NZPhotographer Issue 59, September 2022

MAKEUP & COSTUME
I have always been fascinated with makeup,
and over the past few years have discovered
that simple vs elaborate makeup and face paints
photograph best.
When I am running a workshop, I will often start
out with very little makeup and costume on my
model and change it up as the day moves on,
usually finishing with elaborate makeup at the end
of the day. By making slight changes to makeup,
attire, and props, combined with post-processing
techniques after the event, you can change a look
quite dramatically.
In my Pirate series, I started the shoot with a simple,
purposefully uneven, white face paint. Using Prosaide
cream adhesive (an adhesive for prosthetics),
I glued the eye patch in place and then tied a
black band around it to keep it in place. The first
look was just with the eye patch. Then I added the
twig crown and some tulle took those shots, and
finally added the hair pieces and some gold paint.
Through the power of post-processing, we can
really alter the final outcome of an image and it
is often not what you visualise in your mind at the
time. I find a lot of my creative process is done
in-post. I love the use of textures as I feel it adds
another dimension to the image and also helps
push it towards fine art as opposed to portrait.
In the image titled ‘The Landing’ I glued the
butterflies to the model’s face and shot against a
tea-coloured backdrop. In-post, using the select
subject tool in Photoshop, I removed her from the
background, allowing me to change it to better suit
the image. Not very often do I leave texture layers
on the skin, but I felt this particular image suited it. It
is all personal preference when it comes to creating
our art - if the final image doesn’t make me
happy, how will it ever make anyone else happy?
My advice is to always follow your intuition when
creating your art - don’t just do it to please other
people or you will never develop your own unique
style.
I don’t necessarily enjoy the makeup application
process, but for me, it is a way to bring extra
meaning and uniqueness to my photography. If
you are unable to do the makeup yourself, use
the Facebook link I mentioned earlier, where you
can find makeup artists for paid or TFP (trade for
promotion), to assist you with your vision.
The costume is also an important factor to consider
when creating a compelling story. Do try to keep
all elements within the period you are trying to
recreate.
The Landing
Nikon D810 @ F4, 1/200s, ISO640, 60mm