How It Happened: Brief but Glorious History of Glamour Images
The art of Glamourous 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 Photographs and then venture forth to predict some of their future.
Early Years. It is a very controversial issue of where the history of beauty photography really begins. 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. A few people consider that glamour photography can be traced as far back as Baroque and Renaissance art. So, to be honest, glamour photography is a really a child of uncertain origin. My personal point of view is that both modern and classic arts were equally involved in the process – 1920′s and 30′s were the real boiling point of world culture, and this genre is likely to have been born in exactly this period of time. Also, it is from the first half of XX century that the history of classic glamour photography can be traced.
Brilliant 50’s and Beyond. The period that started with 50′s was perhaps the most successful – and hard – time for beauty photography. Betty Grable conquered the hearts of the audience before the war started, and remained one of the prominent figures in glamour photography ever since; thank to Marylin Monroe beauty photography gained open support and recognition, as this world-famous actress appeared on Playboy’s front in 1953. Pamela Green and other famous and charming models contributed to glorifying glamour photography at its finest, winning the heart of audience worldwide.
Dawn of Digital Era. Glamour pictures not only acquired color as years went by – they also became more frivolous, imaginative and sometimes provocative. Dita von Teese and Hope Talmons gained young and ambitious competitors like Heidie Van Horne, Lucy Pinder, Bernie Dexter and others. As it happened, film gave way to digital photography. It improved technical side of the process and altogether simplified it beyond measure. Any amateur with a DSLR became a potential glamour photographer. Combined with World Wide Web, a real army of both gifted artists and usual dabblers emerged in the online world.
3D – Death, Downfall, Decay? Now we are at the beginning of something completely different – 3D-rendered glamour pictures have become another fancy, competing with traditional photography. This new form of art attempts to challenge the canons 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. In this fight of old and new I remain with the side of inspiration, live relationship and hard studio work.
Never-the-less, I gaze in the future with a smile – after all, no art has ever been forgotten; oils and film have an army of admirers, as do many other genres. 3D art undoubtedly deserves for its own niche and admirers. We don’t owe all the masterpieces to technology – we owe them to artists, their inspiration and their unique vision. Remembering this simple truth is a mark of a truly passionate artist.
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