Make-up and Hair in Photography

Modern photographic lenses can be incredibly sharp ..and cruel! Even the slightest imperfection - a facial blemish, acne, minute facial hair can and will show up. An ounce of make-up before the shoot may save you a pound of Photoshop later down the track.

The type of portrait determines the degree to which make-up or hairstyling is required. A family reunion of 20 people requires no additional input. An individual portrait may require the service of a make-up specialist.

Basically there are two levels of make-up that can be used. The first is the insurance level where you are simply covering over areas which are certain to be a distraction in the final print. example - covering over one red pimple. The second level means that there is complete make-up done. Allow about one hour for a make-up specialist to do their thing. There are different types of make-up depending on a number of factors - whether the shoot is in black and white or colour, the light source and quality - available light or studio flash and also the purpose of the end result. Some subjects may be aghast at the amount of make-up applied but they will thank you profusely when they see the end result.

 You can use the subject's hair to frame the face. The longer the hair, the more you can do with it. The darker the hair, the better the framing effect.

During the initial discussions with the subject talk to them about their hairstyle and how this will be part of the total image. Remind your subject NOT to have a haircut the day before the shoot! The hair colour will also determine the colour of the background to some extent. A contrasting shade is preferable. Some photographers like to wet the hair during the shoot. For visual reasons a highlight gleam is obtained. Some photographer's believe that wetting the subject's hair during the shoot 'animates' the subject. Helmut Newton used a timing devise with a bell that would sound every ten minutes or so and this was designed to 'animate' the subject.