What separates glamour and fashion photography?

10/04/2007 01:04:49 PM · #1

This is a spin off from another thread, but the question has been bouncing around in my head since that discussion.

I'm curious how other photographers see the distinction between these two genera's of photography? I realize that there is no hard line between the two, but there certainly must be some thoughts one what separate the two.

10/04/2007 01:06:19 PM · #2

Just my personal opinion ofcourse, but fashion tends to make the clothing the focus of the image, while glamour makes beauty the focus.

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 13:08:23.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/04/2007 01:06:25 PM · #3

titillation vs commercial usage, mainly.

Fashion photography is typically used to sell a 'thing' (lifestyle, product, whatever) and should be about the thing, not the model. E.g., fashion photography isn't about taking pretty pictures of models, its about taking pictures that make the clothes look good.

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 13:07:16.

10/04/2007 01:07:48 PM · #4

mmmmmmmm titillation :-)

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

10/04/2007 01:11:08 PM · #5

i agree with the 2 answers given ... but i think sometimes the line gets blurred because some photographers know that there exists an association with glamour and erotic ... so they'll label their shots fashion in order to appeal to more people.

i think this happens over on photo.net sometimes

10/04/2007 01:18:11 PM · #6

So... if the intent is to make the subject look sexy (it's about the individual) it's glamour? If the focus is on using clothing, location, model and light to create a compelling scene (not about the individual) it's fashion?

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

10/04/2007 01:25:20 PM · #7

I'd say yes, but the question is - who decides what the "intent" of the photo is - the viewer or the artist?

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

10/04/2007 01:29:35 PM · #8

Context of how/where the image is presented has much to do with how the intent of the image is perceived.

10/04/2007 01:29:59 PM · #9

Originally posted by hopper:

I think this is part of what is troubling me today...

I really like some of the edgy fashion shots that you might find in Nylon or French Vogue and I tend to dislike much of the glamour photography in magazines line Stuff or Maxim. The distinction always seemed clear to me when viewing the images, but I guess I'm struggling now to classify/justify some of my own work.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/04/2007 01:31:22 PM · #10

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Context of how/where the image is presented has much to do with how the intent of the image is perceived.

I had not even thought of that, but it's an excellent point.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/04/2007 01:33:59 PM · #11

Fashion shows off the clothes. Glamour shows off the person.

?

10/04/2007 01:39:07 PM · #12

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

I tend to dislike much of the glamour photography in magazines line Stuff or Maxim.

Not sure I'd classify those as true glamour. Stuff and Maxim tend to cater to the sexuality more than the beauty of the model. In that, I would classify it as more ultrasoft porn than glamour. Or, we could call it Modern Pinup.

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 13:40:20.

10/04/2007 01:42:08 PM · #13

Originally posted by LoudDog:

Fashion shows off the clothes. Glamour shows off the person.

?

Except... in a lot of contemporary fashion photography the cloths really are not shown off. I agree that there is clearly a mood being established that might make the viewer want the cloths, but in many cases the cloths just don't seem to be the subject.

10/04/2007 01:43:39 PM · #14

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Nusbaum:
I tend to dislike much of the glamour photography in magazines line Stuff or Maxim.

Not sure I'd classify those as true glamour. Stuff and Maxim tend to cater to the sexuality more than the beauty of the model. In that, I would classify it as more ultrasoft porn than glamour. Or, we could call it Modern Pinup.

Ah... a distinction I have either missed or lost track of. See what happens if you spend to much time on the modeling sites :-)