereoscopy

As the airplane flies, the photographed area, which is showed on two consecutive aerial photographs, that is the forward overlap, provides a view of the territory photographed at two different angles. When looking at this part of the photographs with the help of a specialize tool, such as the stereoscope, it is possible to view the landscape (relief) because it appears in three dimensions.

The raw image, as it is acquired on board the airplane, can be processed and printed on paper film or diapositive; and is then called an aerial photograph.

When the image is digitalized and corrected so as to eliminate the imprecision resulting from the airplane position in flight and the distortion due to the ground relief, it is called an orthophotograph. Every orthophotograph is georeferenced, which means that it has location geometrical properties identical to those of a map.

Top 15 Genres of Photography That you Need to Know

In the age of the smart phone, where we are constantly shooting and sharing photographs on the go; everyone is exposed to photography and visual imagery in some form or another. Whether we are looking at pictures of friends on social media, huge billboards or advertising campaigns at local departmental stores; photography is used to communicate a message or tell a story to the viewer.

We may be shooting pictures every day, but how many of us know the different styles of photography that have been inspiring photographers? Understanding the different styles or genres of photography is key for developing our knowledge in the area and also for gaining an insight as to where our photography fits.

Let’s look at the top 15 genres that we can draw inspiration from:

• Aerial Photography
• Architectural Photography
• Candid Photography
• Documentary Photography
• Fashion Photography
• Food Photography
• Landscape Photography
• Night-Long Exposure Photography
• Photojournalism
• Conceptual/Fine art Photography
• Portraiture
• Sport Photography
• Street Photography
• War Photography
• Wild-Life Photography

Conclusion

So those are 7 absolutely core aspects of photography that every shooter should be studying and developing. Some of them can be understood in a short period of time, and others will take a lifetime to master. But that’s good news. You’ve got a lot of exciting learning ahead of you!

But are there other things to learn? Are there other topics to dive into to help your photography? Of course there are! These are just a starting point. They get you proficient with a camera and the language of visual art. From there it’s a whole world of things to explore.

Maybe you want to do portraits, and then there’s a ton of subject interaction and psychology you could learn. Or perhaps you want to dive into travel photography. There you have a huge variety of genres, from photojournalism to landscape, and then an anthropologist’s curiosity for culture and a historian’s interest in the past will serve you well in telling the stories of the places you visit.

There’s no end to what you can learn as a photographer, but these 7 topics are a very good place to start. So what are you waiting for? Pick one and get going!