Adding mystique to glamour – Sydney show window

The MasterClass Series #8

Adding mystique to glamour – Sydney show window

Equipment

EOS 60D
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

EXIF #1

Focal length: 25mm
Aperture: f/5
Shutter speed: 1/100
ISO: 100

EXIF #2

Focal length: 27mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 1/100
ISO: 100

Editing

Adobe Lightroom CC

Last week, we discussed how to compose spiral staircases. In this post, let’s see how we may add mystique to glamour in fashion photography.

The story

Have a look at this image I shot in Sydney. Walking along in Elizabeth Street, one of the main shopping areas in Sydney’s Central Business District, I spotted this eye-popping decoration in the show window of a designer store. The crisp paper arrows around the outfits forced the prospective buyers to drool over the sleek lines of smartly-crafted prêt-à-porters.

Adding mystique to glamour challenge

In Fashion Photography, mystique enhances the glamour. While props and sets can give a vanilla shot, the true embellishment comes from adding a dash of pizzazz by getting the viewer to do a double-take.

The shots

By itself, the garments draped around headless mannequins were a sight to behold. I snooped around for the possibility of a powerful frame. From an angle, a reflected building grid that occupied my blind spot filled the vacant areas of the frame. A stark layering was visible and was adding the much-needed added dimension to the frame. Shooting from the front is not always advisable. Finding a proper angle in such scenarios helps. 

I chose a vantage and shot a few frames that had a pronounced reflection of the buildings across the street. While the traffic was playing spoilsport, minor editing helped cut out the disturbance. I used the graduated filter and darkened the traffic clutter. The resultant shots had the drama associated with fashion photography.

Let me know which of the two shots you prefer and why. It will add to my learning.

To see another example of such layering, click HERE. And when you step out to shoot, remember to look for the added dimension called mystique.

Go get the lights!

Next week, another post, another pro tip!

If busy, pin it for later.

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