Inside Glamour Photography
Tricks, Tips, and Techniques for Glamour and Nude Photography with Michael Charles
Experimenting With Composition In Nude Photography
Most viewers would agree that this is quite an interesting and unusual photograph. The location of the model's face makes good use of “The Rule of Thirds” technique. In addition, the bended leg delivers interesting diagonals to the shot. However, what’s most interesting about this picture is that every inch of the frame is composed of the model’s body. If you’re going to do a shot that consists entirely of a model’s body, you’ll likely want to insure that her skin is flawless in the final image. In this case, it is. Whether this flawlessness is real or due to work done in post-production, the result is the same. Finally, I find the model’s facial expression to be ideal for this picture. There is something very serene and peaceful about her expression; in spite of the fact that the pose could not have been too comfortable to hold for very long. This unique … [Read More...]
Adding Mystery To Glamour Images
This picture tells a story. I have absolutely no idea what the story is, but I know it’s there. At least that’s the feeling that the image gives me. Though it may appear otherwise, a picture like this is not easy to take. The reason for this is that it ignores nearly all the standard touches that glamour and nude photography are known for. In this image, the model isn’t posing in any … [Read More...]
How to Choose The Perfect Model For The Job
This image is from one of my favorite nude shoots ever. Though the paint makes things appear a bit messy, it was actually a very simple shoot to execute. The model, Jubilee, is one of the most free-spirited and experimental nude young models I've ever worked with. The scene was very simply lit. I simply used four flash heads bounced into four umbrellas to light the set very evenly. This was … [Read More...]
Shooting Nude & Glamour Close-up Images
No matter what style of photography you’re interested in, there will be times when you’ll want to experiment with shooting close-ups (it’s up to you to define how close is close). When you hear the word, “Close-up,” it’s quite possible your first thought is a close-up of a face (since that’s how it’s usually used in the film industry). However, with nude photography, the … [Read More...]
44 Photo Tips From The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (Part 5 of 5)
Congratulations! You made it all the way to Part 5. And now that I think about it, so did I. So congratulations all around! Page 128 This picture provides a great example of the “S pose” that is popular in most styles of photography that feature women. Because this pose is typically very flattering to a model’s body, it is commonly used in fashion, … [Read More...]
44 Photo Tips From The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (Part 4 of 5)
Hey, what's up? It's time for Part 4 in our continuing quest to improve our photographic abilities by studying the techniques of excellent practitioners of the the art form (also known as "good photographers"). Page 92-93 We live on a big planet. A planet so big that an inch here or there rarely makes much of a difference. However, there are some situations when a … [Read More...]
44 Photo Tips From The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (Part 3 of 5)
Here we are for the third time. That's why it's called Part 3. Simple enough, right? So grab your copy of SI and let's take a look at some very good photography. Page 55 Adding a lion to a photograph is guaranteed to add quite a bit of drama to almost any image (one exception would be an image that already includes a bunch of lions; but when's the … [Read More...]
44 Photo Tips From The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (Part 2 of 5)
Hey! I assume you've already read my semi-rant that kicked off this series. Now it's time to take a look at some images from the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and figure out what makes these pictures special. Do you have a fresh copy of the 2012 issue in front of you? If so, cool. If not, less cool. But not the end of the world. Let's get … [Read More...]
44 Photo Tips From The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (Part 1 of 5)
As you probably already know, the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue recently hit the shelves. And I have a confession to make: I don't get the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. I understand it. I just don't get it. I don't get it's continued popularity. I don't get the anticipation that builds around it each year. I don't get how it's manages to sustain it's … [Read More...]
“SKIN: The Complete Guide To Glamour & Nude Photography”
The following is an excerpt from my eBook, "SKIN: The Complete Guide To Glamour & Nude Photography". In the book, I deal with everything you'll need to know to succeed both creatively and financially in the world of glamour, nude, and erotic photography. If you're interested in learning more about SKIN, please visit … [Read More...]
How To Take Candid and Playful Nude Photos
What’s your first thought when you see this picture? For me, it’s the “realness” of it. I’m struck by the authenticity of the shot. I think you’ll agree that a piece of the model’s true personality seems to come through in this image. Shooting candid shots is certainly not difficult. Walk down any busy street and you can take 50 candid shots within a single block. However, … [Read More...]
Warning: Glamour Shoot Troubles Ahead!
There are two things you can count on when it comes to photo shoots: 1) No two are alike; and 2) At some point, something's going to go wrong. Nearly every shoot will present you with an unexpected situation that you’ll have to deal with in order to make the shoot work. That's just way it is. No matter how much time you devote to coming up with a pre-shoot plan, there are simply too many … [Read More...]
Glamour Photography Secrets: The Art of Shallow Focus
This is a classic glamour shot. In fact, it doesn’t get any more “Classic Glamour” than this: A blonde woman with red lipstick and black lingerie lying on a bed while seductively eyeing the camera. To many, this shot would be close to the very definition of “Glamour photography". However, what I want to do is take a look at a specific aspect of this particular shot that will greatly … [Read More...]
Stunning Nude Photographs: Using “The Magic Hours”
This is an exquisite picture of a young model. Even if there was nothing else in the shot to make it special, the simple gesture of her grasping her wet hair makes for an interesting image. However, what really makes this particular image stand out is the lighting. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to figure out how the lighting was achieved. In addition, it’s relatively simple for anyone to … [Read More...]
The Importance Of Unique Shooting Angles
I’m a big fan of searching for unique and interesting shooting angles when I shoot glamour and nude images. Though I believe it’s a simple thing to do if you’re aware of it, I think this valuable compositional aspect of photography is one that most photographers overlook. In fact, I believe that an interesting shooting angle may be the simplest way for you to turn an average picture into … [Read More...]
Helmut Newton: The Master Of Erotic Fashion Photography
Helmut Newton was one the most influential photographers of the 20th century. His photographic style challenged and altered the conventions of both fashion and portrait photography. Born in Berlin, Germany in 1920, Newton’s fascination with photography came early in his life. At the age of 16 he left school to become an apprentice to renowned German photographer Elsie Simon. Fleeing the … [Read More...]
