CAMERAS

The first step you must take on your
journey is finding the right camera. So
what camera should you buy? The answer
isn’t simple, but once you understand some
important fundamentals you’ll be better
informed to make a good choice. One thing
you should remember is that the camera is
just a tool used in the process of making
great photographs—an artist’s vision creates
the image, the camera simply captures it.
Many of you may already have some
background knowledge of photography,
whether from studying art at high school or
college, or simply through practicing by
yourself. My first experience of photography is
still etched into my memory from the two years I
spent at college—the red light of the darkroom,
the smell of chemicals, and the many long hours
I spent trying to perfect my compositions. One
thing I knew for sure during those years was
that I was desperate to learn and develop as a
photographer, and so I tried to learn as much as
possible from research and using new tools. It is
those first years that really shaped who I wanted to become as an artist, and if you’re anything
like me, your initial experience will probably
shape you as well.
In this opening section of the book I’ll
provide practical guidance that will help you
make the right camera choice for you. However,
it’s important to remember that this information
is a guide only—it’s vital to try different models
before you make your final purchase, so test
as much as possible before buying. Your final
camera choice will ultimately come down to
how you prefer to work and your own
photographic style.

THE FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

 

Fashion photography is one of the most sought after areas of work among
upcoming photographers, and who could blame them? Along with the glamorous
lifestyle and huge potential audience for your work, fashion—much like art—is
constantly evolving. From the Hollywood glamour girls of the ’30s and ’50s, to the
disco fever of the 1970s and the grunge of the 1990s, fashion photographers have
been at the forefront of every movement, capturing the iconic moments of each.
Some of the photographers have been even more celebrated than the stars they
were shooting.
Breaking into the fashion photography industry may seem like an impossible
dream, but with time, investment, passion, determination, and skill, achieving
that goal is not as impossible as you might think. I created this book to give new
photographers an insight into the fashion photography industry as I know it. This
book is not just a photography handbook; it also aims to help you produce your
own dynamic images with set assignments, hints, and tips to find your own style
as a photographer—one of the most important aspects of launching your fashion
photography career.
This guide gives you essential instruction on everything there is to know about
fashion photography—covering shooting on-location and in studio environments,
lighting diagrams and technical information, working with your model and
creative team, and tips on model guidance. As digital imagery plays a large part in
today’s industry, I have covered some aspects of post-production that are vital for
fashion photographers of any skill level. However, covering everything postproduction
can offer is outside the scope of this book, and those wanting to fully
master the digital darkroom would benefit from a dedicated guide. That said, you
will learn how to optimize your workflow, perfect your imagery, and also learn
about one of the most important parts of the industry—the business side of
photography; covering things such as marketing your work, catering to a specific
audience, how to effectively organize your portfolio, and how to use social media
to reach a wider audience. I hope this book will give you the confidence and
inspiration you need to launch your career and get yourself noticed within the
fashion photography industry.