Tips for photographing finished garb?

[gem]

I know I need to get more creative with my costuming pictures.  I look at costumers like our own Silverstah or Koshka the Cat, and they always look so good with their "poses."  But me?  I go out in my back yard and stand by the tree, and put my hands on my hips, or not.  Those are my two options. :lol

I guess part of it is about loosening up (I'm noooo actress!) and getting into the spirit of things and having fun with it, but I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on taking more interesting garb photos.

[Marietta Graziella]

Huzzah to that!  I'd also like to appear more photogenic in my garb.  Just looking at the RenDezvous pics and I always look like a bloated tic!  Yikes.   I have to believe I look better than that, really! 

[analise]

Part of it may help to simply have someone else there to distract you from the camera. I know I had a hard time loosening up when a friend was taking pictures of me (at my request, I wanted a portrait to send to my dad). But when he got me talking? It was easier. Of course, the problem with talking is getting weird pictures of you with your mouth open. But having someone else to talk at you? It's something to focus on besides the camera there.

[silverstah]

Aw, well, thank you gem! Honestly, I feel like most of my garb photos are silly and posed, so I'm glad SOMEONE else likes 'em.

One thing you might do is look at faire photographs that really stand out to you.  Study their composition, poses, style, and try to replicate them.  I found this guy today, and I love his work.

What I've also done is hand my husband the camera at the beginning of a faire day and tell him that I want photos of me in my outfit, and I don't want them to be posed.  It's his job to catch some good ones.  A good friend caught this one of my working-class Italian, and it's one of my faves.

Make a post over to the photography board - I'm sure those who know all about the magic of photography will be HAPPY to share their knowledge with you.

[gypsylakat]

It may help to think like an actress and really get into the character you're portraying, accessorize a little bit. For your 18th century stuff here are just a few ideas...

-since you did WRITE the book, sit down on a bench or a chair with your book, pretend to read it I think it would be awesome...
-Find a spinning wheel and stand near it.
Make it a peice of art, you can see a lot of the staging in older portraits and such.
Since you want to highlight the garb, a lot of your portraits should be standing, but they don't all have to be, play around with poses and stuff, sitting, working on something, (again, get into character!) pick a job or a task or something that you're "persona" would do, and do it!

[operafantomet]

It may help to think like an actress and really get into the character you're portraying, accessorize a little bit.

I agree, this works really well, no matter the character or period. It might also reveal sidesof the garb one would not usually show in frontal poses.

Also, I tend to prefer either a neutral background, or a "period" one (for example in front of an old building).

[Tim T]

Flip through the garb pictures at Armstreet.  You may get an idea or two.  I've been really impressed with how they present their product.

Here's a few pics that look extra neat;
http://armstreet.com/image/56/big_img_20071116172716.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/152/big_img_2008052834226.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/111/big_img_2008020670724.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/103/big_img_20080119142818.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/64/big_img_20071206164207.jpg

Tim
(I have no affiliation with Armstreet, I just like the look of their stuff...)

[gypsylakat]

YES! Like that! lol!!!

[gypsylakat]

A tip for using those digital cameras... Something I found out recently.. If you're taking pictures inside either using the timer or with a friend, if you need to use the flash, try to stand back as far as possible and use the zoom either on your camera or on a photo software.

The flash on digital cameras is a bit harsh and tends to wash out colors or create extra whiteness in ways you didnt' necesarilly want..

[DeadBishop]

A tip for using those digital cameras... Something I found out recently.. If you're taking pictures inside either using the timer or with a friend, if you need to use the flash, try to stand back as far as possible and use the zoom either on your camera or on a photo software.

The flash on digital cameras is a bit harsh and tends to wash out colors or create extra whiteness in ways you didnt' necesarilly want..

Yes, but don't go too far back.  The camera's flash has a finite area of "optimal lighting".  Once past that, you'll just get underexposed images.  10 ft. is about the optimal distance for most digicams.

[Lady Anne Clare]

Yes, but don't go too far back.  The camera's flash has a finite area of "optimal lighting".  Once past that, you'll just get underexposed images.  10 ft. is about the optimal distance for most digicams.

Thank you, this is really helpful.  I didn't know why I kept getting those really dark pictures.

[DeadBishop]

Another way to photograph garb would be to take the pictures outside, early in the morning.  You'll get softer, even lighting and a more accurate record of fabric colors.

[mieljolie]

Yep.  I always try to take my pics outside.  If I don't, my Nikon oversaturates the colors really bad.  Especially the reds.

[nliedel]

Outside on a cloudy, but not too dark day is perfect and will give you a wonderful light.

[armstreet]

Flip through the garb pictures at Armstreet.  You may get an idea or two.  I've been really impressed with how they present their product.

Here's a few pics that look extra neat;
http://armstreet.com/image/56/big_img_20071116172716.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/152/big_img_2008052834226.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/111/big_img_2008020670724.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/103/big_img_20080119142818.jpg
http://armstreet.com/image/64/big_img_20071206164207.jpg

Tim
(I have no affiliation with Armstreet, I just like the look of their stuff...)

Thanks, Tim! I'll tell our photographer that he is popular at RenFest forum)