Fashion photography has always had a magical aura to it, as it accentuates the best of design and human form. In addition to the expected attention to lighting and shooting there is a great deal of artistry added to each shot with special care given to photo design and post-production that reflects the artistic eye of the photographer. The late Richard Avedon is perhaps one of the most famous fashion photographers, but as interest in DIY off-camera lighting intensifies and digital technologies continue to push the boundaries of creative possibilities new and creative talent continues to emerge. One such photographer is Sean McCormack who is today’s guest on “3 Minutes with…”
1. Describe your photography in 100 words or less.
I’m passionate about light in my photography, be it ambient or fully controlled in the studio. I love mood and drama and creating it where it wouldn’t otherwise exist. For fashion, it’s all about the clothes: shape, form & texture. The whole works. And it’s about the team, your stylist, makeup artist and hair stylist. It really is a collaboration, making more than the sum of your parts.
2. What gear/software do you use?
Camera wise I’m a Canon system user, but I also shoot film on a Mamiya 645j. For lighting, I’m using Elinchrom generally, with the Quadra system making up my location lighting. I do shot Strobist style with speedlights too. It’s all about the tool that fits the job. Software wise, I use Lightroom for most of my work and Photoshop where more extensive retouching is required. Recently I’ve been doing a lot more compositing as well.
3. What’s one quick tip that you’d give people interested in fashion photography?
Find a team, especially a stylist. Ultimately they’re the ones that choose and make the clothes look great. Hair and Makeup finish the look and then you use that to complete your vision.
4. What 3 Photography Sites or Photo blogs do you recommend?
Design Scene and Fashion Gone Rogue are great sites for seeing current fashion magazine work. As for fashion photographers, Melissa Rodwell’s Fashion Photography Blog is pure gold. She’s not prolific writing wise, but when she does post, it’s worth taking a break for.
To view more of Sean’s photography visit his web site at http://seanmcfoto.com
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