Clothes for photography and colours that work

Short answer: Plain, mid dark and matt work best in pictures. Avoid fine patterns, very lustrous fabrics and pure white close to the face.

Why plain works best

A camera resolves fine patterns poorly, and tight stripes and checks can give a shimmering result. A plain surface is calm and lets the face be seen first.

Mid dark rather than the extremes

Pure white close to the face reflects light upwards and can create harsh lighting. Full black, on the other hand, loses all detail in the fabric. A mid dark tone gives the best balance. See bamboo t-shirts for women.

Matt rather than lustrous

Lustrous fabrics throw back reflections from lamps and windows. Bamboo viscose has a light sheen, so choose a matt quality or a muted colour if the light is harsh. See bamboo clothing for women and bamboo clothing for men.

Frequently asked questions

Is black bad in photographs

Not bad, but it often becomes a flat area with no structure.

What about colours that match the background

Avoid them. If the clothing sits close to the background colour, the outline of the body disappears.

Should prints and logos be avoided

In portraits yes. They pull the eye away from the face.