Be honest- Do you love your own photography?

tandi

We are all different with different needs.

I am glad that you really enjoy the process. You look as if you are very comfortable in front of the camera and that's a big plus. Keep creating ✨

tandi

Quote:

Not everyone can be the ideal model, young, thin, very attractive with a beautiful body and the ability to pose naturally at will.

I agree with this, but for the shoots I do, I have a look that I like and generally, but by all means, not exclusively, I choose models with more of a standard fashion look.

Marissa _PH1 said

tandi

I'm not saying that you should not model- Far from it. I welcome anyone who wants to create and it's better for all of us, but it also doesn't mean that just because you model, then I should book you. I am not sure what you thought I was trying to say 🙏🏽

Sorry Marissa. The point I was trying to make is that not every model on PP can be "great or competent" and therefore will never be on any photographers "WTSW" list. For me personally I'd like to see the photographer "gems" (to quote Afrofilmviewer) out there being more creative by using different models, rather than (and this is purely my subjective view) select the most beautiful models who have the ability to light up any photograph with their presence.

Marissa _PH1 said

tandi

Quote:

Not everyone can be the ideal model, young, thin, very attractive with a beautiful body and the ability to pose naturally at will.

I agree with this, but for the shoots I do, I have a look that I like and generally, but by all means, not exclusively, I choose models with more of a standard fashion look.

I think as a photographer you have a unique perspective because you are a talented photographer and also a talented model. Obviously I know from following you that you do selfies, but if you were someone else (photographer) would you shoot yourself, your age group?

tandi

I used the word Gems.

The Gems I refer to will be models and a couple photographers.

Xenia is undoubtedly a fantastic model. She does have a presence and she looks like she absolutely knows how to model.

Simon Carter is another. I feel that he really embraces what he does and delivers.

Minh- Ly can do fashion, beauty, nude equally.

Ofilaye is one of my absolute favourite photographers. I have shot with him as model 5 times and why I like him, is that he immediately inspires me at a session and is also not afraid to say that something is not working, or that I need to emote differently.

Edited by Marissa _PH1

tandi

but if you were someone else (photographer) would you shoot yourself, your age group?

I can't speak for someone else. I already photograph myself, so obviously yes.

I shoot my close friend who is the same age as me and I've shot with about 5 other models who are over 60. They have all been truly amazing. A couple were not even models. They were just very cool.

tandi

‘For me personally I'd like to see the photographer "gems" (to quote Afrofilmviewer) out there being more creative by using different models, rather than (and this is purely my subjective view) select the most beautiful models who have the ability to light up any photograph with their presence.’

This is a tricky one. I photograph quite a range of people - the oldest model was 80 - but there’s definitely a bias towards those who are most arresting.

Then there’s selection bias too: when I make images which aren’t likely to appeal to a PP audience I don’t post them on PP.

Simon Carter

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but there’s definitely a bias towards those who are most arresting.

Then there’s selection bias too: when I make images which aren’t likely to appeal to a PP audience I don’t post them on PP.

I have had to check myself, after posting on here more than once, moaning about not getting photographers to shoot with. I had to put my photographer hat on and ask myself if I tick boxes. You are right about a bias towards models who are most arresting. Modelling I think is all about attitude. Looks are important, but not imperative, unless it's what you absolutely require.

Edited by MaristarOxley

From a personal point of view it is not whether models are young or conventionally beautiful but whether they can "say something" when I make an image of them.

What I do does not much appeal on PP which doesn't concern me as that isn't why I take photographs.

It does result in me using a limited number of models though.

JPea

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From a personal point of view it is not whether models are young or conventionally beautiful but whether they can "say something" when I make an image of them.

I agree 👍🏽

I think that it's very easy to love our own work at the time of taking the images, whether due to the memories if family / holidays etc. or due to theme, model, or location with PP type stuff.

It is easier to judge more impartially with time.

I am a long way from some of the true masters on here but, perhaps too honest, I see some images / portfolios and wonder why.

I appreciate that we all start somewhere and also that many will think the same of my efforts.

Edited by Models in the Landscape

MaristarOxley I often teach quite technical stuff. But I do like to remind people that in the end the technical stuff is just a detail: it’s all about what you point it at :)

Following Simon Carter's last comment, I had a technically poor image(blurred with both camera shake and subject movement due to very low light and having to grab the shot) given an FPI.

Forget the arguments about FPIs. It was deemed a useful advert for this site and I quite liked the fact that content was thought more important than technique in this instance.

And the shot was of a very old wrinkled woman!

I shoot a lot of images for myself or the model. Most of my images are never shared and sometimes I cherish them as a personal item. There are also shots I don’t like but the model does which I edit and deliver just for her.

The images I share here are the ones I think we could enjoy together and grow my portfolio for my own sake.