Nowadays, the topics for amateur photo shoots are not limited to the already familiar genres of a standard photo walk or regular studio shooting. Maybe this is what explains the constant growth in popularity of genre photography among ordinary people. Now the embodiment of non-standard images within the framework of a photo shoot has become a kind of subculture not only among young people, but also among older people. In this article we will touch on the basic rules for conducting a photo shoot in a retro style, which will help you bring it to perfection.
Peculiarities
The ideal situation is if the shooting style is reflected both in the scenery and in the image, but, unfortunately, it can often let down both the first and the second. Therefore, it is worth considering the nuances of the photo shoot of this genre, built both from the image and from the scenery. But first, a few words about the style itself.
Retro includes temporary trends of almost the entire 20th century, starting from the 20s, the times of the first jazz, and ending with the hot disco-eighties.
In this time period, you already choose your own topic. It is worth noting that, despite the fact that retro covers a decent layer of history, it is more often represented by the 50s - the time of Marilyn Monroe. It is her image that leads among the most embodied.
In second place is the style of silent film actresses - the “femme fatale” style (20-30s) - wave hairstyle, vamp makeup, veil, gloves, cigarette holder and, of course, a touch of tragedy in the look.
Third place - rock wave of the 70s - leather, punk style, freedom in movements and poses.
Fourth place - hot eighties or disco.
Image
Image is the main component of any photo shoot. It is thanks to a well-developed image that you can “pull out” any genre, regardless of the scenery. When choosing retro for a photo shoot, you need to consider what you want. It is extremely important not to mix different time categories in your image. For example, it is not uncommon for a mistake where, due to inexperience, a leather jacket from the 70s is able to “sneak” into the image of the 20s (retro dress). The same applies not only to clothes, but also to makeup and hairstyles. Even some poses can be strictly in the same style. For example, Monroe's famous pose, where the hem of her dress flutters, can no longer be used in any other genre.
It is necessary to place the main emphasis on developing the image in a photo shoot in the case when you have a problem with the rest of the surroundings and decorations, in other words, if the photo shoot is held in a studio. You can compensate for the lack of scenery using studio effects. So, for a rock image, gray smoke is suitable, for a disco, this smoke can be illuminated simultaneously with different lights and you will get a bright ambience, plus add fans to everything. For the image of a silent film, it is initially better to conduct a photo shoot with semi-dimmed light on dark background and, if desired, convert pictures to black and white format.
Scenery
When there are no problems with the decorations, it is necessary to take into account important rule– they must also be designed in only one style. The entire photo shoot should now be based on the principle of interior, object or landscape photography - where in leading role environment, and the model must only fit into it beautifully, without taking over the main role.
The scenery is not only rooms furnished in a retro genre, this includes a lot, from cars to city streets, which have fully preserved the stylization required for a photo shoot.
Before starting a photo shoot, it is advisable to once again critically evaluate the situation and, before it is too late, remove/add the required elements. It is important not to overload the scenery thematically. Otherwise, combined with the model’s image, you’ll end up with a real mess.
A unique chance to plunge into the atmosphere of bygone years, trying on the image of a movie star of the early 20th century, try yourself in the role of a pin-up model or a real authoritative mafioso. Refinement, elegance and the unusually bright style of that unique era - all of this has a place in the retro-style photo shoot held at LaraStudio. You can find a cozy corner of real antiquity a stone's throw from the city railway station - on the nineteenth floor of the apartment tower of the Red Whale shopping and entertainment complex.
By the way, the concept of “retro” should not be considered something monolithic and indivisible. After all, you are unlikely to be able to find anything in common between the images typical of the twenties of the 20th century and the style of the eighties. This applies to both hairstyles, clothing and shoes, and interior elements used to give style inherent in themes or other times of the atmosphere. Sometimes photographers specializing in retro photo sessions even put modern digital cameras aside, using photographic equipment for such work that was relevant several decades ago. However, it will not be difficult for adherents of modern equipment to “age” the frame to match the images included in it - however, these procedures will already take place at the stage of photo processing.
Hairstyles for a retro photo shoot
For example, compare women's hairstyles, which were especially fashionable in the middle of the 20th century and in the second half. If in the thirties and forties (and even the fifties) almost all style standards wore short, sleek hair without a single hint of volume, then by the sixties, seventies and, especially, the eighties, almost all over the world women began to give their hair pomp and waviness , complementing this splendor with bright makeup. Such details must be taken into account when preparing a photo shoot in retro style - the image will turn out more authentic and correct.
