The art of Artistic Glamour Photography has come a long way from its very appearance to what we can see today. Beauty photography has seen a number of downfalls and artistic revolutions before it achieved its modern condition.

I will gladly take you on a short mind trip from the very dawn of Glamour Photos to their modern state - afterwards we will dabble in foreseeing their probable future.

Early Years. Nobody really knows from where to begin the history of glamour photography genre. Some derive it from so-called “French postcards” which were quite popular in the streets of Paris in the early 1900’s, some address to Victorian pioneers of this art. 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. What I think is that the most likely period in which beauty photography was born is 1920's and 1930's, which were quite a vibrant time in terms of arts and culture. Also, it is from the first half of 20th century that the history of classic glamour photography can be traced.

Zenith of Glory and Later. After World War II, glamour pictures reached the apex of their glory, closely followed by controversy and outrage. Shining star of Betty Grable was in zenith ever since pre-WWII time; 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. As time passed, beauty photography became colorful, frivolous, scandalous and much more ingenious. Hope Talmons and Dita Von Teese gave way to Heidie Van Horne, Bernie Dexter, Lucy Pinder and others. At the same time, film surrendered positions to digital photography. It improved technical side of the process and altogether simplified it beyond measure. An amateur in possession of DSLR could potentially become a glamour artist. In a combination with Web technologies, this was like a clamor of billions and billions of both talented people and senseless dabblers.

3D – Death, Downfall, Decay? At long last, 3D art hits the stage, offering computer graphics as an arguable alternative to photography. This new form of art attempts to challenge the canons of beauty photography. I strongly believe that no artificial computer rendering can ever excel the natural beauty and genuine work of a talented photographer. In this fight of old and new I remain with the side of inspiration, live relationship and hard studio work.

I feel optimistic about the future – oils, film and digital have found their admirers and seem immortal. The art of 3D cannot take over, but rather find its own audience, just like digital and film photography. Technology rarely matters - inspiration and devotion are the most important pillars of any art. No real photographer ever forgets this - and I'm sure that neither will you.

For Glamour Photographers

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