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How to Spot a real Photographer
Okay, I know this has already been done but why can't it be done again? It is always relevant considering how many naive aspiring models take a glance at the main page. Heck, and hopefully I'll learn something. Here is a list of two things I look for: 1. He owns a camera that doesn't even remotely resemble the camera I have at home nor any camera they sell at radioshack or walmart. 2. He is perfectly willing to meet my boyfriend before the shoot Please add on and correct my two presumptions if you think they are wrong. Mar 27 06 01:15 pm Link angela camp wrote: I disagree with Number 1, since it's not the camera that makes the photographer. Mar 27 06 01:25 pm Link angela camp wrote: In defense, Richard Avadon (heard of him right?) did some great fashion shoots with a pinhole camera. Seeing that you can make one out of a oatmeal container, technically you can get one at WalMart. :-) Mar 27 06 01:25 pm Link Angela, Nice portfolio, best of luck with the acting. Your #2 is totally wrong. I could care less about your boyfriend, mother, father, grandmother, whomever. I care only about you, the client/model. Possible additional things to look for: #3. Has more than a sheet for a backdrop. #4. Has references #5. Uses minimal photoshop on images. #6. Respects the model throughout the shoot and afterwards. #7. Is punctual and turns off cell phone during shoot. #8. Provides privacy area for changing. #9. Makes it clear what the focus(s) of the shoot will be. Just a beginning... Mar 27 06 01:27 pm Link My boyfriend has no desire to meet the photographer, I insist that he meet with the photographer because I feel that if the photographer has good intentions he will have no problem meeting my boyfriend. This is strictly for my own personal saftey and comfort and has nothing to do with the photographer. My boyfriend never comes to the actual shoot because it would make me a little self-conscious. Oh yeah, and I saw the photographer who shot with a throw-away camera for Sports Illustrated on a Sports Illustrated expose on T.V., I still think he is an exception to the rule. Mar 27 06 01:31 pm Link Jeff Marsh wrote: Yea, and make sure it's not wronkeld Mar 27 06 01:33 pm Link The problem with number one, aside from what has already been mentioned (check out Melvin Moten's work for further proof), is that having good gear doesn't mean a photographer knows what to do with it. There are plenty of goofballs running around with insanely expensive equipment to show off with, and everything dialed in to "Auto." The work should speak for itself. I could care less how a photographer achieves consistently gorgeous work, so long as it is consistent. Model references are also a good thing. Mar 27 06 01:37 pm Link If the intentions are your concern, then meeting your boyfriend won't help. The best thing for that is just look at their images first, and then do some backdoor referencing. Go to the models link on the picture and send them a message asking about the photographer. If none of their models are linked, then I would find that shady as well. Granted, they could be new to MM, so just wait till they show some models that do have links. I really shady person could fool you and your boyfriend. I am just saying that I am generally busy as hell and do not have much time for pre-interviews except with designers and make-up artists. I expect the model knows what she is doing so I would rather focus my prep work on making sure the designer, MUA and I are on the right page before the day of. Camera Rebutal - last year the French edition of PHOTO magazine (much better the the American version) did a spread in which a fashion designer (not photographer) did a fashion shoot of their own stuff using a Sony/Erricson cell phone camera. They were great. I have seen some people who know how to use $25,000 cameras like they invented them but took horrible pictures. 40% of it is knowing how to use the equipment. 60% of it is composing a great image. Mar 27 06 01:41 pm Link Photographer's are a lot like Gun Slingers .... It all depends on WHO he shot, and how many times it took to get the JOB done. Jovial Jack Mar 27 06 01:43 pm Link angela camp wrote: Angela, most photographers are happy to meet YOU before hand and actually want to get a better feel for you integrating into the plan out the shoot, start a repoire, and confirm you are the size and specs you say you are on your port. Mar 27 06 01:44 pm Link Walsh Street Journal wrote: Damn, forgot that....OK....30% techical skill, 50% composition, 20% good model :-) Mar 27 06 01:45 pm Link angela camp wrote: #2 I'd be willing to meet with boyfriend and model (or husband and model or parent and model or whatever and model).. But a solo meeting with significant other seems pointless.. Also