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23
Oct
Trying to leave my brief sojourn into commenting on politicking aside I’d like to use this post to try and get into words my issues with a lot of current amateur fashion / physique / model photography.
This is an area I’ve taken up in the last 18 months or so and really enjoy it — without there are distinct benefits of trying to make really good imagery with someone who has, if nothing else, an interest in being photographed and a willingness to engage with what the photographer is trying to achieve.
However, one of the things I’m realising quite rapidly is just how vaccuous and unengaging many of these types of photos are.
I’m beautiful, look at me. No, just look and stare at my perfect face or ample boobs or my perfect pecs.
Yeah, yawn.
This isn’t great photography — it may be technically — the lighting might be brilliant, the composition precise and the clothes and expression might be just spot on. But it’s devoid of life, excitement or spark. Like german-engineered cars — technically brilliant and a thing of beauty — but lacking in personality and lifeless.
If I were to make one call out to those shooting models these days — and there are more and more of them with the rise of the model/photographer social website — is this: can we have some imagination? Please, can we try to tell a story?
Can we try to move past technically proficient photos — and see photos where you can read a story in them?
I’ll try if you will!
Some modelling websites I use…
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4 Responses to “Where’s the story?”
An interesting post, but is it aimed at the models, the photographers or both? I’ve found that models tend to expect the photographer to have all the ideas and gentle probing for some further input, often yields little more than, “well i’d like some head shots”
Which as an amateur photographer, leaves a lot of the burden on my shoulders. I think when you’re starting out, the emphasis and pressure is understandably on creating something that’s technically right, where the lighting works and the model is in frame, with the requisite number of arms and legs, and their eyes open.
You don’t want to risk wasting the models time and coming out with nothing usable. You’re absolutely right that it’d be great if photos could be used to tell more of a story, but in an age where models even see themselves as a commodity, and their portfolio is simply a tool to sell that product, it’s unsurprising that they so often just want photos that tick the boxes.
Not a criticism, more just some random thoughts from my head…
Thanks for the comment, Jon
I very much mean the creative lead — which will often be the photographer. The strongest images in the photographers folio will often be those with a strong story, these can even display less than technical perfection if the concept is strong enough.
I think too many of us working TFP forget it’s a agreement of mutual benefit — to develop both of you. Ok, if you’re trying out a new technique (either technical or in approach) — but if you’re not I’d recommend really trying hard to ensure you do one shot that will really sing in your folio.
If the only person developing their folio or skillset is the model — maybe you should be charging them!
“like german-engineered cars — technically brilliant and a thing of beauty — but lacking in personality and lifeless”
Hah, last time I give you a lift…who needs personality when you’re beautiful
You didn’t actually disagree with me though…
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