Pin-up explained - Visual clues?

joeranger

joeranger

Sr Member
What are the visual clues that make a sexy photo a "pin-up". We all know it when we see it but could you explain it?
Vintage clothing, especially stockings
Abnormal curls in hair
pursed lips, bright lipstick
butt out, one leg dangling, knee in the air
surprised look
sexy complex lingerie that looks like "everyday wear"
colorized look
Posing with a 500lb bomb or giant wrench
polka dots

Does anyone here have a better explanation?
 

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It's mostly about it being 1940s-style hair, clothing, and makeup, but revealing. You've covered the poses. But yeah, to me, it's all about it looking like something from the 1940s.
 
I ask because I thought about getting my wife one of those "Pinup makeover- photo shoots" ...that is until I saw the sample pictures.
It was odd, they had the pose and the lipstick and blah blah... they looked like a housewife in shopping mall glamor studio.

Something was missing.
 
I would think a lot of it would also come from the lighting and editing in Photoshop. All the vintage pinup photos you see had a desaturated, flat coloring and well as subtle lighting.
Look up Masuimi Max. She has some really good modern 'pinup' style shots. Keep in mind, a lot of her pics are NSFW!
 
Yes. I am a fan of her fb page. I guess like everything "simple things" can be harder than they look.
 
Eh, with the right lighting and using an old 4x5 camera, you could probably do it. :) Might even come with a free Graflex...
 
Most people associate pin-ups with WWII when they became more mainstream but the concept is much older. Still, what most think of as a pin-up is a blend of the promise of sex (legs, cleavage, etc.,) while still not actually showing any naughty bits. It's titillating and innocent at the same time. Always lots of hair, high heels, red lips and often a woman dressed in a man's clothes like the pic above. As mentioned, the lighting, etc. makes it or breaks it.

If you want to give your wife the pin-up treatment find a few that you like and tell the photographer you want to replicate it and to do the lighting, etc. appropriately. Good luck.
 
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