MarkMarek wrote:
My problem seems to be exact opposite of yours. So many ideas and so little time to pull them off.

I always believed that if you hit point blank, you should go back to the basics. I say you should do the cheesy stuff again...

What are you talking about?

EyeOnYouModels wrote:
What are you talking about?

Which part did you not understand?

EyeOnYouModels wrote:
You didn't give us a clue as to what this model may need for her book??
If she has a need for a certain look you could try doing that for her.

But after looking at your work, I gotta believe that she is shooting with you because she likes what you do. And you do it VERY well, btw.

If time permits, shoot the type of stuff you normall do (remember, all I can see of your work is on your profile here) and then try something different...experiment with something new.

Remember, she is shooting with you because she likes YOUR work....so do it well.

Exactly, ask her what she needs or would like in a shot. 

You could also sit down with her over a good magazine like fashion quarterly and look for a shot that will inspire.  Breathe deep, don't sweat it, it will all evolve once you start pushing the shutter release.

MarkMarek wrote:

Which part did you not understand?

The part where you call his work "cheesy".

EyeOnYouModels wrote:
The part where you call his work "cheesy".

I never called anyones work cheesy. I said that if you you're stuck you should go back to the stuff you were doing when you started (which one could refer to as cheesy when looking back at his/her work) but it often proves to be a stimulant and can get you back on track.

MarkMarek wrote:

I never called anyones work cheeasy. I said that if you you're stuck you should go back to the stuff you were doing when you started (which one could refer to as cheesy when looking back at his/her work) but it often proves to be a stimulant and can get you back on track.

Glad to hear that you weren't calling his work cheesy, though ya gotta see that it did seem that way.
With this much needed clarification, I would agree with you.

EyeOnYouModels wrote:
Glad to hear that you weren't calling his work cheesy, though ya gotta see that it did seem that way.
With this much needed clarification, I would agree with you.

Never meant to make it sound that way. I have over 700 posts but you can browse forums as much as you like and track all of my posts down, but you will not find a single one in which I would mock someones work. This is not the way I do it. I've seen it happen many times, but never ever has it come from me. Ever.

Mark

EyeOnYouModels wrote:

Glad to hear that you weren't calling his work cheesy, though ya gotta see that it did seem that way.
With this much needed clarification, I would agree with you.

I understood it the first time :]

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Okay, maybe I've been hosting too many sittings lately, or maybe I've just got a post turkey torpidity, but I got a problem.  A wonderful model is traveling through town tomorrow.  I've worked with her a couple of times before, and we've made terrific pictures.  She's great & fun to be around & looks great.

My problem:  I'm drawing a blank -- I don't know what I want to do with her!  I'm drawing a total blank.  I suppose I could revisit old ideas & lighting setups & such, but both she & I deserve better.  She's non-local & doesn't come through town often, so I don't want to beg out or reschedule.

So, what do you guys do when you want to shake things up but you can't figure out how?

Depends are you drawing a blank for this model or in general?

When I hit a general creative block, I usally take a short hiatus from photography.

If it's with the model maybe your collaboration has run it's course. I've found that working with the same model (especially in the same setting like a studio) some sessions are better than others (and longer). Try an idea you haven't done before. I looked at your website, maybe something like with the dance photos using a slower shutter speed.

Good Luck.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
A wonderful model is traveling through town tomorrow.  I've worked with her a couple of times before, and we've made terrific pictures.  She's great & fun to be around & looks great.

Betcee May, perhaps? I had a great time shooting with her. We drove around and stopped at a couple places and did some things I had planned, but from her standpoint, it probably looked off-the-cuff. She was very fun, and I had a great time shooting with her. https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic_id=429b1311f1b52 was taken in cold weather at the top of a parking garage (as you can see from the background).

If it is her, just pick out some clothes, or not, and put her somewhere. She'll start posting with what's available and make you look good. After a bit, the creative mechanism will be grinding away.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
So, what do you guys do when you want to shake things up but you can't figure out how?

I rarely know what I will do with the model before the shoot... I let it flow organically and utilize props or locations as they come up.

Only sometimes, I have a concept for something specific...

I probably would start worrying right now and just trust your creativity and that you know what you want to do when she is coming.

But everybody is different.

Udo

Justin wrote:
Betcee May, perhaps?

No, not her.  I've had the pleasure of working the Betcee a few times, and we've become close (exchanging e-mails on occasion).  In fact, a Betcee sitting is next in the queue for my darkroom.

The model in question is Coral (https://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=18332); she is fun, easy to be around, and certainly easy on the eyes.  We did some simple things -- semi-elegant lighting & a few skewed ideas.  We'll soon see what develops (yes, a photographic pun!).

dB. wrote:
It's like a relationship. When things don't work out, there's allways sex.

No, no, I am not suggesting you sleep with your model. Go back to the basics. Shoot something simple where she can shine and feel adventurous. For example, stop the traffic and take pictures of her crawling on the asphalt?

Olivier wrote:
Ask her for HER ideas . Afterall this is part of her work too. Anyone else involved in that shoot? MUA, Stylists, Hairstylists have great ideas too , why not work as a team .

bingo!

UdoR wrote:

I rarely know what I will do with the model before the shoot... I let it flow organically and utilize props or locations as they come up.

Only sometimes, I have a concept for something specific...

I probably would start worrying right now and just trust your creativity and that you know what you want to do when she is coming.

But everybody is different.

Udo

I usually don't have anything planned for a shoot. I am usually inspired by the model and what she brings. Sometimes, models ask me to do something specific and I usually accomodate them.

Jeff

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Okay, maybe I've been hosting too many sittings lately, or maybe I've just got a post turkey torpidity, but I got a problem.  A wonderful model is traveling through town tomorrow.  I've worked with her a couple of times before, and we've made terrific pictures.  She's great & fun to be around & looks great.

My problem:  I'm drawing a blank -- I don't know what I want to do with her!  I'm drawing a total blank.  I suppose I could revisit old ideas & lighting setups & such, but both she & I deserve better.  She's non-local & doesn't come through town often, so I don't want to beg out or reschedule.

So, what do you guys do when you want to shake things up but you can't figure out how?

I usually challenge myself by deconstructing, then reconstructing a photo from a tear sheet from a magazine. This usually helps myself and my model get creative
for the photoshoot. Okay, so it works for me!

from the mouths of babes!!!

Glen Berry wrote:
Wow. A lot of people are suggesting to look at other people's photos, or look at other forms of visual art. I would only do this as a last resort.

For the record, I suggested f*cking off. blahahahhaa.

(As in: focusing attention to something else you shouldn't be doing.)