Need tips on assistant job - DPChallenge Forums

09/28/2004 12:09:42 PM · #1

I'm hopefully going to be assisting a photographer on some shoots soon, along the lines of what DrJones does.
I'm really looking forward to working with a highly respected photographer, and hope to get as much as possible out of it.
However, the only naked female I've been around for quite some time is my wife, and I'm a little apprehensive! Of course, I want to be cool and nonchalant, so do any of you guys have advice for me? Do you remember the first time you were involved in a nude shoot with someone other than your partner?
The photographer's site is here, a very interesting sounding chap.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

09/28/2004 12:12:35 PM · #2

Wear steel pants :D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/28/2004 12:14:02 PM · #3

Originally posted by jonpink:

Wear steel pants :D

Hoho... hadn't even thought of that!

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

09/28/2004 12:14:02 PM · #4

Don't go in with a loaded gun

(if you seen "There's Something About Mary" you will know what I mean)

Nikon AF Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G IF-ED DX

09/28/2004 12:14:40 PM · #5

I can see a pattern developing here! I'll bear the 'Something About Mary' tip in mind!

grigrigirl

Nikon D3

09/28/2004 12:29:10 PM · #6

men are interesting creatures

Gil P

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/28/2004 12:32:41 PM · #7

Well, since your speaking of Dr.Jones...I can tell you from experience how Dr.Jones and I work. (I've assisted Him and he as assisted me).

First off, it's great to have some assistance because you do not burn yourself out, with the set-up...as for the shooting itself:

The swaping of lenses, the uploading of CF cards into the Laptops, the adjustment of the flash levels,,metering, the standing in for the model are all jobs for the assistant. add to this the oportunity to shoot some behind the scenes shots and you have a great team! Not all photographers will accept/apreciate the fact that someone else is taking pictures...even behind the scenes ones... so you might want to ask about that one.

It's great to have a "team".

here's a cool behind the scenes by Dr.jones from a shoot of mine.

as for nudity...well if the model is a pro and you act like a pro...then, there is nothing to feel uncomfortable about, just keep your mind on the work and not on the "bod", 'cause I've seen some really anoying assistants...and the models pick up on that real quick.

Message edited by author 2004-09-28 12:36:54.

livingfiction

Nikon D2X

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

09/28/2004 12:36:20 PM · #8

Just relax. The model may be nervous as well, he/she will need you to not be nervous. Don't stare, but don't make an obvious effort not to look below the face either, keep your eye movement natural. I think you may find, that the situation is less sexually charged than you anticipate. As long as there is nothing going on between the photographer and the model, and both are professionals.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/28/2004 12:45:46 PM · #9

Great advice, thanks very much... it's all very reassuring. Grigrigirl, have you got any advice? You are also one of the most respected photographers here in this field, and I'd love to hear some tips. Do you use assistants? What do you look for? What annoys you?
Thanks,
Bob

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/28/2004 01:00:17 PM · #10

well i am not into nude photography, but i have done a fair bit of model drawing. if you look at the subject as art, and a job, it is a world different than looking at your naked wife thinking about sex. Just watch where your mind goes, and keep concentrated at what you are doing, and respond to the model as you would in a 'regular' situation.

grigrigirl

Nikon D3

Nikon AF Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G IF-ED DX

09/28/2004 01:02:04 PM · #11

Ive got an artist friend ive sometimes worked with...but he is accustomed to nudity and it doesnt phase him. I am too excited by the actual photography to get sexually aroused during a shoot. I do experience models getting slightly aroused from the attention...both men and women. More experienced models arent affected. Insecure models are too busy being shy of their own nudity. Men typically ask me out by the end of the shoot. Like I said..men are interesting creatures. ;)

graphicfunk

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/28/2004 01:03:55 PM · #12

Here is how I handle the model shoots whether clothed or nude.

The first thing is not to get stupid and this is certainly beyond you by looking at your wonderful work. A lot of things can take place in many levels, but your obvious primary goal is to keep highly focused on getting the good shot. So, while you are doing a shoot you concentrate on all things which make a shot great. This means being very sensitive to light placement: to making sure the hands, feet and fingers are in a position to look their best. Watch out for shadows, when they cut across the wrong areas they can hurt a picture.

You look, but you do it as a professional, you do not touch but rather you guide and remember that the model is hung up in her presentation as much as you are on your craft. She wants to see the photographer as one who knows what he is doing. If you assist then you are responsible to compliment the photographer.

Upon meeting, you show no excitement except the excitement of getting a great shot. You compliment, but get off this track at once, making a passin comment rather than a conversation.

One way I have phrased it is that the model is totally safe when I am behind the camera...I am the camera and the lights...only a tool.

In short: you look and you don't see except that which you need for the shot. Your moves have purpose and while you are doing this if you can not say anything nice or funny, say nothing. The object is to be about and going about your business with the interest of the shoot furst and foremost in your mind. The model will read you at once and she also understands, but she expects an upright behaviour.

Now, this goes back to the art student and model. Here a model disrobes and the moment she does it..the chemistry changes and both enter into the realm of art. Those who do not believe their purpose is not art will give themselves away. While in this state the sole object is to complete the shoot in the best possible manner.

There are some models which are very social and these I avoid because the primary object here is not art or photography. A good model is concerned about the end result of the shoot and not the social aspect.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

09/28/2004 01:15:36 PM · #13

I'm sure you will have no problem conducting yourself professionally. I think shooting shots of your own may become a problem especially when your work starts to outshine that of your "boss," which I feel may be quite quickly. I would take the experience as a lesson in lighting. Keep your attention focused on that and you'll be fine.

Google Glass Google Glass

09/28/2004 03:53:55 PM · #14

Thanks for the advice everyone,
I don't think I'll have a problem with 'arousal', as I'm a pretty professional kind of guy, I will be too busy taking in lighting tips and generally learning as much as possible. The advice I was after was more in how to make a model feel comfortable, and I've received lots of great advice here. I'm not looking to upstage anybody with my own photography, I see this as an opportunity to get used to nudity and lighting so that at some point in the future I can think about taking shots myself. However, it was mentioned that there would be opportunities to get behind the camera. I don't want to be the type of assistant that has something to prove though.
Thanks again!
Bob

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

09/28/2004 05:37:58 PM · #15

Originally posted by grigrigirl:

men are interesting creatures

LMAO

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

09/28/2004 06:05:25 PM · #16

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

Best way to make anyone feel comfortable, is to treat them like a person. Clothes or not.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

09/28/2004 06:20:53 PM · #17

Yeah okay most of you men will say "prude" and shrug this off..but for a married man to be working with a fetish photographer..well sounds less like art and more like porn. Of course it comes down to the relationship and agreement you and your wife have.

Personally, I wouldn't do it, but like I said, it's really between you and your wife - not you and DPC or whoever else.

...........

grigrigirl

Nikon D3

Nikon AF Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G IF-ED DX

09/28/2004 06:37:52 PM · #18

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I should hope that any marriage has enough trust and depth to realize a simple physical reaction..if any would occur....were simply that. A natural carnal inclination that means nothing more than the milisecond of ego satisfaction one gets from social flirtation. People are way too insecure when it comes to this. Not to mention american culture making nudity a taboo of sexuality. Geez people...its a human body...a rather beautiful wonderful complex marvel. Porn is business...like stripping and weddings and banking. There is place for everything and a market for everything. I wish americans would get beyond their bible thumping social conditioning.

terje

Apple iPhone

09/28/2004 06:40:52 PM · #19

well said girlgirlgirl!