Photography Forum - RSS Feed - Modelfolios

What's the Hardest Part of Your Job?

Dania — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:15:19 GMT

I know the answers will probably be different from photographer to photographer but I'm just curious as to what you believe is the hardest part of your job? Is it the cost of the equipment you have to purchase, working with difficult models or clients, etc? Inquiring minds would like to know!

What're You Working With?

Dania — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:51:43 GMT

So curious ole me wants to know what kind of camera(s) do you currently use? My boyfriend is a photographer and he is always drooling over the latest cameras that come out. Are there any cameras that you are just dying to have or want to put on your wishlist? What is your favorite type of camera to use? Are certain cameras better for certain types of photography than others?

Inquiring minds want to know! =)

Working with models with stretch marks

Dania — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:47:36 GMT

I would like to know how you photogs feel about working with models with stretch marks? If you have a client that is casting models, would you pass on a model if she has stretch marks (even if she has everything else you and the client want) or would you still submit her and not mind retouching it in Photoshop?

I recently applied to a casting for underwear models and the photog really liked me. I sent non pro digital pics as asked of my torso (chest to knees), front and back, wearing a bikini. In my email I did tell him that I had stretch marks on my butt and slight discoloration on my stomach and that I would totally understand if that didn't make me a right fit for the job. I'm kind of worried now because although I have the look he wants, my stretch marks may affect me getting cast for the gig. However, it wouldn't require extensive retouching (I know, I retouch my own photos in Photoshop). On the bright side, my stretch marks are old and faded so they are a shade lighter than my regular skin color and not those raised, nasty purple-reddish type.

I'm a bit nervous but I didn't want to not say anything and then show up to the shoot and have the photog be like WTH?

Sooooo...what's your take on working with a model that has stretch marks?

Is the Bad Economy Affecting Your Business?

Dania — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:41:50 GMT

I made a similar post in the Modeling section of these forums but I wanted to ask if any photographers are experiencing any setbacks in their business due to the tough economic times we're facing (both in the United States and abroad)? Are you noticing a change in the way people are doing business, or has the ball kept rolling for you regardless of what's going on with the economy?

Or maybe there are still some parts of the world that are able to do business as usual and are undisturbed by what's going on in the US? I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences in the industry during these times.

Photography Fashion Books

rowena — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:42:27 GMT

I recently discovered some Fashion Photography books, they are really helpful and give good suggestions for lighting! They are:

The Fashion Photography Course: First Principles to Successful Shoot - the Essential Guide by Eliot Siegel

and

Fashion Photography: A Complete Guide to the Tools and Techniques of the Trade by Bruce Smith

You favourite camera

rowena — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:41:25 GMT

Its all very well when you are a professional photographer to go on about what cameras you like (some costing a small fortune) but what is your favourite camera is? What camera do you use? Is it a SLR? A Compact? Why do you like it so much?

Photographer Unions?

Dania — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:45:18 GMT

Is there such a thing as a union for photographers? I know there isn't one for models, which can be frustrating at times. Of course we all know that actors get their own unions but I can't help but think why don't we have a union of our own? Do you think that having such a union would be a good or bad thing? I know some people don't care for unions because of the fees that they have to pay but I'm wondering why all these years have gone by and the modeling/photography industry doesn't have such a union to represent them?

Working with child models?

Dania — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:43:07 GMT

Have any of you photographed child models before? If so, what do you like the most about working with kids? What do you like the least? Any horror stories? I would imagine that shooting with children could be a lot of fun since they are so full of energy but eventually they'll throw a tantrum or something.

I'd be interested to hear what your experiences working with kid models has been like!

Photography 'beauty' sessions?

rowena — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:46:44 GMT

I had a friend of mine get stopped in the street and was asked to go to a studio to have some beauty shots done for only £15 - this included hair and make up. Instead she was given the hard sell once she was there - she was furious! This wasn't a bit of hard sell either, this was - lets-work-out-a-finance-deal type of plan!

Has anyone else experienced this?

RAW Images?

Dania — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:44:25 GMT

So from talking and working with a lot of photographers, I've found that many feel a certain way about releasing raw, unretouched images to models. Some totally don't care and don't give a second thought about releasing a CD of raw images to a model they have shot with, while I've seen some photographers state on their profiles and/or websites that they would rather die than release even one raw image.

For the latter, I can understand why they would feel this way but at the same time, it kind of makes me think. I mean, none of the published images we see in the media are raw so it just goes without saying that we don't expect raw images to come out perfect. Hmmm...now that I think about it, maybe some of those photographers are scared that by releasing raw images people will see that they aren't really all that "talented" and instead rely on retouching to really bring the talent and skill to their pictures? I know that doesn't go for all photographers but it just made me think.

So how do you Modelfolio photographers feel about raw images?

Putting film in the fridge!

rowena — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:25:51 GMT

I was out yesterday and I had been out and about all day and one of my films (I was shooting in black and white) totally melted! Well not melted properly but had started to mottle in the heat. Just a warning! Always keep film cool!

Panasonic Lumix

rowena — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:12:10 GMT

I am a camera addict - I buy cameras quite often because I just love new technology. I have been hearing good things about the panasonic Lumix range has anyone got one of these cameras? Any thoughts?

Ring Flash

rowena — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:47:00 GMT

I have been looking for a ring flash for a long time but they are so expensive. I even found some guides that teach you how to make them through google, HOWEVER, home made ones are hard to store. I have found one called O-Flash! for £30 I can have my own sturdy ring flash! (look on eBAY)!!