Makeup for a retro photo shoot
By the way, about makeup - take a closer look at the classic films that characterize certain years. In the first half of the last century, the combination of bright scarlet lipstick with a pale skin tone was at the peak of popularity (in black and white photographs of retro photo shoots, such a contrast looks very noticeable and advantageous). And when color cinema and color photography began to come into fashion, makeup artists immediately had a huge number of possibilities for using makeup to make female images attractive and sexy. Lush lips, thick foundation, almost liters of mascara are some of the symbols of the second half of the 20th century. And for a retro photo shoot, referencing the seventies or eighties, it’s worth stocking up on brighter makeup.
Clothing for a retro photo shoot
And finally, the clothes - from the classic furs, backless dresses, boas and veils of the thirties to the simple but incredibly sexy denim shorts, tops and little dresses of the eighties. You will certainly be able to choose the most suitable one for a photo shoot in retro style. the right image fashion style. And to top it all off, the model must convey the spirit of the era with her gestures, facial expressions, and gaze - be it the languid and strict manners of a hundred years ago or the simple-minded, but very natural “habits” inherent in the seventies or eighties. This will also have an invaluable impact on the final result of the retro photo shoot.
Probably not for a photographer more difficult task than styling a photo shoot in accordance with retro style. On the one hand, numerous images of movie stars and magazines of the 30s-80s can serve as an example, and models can be inspired by the appearance of Marilyn Monroe and other Hollywood divas. But on the other hand, applying appropriate makeup, styling hair, choosing outfits - all this is very responsible and requires subtle taste and a sense of proportion.
But one thing for a retro style photo shoot is clear from the very beginning - the use black and white photography, as has been practiced for decades, is always a win-win. To do this, there is not even a need to use outdated equipment - even with digital devices it becomes possible to create a black and white style.
Selecting an outfit, hairstyle and makeup for a photo shoot
Retro style is not as monolithic as it might seem. Confused with each other female image The 30s and 80s of the last century are simply impossible. Then, it is very important to decide in advance which time period your photo shoot will belong to. As for hairstyles, until the middle of the 20th century, sleek hair with a minimum of volume was at the peak of popularity. In contrast, girls from the 50s to 80s all wore voluminous hairstyles, tried to make their hair wavy, and used babettes. Ribbons and stylish scarves were in fashion.
In order to choose the right makeup for a photo shoot in a retro style, just pay attention to old films. For the first half of the 20th century, female images were characterized by bright colors of lipstick (mostly red) combined with pale skin, a certain grotesqueness and severity. Later, everything changed dramatically, and the main quality beautiful girl began to be considered sexuality. Thin butterfly lips were replaced by fashion for lush ones, great attention was paid to eye coloring - shadows of the brightest shades were used.
And today it’s not so easy to choose outfits for retro style. In the case of a photo shoot in nature, everything is not so sad - to create a classic female image from the 30s, it is enough to dress up in a fur coat, flowing boas, and veils. Indoors, a dress with a low neckline in the back area, so beloved by Coco Chanel, is suitable. For later times, outfits with obvious sexuality are characteristic - short denim tops, shorts, dresses style " hourglass", emphasizing the thinness of the waist.
An irreplaceable role for creating a complete image in retro style is played by the model’s ability to convey the spirit of the era with facial expressions. For old times, languid, strict gestures and facial expressions are most suitable, for which the epithet “aristocratic” is most suitable. On the contrary, the 80s are characterized by “naturalism”, when emotions should not be played on camera, but more ordinary.
To get beautiful and attractive photos, you can pay attention to original ideas for a photo shoot in the “Retro” style, which is exactly what I would like to talk about today. In fact, a retro photo shoot is more popular than ever today, all because it can allow any girl or young man Plunge into the time of the last century, namely the 20s and 80s. So, with the help of such a photoset you can feel all the originality and power of the outfits of those times and take very beautiful and relevant photos that will make your friends tremble with admiration. But, before you start arranging a photo shoot in this style, you should definitely pay attention to Special attention on the poses and image that you need to choose to create a photo.
