Photographing people with Hari
The important points in any fashion or glamour photograph are the model, the make-up, the styling and of course the photographer.
Every model has his/her pluses and minuses. So you need to highlight what is good and play down what is not. Having said that, a lot depends on what you have on the other side of the camera. Obviously you will get better pictures of an Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or a Malika Arora than someone else… It also helps if the model is experienced because then they know what looks good and what doesn’t. You always wonder ‘how’ when you are studying photography or just starting out when you see some killer photos and compare your work… you get depressed.
The secret to good glamour/fashion work is having a great team to work with. There are very few good artistes and hair experts who give life in models’ appearance. If there is no perfect face, the make-up and hair are very crucial. And in case these guys are not available, photographer will never continuous with his/her work.
Another aspect of a better photography today, is styling. The skills of your make-up artiste, hair expert and lighting skills of the photographer are put together by the stylist. He is a sort of a visualiser. Putting the three together and making them look harmonious is a tough thing and the stylish has to do this. Over and above this, he also has to take care of the small things like the accessories and clothes that are to be worn, since these will dictate the other factors. If you have an OK face, make up and hair can save the day. If your make up and hair go awry, your lighting could save the day…but only to a certain level. The key to a great looking people shot is being able to make all the required aspects look good. You cannot have a weak link.
There are some faces which are not so perfect, especially in the case of sport stars. You have to remember that they are what they are because of what they have done on the sports field and not anywhere else. You have to try and make them look as good as possible and many other cricketers. The best thing is, people are not expecting to look like peacocks and that does give us enough leeway!
Here are some tips from Hary for a good photography:
§ Be edgy! Experiment! If you are going to do what has been done in advertising for beauty and glamour, why bother?
§ Lot of people start doing photography long before they start to make a living out of it. They just enjoy doing photography. That is the key. Even when you star to make a living, try and do it for the joy of photography. You’ll do better!
§ Research is the key. Look around yourself. I do a lot of min ‘n match. Something from here, something from there… an angle, a look… look at magazines and books. I invest a lot in books and it helps.
§ Try to change the magnification of the model. If you are doing a story, put in a shot of hands suddenly between faces… it adds drama. It gives the feel. It’s all about the feel.
§ Don’t treat photography as a money making machine. It is not one.
§ When you are shooting a celebrity, you have to remember that he/she is a big guy! You have to become a brand yourself. Take no liberties and give none.
§ You have to be a good conversationalist. Listen well and talk… it will ease your subject.
§ If you have assistants working, make them also at ease. It is imperative that everyone is comfortable in the surrounding they are in.
