Pinup style pink

schmoo

Many of my girlfriends are quite into the retro-pinup look, and there is a pretty decent industry for photographers of this type. But since I am still pretty new to shooting people I thought i would give it a go and one of my good friends was willing to help me out and be my model. Constructive criticism is always welcome, especially with this learning curve.

The first one is slightly naughty:






From what I've been told, there are many more usable "props" and vintage settings out west, but around my neck o' the woods you have to make do with what ya got.

Thanks for looking!

dogwood

Not quite sure what makes these photos "pinups". They're nice photos, just don't seem to fall into that pinup category... ie Gil Elvgrin or Vargas or some of the other classic pinup artists.

It's actually quite difficult to shoot pinup style photos-- pinup artists sketch their pinups and aren't limited by gravity or impossible posing by models!

Just an idea, but you want to be much more overt about the sexiness of pinup photos-- pinups are almost always blatantly sexy. I would suggest you try to 'copy' some of your fav pinup sketches. Don't worry-- there's no way you'll get them exactly right and it's almost certain you'll put your own spin on things so you aren't really copying... it's more for inspiration.

I've tried some pinup photos myself and most of it isn't very good! The really successful pinup photographers will literally spend days creating and styling sets and lighting.

schmoo

Thanks for your input, Pete! I agree - it's very hard and for the two weeks leading up to the "shoot" (said in quotes because it was very, very informal) I was nervous because I had no concept in mind. Add to that the weather has been about 20-30 degrees below average so even taking her sweater off or lifting the skirt more was out of the question. The shots look sunny and warm but every 5 minutes or so it would send down snowflakes!

We agreeed to try this again another time later when it's warmer.

And I actually find it interesting that your opinion is of pinup models being blatantly sexy. The ones that my friend here showed me were usually very subtle about it - which is one of the things I find appealing: it's not all 100% underwear and garters all the time.

I have little enough experience working with models so having you - a professional fashion photog - tell me how hard it is, makes me feel a bit better. I had images of hot rod garages and thigh-hi's and Betty Page hair but it was just do darned cold to consider any of that. I was researching a couple of contemporary pinup-style photogs: Viva van Story and Shannon Brooke, but again I am not really familiar with this fashion scene so I'm always open to any tips like the names you've given me.

dogwood

The weather has been killer here too-- nearly 80 degrees F on Friday and now the forecast is for a foot of snow above 3000-feet!

My favorite pinup artist is Gil Elvgren (I think I spelled his name wrong the first post)-- the sexuality in his drawings/sketches is subtle but definitely there.

Here's another good resource (lots of photos):

http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/

And Glenn Specht has some incredible work on his site too. I met him once and that's when I learned some of his sets take a week to set up for a single pin-up photo!

http://www.grsphoto.ca/contactphoto/index.html

schmoo

Pete, thanks again for the resources! I have seen the first link through friends who are into the fashion, but never seen the second. I cannot believe that it takes a master a whole week to get the set ready. This really makes me think about it in a whole different light (no pun intended.)

I have most definitely decided to go the 'copy' route next, and will possibly be posting the results if they are not too racy for this forum.