comfortable having them along as long as they're not going to get weird.. Mar 27 06 01:45 pm Link The only way I want to meet your boyfriend is if he is buying me drinks. And if thats the case bring the whole family because I get thirsty. Mar 27 06 01:45 pm Link I will have to agree with most of the others on #1 Doesn't matter about the camera and equipment. If the photographer knows how to use it and produce a beautiful picture in the end that client is happy with. All that matters really. #2 I'm not sure I'd want to meet with a models boyfriend before a shoot. Im not shooting him. Im shooting you. So if a pre-meet needs to happen I would want to meet with the model I will be shooting. In an open and safe place so she feels comfy. Then again I am a female photographer so most women already feel comfy with me as it is. Mar 27 06 01:46 pm Link Most important above anything else is The images created in his or her portfolio. References can say what there told to say. The pictures themselves and clients photographed speak the loudest Mar 27 06 01:48 pm Link Why can't the photographer be FEMALE??? Then you know for sure she'll want to meet ur BF....Hell schedule a session with me I'll end up photographing ur MAN instead of you........need to update the male section in my book anyway....  KM Studios Mar 27 06 01:52 pm Link This thread kind of cracks me up, because I can't help wondering how many photographers would be comfortable if, just as the shoot finishes, the model says, "Oh, my boyfriend is here to pick me up. Can he look at the pictures?" Mar 27 06 02:09 pm Link phcorcoran wrote: Ive had that happen and they both looked at the pictures and both liked them Mar 27 06 02:14 pm Link dncphotos wrote: Then in that case you had confirmation that you'd been shooting with a real photographer. Mar 27 06 02:19 pm Link Perceptions. Everyone has their own perceptions of what a real photographer is. And just as many have perceptions of what a real model is. Real models don't have much difficulty spotting real photographers and visa versa. I mean the boyfriend is going to be real good at confirming a real photographers credentials aren't they. What are you most concerned about here? Getting great photos and developing your portfolio or personal safety? For personal safety issues, trust your instincts. If you are nervous don't do the job - it'll bring bad karma to the shoot and result in bad photos too. Start with people you can be truely relaxed with, even if they only have a disposable camera. Get experience yourself - it gets easier spotting the real from the illusional. Get to know people in the industry. Set clear groundrules and stick to them. Once you get some confidence yourself, check out better photographer's portfolios and references. Start simple with a clear shooting plan. Mar 27 06 02:20 pm Link Jeff Marsh wrote: I disagree with this as a blanket statement, Jeff. People like Max V, Michael Rosen, Jeffrey Scott, Ravens Laughter, August Bradley, James Hickey, Haleh Bryan and Shaun Alexander (to name a few) are absolutely real photographers. They just happen to be real photographers who make regular (and skilled) use of Photoshop. Mar 27 06 02:23 pm Link phcorcoran wrote: You really have this thing about people finding your images tasteful. Honestly, does it matter? I mean it is all subjective. If a model is wanting to develope the nudes aspect to her portfolio then she and her boyfriend will find it tasteful. If they are devout evangelistics they would find your main image offensive. Mar 27 06 02:24 pm Link Apfel Photography wrote: Not aimed at anyone in particular....just a generalization. Mar 27 06 02:27 pm Link angela camp wrote: A good photographer can shoot anything. I have gotten good images with a cheap 35mm camera such as the Urban Cowboy and the Desert Storm pics in my portfolio. Mar 27 06 02:27 pm Link I love shooting with disposibles and I really don't wanna meet with anybody's boyfriend, girlfriend, family members, pets, etc. Max V. Mar 27 06 02:29 pm Link Oh I also do edit images heavily -Photoshop, Painter, etc.- M. Mar 27 06 02:34 pm Link angela camp wrote: Any human being who is social should have no problem meeting your boyfriend as long as he is social too. I invite models to bring all the family and friends they can to our shoots because to me, a photo shoot is a social event be it weddings, or of a model. I refuse to photograph landscapes (unless there are people in it) and strange things that I've seen other photographers shoot ... like food, jewlery, etc. because I find humans so very interesting! Mar 27 06 02:35 pm Link Shyly- I must agree with you, I stand corrected, BUT ONLY when you are talking about the Max V, Jeffery Scott, Rosens, et al of the world. They are truly ARTISTS . Mar 27 06 02:36 pm Link Shyly wrote: +1 Mar 27 06 02:38 pm Link