Wednesday, January 13, 2016

What Skills Does A Clothing Photographer Need?

By Marie Barnes


Photographing apparel is very different to photographing, say, landscapes or other objects. A clothing photographer must have a very specific set of skills, which includes understanding the concept of movement and also structure. It is important to know what the picture is selling or conveying to the viewer.

Someone taking photographs of clothes may very well be working with the designer of said clothing. As such, it's important to liaise with the designer and know exactly what he or she wants when it comes to the final depiction of their work. A designer's brand image or aesthetic may require a specific type of setting.

The very first thing to do is to know about the piece you are photographing. You would be using a completely different setting for a red carpet gown than you would for, say, active wear. This also includes the type of model you would use, the types of poses and expressions you would want and other factors.

Photography of apparel may be done in a studio or on location as is required or necessary for the particular item. The advantage of shooting in a studio is that the lighting can be controlled. Lighting is a huge component towards capturing the perfect shot, as it contributes to the best possible depiction of the outfit, which is exactly what the designer would want.

Shooting on location works well for creating atmosphere. This is particularly useful in cases where the apparel requires additional aesthetic in order to sell better. One example is swimwear or beachwear, which looks all the more enticing to the consumer when shot in a tropical setting that encourages thoughts of vacationing. Sports or active wear connects better with the consumer when placed in the relevant environment so the garment can be seen 'in action'.

Not all clothing must be photographed exactly as intended. This means that it can sometimes make quite a statement to juxtapose a certain item of clothing with a completely different setting than it would normally be seen in. A well-thought-out campaign with strong imagery could set a brand apart from its competitors by doing just that.

Someone photographing clothing may not be doing so in a photo shoot style setting at all. In fact, many photographers of apparel do so directly from the runway, particularly during fashion weeks around the world. They photograph from what is commonly known as the 'pit', often located at the very front of the runway where models stop to pose. A good photographer will take numerous pictures of the same outfit to ensure a wide range of choice and expression, as well as movement, in order to capture the perfect runway moment.

Taking pictures from the runway is a hugely important task. It requires that the individual understand movement, angles and also timing, as the runway is where pieces first begin selling and gaining popularity among consumers and media. This is the photographer's opportunity to make any outfit look like a million dollars with the perfect shot. These are the images that will then be presented to the world following a runway show, so they can make or break sales for a designer.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment