Hair is one of the main attractions a subject offers. From a practical, photographic standpoint, (long) hair is a fantastic “accessory” that endlessly helps you with storytelling, forming messages, and supporting moods. Learn how to use hair as a tool. Dan prepared for you his insights, recommendations and sample photos.
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Dan,
You write volumes of wisdom, my friend. Having a qualified hair stylist on hand to lend her (or his) expertise to a look is always a good idea – if possible. Length and shape – long/short, straight/wavy – are important dimensions, for sure. How the model or stylist works with these factors can add tremendous appeal to an image.
I would like to add another dimension to this discussion: color.
Oliver is an “alt” model who regularly changes her hair color. In this set, I managed to capture her in her blue phase. When combined with complementary colors – say, orange – the effect can be quite striking. You can see how this plays out in this article: http://nifmagazine.com/oliver-many-colours-allen-moore/.
I will admit to having a thing (almost a fetish, but not quite!) for redheads. Especially for natural redheads. And more especially if the model is totally natural (unshaven) and her nether region hair matches that on top of her head. For a closer look at this, see: https://sexywomenphotography.com/concept-planning-workflow/fashion-nude-styling-and-photography-goes-retro/
In my experience, red hair comes in an infinite variety of hues. In post-processing, I prefer to let the model’s real color make the statement. With Clara (left) and Augusta (right), what you see is totally natural – neither image has been enhanced. WYSIWYG. I have worked with Augusta perhaps more than with any other model; an interesting feature of her hair is that light conditions and quality renders her all-natural “redheadedness” in a variety of ways and hues.
So there you have it: length, shape and color. With every model, the combination is different. Which makes photographing beautiful women a source of never-ending fascination!
#ShootBold!
Allen
Thanks for your take, Allen!
You are right, colored hair is another, additional aspect. Frankly I didn’t thought about that when writing the article.
While figuring out why I forgot this topic I came upon the finding that I never shoot models with unnatural colored hair. Of course we have brunettes going blonde and vice versa, but blue, green, strong fake red or whatever color is not my cup of tea. Said that, the strangest thing ever happened to me in my early days was that I booked a model (long fair hair) based upon casting photos online and she then showed up with short green hair – gosh, what a bummer.
Since that happened I have learned always to ASK FIRST what the actual state of a subject’s hair is :).
Newbie mistake.
#ShootBold my friend!
Dan
Hi Dan, couldn’t agree more. Great article.
Thanks Focuspuller!
And thanks for posting the pic – proofs once more how long hair supports the allure!
#ShootBold,
Dan
Dan,
When it comes to hair, there are a number of ways to shoot “outside the box” without semi-permanently altering the model’s looks by cutting or coloring her locks. One of my model friends (to be featured in an upcoming SWP article) loves wigs and has quite a collection of them in various styles and colors. I recently worked with Brittnie in a fashion nude session where she sported her long blue and silver wig.
#ShootBold
#ModelBold
Allen
You are right, Joe.
And I totally forgot that I recently shot a series having a model wearing a wig too.
I produced model Ivy Raven back in March in Sydney; it was the last set that day – more for fun and not really precise (wig); but I did some.
I like the combination of the corset and the hair but the wig’s hair should be far more straight to correspond with the strong lines from the garment and the body forms.
Yet the wig was totally messed up (and bad material I guess) but nonetheless we just shot a few alluring poses.
#ShootBold
Dan
Attachments:
Ivy Raven - SYD 2017 - 800_7113
Ivy Raven - SYD 2017 - 800_7100
Ivy Raven - SYD 2017 - 800_7092
Ivy Raven - SYD 2017 - 800_7070