Who's making up these rules (snicker). Get your butts to workin' shoot- shoot- shoot and the shoot some more- get all the images you can to put together the most amazing group of photos. Sometimes the non pros shoot the most amazing stuff. Love the craft and play nicely- see ya ! Mar 27 06 02:42 pm Link Well, 1. I really dont care to meet anyones boyfriend or girlfriend, unles they are a modeling couple and are shooting together. I've paud my dues and really dont want to waste my time being validated by somebodies sig other. I mean really, look at the portfolio, make up your mind and let's shoot. Better yet, I dont do TFP anymore, so if you are going to hire me, read what I already said. If I am working on a client project and there is money being paid out to a model. The sure fire way to get another model the gig would be to say..." I cant take the job unti you meet my boyfriend" NEXT 2. Gear..Well we all know a good photgrapher can take an awesome picture with a rubberband, a mirror and a cardboard tube. 3. Photoshop... Minimal? I just finihed a retouching class with the focus on fashion and glamour retouching in the commercial print world. MINIMAL doesnt exist. The things I have now done in photshop are unreal. It goes way beyond removing a blemish or two. I mean digital plastic surgery on down. Photshop is a major tool in the industry..and FYI.... Once you get to a certain level as a working photgrapher the images you take then GO TO the retoucher. Yeah, you still get credit for the mage, but some young dude/dudess in a dark monitor filled room is retouching the crap out of the images because the director said so. PS has nothing to do with it unless you wann get more specific. Like it or not, PS can take the worst of images and provide a killer final product. (in the right hands) Anyway.... A real photographer is someone who really enjoys taking pictures. period.... Mar 27 06 02:42 pm Link Max V wrote: If you ever decide to teach.. I'd rob a bank for a chance to watch over your shoulder what you do to images in post.. Absolutely incredible work.. Mar 27 06 02:43 pm Link One should think twice for adding real to a statement: This is the Web! So, As in anyone can be a model, Anyone can be a photographer. As far as Real gose, 5'6 and 125 will not make you a Real model, too many Real Photographers The only thing that spells real in this world is the image. Bill. Mar 27 06 02:45 pm Link its amazing how many female models come to my house by themselves, but they look at my work and know off hand that i am not a GWC. Plus i have a website that looks proffessional. But you should bring someone with you for safety or give his/her address to your family member and let them know when you get there and when you leave. Mar 27 06 02:45 pm Link Apfel Photography wrote: Wracking my memory, I don't think I've ever written a thing about whether photographs should be tasteful. I don't think I've even looked up "tasteful" in the dictionary to see what it means. Mar 27 06 02:46 pm Link C R Photography wrote: sorry I have over 37 back drops. some on rollers some are not those that are not, (cloth or tarp) I ball up and hang them when needed. If you carefully fold them you get creases which show up very badly in the image. so forget the wrinkled thing also. I have cameras you can get from wally world and I have cameras I have special ordered. Sorry I do not alow any "males" around when I am shooting. they always dampen the shoot even if I am shooting another male. Meet yes,be at the shoot, no. Mar 27 06 02:49 pm Link Damnit. Looks like I need to take down the page. Mar 27 06 02:53 pm Link I know its been said but why not beat it with a stick.. I started out with a Walmart special and to this day I still sneak it in on a few shoots .. The best picture I have ever taken was with a camera phone, of ScarFace on a t-shirt 20 out of 10 people think it was a downloaded image .. At anyrate .. We can pick and choose the many ways to see who is who but the only TRUE way in my eyes is to ask others .. check with the models that they have shot with .. Mar 27 06 02:54 pm Link phcorcoran wrote: Not even sure how to respond to that one. Can some one help me here? You are telling me that if I don't take time out of my schedule to comply to every wish a model might have before a shoot, I am fishy? Mar 27 06 02:56 pm Link Generally correct on both statements. However, the US air force paid $50, 000 Dollars for hammers and I donât think any of them are good carpenters. There are many wealthy GWCâs out there, so the type of camera one shoots with is not very relevant. It is the work produced that is poignant. So models should look at the portfolio, and educate them selves about photographic techniques to know if they are working with a real photographer and not just a Guy With a Camera. Mar 27 06 02:59 pm Link |
