Glamour photography
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Glamour photography is the photographing of a model with the emphasis on the model and the model's sexuality and allure; with any clothing, fashion, products or environment contained in the image being of minor consideration. Photographers use a combination of cosmetics, lighting and airbrushing techniques to produce the most physically appealing image of the model possible.[1][2]
Glamour photography is generally a composed image of a model in a still position. The subjects of glamour photography are often professional models, and the photographs are normally intended for commercial use, such as for mass-produced calendars, pinup and for men's magazines, such as Playboy magazine; but amateur subjects are sometimes used and sometimes the photographs are intended for private and personal use only.
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[edit] Early history
Early glamour modeling is often associated with "French postcards", small postcard sized images that were sold by street vendors in France. In the early 1900s the pinup became popular. Pinups depicted scantily dressed women often in a playful pose seemingly surprised or startled by the viewer. The model would usually have an expression of delight which seemed to invite the viewer to come and play. Betty Grable was one of the most famous pinup models of all time; her pinup in a bathing suit was extremely popular amongst World War II soldiers.
In December 1953 Marilyn Monroe was featured in the first issue of Playboy magazine. Playboy became the first magazine featuring nude glamour photography targeted to the mainstream consumer.
Glamour models popular in the early 1990s included Hope Talmons and Dita Von Teese and the modern era is represented by models like Heidi Van Horne and Bernie Dexter.
[edit] Magazines and movie stars
Standards of glamour photography have changed over time, reflecting changes in social acceptance. In the early 1920s, United States photographers like Ruth Harriet Louise and George Hurrell photographed celebrities to glamorise their stature by utilizing lighting techniques to develop dramatic effects.[3] During World War II pin-up pictures of scantily clad movie stars were extremely popular among US servicemen. However, until the 1950s, the use of glamour photography in advertising or men’s magazines was highly controversial or even illegal. Magazines featuring glamour photography were sometimes marketed as "art magazines" or "health magazines".
[edit] Popular portraiture
Since the 1990s glamour photography has increased in popularity among the public. Glamour portrait studios opened, offering professional hair and makeup artists and professional retouching to allow the general public to have the "model" experience. These sometimes include "boudoir" portraits but are more commonly used by professionals and high school seniors who want to look "their best" for their portraits.
[edit] Magazines
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Playboy was instrumental in changing the world of glamour photography as the first magazine which focused on nude models and was targeted at the mainstream consumer. In December 1953, Hugh Hefner published the first edition of Playboy with Marilyn Monroe on the cover, and nude photos of Monroe inside. Monroe's star status and charming personality helped to diminish the public outcry. When asked what she had on during the photoshoot, she replied "the radio". After Playboy broke through, many other magazines followed and this was instrumental in opening the market for the introduction of glamour photography into modern society. Today, softcore nude photographs of models appear in publications such as Perfect 10, or tabloid newspapers such as Britain's The Sun's Page 3.
Recently, several popular glamour magazines (known as lad mags) are reversing the trend, by emphasizing glamour while showing less nudity, in favor of implied (covered) nudity or toplessness, such as the handbra technique, where a woman hides her nipples and areolae by covering both breasts with her own hands, or those of another person.[4] Examples include FHM (For Him Magazine) and Maxim magazines, which launched in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
[edit] Related photography genres
[edit] See also
- Gravure idol
- Erotic capital
- List of Glamour Models
- Glamour an appearance of enhanced attractiveness
[edit] References
- ^ Thomas," Mike "Glamour shots take writer from bland to Bond" Toronto Star, Sec. B. pg. J.3, May 12, 1994 (as cited by ProQuest)
- ^ Peterson," Maggie Wolff "The glamour side of photography" North Valley Business Journal, Vol.5, Issue. 11; Sec. 1. pg. 1, September 1994. (as cited by ProQuest)
- ^ Mick" LaSalle "Lights Up on Hollywood's Hurrell / Special focuses on the inventor of the glamour-shot style" San Francisco Chronicle, January 16, 1995
- ^ "Nuts sexiest pictures". Nuts (magazine). http://www.nuts.co.uk/covergirls/issue-49-nuts-sexiest-pictures/123. Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
