Laura Elaine wrote:
What is up with the models on here that have cell phone camera pictures.  I mean, I understand you have to start some where, but come on.  They pictures aren't even flattering!

Can 'models' with self taken pictures expect to be taken seriously?

I had cell pics when I got started. I didn't know any photographers in order to get TFCD's and such (and I was much to poor to afford to pay someone), and it was a way to put my face out there while finding photographers willing to do test shoots.

I wouldn't try to get jobs through camera pics though, that's just riddiculous (sp?)

Zach Watkins wrote:
i think i'm gonna show up to a shoot and just take fotos with my cell phone. haha

That would be so funny!  I could sent you the links for a girl that is all about cell phone pictures, and you could set up a shoot with her!  muahahahaha!!!

Wynd Mulysa wrote:
I got my first two modeling gigs [and they were paid] with these self-taken photos.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/ … 99dfdb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/ … fe8485.jpg

They were so crappy that my MM profile was denied.  So I'm wondering how models with cell phone photos of themselves drinking with their friends are approved..
Anyway..  I think it's okay for people to do that so long as they're serious about it.

Wynd is cute...but ...did you clean up your apartment ?

UnoMundo Photography wrote:

Wynd is cute...but ...did you clean up your apartment ?

That was like the day after I moved into that apartment.  So my stuff was everywhere.  .
I've moved out, since.  And unpacked as soon as I got the boxes into my new room.

Benny wrote:
my cell phone does not have one but it does have a flashlight

Edit: picture of my non camera cell phone with flashlight coming soon

edit: see built in flashlight

I think that just might be more useful then the camera (which I have STILL not figured out) on mine...My boyfriend's got a flashlight on his and I'm ALWAYS borrowing it...

Wynd Mulysa wrote:
I got my first two modeling gigs [and they were paid] with these self-taken photos.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/ … 99dfdb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/ … fe8485.jpg

They were so crappy that my MM profile was denied.  So I'm wondering how models with cell phone photos of themselves drinking with their friends are approved..
Anyway..  I think it's okay for people to do that so long as they're serious about it.

The first work I got was with self taken pictures, but it's like what you are saying about the cell phone photos of drinking parties.  I had only self taken pictures on here for the first few weeks, then I worked with some photographers and took down the ones I took ASAP because I didn't want to be looked at as a 'girl with pictures'  I wanted to learn and to be taken more seriously as a model.

You, by the way, have amazing pictures.  I looooveee your style.

Laura Elaine wrote:

That would be so funny!  I could sent you the links for a girl that is all about cell phone pictures, and you could set up a shoot with her!  muahahahaha!!!

i'm down. i just ordered a motorola v3x its a good 2mp!

Zach Watkins wrote:
i think i'm gonna show up to a shoot and just take fotos with my cell phone. haha

It's funny but it's not.   Just like when the nameless photomagazine gave a bunch of pros point and shoots and said have at it.   The pictures were simply stunning.  The same could be done with a camera phone they are this decade's point and shoot.

So much about photography isn't about the camera.   It's about compostion, decent lighting and esoteric stuff.  A good image is a good image no matter what the medium.

As a side note some of the most important photos/videos on the war on terror have been taken with a cell phone.

Cecil Sharps wrote:
So much about photography isn't about the camera.   It's about compostion, decent lighting and esoteric stuff.  A good image is a good image no matter what the medium.

I agree with you 100%.  My boyfriend took some really amazing pictures of me for a photography class he took and they were only aloud to use this little toy camera that cost only $20.  They turned out amazing. 

He has an eye for photography.  If I had taken the pictures, they wouldn't have turned out...at all.  People that are skilled, and have an eye for taking photographs can use toy camera, cell phones, whatever...and take great photos.  Others, with out skill (such as myself), that take pictures with camera phones and edit the hell out of them in photoshop...those pictures usually don't look so great.

Cecil Sharps wrote:

It's funny but it's not.   Just like when the nameless photomagazine gave a bunch of pros point and shoots and said have at it.   The pictures were simply stunning.  The same could be done with a camera phone they are this decade's point and shoot.

So much about photography isn't about the camera.   It's about compostion, decent lighting and esoteric stuff.  A good image is a good image no matter what the medium.

As a side note some of the most important photos/videos on the war on terror have been taken with a cell phone.

Yes...and I've seen and read all of them......and true...some of the photos were excellent......and I've also been through the "Diana" school of shooting.....a $5 plastic camera/lens......

So if you want to call yourself an artist....feel free......it's artistic....if you want to hang it on your wall....no problem.......I've seen worse......but please don't show up with some low res cell phone photos and call yourself a professional photographer......it would be like showing up with a first aid kit and calling yourself a doctor......

As for those most important photos/videos depicting the war on terror.....I'm sure if they had their choice better equipment would have been used.......but you can't always be there with professionals........I worked as a photojournalist and if the need arose I bought a throw away 35mm.......but it certainly wasn't my first choice...

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Geez, guys, c'mon already!  Get off your high horse.