Image and poses for a retro photo shoot: glamor or grunge
In fact, in order to do a retro photo shoot, you need to decide on the style that will be implemented in the photo, but it is best to look at images in the glamor or style that are most suitable for creating such a photoset. Also, before implementing your plan, be sure to look at old magazines and select suitable poses, some of which can be seen in the photos below.
Remember your grandmother’s or mother’s chest with things, and most importantly, look at old photos; by the way, these can be not only family heirlooms, but also clippings from magazines of those years. This is because many designers of that time were very interesting images, which will simply harmonize flawlessly in modern photography. In addition, choosing an image for such a photo shoot is, first of all, attention to the zest of antiquity, performed in a modern interpretation.
For example, these could be retro outfits and even poses that will make the pictures even more interesting and attractive. By the way, many modern designers also use not only retro-style images for fashion photo shoots, but also the poses that models take.
By the way, a photo shoot in retro style will be much more interesting if it is carried out in the image of a femme fatale. You can choose the right outfit and then a beautiful pose will come to mind. In addition, a very popular retro style image is Sonya Golden Hand, which is used by many models during fashion photo shoots. A distinctive feature of this style is a mocking and arrogant look, a correctly chosen outfit and, of course, the semi-relaxed pose of a femme fatale. Rest assured that such a retro style idea will definitely bring great pleasure and leave behind wonderful and original photos and pictures.
In addition, for a retro photo shoot you can choose a very original image in the “Great Gatsby” style; you’ve probably come across the idea of a party in this design more than once, but now imagine your photos in which the whole image, pose and outfit are in harmony. It is this idea that can work wonders and simply transport anyone to a time of sparkles, feathers and unique sparkle.
Also, at a retro photo shoot, you can appear in front of the camera in the image of an actress who will charm everyone with her majesty and grace. The main thing here is to choose the right outfit and show the sparkle in the eyes inherent in the actresses of that time. After all, this is the only way to integrate into such an image and create a high-quality and gorgeous photo, which will delight for several centuries.
Photography as an art form never ceases to amaze with its new beginnings. She, like fine art has its own styles and directions that can be recognized in photographs.
Styles are formed under the influence of various factors - shooting technique, composition, color and much more. Since the emergence of photographs, existing on a par with styles visual arts styles have undergone changes, and new ones have appeared. Regardless of the style in which a photographer works, he always differs in his originality from other photographers working in the same style.
Retro-style photographs, with their tones and special form, seem to return to the times of the birth of photography as an art, to a time filled with sophistication and genuine feelings. Not only black and white or with grey-brown tint, and even in color it contains mystery.
Modern photographers do not reproduce everything thoroughly in their photographs, but only maintain the style of the era in them. Modernly interpreted, created with the help of fashion models, they bear the marks of history, while at the same time being the embodiment of a new, more sophisticated style. To create a photograph in this style, photographers use photographic materials for low-sensitivity black-and-white photography, adding color only in discreet, soft shades and halftones, making full use of all the capabilities of modern photographic equipment.
Retro style photography is not just the processing of a photograph taken - its “aging”. Recreating on it the interior, furnishings and accessories corresponding to the style of the time in which the photograph was taken is mandatory for such photographs. Most often, the expression of the era is manifested in the model’s makeup, and the most difficult part of it is the eyes, which must be expressive. As for retro-style hairstyles, they are most often represented by wavy curls, the length of which is not particularly important, arranged in a hairstyle. A characteristic feature of retro hairstyles is a straight or side parting. Only excellent makeup that matches the style and the right hairstyle allow you to move on to creating an image with the help of emotions. Distinctive feature retro style photos from artistic photography is precisely the creation of an image reflected by the era.
The image of a model in a photograph taken in the style of the 20s will be a flat-chested, angular girl with flat hips and meekly cropped hair, which is most often straight, hanging down on the face, or covered with waves or small curls. The model’s makeup in the style of this time looks defiantly bright, and her clothes allow her to open her legs as much as possible and expose her back, that is, to be extravagant, but no less sophisticated.
Retro-style photographs depicting the period of the 50s Goths differ sharply from the above photographs in the image of the model. These are already busty, with rounded body shapes - “hourglass” girls in figure-flattering high-heeled shoes. If the image of a girl in the 20s was brunette girls, then in the 50s it was scorching blondes.
