Model-photography - DPChallenge Forums

01/12/2008 01:04:46 PM · #1

A lot of photographers here are working with models.

Waht kind of tips do you give to starting models?

For example about making a portfolio, presentation, posing, shooting-advice etc.

Message edited by author 2008-01-12 13:07:08.

01/12/2008 01:39:40 PM · #2

I start by telling them to get busy quickly on a quality portfolio with quality shooters. Cycle the portfolio often and keep it under 20 or so shots with only the best included. If photogs want to do TFP(CD), fine, but only if his work will benefit your portfolio.

Present your portfolio in a professional manner, not just a bunch of pics in an envelope. Personally, I'm becoming very fond of the printed books from blurb.com and others.

Also, watch the model release or contracts, especially if you do nudes, because some shooters will talk you into an "art nude" shoot, only to leak photos onto amateur porn sites.

Posing is pretty easy, if you're not trying to lock down a model. However, hands and facial expressions are harder to control. And they need to be controlled, because viewers read facial and hand clues.

Facial expressions especially will reflect the model's current thoughts, if she/he isn't actively thinking about them. For example, if you're taking to long with the camera, you'll likely get an inquisitive or puzzled look.

Here is a posing guide if anyone wants to look at it:
//www.vci.net/~mmorgan/pg2.pdf
I often show this to new models.

I'm sure I'll think of more tips later.

01/12/2008 02:02:33 PM · #3

Thanks Leroy!

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Present your portfolio in a professional manner, not just a bunch of pics in an envelope. Personally, I'm becoming very fond of the printed books from blurb.com and others.

The negative part of Blurb (or other books) is that you can't change your photos. Sometimes you have to edit the content with each potential assignment.

Any more tips?

Message edited by author 2008-01-12 14:07:50.

FocusPoint

XIAOMI Redmi Note 8 Pro

01/12/2008 02:10:44 PM · #4

Thanks for the PDF ;)

kiwiness

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/12/2008 02:23:05 PM · #5

Good advice from Fotomann, although beginner models can only to tfp at first before asking for pay until they have a better footing in the scene. Printed portfolio books are good too, but at the beginning of a modeling career it would be better to use a folder, leather bound is the best, because you will be changing the photos often.

As for posing watch experienced models working, watch fashion tv, browse through Vogue, Cosmopolitan and other such mags then try different posing in front of a mirror at home.

Always look at the work of a photographer before arranging a shooting, there are a lot of wannabe photographers out there, and many can do more harm than good. And finally, if she is a beautiful Russian model, over 170 tall and 87-63-87, send her to me :)

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

01/12/2008 02:24:39 PM · #6

Originally posted by kiwiness:

...there are a lot of wannabe photographers out there, and many can do more harm than good.

There you go talking about me again.

:-P

:-))

01/12/2008 02:41:57 PM · #7

Originally posted by kiwiness:

Always look at the work of a photographer before arranging a shooting, there are a lot of wannabe photographers out there, and many can do more harm than good.

Definitely.

01/12/2008 02:50:17 PM · #8

Originally posted by kiwiness:

And finally, if she is a beautiful Russian model, over 170 tall and 87-63-87, send her to me :)

Gna, sizes don't matter to me, so if I have one, I'll send her to you ;)

Thanks Gary!

Message edited by author 2008-01-12 14:52:19.

01/12/2008 04:59:31 PM · #9

bump :)

01/12/2008 07:18:13 PM · #10

I just run across a debate on model mayhem from a photographer that says Real modelsaren't afraid to do nudes. While I do nudes, I think that statement is complete BS. Models don't have to do nudes or implied to be taken seriously. At the amateur and beginning level you will hear much to the contrary, but it's not true.

B&W doesn't make a photog an artist, nor does overuse of Photoshop filters. Most of the time it's just an attempt at hiding bad photography.

Makeup. Learn what looks good on you and what doesn't. If you don't have a MUA on set, you'll likely be doing your own. I advise all new models to sit down with a MUA or go get a makeover, so that they can find makeup that looks the best on them. Definitely would NOT leave it up to the photographer, especially a male photographer.

01/12/2008 07:35:19 PM · #11

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

You are so right! If you start modelling, you have to know nothing is an obligation (is that the right word?).

