- This topic is empty.
First fashion shoot
-
Had a go at “Fashion” shots. Would appreciate feedback, is it or isn’t it?
Si
I think for the first attend, they are good. compositon and colours are good.
Allinthemind wrote:
… is it or isn’t it?
Hi Si! Personally, I’d say “no” to the first and “yes” to the second. But that’s just me!
Fashion photography interests me a lot. It’s something I’d love to dabble in more. While certainly not an expert, one basic and fundamental thing jumps out as being obvious – it’s meant to SELL an “image”.
What does that mean? Well I used the word “image” rather than “garment” because simply photographing a garment to show how it looks is not enough to sell it. A successful fashion picture should convey a “sexy, looks cool” message to a woman viewing it, and the notion that by going out and buying the garment she is also buying into the image. That’s the key thing: Fashion shots are not merely selling fashion, they are selling an image, something consumers are willing to pay a premium for. The reason why some people will pay twice as much for a similar T-shirt with a designer label rather than an marks and sparks label.
The photographers use all kinds of tricks to pull this off. They might photograph the model dancing in the rain, in some exotic far-flung location, or chatting with friends in a fashionable bar – anything the average secretary sitting by her word processor is likely to dream about. I remember reading a quote from Giorgio Armani somewhere: “Women want to be sexy, so I will make them sexy.” Kinda says it all!
The normal photographic “rules” often don’t apply – just open any fashion magazine to see that blown-out backgrounds and even out-of-focus pictures are perfectly fine!
By the way, I don’t think it absolutely necessary to even show the clothing in a clear way. It’s not actually about the clothing, it’s all about the attitude. About creating a fantasy geared to capture the imagination of the viewer/potential buyer. Fashion companies seem happy with their logo on the bottom corner of the right picture even it you can’t see what the clothes look like!
You looked for interesting locations so my hat is off to you for that. For me, however, the model lacks attitude in your first photo. I don’t think the dark clouds work well either. The second picture hints that the model is about to board a train in some old fashioned railway station in India or somewhere so I’d say that’s good and what you want. The concepting here has real potential. I’d try and do something about the black line in the paintwork above her head though!
(If you think this sounds lot a lot of cynical claptrap you’re probably right!)
:D
Thanks Cliff,
I’d agree with you totally. I need to “Funk-up” the shots some more. Also add more narrative, so that the viewer could congruently see themselves in the shot instead of the model. Here’s a couple more. Any closer?
Si
For me, the second pair seem better. More going on, more story to think about. I prefer “What’s she doing in the corn field?” rather than the “What’s she looking at in the sky?” and maybe “Ah, her lift has arrived. Wonder where she’s going?” rather than “She’s standing there for a fashion shoot”.
Also I don’t see the point of the big sunglasses and prefer the face detail of the one where she has them off, but I suppose that’s more a comment on what’s fashionable than on these as photos of fashion.
Hey there Si
Would have to agree that the second image stands out by far.Fashion photography is by far the most subjective in terms of breaking the rules and such but if you were doing this for real your client would have a brief for you to convey,and thats how you can express it through your own interpretation.
Maybe think about getting your model into creating various compositions ie.sitting on suitcase,using arms running parallel with frame,close up crops etc..dont be afraid to try it.
Great effort would love to see more…
Ben :lol:I’m going to go against the grain here and say that my favourite shot is the first one. Don’t ask me why, other than the fact that it draws me in straight away to the subject. Fashion photography? I wouldn’t have a clue, but I do like this picture. 8)
Thanks folks,
Rob, I like the first shot the best as an “art” (if I may) shot. I’m trying to move away from all of the things that we’ve all spent years learning and enter the World of Fashion shooting. Overexposure, weird angles, bent horizons, unbalanced contrasts etc etc. I think Fashion shots, as Cliff says, are about the narrative and the “Wish that was me” element. I need to get into the mnds of the market for fashion and try again I think.
Thanks for the C&C
Si
no. 2 would be my fav i would like to see her in a more interesting pose though and more contraste between the clothes and the background to make it stand out, the colours are too close, but nevertheless its a good attempt.
mm i’m going to disagree with the rest si.. lol :-) ..
the second shot of the first pair is, in my opinion, the real standout .. an exceptional fashion shot – that does everything well.
the second set does not work for me
imo, fashion photography is completely aspirational … it’s job is to make the viewer want to be the person in the image .. and that is as much about appealing to their desires as much as it is to the outfit.
apologies if i am not expressing myself well here .. been a long day :-D
d
Thanks David, I’m with you. A good fashion shot has to appeal to it’s intended market in a “Wish that was me” feeling.
Si
I rarely give critique but I’ll make an exception for this. All of these images are good fashion images Si. 2&4 would be my favourites but they all work well on their own, pity you didnt change garments for each of them. One good tip would be to bracket depth of field. Shoot wide open, stopped down and somewhere in the middle. Make a spread of your images like this one I did a while ago and you’ll see how your images work [or not].
Thanks Fintan, I have other images from that shoot in different outfits, it was the “Style” of shooting I was interested in a critique for. I’ve posted another hread from a shoot earlier today, see if these are more “Funky fashion”.
All best
Si
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