Decades ago, when I went to college, the photography courses were organized as follows:  beginners used 35mm SLRs & learned the basics of exposure, development, and printing; intermediate photographers used view cameras & learned advanced techniques like the Zone System; and advanced photograpehrs were given a $5 Diana plastic camera the didn't focus, had light leaks, and had maybe 2-3 exposure settings.  The concept is that you can get so tied up with technical details that you forget that a photograph's aesthetics are more important.

One of my favorite photographers of all time, Diane Arbus, wasn't all that skilled with her techniques.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that if she were alive today, she'd be quite happy with a P&S digital camera.

Alternatively, let's all criticize Van Gogh for his choice of inferior paint when he painted "A Starry Night".

Get over yourselves, and let the poor model start somewhere.  And yes, my camera is bigger than yours.

I was in art school less than a decade ago, and that's exactly how I learned...

Laura Elaine wrote:
What is up with the models on here that have cell phone camera pictures.  I mean, I understand you have to start some where, but come on.  They pictures aren't even flattering!

Can 'models' with self taken pictures expect to be taken seriously?

How about the "MALE MODELS" who took pics of themselves with point&shoots and are just on here to meet female models!?!?!

Just as bad!!!

RED Photographic wrote:
I'm about to do a test with a model who has so far only sent me camera phone pics.  Poor quality, badly lit, and all that, but at least I've got a good idea of what he looks like.  That wouldn't have been possible ten years ago, and I would've had to have taken his word that his description of himself was accurate.

They're better than nothing.

I agree that it's better than nothing, but look at it this way.  The model that you are going to be doing a test with is actually trying to model.  The people I am talking about are the ones that have been on here for months and months and still don't have one image from a photographer other than themselves.

Brian Diaz wrote:
I was going to offer this as the best camera phone photo ever taken, but I'm not positive the camera was attached to a phone.  It's likely, though.

I think your photos that are lit by cellphone might count in some peoples book....and they are f-ing brilliant.

Laura Elaine wrote:
What is up with the models on here that have cell phone camera pictures.  I mean, I understand you have to start some where, but come on.  They pictures aren't even flattering!

Can 'models' with self taken pictures expect to be taken seriously?

I completely agree.  I mean, everyone knows that you should start off with an incredible portfolio.  In fact some people are even born with them.  You shouldn't start off with photos that simply show what you look like so that people can make judgements on whether or not to work with you... rather you shouldn't have any photos at all and simply beg photographers to shoot you and convince them through words and despiration alone that you deserve to be in pictures.


I mean, it's just as ridiculous as agency who require polaroids!


C'mon.  Let's be serious.  Some of the girls have always "dreamed of being a model" so the get 4 pics together and open up a profile here.  I'd be willing to get that they get shoot offers within hours!  Just look at the tags on their pages.  Honestly, we all have to begin somewhere and so many of these phones have cameras that it's replaced the average persons polaroid camera.  Get used to seeing this.

Personally, I don't care how the photo is captured, all I'm interested in is the model's look.  If it fits my need then it just does.  Period.

FKVPhotoGraphics wrote:

Yes...and I've seen and read all of them......and true...some of the photos were excellent......and I've also been through the "Diana" school of shooting.....a $5 plastic camera/lens......

So if you want to call yourself an artist....feel free......it's artistic....if you want to hang it on your wall....no problem.......I've seen worse......but please don't show up with some low res cell phone photos and call yourself a professional photographer......it would be like showing up with a first aid kit and calling yourself a doctor......

As for those most important photos/videos depicting the war on terror.....I'm sure if they had their choice better equipment would have been used.......but you can't always be there with professionals........I worked as a photojournalist and if the need arose I bought a throw away 35mm.......but it certainly wasn't my first choice...

I'm not arguing that someone should show up with a motorolla flip phone and do a photoshoot with it.  I am arguing that you can get amazing shots with most anything.
Craft, compostiton, exposure are what is important..  A competent photographer will get a good shot no matter what equipment he uses.  5x7, 35mm or even digital.
The equipment is an aid, it is not the determing factor.

I am in iraq.  The reason the photos, videos were captured is quite simple.  The size of the phone.  It isn't the journalist that gets these images,  it isn't the soldiers.  It's our interpreters and friendly locals.  You can not walk down the streets over here with a camera or a camcorder.  You will be stopped, local, army, or journalist. You can not get to a scene of an incident if you are a journalist.  By the time the journalist finds out the event is over and he/she is standing around a big hole in the ground.

It is everyday people with a flip phone that have walked around snapping shots of criminals and terrorist in the act.   It is the fact that so few people realize what can be done with these little gadgets that the pics and videos have been recorded.

I don't work in an s2 shop but i've seen more than my share of these grainy little videos and images to know the inherent  value.  And i would rather have these gizmos in the hands of 10 locals than have 500 journalist.

David Scott wrote:
I applaud the models on here that ... when they sign up.. they do have professional pictures or professional-looking pictures ready to go at the start.  Heck, use your senior pictures from high school if you must.

I don't even HAVE senior pictures! (We couldn't afford it back then)