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Models opinions on shorter photographers
In another thread there is a discussion about tall versus short models. I'd like to turn the tables a little bit and ask what do people think about being WAY shorter than the model. I'm naturally short and being in a wheelchair makes it doubly hard. I'd like to know others opinions and if they've come across it how they've handled it. May 14 06 10:16 pm Link If a model is really that tall they can step on you. And those shoes hurt, ouch! May 14 06 10:18 pm Link I'm 5'9 and have worked with several models taller than me. I usually find something to stand on or bring my foam steps with me (Hanson Fong sells them on his website). Wheelchair? Hmmm, that's a head-scratcher. I'll ask a couple of my friends who use them as well and see if they have suggestions. May 14 06 10:20 pm Link Show me a photographer smaller than me... I dare you. May 14 06 10:25 pm Link Ah... if the diminutive stature of the photographer with whom I'm working ensures he won't take those leg-stubbifying, slightly-from-above shots, then I'm rather pleased! Also, makes me look of *acceptable* height for fashion, when it comes to the "tourist shot" at the end  ~Sabina May 14 06 10:27 pm Link Interesting twist on a recent post! Though not in a whhelchair, I am only 5',7" in height. I have shot with models ranging from 5',0" to 6'0" (the two Asian women currently in my portfolio). When I work with someone a few inches taller than me I bring a step stool and use it as needed. I am not self-concious about this at all. Hell, it's all about getting "The Shot"! Thomas May 14 06 10:38 pm Link I've only had to look up a couple times. It feels a little weird, but that's why they make chairs. May 14 06 10:43 pm Link Nemi wrote: that would be me katie... May 14 06 10:44 pm Link I'm five seven. Most models can put on heels and be taller than me. I have to crane my neck to address tall ones. I don't care. I'm 35, and have been this height for 20 years. Why feel insecure now? Models don't even notice - or don't show it. It's not like a blind date, they show up for the work and the pay. I doubt they care what I look like. As long as I'm safe and easy to work with, which I am, it doesn't matter. May 14 06 10:45 pm Link Pacific Beach Pictures wrote: I guess I misstated my question. I'm not "self-conscious" about my situation, I'm just wondering how models and photographers deal with the situation. It came up in the shoot I did today and I'm sure it will again. May 14 06 10:48 pm Link Mark Reese Photography wrote: I don't see why it is even a "situation" and one that has to be dealt with. People come in all sizes. While models need to fit certain physical criteria (commercially speaking), photographers don't. May 14 06 10:52 pm Link lll wrote: nothing "happened" per se it just made it difficult to get some good shots that would have otherwise been great ones. May 14 06 10:55 pm Link In that case, get one of those little stepping ladders, the plastic two foot high ones. We use them at work to get stuff off shelves. I like low angle shots anyway, and find more use for a rolling office chair. But I should have one of those little steps too. Some guys keep a taller ladder, like 6 ft. Harder to move, more possibilities. May 14 06 11:00 pm Link Mark Reese Photography wrote: I keep a ladder and a step stool in the studio. Suddenly, I'm 10 ft tall. ;-> May 14 06 11:01 pm Link Pacific Beach Pictures wrote: that MIGHT work if it weren't for me being in a wheelchair. May 14 06 11:02 pm Link Pardon my misreading your post. I skim - I admit it. I have a problem.  Then I'm not sure. If you only need two feet could you use a ramp? If you had an assistant to help you move it. Perhaps you could be seated in a chair like an office chair with the adjustable height. We have one at work that goes up fairly higher than the seat of a wheel chair. Might only buy you 18" or so. Otherwise you'd need to shoot from seated on stairs or a scaffold or something. Try to scope your site I guess and figure out the possibilities. If you're fairly mobile from your chair and back, or have some one to help you move, maybe you can find a few safe higher places to perch.May 14 06 11:21 pm Link I like shorter photographers because they see things from a different angle. May 14 06 11:27 pm Link Nemi wrote: I hover between 4' 11" and 5' depending on the time of the day!!! May 14 06 11:27 pm Link I'm not tall by any means... Since I like to have the camera at the model's waist level when shooting full lengths, I find it to be a bit of an advantage when shooting models 5'9" and above. May 14 06 11:28 pm Link Aren't we all the same height if we're lying down?  