I can't wait for it!

Photographer Pet Peeves?

rowena — Sat, 30 May 2009 23:15:14 GMT

I was wondering what kinds of experiences models have had with photographers. Just as we hear about difficult models, there are plenty of difficult and less that professional photographers out there too! Have any models got stories about photographers to tell?

What Does ISO Mean?

Dania — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:46:33 GMT

I see photographers list castings for models and use the term ISO in them--often in the headings. For example, "ISO High Fashion Shoot Needs Models." I believe it has something to do with the camera itself, right? If the term is referring to the camera, then why is it necessary to associate it with a particular casting? Is a shoot that uses ISO going to be different from another shoot that doesn't involve the term? What does the ISO term signify when a photographer uses it in a casting? I'm kind of confused by this and would love it if someone could clarify. Thanks in advance!

Photographer Agencies

Dania — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:08:45 GMT

So I know that photographers, like models, can get signed to agencies. I just wanted to know a little bit more about this topic out of interest. How does the process work? Is it the same as when a model seeks agency representation? Do photography agencies taken on any kind of photographer or do they have specific divisions (fashion, commercial, editorial, etc). Are there open calls? I would think that since a photographer's images showcase their talent, you need to have a solid portfolio to showcase...?

If any of you Modelfolio photographers out there have an agent, I would be interested in hearing about your experience. =)

Madonna's Nude Print

rowena — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:51:06 GMT

It was reported that a nude print (and rather graphic one!) of Madonna sold today for $37,500 at Christies. It was interesting to think quite a simple shot of a young dancer could translate to so much money because of who she has become. Do other photographers archive their shots accordinly? With digital its easy to download, delete, forget about photographs we have taken....

A photographers portfolio

rowena — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:49:01 GMT

I was flicking through some of my older photographic portfolios and thinking how much my style has changed, yet I haven't been able to move my images around because I am quite sentimental about things (which means I have TONS of portfolios lying about!).

I was wondering how other people felt about their portfolios? Now that we have the internet I can just add work to the site anyway but it is nice being able to have real prints of my work!

Grad filters

Photography by Riddell — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:07:50 GMT

Many people will argue that grad filters are not necessary these days with digital, and to an extent they are right. You can bracket and merge.

But, there is no doubt that it is much faster to use a grad filter, and also you don’t have to worry about movement between the frames. Even the smallest movement such as that created by the mirror movement can knock the alignment out, which simply results in your merged frames looking out of focus.

But if you are going to buy grad filter, for anything other than hobby use. You have to buy top quality. Or the derogation of you photo will just negate their use.

Photo Sizes

rowena — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:33:11 GMT

When you have pictures taken by a photographer, you need to check the size of the image. Many photographers, if they are doing a big job will take the image at the highest possible resolution. This is not the case if they are shooting a random shoot - say if they are doing a cheap shoot or doing a basic portfolio collection for you they may use a jpeg format which is easier to handle, but not so great for you if you want to blow it up later or edit it as its a format that can lose quality. If you can, try to request the files in TIFF or RAW format - there's images are large and it means that you can blow the image up later on without losing any quality!

Finding a good photography Studio

rowena — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:27:34 GMT

When you are a new model you may want to get a portfolio together - generally an agency will help you get this together, but if you are out of luck you may want to find a local photographer witha studio to help you. I'd say you should always get a basic head shot and a basic body shot. You should have some creative pieces in there to but if you are paying a basic rate you may not get anything too comprehensive - another tip is to approach photography students. They are usually free, are very creative and easy and flexible to work with and need reliable models!

Dealing with studio lights

rowena — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:46:20 GMT

Generally speaking a photographer will use two types of lights - Flash or Tungsten.

Flash is one that - well, flashes - the pros to this is that the photographer can freeze action and work quickly. Tungsten lights are on constantly like a lightbulb, so they get very hot but they mean you can see exactly what you are getting.

As a model there are a few pointers (please comment if you have any experiences with this!). Flash is good cos it can catch you with your eyes open but it also means you may have to do movements over and over again. Also some girls are fast blinkers which means your eyes tend to be closed or sleepy when the flash goes off.

Tungsten is used less these days as they get really hot but nevertheless some people like them cos they can see exactly what they will get. If you shoot under these conditions you need to be able to cope with the heat and treat your skin after because the heat and light can actually be quite damaging to the skin!

Photographer Pet Peeves

Dania — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:35:50 GMT

What bugs you the most about working with models? What common mistakes or behaviors have you experienced with models that you just can't stand? I figured this could be a fun thread to vent playfully about what irks you in your line of work. Maybe it doesn't even have to do with models...whatever it is about your field that just plain makes you batty, I want to hear about it!

What's Your Most Memorable Photoshoot?

Dania — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:09:31 GMT

I'm curious to know what photoshoots have been your favorite in the course of your photography career and what was it about that shoot that made it memorable? I think it's fun to look back and reflect on past experiences and I usually hear about it from the model's perspective so I thought I'd pick a couple of the photographers' brains on here and ask you to share!

Retouching for models!

rowena — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:26:30 GMT

I have seen some really bad touch up jobs that models have done by themselves whilst editing their images! However, I've seen some really bad jobs. It's much better just to leave images simple and if you really must, just use a tool to get rid of blemishes like spots and lines and use a light hand. A lot of cloning can be quite complicated and its better to make sure you look good before the image is taken or take a few free online lessons before you play about with it.