In my time as a photographer, eclipsing 10 years now, I have studied the work of many of the masters of light and shadow and also many of my friends and peers. Everyone talks about how the photographer did an awesome job or how the model did an awesome job. It is most often rather one-sided in some form. I want to talk about the combined effort of both the photographer and model together as a cohesive unit.
If there is no photographer-model dynamic, what’s the point?
What I am referring to is this: With respect to photographers and practicing models (or those wishing to become more than novice part-time or full-time photographers or models), unless both photographer and model are in the game, working towards a single resulting image at any given instant and actually making the most of the moments they spend working *together*, it is a waste of an opportunity. The photos will be dull, lifeless snapshots and will lack the results that can be accomplished with a good, working dynamic.
Sure, a good photographer knows how to work light and shadows, can setup studio lighting or a couple of speedlights and use refectors, scrims and other light modifiers. the important question is: can they get emotion from their model or subject?
If the photographer is going for a certain look, he or she should communicate to the model what they are going for, or at least be able to show her a photo of something similar that can work as a starting point to change up and make their own. There is nothing wrong with going to Google, searching up some similar images and recreating them. In fact, I personally find it a wonderful dedication to my craft when others want to recreate it! Anyway..
Many novice photographers look at a model and go “uhhhhhhhhh,” and that’s perfectly okay. That’s why you do those TFP shoots and tests to improve your technique and to fill your portfolio. Just remember to communicate to your model that you don’t have anything in mind and maybe then the model can suggest something that you can work together to accomplish something more than a snapshot.
This is what I mean about the photographer-model dynamic; your minds should be in-sync. The model should always know what you’re thinking or at least in which direction you’re going with what you are attempting to create. If you are visualizing something in your head, communicate this to your model. If it is difficult to put into words or you lack the descriptive phrases and words used to elicit a given expression or pose from your model, then show them what you want; be the model yourself and either mimic the expression using your own face or go stand in that awesome scene you’re working in and show her the pose you want (and let laughter ensue)! Don’t waste an opportunity to create or stumble upon a great image.
Many great images are created by accident. I recently heard a local Windsor photographer comment about one of his own images of a beautiful model created during a beach shoot, “I couldn’t do this again if I tried.” I too have had this experience and it is wonderful! If you cannot recreate it again yourself, the chances that someone else can are equally unlikely. This is what makes a great image. You plan for the unexpected!
Equally, the best results come from a model who knows how to emote, how to listen to the shutter, how to adjust in increments by making small changes in pose and posture between shutter clicks. A good model will even ask for feedback from the photographer. Some novice photographers are naturally shy in their initial shooting experiences and, as one of those initially shy photographers, I absolutely love, love, love it when a model looks at me and says, “Okay, what next?” or “Can we try something?” or “I have a couple ideas I’d like to try.” ENGAGE AND ENCOURAGE THIS! This is the ideal model for you to work with if you aren’t going in with a specific idea in mind!
Also, a good model practices their work off-camera, in front of a vanity mirror (or full-length mirror in the case of body poses). Unless the photographer has a specific shot in mind, the model doesn’t wait until getting in front of the camera lens for the photographer to tell her how to pose. She should know her strengths and weaknesses and she should know how a given pose or expression “feels.” What I mean is, use your senses! Practice expressions and poses in front of a mirror, “see” what they look like and physically remember how they “feel.” If you know what the pose or expression “feels like” then you will be able to reproduce it exactly the way it looked, but without the mirror, especially in the case of those awesome poses that “feels wierd.”
Photographers, get out of your shell! Don’t get stuck in the technical world of f-stops and EV. Think about what you want to produce and communicate with your models! They are human and they want your input in order to give you their best!
Models, practice your craft! Show your photographer that you know yourself and that you are willing to make the most of the opportunity you have been given, especially in the case of “trade-for” shoots, where you are both getting free images for your respective portfolios! LISTEN.. Listen for the shutter. Make a subtle change in pose or expression (but never both at the same time!). You will end up with more keepers rather than the same shot repeated 12 times or a set of snapshots of expressions way off the mark.
One last thing to models.. Be prepared for photographers like me! I love casual images! I will talk to you, I will make you laugh, I will say stupid (but respectful) shit and make you think, “wtf?” I will do whatever it takes to get the result(s) that I want from our work together. And be prepared for those little candid set moments when we are talking or thinking or attempting to get a specific pose when I shout, “Wait! Do that again.” I find that often times, unless we are working on a specific concept, our best work is realized during casual discussion, thought or progression toward a pose .. when we are COMMUNICATING.
Work together, create greatness!
The attached image was created partially in forethought and partially on set and happened because everyone involced communicated effectively. I had approached the model, whom I had worked with before, to offer her a spot in the book that we are planning to publish in 2011. She mentioned during our initial discussions that she wanted to do an implied nude in a beautiful Pashmina (cashmere scarf) that had been gifted to her. I said to bring the scarf to our shoot and we’d do it! During shooting of images for our book, we agreed it was time to shoot the Pashmina. I had the chair with me as I use it as a prop in many of my images, for reasons of artistic continuity in some of my creations. We all (photographer, my wife and assistant Sharon and the model) agreed to have her seated for the pose and the scarf loosely wrapped around her. I chose the pose for her and the model emoated the expression seen in the image. We worked together to create what I would now call “Implied Royalty.”
Until next time..
Ray
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