May 14 06 11:30 pm Link short myself 5'5". I just try not to shoot too many nostril openings. I was chairbound for a year after I strooked and not being sure I'd ever walk again I considered some inventions: A ramp around the room that starts at one end and then steps up to another ramp at a higher level. Also an electric winch I could either sit in a sling or just stick winch hooks to the chair and lift me up. Gotta consider a way to keep from rotating tho. Just a couple of ideas. The ramps setup could be done outside around a fenced yard as well-follow the lines and step up as it progresses. May 14 06 11:32 pm Link ImageWerks wrote: I know you meant this as a joke..and I like it BUT... hasn't everyone here missed the most obvious point??? That not ALL photos (Thank God) are taken just straight .."honey stand over there and smile". Some of the hottest photos put the camera low, or way above, model bent over, on her side...just thinking out loud from my 5'6" body....and let me say that I enjoy all those long legs I have photographed (was that last part out loud??) May 15 06 02:07 am Link I spend a lot of time on the floor during many shoots. I think it's just because I'm lazy. May 15 06 02:10 am Link Brian Diaz wrote: I rarely wear white shirts for just that reason. May 15 06 02:15 am Link A little over 5'8", and in spite of a rebuilt knee/leg, I've been known to be down on the floor, floating in rafts, balancing on ladders, etc. ... Oops! Oh, wait! You sent the question to models. Sorry. Sigh. ... but I've got a really tall, quirky, but tall sense of humor. LOL! FML May 15 06 02:25 am Link I am 5'6" but I spend most of the shoot on my knees. I like long legs and I don't get um when I stand up. May 15 06 02:29 am Link I'm not called a munchkin with a camera for nothing!   Of course the model was pretty darned short too. :-) May 15 06 02:30 am Link Taray Jennings wrote: Ditto. I seriously need to invest in kneepads. May 15 06 02:32 am Link I am 5'3 its never been a problem for me and I have even dated some of the models out side of my work so again no problems...... May 15 06 02:35 am Link I don't think it matters...not to me...When I worked with you I had one of the best times ever....What matters is the skills...the personality...the fun you bring to the shoot and how dedicated you are to what you do...Why would anyone care about your height? you can just borrow a chair if needed... May 15 06 02:39 am Link Dee wrote: Can I say you just get more awesome with each passing day? May 15 06 03:06 am Link Nemi wrote: I think it's something here in the water in Toledo. May 15 06 03:10 am Link I really seriously doubt that any model could care less about how tall or short a photographer is..as long as the work is good....You cannot be serious!! I personally have never seen a model taller than me, being that I am 6'6. May 15 06 03:23 am Link **walks in thread at 6'4"* **finds the shortest photographer in thread** **Rests camera on his head as a make shift tripod** May 15 06 03:30 am Link The damn double post demon! Probably bad karma for poking fun at the shorties.  May 15 06 03:30 am Link Ransom J wrote: grrrrrrr May 15 06 03:37 am Link Visions Of Excess Studi wrote: Stop shaking your fist at me, you're creating motion blur in the shot tripod!! May 15 06 03:40 am Link Ransom J wrote: Just remember Ransom, this "tripod" bites May 15 06 05:44 am Link Interesting topic - 5'4" and livin' large! Finding tripods that work well has always been a challenge. Reaching the control panel on a monolight can be tough too - oh wait - that's why I hire tall assistants! Well, not always - my current assistants are both shorter than me..... Got it! That's why I buy step ladders!! Bill Ballard Blue Water Photography Savannah, GA www.bluewaterphotography.net May 15 06 05:52 am Link If you're shorter than the model you're less apt to be mistaken for her boyfriend. Oh, she's tall, thin, attractive and scantily clad... and he's ugly, short, and has a camera. Long live the stereotype! May 15 06 06:04 am Link |
