Where does a Good Photo Start?

For me, good genre photography always starts with an idea.

The idea is what covers everything necessary for a photoshoot: an appropriate location, a model, clothing, outfits, etc...

For instance, the “Shall we play cards?” photo series.

The idea behind it is a strip card game with a beautiful woman. A viewer has to see the entire process through the eyes of the second player sitting opposite the pretty woman.

Timeline: 1980s, USSR.

Game venue: kitchen (an old Soviet kitchen with true-to-life kitchenware). The location was an old rented apartment.

Character: a mature attractive woman dressed plainly, yet a bit provocatively, and having ample curves (an image of a sexy housewife).

Extra outfits affecting the mood of the story and completing its plot: cigarettes, brandy.

Photoshoot atmosphere: humor, playfulness, sexiness, plot authenticity where many people can recognize themselves millions of people worldwide play strip card games.

As I had a clear idea of the plot and conceptualized complete shots, it was enough for me to skillfully prepare for that photoshoot and take all the necessary things. As a result, the photoshoot ran quickly and smoothly, and I got a great and well-known photo series called “Shall we play cards?”

“Start with a style, and you are in a chain, start with an idea, and you are free”, Richard Avedon.