Posts Tagged ‘images’
As a prominent artistic school, Glamour Photography has been altered dramatically through the past years; knowledge of what happened to it earlier can give us the clue of what awaits glamour images in the future. Like any other genre of photography, it witnessed some dramatic changes, withstood many cultural revolutions to finally emerge in its present state.
Let us have a short walk through the past years of Glamour Photographs and then venture forth to predict some of their future.
Childhood. Nobody really knows from where to begin the history of glamour pictures genre. Some seek the roots in Paris of 1930’s, where so-called “french postcards” were sold in abundance – others deem Victorian photography and its gurus to be responsible. Some think that cultural foundation and inspiration for glamour photo lies in XVI and XVIII centuries. To put it simply, the question of origin of glamour photo is far from being answered. I prefer to consider that classic and contemporary fine arts contributed in equal measures to create this unique genre – and it is the melting pot of 1920’s culture that we owe its birth. We can clearly trace the classic glamour images beginning from the first half of the former century.
Brilliant 50’s and Beyond. After World War II, glamour pictures reached the apex of their glory, closely followed by controversy and outrage. Famous Betty Grable was the queen of hearts before and after the war; Marilyn Monroe brought even more recognition to beauty photography by her famous appearance on Playboy’s cover in 1953. Pamela Green and other famous and charming models contributed to glorifying glamour photography at its finest, winning the heart of audience worldwide.
Modern Times – Going Digital. As time passed, glamour photography became colorful, frivolous, scandalous and much more ingenious. Dita von Teese and Hope Talmons gained young and ambitious competitors like Heidie Van Horne, Lucy Pinder, Bernie Dexter and others. At the same time, film surrendered positions to digital photography. It improved technical side of the process and altogether simplified it beyond measure. Any amateur with a DSLR became a potential glamour photographer. In a combination with Web technologies, this was like a clamor of billions and billions of both talented people and senseless dabblers.
Are you Afraid of 3D? Finally, nowadays we face a new era, when 3D rendering easily re-creates that very glamour that we are so striving to deliver. 3D modeling is an art as well, and a complex one, but it seems to be taking over the field of glamour images. However, it is my firm belief that no computer-rendered beauty can ever substitute for genuine model, real lighting and sincere artistry. If it is really a competition between old and new, I would like to remain on the side which has a beating heart, long hours of studio work and live relationship to it.
I feel optimistic about the future – oils, film and digital have found their admirers and seem immortal. 3D art undoubtedly deserves for its own niche and admirers. We don’t owe all the masterpieces to technology – we owe them to artists, their inspiration and their unique vision. Remembering this simple truth is a mark of a truly passionate artist.