Fashion photography is one of the most popular genres of photography. On the whole, the same rules are applicable to the composition of fashion photos and are similar to any other genre. However, in this genre, one needs to try their best to highlight the subject in a manner that showcases minute details like what they are wearing, their body language, expressions and so on. Bruce Weber Photographer and similar industry professionals maintain a systematic approach to capture the perfect vogue-worthy shots. Bruce, in fact, has clicked many fashion photos for the British Vogue.
The most impactful fashion photography goes way beyond just capturing images of a well-dressed model. It rather puts emphasis on conveying a certain mood or look. Hence, before starting the shoot, the photographer must think about the particular effect or vibe they want, and select the setting for the shoot accordingly. The lighting must also be selected as per the theme or mood chosen. While sidelight is good for dramatic, moody, three-dimensional images, front-light will be a better choice for vibrant images that have a flattening effect.
Here are a few pointers that can help people to click amazing fashion photographs:
- Place the subject in the centre: While following the golden photography composition rules are definitely smart, breaking them at times to get a unique, attractive shot would be a smart move. Photographers may just ignore the rules of the third and put the subject in the centre if they want, especially for fashion images. This imperfect style of composition actually works quite well for fashion portraits when done correctly. As the major focus is already at the centre, it shall surely attract the attention of the viewers.
- Develop a balance: One of the key selects of perfect photo composition is the proper balance of subjects in the image. However, there are times when photographers are forced to place a subject in unusual places. In these situations, they need to make use of other elements in the frame to correct the composition. Balancing implies to making use of various components in the frame to establish harmony in the ultimate image.
- Environmental interface: To add a more vibrant vibe to the images, the photographers should not just simply have the subject or the model stand around. They should encourage the model to explore the scene, and pose in a manner they feel comfortable, while also interacting with the surrounding environment. This can result in a quite interesting composition. For instance, if the fashion shoot is going on the streets with graffiti in the background, then one can ask their model to pose with the people around. Even though this type of shoot can be challenging, it can surely help in framing the image better.
The composition styles followed by Bruce Weber Photographer were definitely quite remarkable. His early work with GQ in particular helped people look at the role of men in fashion differently. Bruce brought life and vitality to his editorials for GQ and other men’s magazines.