Thanks for pointing that one out.

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

01/13/2008 05:03:34 AM · #12

bump :)

obsidian

Nikon D80

01/13/2008 08:42:23 AM · #13

Originally posted by kiwiness:

And finally, if she is a beautiful Russian model, over 170 tall and 87-63-87, send her to me :)

(Reeling here from the shock) What? How could a woman with those statistics even walk????? What kind of weird photographic Antipodean perversion is this????

Oh! Hang on! Ah! Centimeters and not inches! (Blushes) Ah! 5 foot 6 inches tall and 34 - 25 - 34 in real money... Oh! Yes.... Well then...

Carry on, there....

:-P

obsidian

Nikon D80

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

01/13/2008 08:47:05 AM · #14

And to be serious - style and make up.

Is there a particular style that the model wants to be associated with - e.g. Goth, girl/boy next door, retro, street, non specific/generic, androgynous - and what make up will they need to achieve this. Probably far too obvious to state, really, but knowing that the model understands where they want to go and what they want to be allows the photographer to think about how to best present this.

Just my 2 English Pennies worth...

Carl

01/13/2008 03:07:28 PM · #15

Originally posted by obsidian:

Originally posted by kiwiness:
And finally, if she is a beautiful Russian model, over 170 tall and 87-63-87, send her to me :)

(Reeling here from the shock) What? How could a woman with those statistics even walk????? What kind of weird photographic Antipodean perversion is this????

Oh! Hang on! Ah! Centimeters and not inches! (Blushes) Ah! 5 foot 6 inches tall and 34 - 25 - 34 in real money... Oh! Yes.... Well then...

Carry on, there....

:-P

hahaha! in inches that would be a weeiiird woman :P

Message edited by author 2008-01-13 15:07:37.

01/14/2008 06:34:22 AM · #16

Originally posted by biteme:

A lot of photographers here are working with models.

Waht kind of tips do you give to starting models?

For example about making a portfolio, presentation, posing, shooting-advice etc.

For industry 101, I direct them here -
//www.newmodels.com/

Plenty of good info in there regarding agencies and portfolios and whatnot from a very qualified and respected perspective.

Regarding the actual shoot, well everyone figures out how they like to work eventually.

01/14/2008 06:40:17 AM · #17

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I just run across a debate on model mayhem

LOL don't take everything on there seriously. Eventually people figure out the voices that are worth listening to, but lately there are a lot fewer of them.

01/14/2008 06:43:24 AM · #18

Originally posted by obsidian:

I've come to realize that the most stylish people I know don't think about it. They simply are.

Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II M.Zuiko ED

01/14/2008 06:53:47 AM · #19

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Present your portfolio in a professional manner, not just a bunch of pics in an envelope. Personally, I'm becoming very fond of the printed books from blurb.com and others.

Scroll down to Dan's post (he's cool) -
//www.modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=1797

Rgarcia

Olympus OM-D E-M1

01/14/2008 08:30:54 AM · #20

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Here is a posing guide if anyone wants to look at it:
//www.vci.net/~mmorgan/pg2.pdf
I often show this to new models.

Thanks Leroy!!! This is great!!!

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

01/14/2008 08:39:58 AM · #21

Originally posted by kiwiness:

... And finally, if she is a beautiful Russian model, over 170 tall and 87-63-87, send her to me :)

LOL! Like you don't have enough of those in your contact list...:P

kiwiness

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

01/14/2008 10:33:41 AM · #22

Originally posted by doctornick:

Originally posted by kiwiness:
... And finally, if she is a beautiful Russian model, over 170 tall and 87-63-87, send her to me :)

LOL! Like you don't have enough of those in your contact list...:P

It never hurts to have backups :)

01/14/2008 12:29:48 PM · #23

Originally posted by kiwiness:

Originally posted by doctornick:

Originally posted by kiwiness:
... And finally, if she is a beautiful Russian model, over 170 tall and 87-63-87, send her to me :)

LOL! Like you don't have enough of those in your contact list...:P

It never hurts to have backups :)

Hell Gary, I want you to start sending your rejects to me :-D

kiwiness

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II