“Birth and Life” of Glamour Images: Past and Future

The art of Glamorous Photography has come a long way from its very appearance to what we can see today. After countless changes and transformations, numerous revolutions and much controversy, glamour photography became what we can see today.

Let us have a short walk through the past years of Glamour Pictures and then venture forth to predict some of their future.

Childhood. Nobody really knows from where to begin the history of glamour photo genre. There are people who believe it can be traced back to “French postcard” that flooded Paris back in 1930′s, whereas many prefer to think it originated from Victorian photography. There are even people who seek the roots of glamour images in Renaissance and Baroque. To put it simply, the question of origin of beauty photography is far from being answered. I prefer to consider that classic and contemporary fine arts contributed in equal measures to create this unique genre – and it is the melting pot of 1920’s culture that we owe its birth. Also, it is from the first half of twentieth century that the history of classic glamour images can be traced.

Glorious 50′s and Onwards. After World War II, glamour images reached the apex of their glory, closely followed by controversy and outrage. Betty Grable conquered the hearts of the audience before the war started, and remained one of the prominent figures in glamour images ever since; in 1953 Marilyn Monroe emerged on Playboy’s cover and led glamour photography from darkness of controversy and public outrage into the light of recognition. Pamela Green and other famous and charming models contributed to glorifying glamour photography at its finest, winning the heart of audience worldwide.

Nowadays – Digital Fever. Color wasn’t the only achievement that glamour images acquired – they turned into something more creative and provocative. Hope Talmons and Dita Von Teese gave way to Heidie Van Horne, Bernie Dexter, Lucy Pinder and others. As it happened, film gave way to digital photography. Technical progress improved the visual quality of glamour images and made the process of shooting dead simple. An amateur in possession of DSLR could potentially become a glamour artist. Due to rapid development of Internet technologies, a swarm of “people with cameras” emerged, awaiting recognition.

3D – Death, Downfall, Decay? Finally, nowadays we face a new era, when 3D rendering easily re-creates that very glamour that we are so striving to deliver. 3D modeling is an art as well, and a complex one, but it seems to be taking over the field of glamour images. However, it is my firm belief that no computer-rendered beauty can ever substitute for genuine model, real lighting and sincere artistry. If it is really a competition between old and new, I would like to remain on the side which has a beating heart, long hours of studio work and live relationship to it.

The future, however, is bright – despite everything, oil, film and digital live on and remain popular. 3D art undoubtedly deserves for its own niche and admirers. It is not technology that is behind each glamour picture – it’s the soul, the inspiration and the dedication: that of photographer and the model. Remembering this simple truth is a mark of a truly passionate artist.

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