I am enthralled by the work of the photographers who worked during what was known as the Silver Screen Glamour Era of the 1930s and early '40s. The beautiful, melodramatic poses and theatrical lighting combined to create memorable images. When I first met my model Gwen, these images sprang to mind.

Gwen came up with the idea for the wrap and the hairstyle she wore. (See what can happen when you listen to your model's suggestions?)  Surprisingly, glamour doesn't have to be expensive. Gwen's "Hollywood" wrap consisted of an inexpensive sheer window curtain, which cost about six dollars at a discount store. I purchased the gloves at a wig shop for seven dollars.

For those of you who insist that you don’t have the space to create great glamour images, keep in mind that this photo was done in a hotel room utilizing a space of about 9’ x 9’.   The background is a great new product by Dianne Fleming of Superlight Custom Backgrounds by Dianne (516-746-0818). My 10’ x 20’ Lite White background and two 5’ x 10’ ground cloths fit into a small carry-on bag about 14" deep x 10" in diameter and weighed only about two pounds. The background was hung using push-pins over the door leading from the "living room" area to the "bedroom" area. 

A Novatron standard head at 360ws was placed behind the background. The key light, a MediaLight PG3001MLB at 100ws with MediaLight’s 10" x 24" Softbox, was placed high to the model’s right.  A second PG3001MLB was bounced off a nearby white wall. A connecting room door was angled to provide front fill.  As usual with color negative film, I metered the fill light with a Polaris Meter and exposed at f5.6 on ASA 100 film. The background light (about f11) and key light (about f8) distances were adjusted until I achieved the visual effect I desired. None of the lights were more than three feet from the model, while I stood about four feet away with the camera.