Drag photography

[lesleysm2]

As a result of a quick phone snap last night that came out rather well Christina Draguleira (AKA Scott) wants me to take some shots of "her" this Friday

Is there anything I should bear in mind or any special tricks I can use to photograph a drag queen? Well apart from taking a stepladder Scott is well over 6 feet tall and Christina wears very high heels

[nimbus]

I'm sure grab queens are just like anybody else. At least they have character.

[gray1720]

I'm sure you are aware of the irony of me trying to give advice on portraiture but if they are that tall, I would be tempted to go wide angle, and use the distortion to emphasise that, get limbs close to the camera to exaggerate their length. I'd suggest a humorous one of then ducking* to get into/out of the ladies but I don't know their sense of humour, or whether you could get both them and the sign in.

*there was a comedy typo here, but I didn't think I could get away with it.

[gray1720]

The other thing I've just though of is can you do anything with reflections and distortion, and fingers round the stem of one of those vast gin glasses that are all the rage at the the mo?

[John Farrell]

You could take the portraits from a low angle - emulating the sort of shots photogs used to get from handheld Hasselblads.

[JohnY]

May 14, 2023 8:10:15 GMT John Farrell said:

You could take the portraits from a low angle - emulating the sort of shots photogs used to get from handheld Hasselblads.

Agree strongly. Process for the cinematic effect as well (whatever you consider that to be).

[Chester PB]

Possibly some soft focus to get a more flattering result.
With film cameras the trick was to smear a film of Vaseline on clear filter, but with a digital camera is should be easy to do with any image editing software.

More seriously, if Christina wants some full-length shots, try to stand further away and use a short telephoto lens (at at least the long end of the 'kit zoom' probably sold with the camera body). If you get too close, or use a wide angle, the distortion of somebody that tall might look a little strange. My last employer had a picture of one of their team on the firm's website, and she was quite tall and the image was taken with a mobile telephone at head height. She looked as if she had a massive head and very broad shoulders, with her body tapering down to tiny feet. Unless, of course, that 'look' might appeal to your subject.

[andy]

I guess I'd try to find angles and poses that make her look feminine.

[zx9]

Does she have to be standing? If her height is a problem for you try seated or reclining. Introduce props or have some fun re creating 70's glamour poses I am sure she will get the irony of them.

[zou]

I think the salient question is what does the client want? If they want your creativity, get funky, but talk it through, what you are doing and why, being ready to adapt or change approach if they prefer.

[dreampolice]

May 15, 2023 9:14:31 GMT zx9 said:

Does she have to be standing? If her height is a problem for you try seated or reclining. Introduce props or have some fun re creating 70's glamour poses I am sure she will get the irony of them.

Can't get Cupid Stunt out of my head.

[gray1720]

Damn you, Nige!

[dorsetmike]

May 15, 2023 15:54:52 GMT dreampolice said:

May 15, 2023 9:14:31 GMT zx9 said:

Does she have to be standing? If her height is a problem for you try seated or reclining. Introduce props or have some fun re creating 70's glamour poses I am sure she will get the irony of them.

Can't get Cupid Stunt out of my head.

Cunning stunt has a similar effect

[stevewmh]

Whatever you do, make sure it's done in "The best possible taste"

[JohnY]

You have to create the right image for Christina. Is she 'trans' or is he a traditional drag queen putting on a comedic act?