The art of glamour photography has come a long way from itsvery appearance to what we can see today. Like any other genre of photography, it witnessed some dramatic changes, withstood manycultural revolutions to finally emerge in its present state.I would like to take you on a journey from the birthplace of glamour images to nowadays, and then take a sneak peek at the possiblefuture.
Childhood.
called “French postcards” which were quite popular in the streets of Paris in the early1900’s, some address to Victorian pioneers of this art. There are even
people who seek the roots of glamour images in Renaissance andBaroque. So, to be honest, glamour photography is a really a child of uncertain origin. I prefer toconsider that classic and contemporary fine arts contributed in equal measures to create this uniquegenre
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and it is the melting pot of 1920
’s c
ulture that we owe its birth. We can clearly trace theclassic glamour images beginning from the first half of the former century.
Brilliant 50’s and Beyond.
Those were difficult but gloriousyears. Shining star of Betty Grable was in zenith ever since pre-WWIItime; in 1953 Marilyn
Monroe emerged on Playboy’s cover and led
glamour photography from darkness of controversy and public outrageinto the light of recognition. There were also Pamela Green and othershelping to bring this young art to its feet and conquer the world-wideaudience.
Modern Times
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Going Digital.
Glamour images not onlyacquired color as years went by
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they also became more frivolous,imaginative and sometimes provocative. Hope Talmons and Dita VonTeese gave way to Heidie Van Horne, Bernie Dexter, Lucy Pinder andothers. At the same time, film surrendered positions to digital
photography. The tidal wave of progress improved glamour images’
technical quality and drastically simplified the very process of photoproduction. Any amateur with a DSLR became a potential glamourphotographer. In a combination with Web technologies, this was likea clamor of billions and billions of both talented people and senselessdabblers.
3D
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Death, Downfall, Decay?
Finally, nowadays we face anew era, when 3D rendering easily recreates that very glamour thatwe are so striving to deliver. 3D modeling is an art as well, and acomplex one, but it seems to be taking over the field of glamourimages. However, it is my firm belief that no computer-renderedbeauty can ever substitute for genuine model, real lighting and sincereartistry. If it is really a competition between old and new, I would liketo remain on the side which has a beating heart, long hours of studiowork and live relationship to it.
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